[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-journey-to-become-the-zenith":3,"chapter-journey-to-become-the-zenith-journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-102":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Journey to Become the Zenith",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1828439,2432,"Chapter 102: The Test of the Queen [Part-2]","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-102",102,"\u003Cp>The Test of the Queen [Part-2]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who taught you swordsmanship?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The question made Videl pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment she considered her answer carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I say it...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor had never hidden his abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had even taught openly in the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So there was no reason to conceal it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl lifted her head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The one who taught me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...is my childhood friend.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice softened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And my partner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Victor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amara’s eyebrows rose slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your childhood friend?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And your partner?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her red eyes sharpened with curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does that mean...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...the one who taught you swordsmanship...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...is the same age as you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He is a year younger than me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words left Videl’s lips calmly, but the moment they reached the throne, the atmosphere shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Queen Amara’s silver brows lifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since the conversation began, genuine surprise flickered across her crimson eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had expected many things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old wandering sword saint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A retired battlefield master hidden in some forgotten village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps even a veteran knight who had taken a promising student under his wing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not just any boy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boy younger than Videl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, the vast throne room fell into a thoughtful silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that friend of yours stronger than you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl answered honestly, without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He and I aren’t even on the same level. He would always hold back when facing me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That answer made several hidden presences around the throne room stir slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High above the pillars, unseen observers exchanged subtle glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amara’s interest deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A younger boy... stronger than a seventeen-year-old sword master?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers rested lightly on the arm of the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The polished metal of her rings tapped faintly against the engraved surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We wish to see this friend of yours,\" Amara said slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is he now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do not know,\" Videl replied respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But he said that he would go dungeon hunting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dungeon hunting...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Queen leaned back slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her silver hair shifted over her shoulders like flowing moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is your friend an adventurer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, he is, Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\" Her eyes narrowed just a little. \"What rank is he at?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He just started, and he is currently B-ranked.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amara’s interest cooled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But noticeably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>B-rank at such a young age was impressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not unheard of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across her decades of ruling Skyfall Kingdom, she had seen prodigies rise and fall like stars across the night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many geniuses had reached B-rank early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even reached A-rank before adulthood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps this boy is talented... but not extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A possibility formed in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe Videl simply admires him too much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, admiration could easily distort perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was entirely possible that Videl had already surpassed Victor without realizing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sword master of her caliber could easily qualify as an A-rank adventurer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Victor had once been stronger—but time had changed things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or perhaps...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl simply hasn’t noticed she surpassed her teacher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amara did not show any of these thoughts on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years of ruling had taught her one lesson above all others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never judge a blade by its sheath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During her reign she had seen peasants who became generals...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobles who turned out to be fools...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And unknown wanderers who changed the fate of entire kingdoms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this boy truly trained a seventeen-year-old sword master...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then something about him was unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He deserves to be investigated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her crimson eyes flickered thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that boy truly possesses such skill...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skyfall Kingdom should not allow another nation to claim him first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A swordsman capable of shaping a master at seventeen...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant his own understanding of the sword must be terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If possible...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He should be recruited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Into the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But none of these thoughts appeared on Amara’s calm face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression remained regal and unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that exact moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy doors of the throne room creaked open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora stepped back inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his hands were two enormous swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were so heavy that the metal tips scraped faintly against the polished floor as he dragged them forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the armored knight’s shoulders were slightly tense from the effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weapons were brutal pieces of steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Broad blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thick spines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forged purely for strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amara rose from the throne.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The motion was smooth, yet the air in the room seemed to grow heavier as her tall figure stood fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took one sword with a single hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive weapon that had forced Mora to drag it across the floor now rested casually in her grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She swung it once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade cut through the air with a deep whoom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as light as a feather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl watched silently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Mora handed her the second sword, she took it with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with her strong, trained body, the weapon felt heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is ridiculous...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she used the enhancement spell [Boost], it would be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But using pure physical strength alone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had to grip the handle with both hands just to lift it comfortably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Videl tested the balance of the sword, Amara leaned slightly toward Mora and whispered something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knight nodded immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He saluted and left the throne room once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The doors closed with a low echo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amara then turned back toward Videl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that the swords are here,\" the Queen said calmly, her voice soft yet commanding, \"are you ready to take the test?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl straightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am ready, Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amara stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The floor trembled faintly beneath the weight of her armored steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive blade rested easily in her right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The test is quite simple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips curved into a small smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You just need to survive three strikes from this Queen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl’s grip tightened on the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amara continued calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do not worry, young knight. I will not kill you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her smile widened just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At most... you would be knocked out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the Queen said this with a smile on her face—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl felt the pressure emanating from her double instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>",1035,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","1100251d6f0052c2d3a0997a82b77ed2e2adb085ee71af39d8fc9ab1cc745afa","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-103","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-101",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]