Journey to Become the Zenith-Chapter 27: Dawn Before the Trial

Dawn Before the Trial

Victor woke before the sun.

The sky outside the window was still painted in soft gray, the world hovering between night and morning.

The moment his consciousness returned, a familiar female voice echoed inside his mind.

"Hey, Master... who knew you were such a beast in bed? Two women. Once you’re quite lusty."

He blinked.

For two seconds, genuine confusion.

Then memory returned.

Diana.

He exhaled slowly.

Turning his head to the right, he saw Lane asleep beside him—bare shoulders exposed, long black hair spilling over the pillow like ink. The faint rise and fall of her breathing was steady, peaceful.

When he turned to the left—

Only a dent in the bedsheet.

He sighed softly.

He already knew.

Videl.

Even after a long night, she still woke early to train. It didn’t matter how exhausted she was—discipline ran through her bones.

A small smile tugged at his lips.

"Silly girl..."

He remembered the first time back in Kanal Village. The morning after their first night together—she had woken determined to train. Her legs had trembled with every step. She had insisted she was fine.

She wasn’t.

She had fallen flat on her face within minutes.

And he had laughed so hard she nearly hit him with a stick.

He remembered Skyla too.

Her shy warmth.

Her bright smile.

And Lane...

The first night with Lane had been quieter. Slower. But just as intense.

He stared at the ceiling.

Skyla...

He missed her.

He missed the village.

His parents.

The people who trusted him.

His golden eyes hardened slightly.

I need a foothold here.

Strength. Influence. Position.

Then I’ll bring them here. I’ll build something untouchable.

No one will dare lay a finger on what’s mine.

He shook his head lightly.

Then he turned toward Lane again.

Gently, he brushed his fingers along her cheek.

"These three girls..." he murmured quietly.

Devoted.

Completely.

Especially this one.

Lane had given herself without hesitation. No doubts. No conditions.

To him, she was irreplaceable.

The first.

Even if the three of them bickered over trivial things, even if jealousy flickered now and then—they all knew.

Lane was first.

Lane stirred at his touch.

A faint smile curved her lips.

It was only when she slept that her emotions surfaced so openly.

He stared at her for a moment longer, then carefully covered her with the blanket before rising from the bed.

The Backyard

The morning air was cool.

Victor stepped outside the inn and immediately sensed her.

Videl.

She was already in the backyard.

He walked around the building and found her there—long blonde hair tied back loosely, blue sapphire eyes focused, Amura resting in her hands.

She swung the massive blade again and again.

The force behind each strike was still rough—but her stance...

Near perfect.

Victor leaned against a wooden post, watching silently.

Heroes.

No matter how he tried to downplay it—every one of them was a monster in growth.

Limited time.

Explosive progress.

Battle geniuses.

"Hey," he called lazily. "How about we test our new weapons?"

Videl paused mid-swing.

She turned.

Her expression softened immediately.

"Oh... you’re awake."

He walked closer, smiling faintly.

"Yes, my love."

She froze for a fraction of a second at the word.

He closed the distance and pulled her into a light embrace, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"Why don’t you wake me next time? I’d train with you."

She looked away slightly.

"I thought you needed rest," she said quietly. Then, even softer— "You... poured too much into me and Lane."

Her cheeks flushed faint pink.

Victor chuckled under his breath and pulled her closer.

"Silly girl."

She gently nudged his shoulder with Amura’s handle, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Then her expression turned serious.

"That’s a good idea," she said. "We haven’t had a proper spar in two years. But not here—we’ll destroy the buildings."

"Follow me," Victor replied. "There’s an open field outside the walls."

The Field

The wind moved through the grass in long waves as they stepped into the clearing.

"This place is good enough," Victor said, stopping casually. "Ready your weapon and come at me."

He didn’t even assume a stance.

Videl didn’t take offense.

This was how he fought.

Amura’s voice sounded in her mind.

"Master, I haven’t seen how your best friend fights... but I assume he’s skilled."

Videl smiled faintly.

"He’s not just skilled. I’ve never seen anyone better."

"Well... you haven’t met many others yet."

"Maybe," Videl replied inwardly. "But I still think Victor would be better than them."

"I think together, we can beat him."

Rika’s voice chimed in.

"What about me?"

"I’ll use you later, Rika. For now—Amura."

Victor grew impatient.

"Are you coming or what? I don’t have much time before the adventurer’s test."

"You haven’t even prepared your weapon yet," Videl shot back.

"I don’t need it yet. Come."

The moment the words left his mouth—

She vanished.

To an untrained eye, it looked like teleportation.

She reappeared directly above him.

A downward slash split the air.

Victor swayed right at the last second.

The blade kissed the ground.

Videl followed instantly—side slash, thrust, pivot kick.

Every attack sharp.

Every motion fluid.

Victor evaded them all with hair-thin margins.

"Master," Amura whispered, "at this rate you cannot match him. I will lend you my mana."

Her power surged.

Videl activated [Boost].

This time—

Victor’s eyes widened slightly.

He reacted instinctively.

"[Earth Wall]."

Stone erupted between them.

Videl cut through it like paper.

"[Earth Wall] [Fire Wall] [Wind Wall] [Ice Wall]!"

Spells layered in rapid succession.

She cut through them all.

"So that sword can cancel magic," Victor muttered, excitement creeping into his tone.

"It seems so," Videl replied. "Amura can absorb and negate magic to a certain extent. It depends on—"

"Don’t," Amura warned her softly.

Victor grinned.

"No need. Don’t reveal your trump card. That’d be stupid."

He stretched his right arm.

The dragon tattoo flared.

Diana manifested into his hand.

"My turn."

The clash that followed shook the field.

Crater after crater formed.

Trees were cleaved.

Wind howled with each collision of mana and steel.

Minutes passed like seconds.

Finally—

Videl collapsed onto her back, breathing hard. Blood traced faint lines along her arms and hands. She could barely move.

Victor stood beside her.

Unscathed.

But pale.

"I’m impressed," Diana murmured within his mind. "You wielded me like that... and survived."

"I told you," Victor replied inwardly. "I’m not like the others."

He exhaled slowly.

"That ability of yours is ridiculous. Too taxing. I’ll save it as a last resort."

Below him, Videl glared weakly.

"That move was cheating, Victor! You’re already a cheat, and now your weapon is a cheat too!"

He barked a laugh.

"Cheat? Me? Says the one with a sword that eats magic."

She started laughing too.

Breathless.

Exhausted.

Happy.

The sound echoed across the field.

Victor extended his hand.

She looked at it for a moment—

Then took it.

As he pulled her up, their eyes met.

No teasing.

No competition.

Just warmth.

"You’ve gotten stronger," he said quietly.

Her fingers tightened around his.

"I’ll surpass you."

He smiled.

"I’d like to see you try."

And in that quiet field beneath the rising sun—

Their laughter continued.

Unbreakable.

Unmatched.

For now.