[{"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-124":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},1828461,2432,"Chapter 124: A Blade That Refuses to Bow","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-124",124,"\u003Cp>A Blade That Refuses to Bow\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It has been a day since Videl returned to the knight academy, and it was tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the kind of tension that fades with time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This one lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the whispers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the eyes that followed her every step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she stepped through the academy gates, it began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, it was just a few glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then murmurs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students gathered around her like a storm closing in. Nobles, commoners, elites—none of it mattered in that moment. Their gazes burned with the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jealousy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That’s the sword, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...The one from the selection...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...There’s no way a commoner should have something like that...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Voices overlapped, sharp and relentless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One stepped forward, a noble by the look of his uniform, chin raised high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How much?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl blinked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The sword,\" he said, his tone already carrying impatience. \"Name your price.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few others quickly followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll double it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No—triple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can offer you a position in my house.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their words piled on top of each other, as if she were nothing more than a merchant standing in a marketplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl’s grip on the Long sword tightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I’m not selling it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Final.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just like that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The warmth vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you say?\" someone snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You heard me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scoff echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So it’s true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A thief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Cheater.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...A commoner like you doesn’t deserve that blade.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words came like stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ugly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one meant to wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t argue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her jaw tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes hardened—just a fraction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because deep down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t about the sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It never was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was about who she was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And who they believed she should never become.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before things could escalate further—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A presence stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unyielding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That’s enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice cut through the noise like steel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze swept across the crowd, calm yet suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve made your point. Now disperse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Tch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, they backed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not because they wanted to—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because they had to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Power didn’t always need to be shown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It just needed to exist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the crowd scattered, silence returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lingering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mora glanced at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Be careful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was all he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walk to her dorm felt longer than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every step echoed louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every shadow seemed deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she finally reached her room—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She closed the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for the first time that day—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noise stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fragile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl leaned back against the door for a moment, closing her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...This is going to be annoying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She already understood the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Mora was gone—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relentless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I could use the ring...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers brushed lightly against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one given by the Queen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Authority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Protection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shortcut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet refusal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Not for something like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she used it now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would only prove them right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That she needed power she didn’t earn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That she couldn’t stand on her own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I’ll deal with it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice steadied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conviction settling in her chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound was soft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl opened her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Already?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She straightened and moved to the door, opening it without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three figures stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niva.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dira.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kira.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her roommates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, none of them spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They simply looked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You okay?\" Niva asked first, her voice softer than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dira crossed her arms, though her gaze held concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Looked like a circus out there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kira leaned slightly against the wall, eyes narrowing just a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Did they touch you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Just words.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Hah,\" Dira exhaled. \"People love barking when they’re in groups.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niva stepped closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Still, it’s not something you should deal with alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was sincerity in her tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not forced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not fake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...They want the sword.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kira snorted lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Of course they do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...And when I said no...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...They turned ugly,\" Dira finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl gave a small nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence settled again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...So,\" Niva tilted her head slightly, \"...what is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The sword,\" she clarified. \"Where did you get it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dira stepped forward slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Don’t misunderstand. We’re not asking because we want it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kira added quietly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...We need to understand the situation if we’re going to help you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Direct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hidden intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl looked at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Really looked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something in her chest loosened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You guys are strange.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dira raised a brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That supposed to be an insult?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No,\" Videl shook her head lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It’s just... unexpected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took a breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...The sword... was given to me by a powerful magician.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not entirely true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not entirely false either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...And the sword itself chooses its master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kira’s gaze sharpened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Meaning?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...If someone unworthy tries to wield it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl’s voice dropped slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...They’ll be punished.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niva frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Punished how?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl met her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...At worst?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Death.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dira let out a slow whistle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That explains why no one’s tried to snatch it directly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kira nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...They’re afraid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Good,\" Videl said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because fear—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was easier than fighting everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside her mind, another voice echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re lying to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl’s fingers tightened slightly at her side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... not everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because trust—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t something you gave all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was built.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Piece by piece.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Once this is over,\" she thought quietly, \"...I’ll tell them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze softened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as they spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as a plan began to form—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Videl’s hand brushed lightly against the hilt of her Long sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze lowered slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because deep down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just about surviving the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was something bigger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Let’s see how far this goes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A quiet challenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the beginning—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of something that wouldn’t end easily.\u003C\u002Fp>",1051,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.927Z",1,"novelbin.me","6839cc158da7e23bf1b56874899990665788d2c1ee1de6bc9d8736b456bc2441","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-125","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-123",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]