[{"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-180":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},1828517,2432,"Chapter 180: The Lesson Written in Pain","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-180",180,"\u003Cp>The Lesson Written in Pain\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sana, Livia, Humer! Attack Victor from the distance using magic, support Eon!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Brinda’s sharp command, the three finally snapped out of their hesitation and moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boots scraped against dry soil as they spread out, instinctively forming distance. The field, silent just moments ago, began to hum faintly with tension—like the calm surface of a lake before something breaks through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon didn’t wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a low grunt, he surged forward, axe in hand, his massive frame cutting through the air like a charging beast. Each step pressed deep into the ground, dust rising behind him in short bursts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even an inch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stood there—relaxed, upright, golden eyes half-lidded as if he were watching children play rather than facing an attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That... irritated them more than anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind Eon—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda and the others began casting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire ignited first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A compact sphere of flame condensed in Brinda’s palm, her fingers curling slightly as she shaped it with practiced ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana formed a sharp Ice Spear, pale mist coiling around her arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Livia followed, her Earth Spear rising from the ground with a grinding sound, dense and heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humer lagged just slightly behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not slow—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not sharp either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noted it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Filed it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spells launched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one imperfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one revealing something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s lips curved slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There it is.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The difference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda’s fireball reached him first—fast, controlled, clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Victor raised his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana flowed instantly—smooth, dense, precise—coating his fist like a second skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He punched forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fireball shattered on impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not exploded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not deflected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It simply... ceased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dispersed like it had never existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana holding it together was crushed, overwritten by something stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other attacks arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two Ice Spears from Sana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One Earth Spear from Livia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not flashy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He caught both ice spears with his bare hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frost crackled against his skin, trying to bite, to freeze—but his mana burned through it instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His leg snapped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clean kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The earth spear shattered mid-flight, fragments scattering harmlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in that exact moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His axe came down with force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy, brutal arc aimed to split Victor in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor leaned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a slight sway to the right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blade passed through empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Eon could recover—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s hand shot out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed Eon’s wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His foot hooked behind Eon’s leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant lost balance instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His weight betrayed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slammed face-first into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact echoed across the field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t even look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humer had already closed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Way too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands trembled slightly as he formed the spell—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Burst Flame!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A large, unstable mass of fire gathered in front of him, crackling with chaotic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s eyes flicked toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Disapproval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grabbed Eon’s fallen body and shifted it slightly behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stomped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground surged upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thick wall of earth rose instantly, dense and solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humer’s spell crashed into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The explosion shook the wall—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humer’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could react—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor kicked the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire structure tore free from the ground and launched forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humer froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wall slammed into him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hit the ground hard, breath knocked out of his lungs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Idiot...\" Victor muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana gathered above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s gaze lifted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lightning!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bolt tore through the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Violent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor moved before it even formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped aside—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lightning struck where he had been a fraction of a second ago, leaving scorched earth and a lingering crackle in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straight toward Brinda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana and Livia panicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stepped forward instinctively, bodies moving before their minds caught up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They couldn’t cast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So they chose the only thing they could do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stood in his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s expression didn’t change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something in his eyes shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slipped past them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two precise strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One to each of their necks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They collapsed instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had bought time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for someone like Brinda—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Earth Wall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground erupted around her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A protective dome formed, thick layers of earth sealing her inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one more second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor reached the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t analyze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Didn’t hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fist drove forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wall shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not cracked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not weakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pieces exploded outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No trick left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her shoulders dropped slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I give up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind carried dust across the broken ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon groaned somewhere behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humer lay still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sana and Livia were unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor exhaled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the three people who fainted woke up, Victor looked at the group who faced him and sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not disappointed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just... tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wasn’t expecting much...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it’s much worse than I anticipated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words landed heavier than any strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The two beginner mages were the only ones who went beyond what I expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze shifted to Sana and Livia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they stood weakly, still recovering, they straightened instinctively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even though they were weaker than the rest of you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The two of them actually used their bodies to give Brinda more time to cast her spell.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it hit them harder than praise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their chests tightened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Thank you,\" Sana whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Livia nodded quietly beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t linger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze moved on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aside from the two of them...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes hardened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The three of you were a disappointment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon’s jaw clenched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humer looked down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was expecting you, Eon and Brinda, to have better skills than this...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor stepped closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...seeing as you two used to be the feared bosses of the Northern and Southern districts of Fantom City.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet you couldn’t fight to your full potential.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes locked onto Eon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A step closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were actually holding back on me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon’s fingers tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing grew heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How insulting...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s voice dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And also laughable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words cut deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A weakling such as yourself shouldn’t be holding back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eon gritted his teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he knew—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Brinda remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But her mind raced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor didn’t care about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he cared about—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was how she fought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And right now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She realized something uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had been playing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to look good instead of fighting properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That... was the mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers curled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I see...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor’s gaze shifted again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Landing on Humer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I forgot...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slight tilt of his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never asked your name.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humer hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It’s Humer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Humer... is it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor nodded once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Based on how you moved near me to cast your spells...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...tells me that you have no idea how to fight.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humer’s face burned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wasn’t expecting much...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I at least hoped you knew the basics of fighting as a mage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unforgiving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victor turned away slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Well then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice returned to calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that I got a feel on how weak you guys are, we can start training.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1297,"2026-06-09T06:06:36.928Z",1,"novelbin.me","93299d5b51e009c055eba9205ba11945e7f2589186c743f6f8fe46c0273628d2","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-181","journey-to-become-the-zenith-chapter-179",253,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fjourney-to-become-the-zenith-cover.jpg"]