MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 896: Five

"Let’s wrap up this gloomy conversation and start our trip to the ramen timeline already," Aura Nova declared, dismissively waving her hand as if she were physically brushing the topic aside. She saw no point in dwelling on her romantic history, particularly with much more thrilling prospects on the horizon.

Following her lead, the group's attention shifted naturally toward Aaaninja. He remained composed under their collective gaze and gave a simple nod. "To begin with, I am unable to bring everyone along at once," he stated flatly.

A heavy silence descended upon the group once more. They stared at him, bewildered, as the excitement that had been surging just moments before came to a grinding halt.

"What do you mean by saying you can't take us all?" Lucian questioned, raising an eyebrow in suspicion. "Is it not possible for you to simply tear open a portal and have the entire group walk through together?"

Aura Nova let out a heavy sigh, her face clouded with visible disappointment. "Why would you even bring it up if you couldn't bring everyone?" she grumbled, her enthusiasm for her first timeline exploration shriveling like a plant deprived of water.

Before Aaaninja had a chance to explain, Altheria stepped forward with a calm and collected demeanor. "Could you all please let him finish his sentence before you start jumping to conclusions?" she suggested softly. Even though Aaaninja mentioned he couldn't take everyone, she never doubted for a second that they would all reach their destination eventually.

The group went quiet. Their eyes rested on Altheria for a moment before the silence returned. Without saying another word, they turned their attention back to Aaaninja, waiting for his clarification.

"My original plan was to go there alone with Altheria as a date," Aaaninja admitted truthfully. "However, since you were all present, I decided to include everyone. I'm fairly certain none of you have ever stepped into a different timeline before." He paused for a beat before adding, "But as of right now, I am limited to taking about five people. We are crossing into a different timeline. Even I don't have the power to bring an infinite number of people across as if I own the place."

He finished his explanation with a faint sigh.

Silence fell over them again, followed by slow nods of understanding. Aaaninja’s reasoning was perfectly logical. The mere act of crossing a timeline by oneself was a legendary feat. It was debatable if even the Spirit King could perform such a task with such ease.

"So... who is on your list?" Kingsley inquired, maintained his typical flat tone and calm expression.

Lucian interjected before Aaaninja could speak. "Is there really a need to ask?" he remarked dryly. "He mentioned five people. It’s obvious he plans to leave Anthony and me behind while he departs with the rest of you."

Aaaninja turned his gaze toward Lucian, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You understand me far too well," he answered.

Shaking his head with a sigh, Lucian decided to remain silent.

"Why are you leaving those two behind?" Aura Nova asked, her face etched with genuine confusion. She couldn't grasp the logic behind his choice.

"They are capable of getting there on their own," Aaaninja clarified calmly. "Lucian possesses an ability known as Reality Anchor. He used it to fix a specific law into reality, ensuring that whenever Anthony and I are together, he can manifest before us instantly." He paused slightly before continuing. "As for Anthony..." His rainbow-hued, clock-like eyes drifted toward him. "I am not certain of the method, but I am confident he will find his way there regardless."

Aaaninja remembered the events of the Starborn Tournament, where Anthony had somehow traveled seventeen years into the past. Although the mechanics of Anthony's feat remained a mystery to him, that knowledge alone convinced him that traversing a timeline was well within Anthony's power.

"You have so much confidence in me," Anthony teased, returning Aaaninja’s look with a grin.

Aaaninja offered no reply. His gaze simply moved past Anthony to address the others. "Therefore, I will be taking my girlfriend Altheria, along with Aura Nova, Veronica, Vega, and Kingsley."

"In that case, we will see you there," Lucian said, sighing. Personally, he didn't have a specific skill that allowed for independent timeline travel. 'Perhaps I should create one?' he mused. Just because his specialty was copying the skills and abilities of others didn't mean he lacked the genius to invent something new.

Aaaninja gave a nod to Anthony and Lucian before focusing on the rest of the group. With a mere thought, mana surged from his form like a silent gale. In that moment, time particles began to vibrate as if responding to his call. Without delay, these particles swirled around everyone except for Anthony and Lucian.

Anthony and Lucian stood by and watched.

The time particles spiraled around the selected group, emitting a soft glow as the surrounding environment began to warp. Gradually, their bodies started to fade, looking as though they were being wiped from existence itself. Everyone closed their eyes instinctively as the sensation washed over them. A moment later, they felt a profound presence surrounding them—something massive and beyond human understanding. Their eyes flew open.

They stood before a river unlike any they had ever imagined, shimmering with every conceivable color. Endless images drifted within its flow, showing glimpses of the past, the present, and unknown futures in a rapid blur.

"Is this actually..." Aura Nova’s voice trailed off in pure amazement, but Vega spoke before she could finish. "The River of Time."

The entire group stood frozen.

Expressions of shock, disbelief, and wonder took hold of them as they gazed at the river. Slowly, they looked toward Aaaninja, marvelling at how he had managed to transport them to such a place. It was common lore that only one River of Time governed the universe, the multiverse, and every reality beyond.

As for how Aura Nova and Vega identified it, their reasons were different. Aura Nova had consumed enough novels to recognize a legendary place like this. For Vega, her Eyes Of The Universe had already provided the data the moment they arrived.

Aura Nova’s mana began to stir as she instinctively tried to trigger her Omniedit ability. However, Aaaninja’s sharp voice cut through the air before she could act.

"Stop," he commanded. "That is, if you wish to stay alive. This place is not the Tear in Reality. You must keep your curiosity under control." His voice was sharper than usual, serving as a stern warning. Aura Nova nodded immediately, pulling back her mana without a word of protest. She was smart enough not to test the River of Time after such a warning.

'Could my father or mother even enter this realm?' Vega wondered to herself. Deep down, she already knew the truth.

They could not.

For Aaaninja, this marked the first time he had ever escorted anyone, especially those from the outside world, into this domain. The River of Time itself was aiding him in moving the five of them. Without its direct cooperation, only he and Altheria would have been able to make the trip, just as he had first intended.