Journey to Become the Zenith

A Hero of Her Own Path

”I made my decision, I choose neither.”

The words fell into the room like a stone dropped into a still lake.

For a moment, nobody reacted.

Ruby blinked.

Natalia blinked.

Even Max found himself staring at Videl in silence.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the academy windows, casting long golden rays across the wooden floor. Dust drifted lazily through the air, illuminated by the light, while the distant sounds of students training echoed faintly from outside.

Yet inside the room, everything had gone quiet.

Neither holy maiden had expected that answer.

Truthfully, neither had Max.

The Temple of the Dragon War Goddess Kia and the Temple of Justice Jenna were among the most influential powers in the human world. Countless warriors dreamed of receiving an invitation from either temple.

Many kings would gladly accept such an opportunity.

Many nobles would spend fortunes pursuing it.

Yet Videl had rejected both.

Ruby was the first to recover.

”What?”

Natalia immediately turned toward her.

”What do you mean what? I was about to ask the same thing.”

Both women looked back toward Videl.

Confusion filled their eyes.

Even Max folded his arms thoughtfully.

”Lady Videl,” he said carefully, ”this is a chance offered only to a select few.”

His voice remained calm.

”You should not make such a decision hastily.”

Videl listened quietly.

Max continued.

”The blessings of the gods and goddesses can change a person’s future.”

”The influence of the temples reaches across kingdoms.”

”Very few people would ever refuse such an offer.”

Videl understood that.

She truly did.

Ever since arriving at the academy, she had learned just how vast the world was.

The temples.

The ancient continent.

The eight great divine powers worshipped by humanity.

The heroes.

The blessings.

Everything felt larger than life.

Yet her answer remained unchanged.

She slowly shook her head.

”No matter what, my decision wouldn’t change.”

The room fell silent again.

Then both holy maidens suddenly spoke at the same time.

”WHY?!”

Their voices echoed together.

The synchronization was so perfect that even Max looked mildly impressed.

Ruby and Natalia immediately pointed at each other.

”Are you not picking me because you are afraid of her?!”

Again.

Perfect synchronization.

Both froze.

Both turned.

Both glared.

The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Ruby narrowed her eyes.

Natalia narrowed hers even further.

A second later, both looked away simultaneously.

Neither wanted to start another argument before hearing Videl’s answer.

Because deep down, both had reached the same conclusion.

Perhaps Videl feared offending the temple she didn’t choose.

That would be understandable.

Rejecting one holy maiden was difficult enough.

Rejecting both was almost unthinkable.

Ruby folded her arms.

Natalia clasped her hands together.

Max waited silently.

All eyes settled on Videl.

Videl took a slow breath.

Her sapphire eyes drifted toward the window.

For a brief moment, she thought about everything she had experienced since leaving home.

The people she had met.

The enemies she had fought.

The truths she had discovered.

And inevitably—

She thought about Victor.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

Victor never followed a road simply because others expected him to.

He chose his own path.

Always.

The thought strengthened her resolve.

She looked back toward the others.

Ruby noticed the small smile.

Natalia noticed it too.

Both immediately became hopeful again.

Videl finally spoke.

Her voice was calm.

Steady.

Certain.

”I declined your offers because I want to be a true hero.”

The declaration echoed through the room.

Silence followed.

A long silence.

Ruby stared.

Natalia stared.

Max stared.

All three somehow looked even more confused than before.

Ruby opened her mouth.

Closed it.

Opened it again.

Then gave up.

Natalia looked no better.

She appeared to be trying to solve an impossible puzzle.

Max rubbed his forehead.

Of all the answers he had expected...

That certainly wasn’t one of them.

”A true hero?” Natalia repeated slowly.

Ruby immediately nodded.

”What’s that supposed to mean?”

Videl looked between them.

For the first time since the discussion began, confidence filled her expression.

She stepped forward.

The sunlight caught her blonde hair, causing it to shine like gold.

Her blue eyes reflected unwavering determination.

”Heroes chosen by temples receive blessings.”

Everyone nodded.

”Heroes chosen by divine powers receive support.”

Another nod.

Videl smiled faintly.

”But if I become someone’s hero...”

She placed a hand over her chest.

”...then I would always wonder whether my achievements were truly mine.”

Ruby blinked.

Natalia blinked.

Max’s eyes sharpened slightly.

Videl continued.

”If I save someone, was it because of my own strength?”

”If I defeat an enemy, was it because of my own effort?”

”If I become famous, was it because of my own accomplishments?”

The questions lingered in the room.

Nobody interrupted.

Nobody mocked her.

Because for the first time, they understood where her thoughts were heading.

Videl’s voice softened.

”I want to become someone who can stand proudly through my own efforts.”

”I want to become strong because I worked for that strength.”

”I want to protect others because I earned that ability.”

A memory surfaced in her mind.

Victor standing fearlessly before overwhelming odds.

Victor refusing to bow.

Victor choosing his own road.

The image made her smile again.

”Maybe I’m being stubborn.”

”Maybe I’m being foolish.”

”But if I ever become a hero...”

Her gaze became firm.

”...I want it to be because of who I am.”

Ruby fell silent.

Natalia fell silent.

Even Max stopped trying to interrupt.

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Outside, the sounds of students training continued.

A breeze entered through the window.

The curtains fluttered gently.

The atmosphere in the room had changed.

The holy maidens still didn’t fully agree with her reasoning.

But they could no longer dismiss it.

Because they could see the sincerity in her eyes.

Videl truly meant every word.

And somehow...

That only made the three of them even more confused.

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Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Journey to Become the Zenith* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!

With love,

Scorpio_saturn777

Creator of Journey to Become the Zenith

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