MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1036: Leaving

Anthony remained silent, his gaze fixed on Vega with a faint smile as she performed her craft; his observation was quiet and consistent. Truth be told, the inner workings of Vega’s innate ability were a mystery to him—not that he had ever spent much energy contemplating them, nor did he feel any desperate urge to peel back the layers of that enigma.

He recalled once trying to acquire such a skill through the system, only to be rebuffed. The ??? entity had deemed it exclusive to Vega, suggesting he simply steal it from his own lover. That experience had led Anthony to abandon the quest, though the curiosity remained buried in his subconscious. Even so, the temptation to attempt creating a version of it himself persisted.

Equipped with his Limitless talent, he wasn't tethered to the system for every skill or enhancement, provided they didn't fall into the category of Authorities and Concepts—phenomena that occupied an entirely different echelon of reality and logic.

Ultimately, he refrained, following the advice of ??? to preserve the uniqueness of Vega’s path; besides, there was always the risk that ??? might meddle if he attempted to replicate it.

I wonder if Aaaninja experienced the same sensation when he ascended to the Apexus Mana Rank, Anthony reflected. He had neglected to bring it up during their previous encounter, his mind clouded by the urgency of the moment.

Upon his own breakthrough to the Apexus Mana Rank, Anthony had sensed something—a distinct presence, an irresistible pull, as if a voice were echoing from a domain beyond his grasp.

It became clear to him that reaching the Apexus Mana Rank was the prerequisite for this 'call,' and he was desperate to know if Aaaninja had encountered a similar phenomenon upon reaching that milestone.

I'll probe him about it next time; we are fated to reunite for the comprehensive campaign against those Angels anyway, Anthony decided, settling into a state of quiet resolve.

In reality, Aaaninja had shared that experience; he too felt the beckoning, though he had brushed it aside, preoccupied by his clash with Anthony and the internal struggle of mastering his newly evolved skills.

Upon returning to his domain, Aaaninja had consulted the River Of Time, only to be cryptically informed that he would learn the truth when he finally answered the summons.

Anthony’s sky-blue eyes stayed locked on Vega. I wonder if she, too, will perceive this call, he pondered, the curiosity tickling his mind.

Though he hadn't formally surveyed anyone, he suspected that this beckoning wasn't universal among those in the Apexus Mana Rank; indeed, he doubted any of the peers he currently knew had been subjected to it.

Klaus and Amara might have insight, he mused, yet he chose not to press them. He would uncover the truth in due time, likely when the onset of boredom demanded his attention.

His gaze remained fixed on Vega, who blurred across the chamber as she stress-tested her newfound velocity. The Mana around her undulated and coiled, tracing the lines of her precise, elegant control.

After a brief interval, she halted, her expression radiating deep satisfaction with the level of power she now commanded.

"Are you finished?" Anthony interjected, his voice carrying a blend of casual interest and attentive focus.

Vega shifted her violet eyes toward him, responding, "I am," her tone hushed and brimming with contentment.

If Veronica, currently straining to boost her potential by consuming a pill, were to witness this, she would be caught in a fit of hysterical sorrow. While she floundered at the Grandmaster Mana Rank, Vega stood on the precipice of the Galaxy’s Mana Rank peak.

Any attempt by Veronica to narrow that chasm was mere fantasy. Even if she possessed a talent matching the likes of Vega, Lucian, or Aaaninja, she lacked the one commodity they had in abundance: time.

Furthermore, given the broken nature of Vega’s Perfect Clone technique, Veronica had no realistic path to parity. Her only leverage was Lucian. She was, in essence, a mundane soul attempting to rival gods among men.

Abandoning such futile efforts would be for the best, though whether she possessed the fortitude to admit that truth remained to be seen.

"So, what is the next move?" Anthony asked, his curiosity light but sincere.

Vega fell into a pensive silence. "Well, we’ve lurched from one crisis to the next. From seclusion to the Galactical summit, the Ramen Singularity Timeline, then the sparring... honestly, it’s all a blur," she noted, tapping her chin with a look of intense reflection.

"But..." she exhaled, "I cannot remain with you just yet. I require solitude to integrate these gains. Between the Eyes Of The Universe and my current state, there is an immense amount of information to reconcile," she added, clearly reluctant to part ways.

Anthony watched her, cognizant that everyone had harvested significant spoils from the spar. "Can’t you just delegate that to one of your Perfect Clones? They should be able to process it and feed it back to you, as you usually do," he offered, genuinely puzzled by the necessity of her personal seclusion.

Previously, while confined to a single Perfect Clone, Vega used it to cultivate while she managed other burdens. Now, armed with three Perfect Clones, it seemed illogical for her to isolate herself.

Vega shook her head, her voice steady and immovable. "It won't suffice. I must perform this synthesis myself."

Anthony surveyed her with a neutral expression before sighing, knowing full well that altering her trajectory was impossible. "When do you intend to depart?"

"Probably immediately," Vega replied, her verdict rendered long before the topic had even been broached.

"Right now? But we only just returned. Surely you need a moment to decompress and enjoy the surroundings?" Anthony countered, peering at her face with a hint of disbelief.

Vega shook her head. She already harbored a sense of exclusion for missing the sparring match, a failure she laid entirely at her own feet. The benefits of firsthand participation were vastly superior to mere observation, and she felt the sting of that loss.

"Where will you be sequestered?" Anthony asked, softening his tone.

"At my parents’ estate," Vega declared, brooking no room for doubt.

Anthony exhaled heavily and let his body collapse onto the bed, sinking into the mattress with a defeated air. He stared upward at the ceiling, his mood unreadable.

"Do not look so gloomy. I will return shortly. Besides, you are already formidable, let the rest of us play catch-up," Vega said, crossing the room to sit beside him. Her presence was a comforting warmth. "Don't pine for me too much. I'm certain you have your own companions to visit," she teased with a smile.

She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead that lingered for a heartbeat. "I will return," she promised.

With that final vow, she dissolved into thin air, leaving no wake behind; she knew Anthony would offer no further protest, perhaps fearing that if she waited a second longer, her resolution would falter.