Journey to Become the Zenith-Chapter 102: The Test of the Queen [Part-2]

The Test of the Queen [Part-2]

"Who taught you swordsmanship?"

The question made Videl pause.

For a brief moment she considered her answer carefully.

Should I say it...?

Victor had never hidden his abilities.

He had even taught openly in the academy.

So there was no reason to conceal it.

Videl lifted her head slightly.

"The one who taught me..."

She spoke calmly.

"...is my childhood friend."

Her voice softened slightly.

"And my partner."

"Victor."

Amara’s eyebrows rose slightly.

"Your childhood friend?"

"And your partner?"

Her red eyes sharpened with curiosity.

"Does that mean..."

She leaned forward slightly.

"...the one who taught you swordsmanship..."

"...is the same age as you?"

"He is a year younger than me."

The words left Videl’s lips calmly, but the moment they reached the throne, the atmosphere shifted.

Queen Amara’s silver brows lifted slightly.

For the first time since the conversation began, genuine surprise flickered across her crimson eyes.

She had expected many things.

An old wandering sword saint.

A retired battlefield master hidden in some forgotten village.

Perhaps even a veteran knight who had taken a promising student under his wing.

But not this.

A boy.

And not just any boy.

A boy younger than Videl.

For a moment, the vast throne room fell into a thoughtful silence.

"Is that friend of yours stronger than you?"

Videl answered honestly, without hesitation.

"He and I aren’t even on the same level. He would always hold back when facing me."

That answer made several hidden presences around the throne room stir slightly.

High above the pillars, unseen observers exchanged subtle glances.

Amara’s interest deepened.

A younger boy... stronger than a seventeen-year-old sword master?

Her fingers rested lightly on the arm of the throne.

The polished metal of her rings tapped faintly against the engraved surface.

"We wish to see this friend of yours," Amara said slowly.

"Where is he now?"

"I do not know," Videl replied respectfully.

"But he said that he would go dungeon hunting."

"Dungeon hunting..."

The Queen leaned back slightly.

Her silver hair shifted over her shoulders like flowing moonlight.

"Is your friend an adventurer?"

"Yes, he is, Your Majesty."

"Oh?" Her eyes narrowed just a little. "What rank is he at?"

"He just started, and he is currently B-ranked."

For a brief moment—

Amara’s interest cooled.

Not completely.

But noticeably.

B-rank at such a young age was impressive.

However...

It was not unheard of.

Across her decades of ruling Skyfall Kingdom, she had seen prodigies rise and fall like stars across the night sky.

Many geniuses had reached B-rank early.

Some even reached A-rank before adulthood.

Perhaps this boy is talented... but not extraordinary.

A possibility formed in her mind.

Maybe Videl simply admires him too much.

After all, admiration could easily distort perception.

It was entirely possible that Videl had already surpassed Victor without realizing it.

A sword master of her caliber could easily qualify as an A-rank adventurer.

Perhaps Victor had once been stronger—but time had changed things.

Or perhaps...

The girl simply hasn’t noticed she surpassed her teacher.

Amara did not show any of these thoughts on her face.

Years of ruling had taught her one lesson above all others.

Never judge a blade by its sheath.

During her reign she had seen peasants who became generals...

Nobles who turned out to be fools...

And unknown wanderers who changed the fate of entire kingdoms.

If this boy truly trained a seventeen-year-old sword master...

Then something about him was unusual.

At the very least...

He deserves to be investigated.

Her crimson eyes flickered thoughtfully.

If that boy truly possesses such skill...

Skyfall Kingdom should not allow another nation to claim him first.

A swordsman capable of shaping a master at seventeen...

That meant his own understanding of the sword must be terrifying.

If possible...

He should be recruited.

Into the palace. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

But none of these thoughts appeared on Amara’s calm face.

Her expression remained regal and unreadable.

At that exact moment—

The heavy doors of the throne room creaked open.

Mora stepped back inside.

In his hands were two enormous swords.

They were so heavy that the metal tips scraped faintly against the polished floor as he dragged them forward.

Even the armored knight’s shoulders were slightly tense from the effort.

The weapons were brutal pieces of steel.

Broad blades.

Thick spines.

Forged purely for strength.

Amara rose from the throne.

The motion was smooth, yet the air in the room seemed to grow heavier as her tall figure stood fully.

She took one sword with a single hand.

The massive weapon that had forced Mora to drag it across the floor now rested casually in her grip.

She swung it once.

The blade cut through the air with a deep whoom.

To her—

It felt as light as a feather.

Videl watched silently.

When Mora handed her the second sword, she took it with both hands.

Even with her strong, trained body, the weapon felt heavy.

This is ridiculous...

If she used the enhancement spell [Boost], it would be easy.

But using pure physical strength alone—

She had to grip the handle with both hands just to lift it comfortably.

While Videl tested the balance of the sword, Amara leaned slightly toward Mora and whispered something.

The knight nodded immediately.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

He saluted and left the throne room once again.

The doors closed with a low echo.

Amara then turned back toward Videl.

"Now that the swords are here," the Queen said calmly, her voice soft yet commanding, "are you ready to take the test?"

Videl straightened.

"I am ready, Your Majesty."

"Very well."

Amara stepped forward.

The floor trembled faintly beneath the weight of her armored steps.

The massive blade rested easily in her right hand.

"The test is quite simple."

Her lips curved into a small smile.

"You just need to survive three strikes from this Queen."

Videl’s grip tightened on the sword.

Amara continued calmly.

"Do not worry, young knight. I will not kill you."

Her smile widened just a little.

"At most... you would be knocked out."

Even though the Queen said this with a smile on her face—

Videl felt the pressure emanating from her double instantly.