MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1014: Officially Over

Aaaninja kept his stare locked onto Aura Nova's lifeless form, his features showing no emotion; in his view, prolonging the clash with her had been unnecessary. He had desired only the confrontation with Anthony, excluding all others. While he had started with keen interest in battling Aura Nova, observing her level of combat skill had wiped out the eagerness he once held for it.

"Aaaninja Chronisynth Eternos wins," Klaus's voice cut sharply through the atmosphere as he declared the victor.

Aaaninja gave Aura Nova's body another look before pivoting and heading off. Following just two paces, he faded from his spot in time, materializing back amid the assembled crowd.

As always, the mana in the surroundings quivered and enveloped Aura Nova's remains, creating a protective shell. Several minutes later, it burst apart into myriad glowing particles and fragments of mana, allowing Aura Nova to emerge.

Similar to Sky Kingsley, Aura Nova lacked true resurrection powers; her Omniedit skill merely revived her upon death unless it was True Death, much like how it mended her mana core after breaks during her intense training sessions.

Her sky-blue eyes fluttered open, and Aura Nova stayed quiet briefly before shaking her head with a subtle smile. The battle's result didn't trouble her; solely the road ahead mattered, without excess or shortfall.

Aura Nova lifted her gaze to the heavens, beholding the expansive blue sky that echoed her own eye color. Deep inside, she felt profound joy and sincere thanks for joining this Galactic assembly. Had she skipped it, years on Dusk Planet would have passed with her convinced of being the top talent and mightiest of her peers.

How would that set her apart from a frog stuck in a shallow well?

Without attending, she would never have crossed paths with logic-defying entities like her own; she would have missed Null Anthony, Sky Kingsley, Aaaninja Chronisynth Eternos, Lucian Darkheart, and Vega, peers in raw talent and boundless promise.

Having entered the Galactic arena, her vision had widened to fresh vistas, and upon returning, numerous goals awaited alongside flaws to eradicate. Primarily, she aimed to close the delay between issuing an Omniedit Command and its effect taking hold. Next, she planned to hone her sword techniques to utmost perfection. Then, she intended to advance her Sword Intent to the following level and press onward further. Finally, she sought greater combat exposure; she had to cease dominating foes with outlandish Omniedit Commands and engage them properly, drawing lessons and evolving via real fights.

These represented merely a handful of the tasks already cataloged in her thoughts; countless others demanded her focus. Still, the sheer volume didn't daunt her; rather, she anticipated them with subdued thrill... toward the superior strength she would surely attain after fulfilling her outlined plans.

'No longer than a year should suffice,' she mused inwardly in serene quiet, setting her personal deadline. In just one year ahead, she would surpass her former self by leaps. This one-year limit wasn't fixed to drag full length; she allowed it for potential surprises and disruptions. Absent those, completion would come much sooner.

Harboring that resolve, she too disappeared from her position, her form reappearing precisely at her prior seat from before facing Aaaninja.

"Welcome back," Vega remarked from nearby, eyeing the returned Aura Nova.

Aura Nova directed her sky-blue gaze to Vega, offering a soft smile as she inquired, "Why didn't you join the spar? I'm certain you're capable enough to compete," her tone even and composed. She could sense Vega's solid strength and talent matching the others present.

Vega hesitated briefly before replying, "Honestly, I thought it was pointless to participate since I saw no benefit in being beaten up," while her eyes drifted to the arena below. "But it seems I was gravely mistaken," she finished in a steady, reflective manner.

Aura Nova nodded in agreement, grasping her viewpoint completely; after all, she herself had dismissed the Starborn Tournament as worthless, which explained her absence from it entirely.

Klaus, positioned off to the side, gradually stood up. The instant he rose, numerous gazes turned his way, talks halting abruptly. As the mightiest figure there, he drew natural focus, even though few knew him well.

His voice steady with a light smile, he addressed them, "With this last match, the sparring session between the younger generation has officially drawn to a close." No applause followed his statement, no grins or cheers; this had started as a friendly meetup among companions, not a prize-driven event like the Starborn Tournament.

"Honestly, when my daughter called me to watch a spar between friends, I never expected much. After all, what could a group of arrogant young masters possibly display that would surprise someone like me or my wife, Amara?" Klaus pressed on, his words candid without apology for his starting view of them. Even if offense was taken, what recourse did they have? Absolutely none.

"But when I discovered that all of you were friends with Anthony, my opinion began to change slightly. After all, the Anthony I know is not someone who befriends arrogant people or tolerates arrogance," he went on seamlessly. "And indeed, to my greatest surprise, I was wrong. You all have given me one of the greatest surprises of my life. After all, even I was not as strong as any of you when I was your age."