MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1045: At The Dragon Domain

Anthony gazed at the final message he had dispatched to Bryan. A smile tugged at his lips before he let his phone fall onto the bed he lounged upon, eyes locked on the ceiling overhead. Though free to depart immediately with no obligations holding him back, he had assured the Dragon youth of his arrival in one hour, granting the boy ample time to manage his affairs and make preparations.

Truth be told, not every scion of a mighty lineage enjoyed such unbound liberty as he did. His parents indulged him excessively, free from any heirloom responsibilities, bestowing a freedom most could scarcely imagine.

‘Shall I reach out to the Storm Brothers and that haughty vampire Tiara?’ Anthony pondered silently, only to shake his head after a brief deliberation.

‘Better to wait; I’ll message them once I’ve seen Bryan,’ he resolved swiftly. ‘Looks like I’ll soon venture into the Vampire Domain, Dragon Domain, and Titan Domain,’ he reflected inwardly, a subtle thrill of expectation stirring.

Ever since reincarnating, those realms had remained unvisited by him, despite his ability to access them at will. ‘At least they can guide me around,’ he considered as moments melted away during his wait, minutes gliding past almost imperceptibly.

‘What Mana Ranks have they reached by now, I wonder,’ Anthony contemplated while lying still on his bed, thoughts drifting aimlessly.

‘Bryan and the others shattered into S-rank back in their first year, but surely they’ve surged ahead by three or four major Mana Ranks since then, haven’t they?’ he mused, a faint bubble of anticipation rising in his chest—a sensation rarely felt.

Anthony couldn’t recall the last time such eager anticipation had gripped him; he felt truly thrilled to reunite with his friends after so long apart. With time still to spare, he retrieved his phone from the bed and launched a movie, letting the hours drift onward steadily.

The minutes ticked away until the hour elapsed at last. Anthony sat up from the bed, yawning widely. After a quick stretch, he summoned a portal through sheer will. No query to Bryan was needed; his Authority of Information unveiled the precise location effortlessly. The gateway to Bryan’s spot shimmered open, and Anthony crossed the threshold without pause, traversing light-years in a mere instant across cosmic expanses.

On the Blue Planet, deep in the Dragon Domain’s vast clearing, a cluster of Dragons stood assembled. Iserios, Bryan, Heinz, Right, and several Dragon guards formed a neat, expectant line.

All of them awaited tensely, scanning the skies for Anthony’s approach via starship or flyer. Abruptly, a portal ripped open right in front of them, drawing slight frowns—none detected any spatial ripple or Mana surge in the air, a feat deemed utterly impossible.

Emerging from the rift came a towering six-foot-eight youth, expression serene, his visage so transcendent that even perfection paled in description. His sky-blue eyes diminished the very firmament’s azure hue by comparison.

Dragons, fiercely proud of their inherent allure and splendor, hesitated for a beat before the boy’s jaw-dropping beauty, their usual poise faintly disrupted.

It was Null Anthony.

Anthony halted in shock, beholding the unexpected assembly. He’d anticipated materializing in Bryan’s quarters, lounge, or some private chamber for just the pair, not confronting a host of formidable Dragons spanning ages.

Though inwardly startled, no trace showed on his countenance. His Emperor Demeanor activated seamlessly, his aura shifting with refined subtlety.

"We finally meet again, Null Anthony. Seems like yesterday when you were still getting ready to step out," Iserios remarked with a slight smile, striding forward, recalling Anthony’s preparations for the Starborn Tournament—their inaugural meeting.

"Indeed, it seems like yesterday. Thank you for your help and protection at the time, Dragon Emperor," Anthony responded with a subtle smile. Though Iserios hadn’t attended the Starborn Tournament in person, his willingness to volunteer if needed remained etched in Anthony’s memory.

Anthony could have addressed the Dragon Emperor by name if he wished, but with others present, he upheld decorum instead.

No one ventured to interrupt. They permitted the Emperor and the human dubbed Heaven’s Favourite Child to exchange words freely first.

"I believe you are acquainted with my sons, my first son, Prince Von Heinz, and my second son, Prince Von Bryan," the Dragon Emperor presented calmly, smile steady, tone deliberate.

Anthony nodded simply and clasped hands with Heinz. The man left little mark on him, seen only once before; this marked their second encounter.

"We meet again after five years, Bryan," Anthony said, a broad smile lighting his face as he gripped Bryan’s hand. Unlike the standard clasp with Heinz, he and Bryan shared their unique handshake forged at Omni Peak Academy—a intimate nod to their bond.

Greetings concluded, Iserios Von Deathwrath continued, "Let’s head in, I can show you around the castle," deeming no need to present others beyond his sons, not even his right-hand man Right.

They proceeded into Iserios’ enormous castle, dwarfing any structure Anthony had witnessed, a scale fitting for Dragons’ colossal true forms.

As he strode along, Anthony felt the piercing stares from guards and trailing Dragons, laced with clear respect and veneration. Unperturbed, he knew Dragons, pride aside, revered raw power supremely—and he had displayed his months prior.

Anthony sighed to himself. He’d come solely for Bryan, not this spectacle. Still, he’d preserve the Emperor’s dignity, indulging the itinerary for an hour or two before advancing his true intent.

His gaze swept over every intricate design, carving, painting, mural, artifact, and jewel adorning the walls. He scrutinized them all keenly, aware of Dragons’ infamous hoarding instincts. Yet his expression stayed neutral; he’d beheld far grander hoards in the likes of Amara and Klaus.

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