MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1071: Love

All present hung on Anthony's every word as he gushed about Vega, his face beaming with an unwavering smile; no one chimed in or cut him off, they merely absorbed his endless recounting of their first encounter at the Military in striking detail, that cherished first date still vivid in his heart, their intense closed-door seclusion training where they drove each other past breaking points, and Vega’s fierce bout against her AI robot.

Finally, Bryan piped up, unable to restrain himself. "I can’t help but feel jealous—true love is so rare these days," he sighed, his voice tinged with deep yearning and subdued acceptance.

Sheer envy washed over the group toward Anthony; finding a love matched in equal measure was extraordinarily scarce, nearly a miracle in this age. Marriages happened aplenty, yet divorces loomed common, just like the Dragon Emperor and his wife who split over ten years back—a well-known scandal seldom voiced aloud.

Not even the Titan Patriarch escaped that fate, having parted from his own wife; solely Anthony and Tiara retained full families among them, with Tiara's parents cherishing one another profoundly, their union a precious rarity of steadfast love amid relentless power grabs and plots.

"I wonder when love will ever find me," Rider murmured while peering through the aircraft window, his eyes lost in distant reflection, for though he shunned pursuit or worry over it, everyone yearns for romance at times, even the staunchest deniers.

"On the topic of love, how’s Vivian holding up?" Bringer queried with a serene smile. Back at Omni Peak Academy, he’d hounded her without mercy, proclaiming his affection boldly and shamelessly, to everyone else’s great entertainment.

"She’s doing great. Missing her? I could call her right over, you know," Anthony shot back with a sly grin, locking eyes with Bringer as a playful spark danced in his gaze.

Bringer fell quiet briefly, then shook his head in refusal; his love for Vivian burned as strong as ever, yet his status as Crowned Prince forbade it. The Titan Domain Patriarch could wed only a full Titan, producing pure Titan heirs, never a half-Titan mix, to preserve the bloodline under ancient edicts.

One like Rider, free from Domain leadership burdens, might marry Human or Vampire freely; no one would bat an eye, since it threatened neither lineage nor political balance.

"I get why you might avoid her due to Titan Domain laws and all," Bryan chimed in from nearby, watching Bringer with a gaze softened by empathy.

"That’s part of it, but not the whole story," Bringer replied with a sigh. "I’ve had her number for five years straight, but never sent a single text—not even an accidental butt dial; can’t just message her out of the blue and expect her to drop everything," he added, shaking his head steadily, a subtle regret lurking beneath his calm facade.

"I never imagined hearing anything so wise from you," Tiara quipped, her tone laced with quiet mirth, a sly smirk tugging at her lips.

"How strong is she these days? Actually, not just her—what about those ten prodigies? They burst onto the scene out of nowhere, snatched our top spots, and bumped us from the top ten overnight," Rider recalled abruptly, his interest reignited regarding Clement, Spectre, and the rest.

Anthony burst into laughter as he answered, "Well, besides Donna and Vivian, the others all enlisted in the Military. Donna and Vivian chose their path, forming an all-female guild while establishing orphanages across the Human Domain to aid the forsaken," he detailed, a note of respect warming his words for their noble deeds.

"Frankly, I’m tempted to join the Military myself now; why’s everyone flocking there? Something big brewing?" Tiara blurted out, leaning in with sparked intrigue.

"Seems like it—Anthony joined up and skyrocketed to Planetary level right away, plus snagged true love there too," Bringer agreed with a nod, his logic ringing almost persuasive, even to his own ears.

Anthony let out a hearty laugh before responding, "If any of you feel unbound by laws, rules, or anything similar, I suggest enlisting in the Military; your growth there is sure to accelerate. Sure, you might forfeit your Prince status and privileges, but reaching the Planetary level won't require a thousand years in the Military. Plus, they boast absurd resources—though earned through labor—and you can leave whenever you wish, meaning no true lasting bonds," he urged, his voice filled with conviction and genuine warmth.

"It's settled then—I'm joining the Military. Shame none of you will come along," Tiara declared, swiftly embracing Anthony's counsel, her choice made without delay.

"I'll stand by your side there," Bryan stated, his eyes turning toward Tiara.

Rider, Bringer, and Tiara lifted their brows in bewilderment, obviously unprepared for his bold claim.

"I doubt the Dragon Emperor would permit it," Tiara countered, locking eyes with Bryan, her look shifting to mild gravity.

"I'm no longer the Crowned Prince—my brother holds that now... though officially I still do for the moment, but that changes shortly," Bryan explained with a tranquil smile, as if he'd long embraced the reality.

Rider couldn't hold back, "Bro, what did you pull that got your father to dethrone you as Crowned Prince?" he questioned, giving voice to the shared curiosity buzzing among them, his interest plain.

"It's not like that," Bryan replied, then detailed the events unfolding at the Dragon Domain before their arrival, narrating with sharp precision.

"Hooo!!! So that's the assistance Anthony offered you," Rider exclaimed, though a jolt of surprise darted across his eyes and those of the others upon hearing Anthony owned a pill capable of boosting talent.

"At least I'll have a familiar ally, and I'll tap your links to secure my spot in the Military," Tiara noted, a trace of pleasure lacing her words.

Bryan merely nodded in silence. His thoughts strayed to Evelyn; much like Bringer, family edicts had barred contact, yet now he could seek her out and foster their bond freely, without limits or pause.

A subtle smile lit his features at the prospect of seeing Evelyn once more. 'I wonder how potent her healing and Light magic have grown,' he mused inwardly, for even Dragons couldn't match her restorative powers, showcasing her phenomenal aptitude. 'She's in the Military too, so we'll surely connect somehow,' his mind wandered onward, quiet eagerness taking root within, mingled with a spark of thrill and promise for the path ahead.