MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1033: Open Cheque

Lucian let out a frustrated grunt as the Aaaninja vanished from sight. Shifting his attention toward Veronica, he remarked, "It appears we are the only ones left now."

With a resigned sigh, Veronica gave a nod. Anthony, Kingsley, and the others had already departed. Even the older generation had cleared out, leaving the two of them alone in the suddenly silent space.

"Where are we heading?" Veronica questioned, drifting nearer to Lucian. Unlike his peers who merely retreated to their home worlds, Lucian was constantly on the move due to his [Absolutely Copy] ability, journeying from one planet to another. Consequently, he maintained residences scattered across the galaxy, using each as a temporary base suited to his impulses.

That was precisely why Veronica was curious about their next destination; with Lucian, nothing was ever set in stone.

After a moment of quiet deliberation, Lucian weighed his options. Like everyone else, he intended to enter seclusion, yet he wasn't tethered to his home planet for the task. Given his nomadic lifestyle, location had never dictated his growth. Nevertheless, after pondering it briefly, he opted to head home. Since he had no immediate plans to copy any more techniques or traits, there was nothing preventing his return.

"We are going to my parents’ estate," he declared, his voice firm and final.

Veronica raised an eyebrow but nodded regardless. She had never set foot on Lucian’s home world, let alone his parents' residence. Although she had caught glimpses of his parents during the spar, they had never shared an intimate conversation.

Even so, she felt perfectly at ease. Growing up as Vega’s closest friend, she had been surrounded by immensely powerful cultivators her entire life, despite her own status as a relatively ordinary nineteen-year-old. Thanks to tagging along on the family’s various interstellar excursions, she had traversed the Acarnis Galaxy just as frequently as they had.

"Let's get moving," Lucian stated, a faint smirk playing on his lips as he gave a nonchalant wave. A portal abruptly tore through the fabric of space, manifesting an entrance to his home. Maintaining a polished demeanor, he gestured for Veronica to enter first, following closely behind as a true gentleman. As soon as they stepped through, the gateway vanished.

Veronica arrived in the lobby of a sprawling, magnificent structure. However, she didn't bother to admire her surroundings; in her mind, no architectural achievement could rival the home of Klaus and Amara. Her standards had been set far too high for that.

Lucian, uninterested in delay, strode forward with purpose. He swung the massive doors open to find a line of maids and butlers waiting in perfect synchronization to welcome him back.

Ignoring the formalities, Lucian had no desire to exchange pleasantries. He waved them off with a casual motion and continued toward the interior with Veronica. Together, they ascended to the upper level of the estate and entered a long, opulent corridor.

Standing in the hallway were two individuals: Riven and Vespera. Having identified his presence the moment he arrived, they looked at him with a mix of recognition and mild surprise.

"The prodigal son deigns to return," Riven remarked. Though he saw his son occasionally, the monstrously talented Lucian rarely lingered, preferring to drift between planets for reasons that eluded even Riven.

"Do you intend to stay a while?" Vespera asked, her face lighting up with a warm smile as she stepped forward to embrace him, clearly grateful for his arrival after such a long time apart.

Following a brief moment of familial warmth, Lucian introduced Veronica, though the act was largely formal since his parents already knew her identity.

With the pleasantries finished, Lucian guided Veronica toward his private training chamber. Despite his absence spanning several years, the room had been kept in pristine condition, immaculately maintained in anticipation of the day he might return.

Veronica stepped inside and scanned the area. The chamber was flooded with thick, concentrated Mana, saturating the atmosphere to an intense degree. Yet, she remained unimpressed. Having been conditioned by greatness since childhood, such displays held little weight for her.

Like a young boy barely able to contain his excitement, Lucian took the pill Anthony had provided and pressed it into her hand. "Consume it," he stated plainly, neglecting to offer any context.

Veronica stared at the pill, looking back at him with an incredulous expression as she wondered if he planned to reveal anything at all.

Realizing his oversight, Lucian sighed and explained, "This pill is said to enhance one's cultivation talent. I'm not certain to what extent, but given it came from Anthony, I’m convinced the results will be extraordinary." He spoke with unwavering conviction.

Veronica fell silent, nodding slowly. While she couldn't quite fathom Lucian’s blind faith in Anthony, she chose not to challenge it. She sat down in a half-lotus position, clutching the small object between her fingers as she contemplated it.

Her own lack of natural aptitude had always been a thorn in her side.

She couldn't compare to Vega’s brilliance. She lacked her friend's class, her bloodline, and her physical gifts. While she felt no jealousy toward her best friend, she couldn't help but feel a persistent, aching sense of inferiority.

She remembered a particular birthday well. Klaus had offered her an open request, swearing to grant her any wish. Back then, she had desperately wanted to ask for something—anything—to boost her innate talent.

But she hadn’t asked for a thing. To do so felt like exploiting their connection for personal gain, and that was something she simply couldn't endure.

She knew exactly how Vega felt, though. If Vega had discovered such a pill, she wouldn't have hesitated for a split second. She would have stolen it or forced her father to part with it, all without a second thought, just to help her best friend. That was who Vega was; she had been that way since they were children.

Staring at the pill now, Veronica felt a surge of doubt.

"Will I finally possess true talent? Will I be able to stand beside Vega... could I ever reach her heights?"

The thought seemed absurd. What kind of miracle pill could bestow such immense potential? The level she coveted was that of beings like Aaaninja and Aura Nova. Surely, if Anthony had held onto such a profound treasure, he would have claimed that power for himself.

And yet... it didn't matter. She was exhausted—exhausted from lingering in the shadows, tired of beating weaker foes while those around her navigated battles of immense importance.

This was an opportunity. Even if it were small. Even if it required years of patience. Even if the outcome was uncertain.

It was still a chance.

Her gaze shifted toward Lucian, the catalyst for this moment. A wave of silent, deep gratitude stirred within her. Without further hesitation, she placed the pill on her tongue and swallowed.

Closing her eyes, she prepared to meet her fate.

Would it fulfill her hopes? Or would it merely reveal how vast the chasm truly was, highlighting how far beyond her reach her friends remained—not just in talent, but in every dimension of existence?