MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1012: Disappointed

Klaus found himself seated in disappointment; indeed, he had anticipated magnificent events, an epic confrontation between Null Anthony and Aaaninja Chronisynth Eternos, but nothing like that unfolded. He had envisioned a mythic battle, a brilliant showcase of sword arts, powers, and destructive methods, a fight that could rattle and potentially demolish the isolated dimension itself, yet... reality only ridiculed his hopes and eagerness.

The matchup of Anthony against Anthony was intended as the highlight, the pinnacle of this training bout, but it wrapped up in such a sudden manner, nearly devoid of drama.

Still, Klaus had foreseen this result anyway; although Aaaninja was a phenomenal prodigy in his own way, the difference in their ages alone highlighted just how extraordinary Anthony truly was. After all, Anthony was only nineteen years old, whereas Aaaninja had lived for more than three hundred years. Moreover, Anthony had reached the Apexus Mana Rank ahead of Aaaninja, a feat that alone revealed his sheer anomaly.

Even if Aaaninja had attained the Apexus Mana Rank before Anthony, Klaus realized it wouldn't alter the spar's conclusion. After all, hadn't every member of the Older Generation present already solidified their position at the Apexus Mana Rank?

Klaus wasn't alone in his letdown; the others shared it too, from Vega to Aura Nova to Veronica. Only Lucian Darkheart appeared unmoved, as if he had long grasped Anthony's nature and embraced the predictable outcomes of such clashes.

Zachary and Nyxss felt their hearts clench in their chests, not out of letdown—no, they harbored no such hopes for their son and simply wished for him to pursue the life he wanted. Their worry stemmed from how their son, Aaaninja, might be coping inside.

He had arrived aiming to overcome Anthony, only to fall to someone he had bested before and barely viewed as a challenge, and then to lose against the very opponent he had prepared exclusively for over the last three years, despite acquiring a massive boost in strength that should have elevated him far beyond nearly everyone else there.

Aura Nova's gaze turned to Aaaninja, who had just taken his seat. She said nothing; her sky-blue eyes lingered on him briefly before moving to Null Anthony. 'So this is the divide between him and all others,' she mused inwardly while observing Anthony. 'What an absurd level of talent and strength.' Her eyes narrowed briefly, thoughtful and assessing, before she released a gentle sigh. Yet in the following instant, a smile curved her lips as her mind wandered to the idea of facing Anthony in another bout.

'Next time, without fail,' she resolved silently as she looked away from Anthony and Aaaninja, a flicker of rivalry's thrill quietly kindling in her heart.

Aaaninja closed his eyes for a brief spell. His pride remained unscathed, and he didn't scowl, for he wasn't like some arrogant Young Master who would shatter from one loss. Then he reopened them, directing his Eyes Of Genesis at Lucian Darkheart, who grinned at him from nearby.

"I know what you are going to say," Aaaninja declared while locking eyes with Lucian's dark stare.

Lucian Darkheart grinned as he joked, "What? That I told you so?" he inquired in a playful voice, his face showing delighted amusement.

Aaaninja stayed quiet, offering no denial to Lucian's remark. "Why don’t you tell me what you know?" he proposed, sensing that Lucian held knowledge hidden from the rest.

Lucian raised an eyebrow, grasping Aaaninja's intent behind the query, but he couldn't simply blurt out: "Hey, this world is a novel, and Anthony is the protagonist; I essentially beat you by calling on the author himself."

Uttering something so outlandish would make others regard him as insane. Yet a person like Aura Nova might partially trust it; after all, she adored novels and games, fully understanding the fourth wall and the odd ideas in made-up stories.

"You can think of it like a skill; next time, just take my words for it and save yourself the time and stress," Lucian ultimately replied, opting for the simplest rationale at hand.

Aaaninja regarded him briefly, then gave a small shake of his head. He couldn't compel Lucian to reveal what he chose to withhold, so he accepted the explanation. Besides, given that fellow's vast array of bizarre abilities, it wouldn't surprise anyone if he had such an enigmatic power.

Vega watched with a pleased smile. Though she hadn't joined the spar, she savored every moment; in the end, only her partner stayed undefeated, while all others had tasted both victory and defeat... except for the unfortunate Sky Kingsley, who claimed no wins. Still, his Universal Technique and Limit Break Form were staggeringly overpowered. He fell only because he encountered equals in monstrosity, beings whose very being defied logic.

Now, the sparring event neared its end. Nearly all had clashed with nearly all, and each now comprehended their standings relative to the others. However, one bout lingered: Aaaninja Chronisynth Eternos against Aura Nova. Once that finished, the assembly and session would at last conclude.

Did excitement fill the air for this matchup? Hardly. While they hadn't beheld Aaaninja's updated combat strength, he now occupied a realm beyond the rest. Undoubtedly, Aura Nova's odds of triumphing over him hovered at absolute zero, a complete and utter null.

The sole wonder in their thoughts was if Aaaninja would toy with Aura Nova briefly, or swiftly dispatch her just as Anthony had concluded their own duel.

Veronica and Altheria couldn't shake a touch of sorrow. When might they next behold a contest of such magnitude? They didn't even operate on the same power tier as these outlandish figures.

Veronica matched Vega's age, a nineteen-year-old young woman. She ranked as the frailest among them, akin to an ordinary human next to the others. Even Altheria surpassed her; after all, as a Celestial, Altheria's species alone granted her innate superiority over Veronica.

Altheria was certain her gifts would propel her to the Apexus Mana Rank someday; no one in the Celestial Solar System doubted that. But the timeline for her arrival there stayed a total mystery.

As for Veronica, she wasn't sure if she'd ever ascend to the Apexus Mana Rank. Though Lucian had urged her to dismiss such concerns, promising that his support alone would make it straightforward, a shadow of doubt still persisted deep in her thoughts.