Journey to Become the Zenith

Awakening in the Royal Chamber

Videl, who had been lying unconscious on a very comfortable bed, suddenly jolted awake.

Her sapphire-blue eyes snapped open.

For a moment she didn’t move.

Her mind was foggy, like someone had stuffed cotton inside her skull. The soft mattress beneath her body felt unfamiliar. Warm sunlight filtered through silk curtains, painting the room in a soft golden glow.

Then instinct took over.

Videl immediately sat upright.

Her heart raced.

Her eyes scanned the room.

”Amura... Rika?”

Her voice came out hoarse.

The first thing she did when she woke up was look for her weapons.

More specifically—

For the spirits bound to them.

She glanced toward the corner where her long sword rested against the wall.

But the room looked empty.

No silver-haired spirit leaning lazily nearby.

No black-haired girl with a teasing smile perched somewhere.

Videl frowned slightly.

”Amura... Rika... don’t hide.”

Still nothing.

Her brows furrowed.

For a brief moment anxiety flickered inside her chest.

Then she closed her eyes and tried to remember what had happened before she lost consciousness.

Images slowly surfaced.

The throne room.

The Queen.

That monstrous final strike.

Her last attack.

The glowing blade.

And then—

Darkness.

”I attacked the Queen...”

Her voice was quiet.

”...and then I passed out.”

Mana exhaustion.

That was the last thing she remembered.

Videl exhaled slowly and rubbed her temples.

Then she spoke again, louder this time.

”Amura, Rika, stop pretending to sleep.”

Her tone turned slightly annoyed.

”I know you two don’t sleep.”

”Come out and tell me what happened after I fainted.”

For a moment the room remained silent.

Then—

A soft shimmer appeared near the long sword.

Silver light gathered in the air.

And slowly—

A woman materialized.

Amura.

The spirit of the long sword stepped forward gracefully.

Her long steel-colored hair flowed like liquid metal down her back. Her silver robe hugged her athletic body, the twin slits on each side revealing her elegant legs with every step.

Her toned thighs shifted beneath the fabric as she moved.

Her D-cup breasts rose gently beneath the robe’s folds as she folded her arms.

Behind her—

Another ripple of mana formed.

And Rika appeared.

Unlike Amura’s calm elegance, Rika carried a playful aura.

Her long black hair spilled down her back like silk. The white-silver robe she wore clung softly to her curvy figure, the slit revealing her long legs as she stepped beside Amura.

Her C-cup chest lifted slightly as she stretched lazily.

Both spirits stood beside the bed.

Amura spoke first.

”Master... we were trying not to disturb your sleep.”

She smiled softly.

Rika nodded in agreement.

”Yeah,” Rika added with a playful grin.

”You looked like a dead person. We figured you needed the rest.”

Videl blinked.

”...Dead person?”

Rika shrugged.

”Well... you collapsed like one.”

Amura lightly smacked Rika’s shoulder.

”Don’t tease Master.”

Then she looked back at Videl.

”You pushed your body beyond its limits.”

Videl exhaled slowly.

”Okay... so how long was I unconscious?”

Amura answered calmly.

”You were unconscious for two days.”

Videl froze.

”...Two days?”

Her voice rose.

”Two days?!”

She jumped out of the bed so fast the blanket flew to the floor.

”Victor is going to kill me!”

Rika burst into laughter.

”He’s not going to kill you.”

Amura tilted her head slightly.

”Although he might be disappointed.”

That made Videl stiffen.

”...That’s worse.”

She groaned quietly.

-----

After Videl finally calmed down and reassessed her situation, she changed back into her clothes and stepped outside the room.

The corridor was quiet.

But the moment she stepped out—

A figure straightened beside the wall.

Mora.

The knight stood there as if he had been waiting the entire time.

When he saw Videl, relief crossed his face.

”You’re awake.”

Videl nodded politely.

”Sir Mora.”

He studied her briefly.

”You should rest more.”

Videl immediately shook her head.

”I’ve already spent too much time here.”

Her voice carried quiet urgency.

”I need to return to Fantom City immediately.”

Mora sighed softly.

”I expected you would say that.”

Then he straightened.

”In that case... Her Majesty wishes to see you one last time before you leave.”

-------

Once again Videl stood inside the throne room.

But this time—

Her heart beat a little faster.

Now that she truly understood how powerful Queen Amara was...

Her respect had deepened considerably.

Amara sat upon the throne.

A strand of pale light slipped from her shoulder, trailing behind like a secret. Quietly, those red eyes held Videl’s face without blinking.

That long dress fit close along her strong frame.

Frozen in place, she filled every corner of the room without rising.

A soft pressure showed where her E-cup bust met the stiff royal attire, the material giving just a little over her front. The shape held firm beneath the tailored design, tension faint along the seams.

One leg draped softly over the other under her robe.

Out of nowhere, a hush fell as her words slipped through the air - gentle, yet impossible to ignore. Her tone had a way of curling around silence like warm smoke. Not loud, but full of pull. Each syllable moved slow, almost humming. Quiet strength lived there, tucked beneath the rhythm.

”Young knight... we are pleased to see you awake.”

Videl knelt respectfully.

”Your Majesty.”

Amara continued calmly.

”We have been informed of your wish to return to the academy immediately.”

Her crimson eyes glinted faintly.

”But before you go...”

She reached beside the throne.

”This Queen has something to give you.”

”As promised.”

She flicked her wrist.

A small object spun through the air.

”Here. Receive it.”

Videl caught it instinctively.

It was a ring.

A platinum ring.

Simple.

But heavy.

She looked closer.

The insignia engraved into the metal was unmistakable.

The same phoenix-and-castle crest displayed behind the throne.

Videl blinked.

Amara leaned slightly forward.

”This Queen has heard that you are having difficulty with certain nobles in the academy.”

Her voice carried faint amusement.

”That ring is a symbol.”

She rested her chin against her hand.

”It informs others... that you are friends with royalty.”

Videl stared at the ring.

Amara continued.

”Show those foolish nobles this ring... and they will bother you no longer.”

A faint smile appeared.

”But if they persist...”

Her crimson eyes sharpened slightly.

”Tell them this.”

Her voice became colder.

”To him who mischief seeks, shall mischief fall. There comes an hour that recompenses all.”

She leaned back again.

”The smart ones will understand.”

”And the stupid ones...”

Her lips curved faintly.

”I will allow you to deal with them as you see fit.”

Videl bowed her head.

”Thank you for this wonderful gift, Your Majesty.”

Truthfully—

She didn’t really need something like this.

But refusing the Queen’s gift would be incredibly rude.

So she accepted it respectfully.

-------

Not long after, Videl and Mora left the palace.

They boarded a carriage waiting outside.

The vehicle rolled through the capital gates and began the long journey back to Fantom City.

Inside the palace—

Queen Amara stood on a balcony overlooking the city.

Her crimson eyes followed the carriage as it slowly disappeared into the distance.

The wind gently moved her silver hair.

Her expression was serious now.

Very different from the playful smile she had shown earlier.

She watched until the carriage vanished completely.

Then she spoke quietly.

”I’m sorry, young knight...”

Her gaze remained fixed on the horizon.

”But for now...”

Her voice turned colder.

”This Queen needs to use you.”

Her crimson eyes darkened slightly.

”I need you...”

”...to cut down those nobles who are leeches feeding on this kingdom.”