Journey to Become the Zenith

The Weight of Divine Favor

”Max finally folded his arms.

”You see, each holy maiden must choose a warrior that would represent their temple. These special warriors are called heroes, they are beings that the Gods and Goddesses fancies, and are given blessings depending on which God or Goddess they serve.”

The office fell into a brief silence.

Outside the large windows, the morning sunlight illuminated the academy grounds, but inside the room the atmosphere remained heavy with anticipation.

Videl stood quietly in front of Max’s desk.

Her blonde hair swayed slightly as a breeze entered through the half-open window. Her sapphire-blue eyes reflected genuine curiosity.

She had already learned more today than she had during most of her life.

Ancient Continent.

New Continent.

Eight empires.

Eight divine temples.

A sacred pact.

Now there were heroes and blessings as well.

The world kept becoming bigger.

Far bigger than she had ever imagined.

”Blessings? What kind of blessings?” Videl was quite curious with the blessings that the Gods and Goddesses give out. When Ruby and Natalia heard Videl’s question, the two tried to speak first, ”The blessing,”

The two women spoke at exactly the same time.

Both immediately stopped.

Both immediately turned toward each other.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Ruby’s emerald-green eyes narrowed.

Natalia’s gentle smile became slightly sharper.

”Oh my, do you really think you should be explaining such a difficult thing? I doubt you even understand the meaning of your own blessing.”

Natalia smiled sweetly at Ruby.

The smile was beautiful.

The words were not.

Videl felt as if invisible swords were already clashing between them.

Ruby’s eye twitched.

A vein almost appeared on her forehead.

”I’m sure I can explain it better than a little girl, oh wait you’re not a little girl, you just look like one, you old hag.”

Ruby started laughing while deliberately looking at Natalia’s chest.

The holy maiden of the Dragon War Goddess Kia clearly knew exactly where to attack.

Natalia’s smile froze.

The air around her became dangerous.

Videl silently took half a step backward.

Max closed his eyes.

He looked like a man who had seen this exact scene hundreds of times before.

”What did you say, you dumb bimbo!”

Natalia shouted materializing her weapon once more.

Golden light erupted around her.

The guillotine blade connected to shining metallic wires appeared instantly.

The weapon floated around her like a predatory beast.

Mana rippled through the office.

The furniture creaked.

The windows trembled.

”Bring it you old hag!”

Ruby responded in kind.

Scarlet light exploded from her body.

Her jeweled halberd appeared once more.

The crimson blade gleamed like burning fire.

For a moment, the room looked less like an office and more like a battlefield.

Videl felt a headache coming.

Why did every conversation between these two somehow end with weapons?

A moment ago they had been discussing divine blessings.

Now they looked ready to start a holy war.

Inside her mind, Amura let out a sigh.

’Master, why are holy maidens always like this?’

’How would I know?’ Videl replied internally.

Even Rika spoke up.

’Victor would have left the room already.’

Videl almost nodded.

That sounded exactly like something Victor would do.

If Victor were here, he would probably smile lazily, say the situation was troublesome, and somehow leave the responsibility to someone else.

Thinking about him unexpectedly calmed her.

The chaos around her suddenly felt less overwhelming.

Just as Ruby and Natalia prepared to charge at one another—

A figure stepped between them.

Max.

The academy principal didn’t even release his mana.

He simply stood there.

Yet both holy maidens froze.

The difference in authority was obvious.

”Please ladies, the two of you fighting helps no one. For now, since lady Ruby was here first, how about she explains the blessings her Goddess will give if Videl decides to join the temple of the Dragon War Goddess Kia.”

The room became quiet again.

Ruby clicked her tongue.

Natalia crossed her arms.

Neither looked pleased.

Still, neither attacked.

Videl secretly released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

Thank the heavens.

For now, disaster had been avoided.

Natalia shot Ruby one last glare.

”You better explain it properly.”

Ruby smirked.

”Unlike some people, I actually know what I’m talking about.”

”You want to fight again?”

”You started it.”

”You insulted me first.”

”You deserved it.”

Max rubbed his temples.

Videl genuinely felt sorry for him.

The principal looked like he had aged several years within the last few minutes.

Finally, Ruby flipped her scarlet hair behind her shoulder and looked toward Videl.

The playful expression disappeared.

For the first time since entering the office, she appeared serious.

Videl immediately noticed the change.

This was no longer Ruby the troublemaker.

This was Ruby the Holy Maiden.

Representative of one of humanity’s most powerful temples.

The atmosphere became solemn.

Even Natalia stopped speaking.

”The blessings granted by the Gods and Goddesses are not simple gifts.”

Ruby’s voice carried unexpected dignity.

”They are fragments of divine authority.”

Videl listened carefully.

”Every deity governs certain concepts.”

Ruby raised one finger.

”The Dragon War Goddess Kia governs battle, strength, courage, victory, conquest, and martial growth.”

As she spoke, pride filled her eyes.

”Heroes chosen by our temple receive blessings that enhance combat potential. Their bodies become stronger. Their instincts sharpen. Their growth accelerates. The more battles they overcome, the stronger they become.”

Videl’s eyes widened slightly.

That sounded incredibly powerful.

Ruby nodded.

”Of course, every blessing manifests differently depending on the hero. No two heroes receive exactly the same gift.”

Natalia snorted.

”See? You skipped half the explanation already.”

Ruby immediately pointed her halberd toward Natalia.

”You promised not to interrupt!”

”You were explaining badly!”

”You have terrible taste!”

”And you have terrible manners!”

Videl looked toward Max.

Max stared at the ceiling.

He looked like a man questioning every life decision that had led him to this moment.

For some reason, Videl found that comforting.

At least she wasn’t the only confused person in the room.

Max finally lowered his gaze.

His golden eyes moved between the three young women.

One future hero.

Two holy maidens.

And an argument that clearly wasn’t ending anytime soon.

A long sigh escaped his mouth.