Journey to Become the Zenith

Chapter 252: The Path of a True Hero

The Path of a True Hero

Her gaze became firm.

"...I want it to be because of who I am."

Ruby fell silent.

Natalia fell silent.

Even Max stopped trying to interrupt.

For several moments, the room remained quiet.

The sunlight entering through the academy window illuminated drifting particles of dust, while distant sounds of training students echoed from the courtyards outside. Yet inside the office, nobody spoke.

Max studied Videl carefully.

The blonde young woman stood straight with unwavering confidence.

There was no hesitation in her sapphire eyes.

No uncertainty.

Only conviction.

Finally, Max broke the silence.

"But why?"

His voice carried genuine curiosity now.

"Why choose such a difficult road?"

Videl looked toward him.

Max continued.

"If you want to be a hero, then why decline their offers?"

He gestured toward Ruby and Natalia.

"Becoming the chosen warrior of one of the holy temples would immediately grant you the title of hero."

The two holy maidens nodded.

To most people, this would be an opportunity beyond imagination.

A path countless warriors dreamed of obtaining.

Yet Videl merely smiled.

She slowly shook her head once again.

"No."

A gentle laugh escaped her lips.

"I don’t want it that way."

The sunlight reflected off her golden-blonde hair as she continued speaking.

"I don’t want such a title given to me like that."

Her voice was calm.

Firm.

Resolute.

"I want to earn the title of a true hero through my own merits."

She placed a hand against her chest.

"Not because someone chose me like a fruit from a market stall."

Ruby blinked.

Natalia blinked.

Max narrowed his eyes slightly.

Videl continued.

"I want to become a hero who can save people."

"A hero who stands against evil."

"A hero whom ordinary people can trust."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

The image of a certain black-haired man surfaced in her mind.

Victor.

Whenever she thought about him, her heart seemed to grow lighter.

He had always walked forward regardless of obstacles.

Always trusted his own path.

Always challenged the impossible.

Without realizing it, her smile became warmer.

"If I join one temple..."

She glanced toward Ruby.

"Then naturally I’ll become associated with that temple."

Then she looked toward Natalia.

"And the others may hesitate to seek my help."

The two holy maidens exchanged glances.

Neither could deny that possibility.

Videl folded her arms.

"I don’t want that."

"I don’t want people wondering whether I’m helping because of justice, because of war, because of politics, or because of temple interests."

Her voice remained steady.

"I want to help because it’s the right thing to do."

Silence followed.

This time it lasted longer.

The three finally understood what she meant.

It wasn’t pride.

It wasn’t arrogance.

It was freedom.

Videl wanted freedom.

The freedom to choose her own battles.

The freedom to decide who deserved help.

The freedom to become the kind of hero she envisioned.

Max slowly nodded.

At last, he understood.

Yet his expression became more serious.

"Videl."

The atmosphere shifted.

The old knight’s eyes carried decades of experience.

"You do realize that if you graduate from this academy and become a knight, then you’ll still belong to an organization."

Videl looked at him.

Max continued.

"You’ll serve the kingdom."

His voice became heavier.

"More specifically, you’ll serve the crown."

The room grew quieter.

"Whoever wears that crown becomes your master."

Ruby and Natalia listened silently.

Even they knew what Max was about to say wasn’t something a knight academy principal should openly admit.

"If your dream truly is to become a hero to everyone..."

Max sighed.

"...then becoming a knight isn’t necessarily the best path."

The words surprised even Ruby and Natalia.

Videl listened attentively.

Max’s gaze drifted toward the academy window.

For a brief moment, old memories seemed to surface in his eyes.

"When I was young..."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I also dreamed of becoming the ideal knight."

His voice carried nostalgia.

"I believed knights existed to protect the weak."

"To defend the innocent."

"To uphold justice."

The smile faded.

"But reality is often different."

The atmosphere became heavy.

"A knight may sound noble."

"A knight may sound honorable."

"But the truth is much simpler."

His eyes hardened.

"A knight is ultimately the king’s sword and shield."

Nobody spoke.

The old man continued.

"The duty of a knight isn’t always protecting the people."

"Sometimes it means obeying orders."

"Sometimes it means fighting wars you don’t agree with."

"Sometimes it means defending decisions you dislike."

His expression became complicated.

"I wish every knight could think for themselves."

"I wish every knight could determine right from wrong."

"But that isn’t the world we live in."

His words carried bitterness earned through experience.

"The current generation."

"The next generation."

"They are weapons."

"Weapons belonging to royalty."

Videl remained silent.

She could hear sincerity behind those words.

Max wasn’t trying to discourage her.

He was simply showing her reality.

After a pause, he looked directly into her eyes.

"If you truly wish to become a hero to all..."

His gaze shifted toward the holy maidens.

"...then joining one of the temples would honestly give you a better chance."

Immediately, smiles appeared on Ruby and Natalia’s faces.

Finally.

The principal was supporting them.

Ruby looked proud.

Natalia looked hopeful.

Both stared at Videl expectantly.

However—

Videl suddenly laughed.

A bright laugh.

A genuine laugh.

The reaction completely confused everyone.

Max raised an eyebrow.

Ruby blinked.

Natalia tilted her head.

Videl shook her head.

"Of course I already know all that."

The three froze.

"You do?"

Max asked.

Videl nodded.

"My Victor explained it to me before I even entered the academy."

The warmth in her voice was impossible to miss.

Ruby immediately noticed it.

Natalia noticed it too.

The way Videl said "my Victor" sounded incredibly natural.

Almost affectionate.

A faint smile appeared on Videl’s face.

"He told me exactly what becoming a knight means."

"He told me what kind of chains come with that title."

The three listened attentively.

Then her eyes shone.

"But he also told me there are ways to break free from those chains."

Max wasn’t surprised.

Not at all.

Of course Victor would say something like that.

Videl continued.

"He promised me something."

A soft laugh escaped her lips.

"He promised that one day he would make me the greatest hero the world has ever seen."

Ruby and Natalia exchanged glances.

What kind of person made promises like that?

Yet Videl clearly believed every word.

"If anyone else had told me that..."

She shook her head.

"I wouldn’t have believed them."

Her smile deepened.

"But because it was Victor..."

There wasn’t even the slightest hesitation.

"I believe him completely."

The room fell silent.

Videl’s expression became softer.

"My Victor has never broken a promise."

"Not once."

"He always accomplishes what he sets out to do."

The confidence in her voice wasn’t forced.

It was absolute.

Max immediately understood who she was talking about.

After meeting Victor himself, he knew that ridiculous promises somehow sounded believable when spoken by that young man.

Ruby and Natalia, however, became increasingly curious.

Who exactly was this Victor?

What kind of man could inspire such faith in someone as talented as Videl?

Questions filled their minds.

They were just about to ask—

BANG!

The office door exploded open.

Everyone immediately turned.

The atmosphere transformed in an instant.

The holy maidens frowned.

Max’s expression darkened.

The newcomer looked terrified.

Sweat covered his face.

His breathing was ragged.

Ruby was about to reprimand him.

Natalia was about to do the same.

Max had already opened his mouth.

Yet before any of them could speak—

The newcomer shouted.

"An undead army is approaching!"