MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1051: A Clear Line

Anthony lounged in Bryan’s room, idly flicking through his phone while awaiting Bryan, Rider, Bringer, and Tiara. Unlike Anthony, who had boldly stepped into the Dragon Domain via a portal as if it belonged to him, the others were forced to use formal entry routes.

One hour later, Bryan’s door burst open suddenly, and he strode inside. Though silent, his steps and face radiated equal parts relief and joy. He had just spent that hour with his father and elder brother, who meticulously tested the talent pill’s effects before Heinz took it, scrutinizing every tiny shift with utmost gravity.

Once verified, Heinz’s innate cultivation talent had truly risen, allowing him to hit Planetary level and vie for the Crowned Prince position—which Bryan intended to relinquish gladly at the upcoming Royal assembly. After all, claiming or dropping the title wasn’t arbitrary; strict laws, protocols, and setups were mandatory, particularly for issues linked to royal prestige and political balance.

As Bryan’s crimson eyes locked with Anthony’s, he declared, "Truly, I cannot thank you enough." Tears threatened but didn’t fall, his voice thick with raw, unmistakable gratitude that no effort could mask.

"I’ve already accepted the thanks you said earlier, no need to say them again," Anthony shot back with his usual laid-back look.

Bryan nodded, a grin spreading across his features. Visions of his newfound liberty filled his mind—plans for wandering the vast world ahead. While tempted to try life as a Mercenary or Adventurer for months or a year to taste real freedom, he leaned toward Anthony’s idea of enlisting in the military.

He knew zilch about the Military, yet his network could fill the gaps, and the allure of its ordered expanse strangely drew him in.

"My brother, Heinz, wished to thank you in person, as did my father, but I said you’d prefer not to meet them," Bryan said with a sigh. Heinz gained the biggest boon here, and even the Dragon Emperor showed clear emotion at the fresh opportunities unveiled.

’Although Father remains highly wary of Anthony’s intentions,’ Bryan mused inwardly, yet ultimately, even the Dragon Emperor couldn’t ignore a talent pill’s worth. No suspicion could outweigh such immense value.

"I’m glad you told them not to come," Anthony responded evenly.

Bryan managed only a strange smile at Anthony’s remark. It was his first encounter with someone utterly indifferent to the Royal Dragon Family. Anthony wasn’t rude; he simply didn’t give a damn, and that raw apathy rang truer than any polite facade.

Bryan swiftly shifted subjects. "So, I’ll follow your advice and enlist in the military right after shedding my Crowned Prince role," he announced, his voice tinged with growing excitement, as voicing it made the prospect feel real.

Anthony pondered briefly before replying. "Then move fast. The Military recruits yearly only. Next batch is roughly three months away. Miss it, and you wait a full year to join." He paused, shaking his head as he continued, "Even your father’s Dragon Emperor status won’t bend this, so wrap things up quick and sign up."

As a scion of three Supreme Monarchs, Anthony had endured the full recruitment and mandatory one-year training himself. If rules held for him, they’d surely bind Bryan too. From Bryan’s early insights, the Military operated as a self-governing powerhouse.

Bryan nodded gravely, absorbing Anthony’s advice. Though clueless on Military details, he sensed its iron discipline. Connections mattered little there; elite offspring filled its ranks, and lineage alone wouldn’t grant favors to all.

Bryan might snag minor perks, like a dedicated captain escorting him to base while lesser recruits bunched up under one, but he knew such nods were superficial. Inside, merit, stamina, order, and true ability would eclipse rank.

"Can you tell me anything about the Military?" Bryan inquired, keen for insights from Anthony, a veteran who’d walked that path.

Anthony hesitated, then shook his head. "You will have to find out for yourself." He sighed, though inwardly he chuckled, ’Well, I don’t want the readers to accuse the author of spending Chapters talking about the military all over again when we are already done with it.’

"But..." Anthony resumed, "although nobody picks their Military Base, your father’s sway should convince the Supreme Monarchs for that favor, so ask him to slot you into Military Base Alpha-9. I have ties there that could aid you in a pinch," he added casually, downplaying it, yet Bryan grasped its weight immediately.

Naturally, those ties weren’t his Supreme Monarch mother, but comrades like Dale and others.

Bryan nodded, then halted abruptly, struck by a thought. "But you’re among the military’s elite—can’t you pull strings instead, since Father’s Military links are weak?" he proposed logically.

Anthony just shook his head. "I could do that, but I won’t. I’ve already freed you from the Crowned Prince burden—this is where my aid stops, Bryan Von Deathwrath," he said, a faint smile curving his lips. It held no malice or scorn, merely a firm boundary set by one who wouldn’t cross it, regardless of simplicity.