MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 944: Cute [Bonus - ]

Anthony couldn't help but shake his head at Lucian's antics. With a mere flicker of his mind, he propelled himself ahead, slicing effortlessly through the sonic and gusty barriers. The atmosphere shattered like broken panes as the force parted in front of him, and in an instant, they both landed right in front of the onlookers who had been watching their intense duel.

Right then, Klaus had already released everyone from the pocket realms he'd stored them in temporarily, shielding them from the catastrophic blows he and Lucian had traded, saving them from the lingering tremors that might have wiped out weaker souls without mercy.

"Looks like you enjoyed yourselves," Klaus's voice drifted from nearby, his frame lounging at ease with a grin, his stance utterly at peace as if he'd just caught a fun spectacle instead of a clash that ripped through the fabric of space.

He had to admit, he was truly relishing the sight of these young fighters. At first, he'd figured only Anthony stood out as intriguing, a unique standout among the gifted, but who'd have guessed the others shone just as brightly? They exceeded his wildest hopes. He was thrilled by Aura Nova's showdown with Kingsley, that brutal collision of skills and gut feelings, and he savored Anthony's clash with Lucian even more, the epic scope and sheer madness of it all demanding his full focus.

Sure, they paled in power next to him, but that hardly counted for anything. Power could grow with effort and years. The real key was raw potential, and these kids had blown past his predictions in ways that defied belief. None quite matched Anthony's caliber in his view, yet each was a prodigy in their own bizarre way, beings that shattered logic and ridiculed everyday benchmarks.

Much like Aaaninja, Klaus grew even more captivated by Kingsley. Though the youth had fallen, to Klaus, he was an outrageous prodigy. Pushing so far on pure physical prowess alone, holding his ground against these beasts, highlighted his insane battle sense and ironclad focus. It proved his terrifying progress and relentless practice. If Klaus had another child, Kingsley struck him as no poor match, maybe even a top-tier one.

"Naturally, though it'd be even better if you all ganged up on me together," Anthony shot back, his tone dripping with arrogance once more, but said so offhandedly with such easy assurance that it rang more like plain truth than empty brag.

"You mean like in your Omni Peak entry test five years back?" Klaus inquired, a serene smile playing on his lips, obviously recalling the mayhem Anthony had unleashed then.

"Exactly, but I'll handle them one by one just fine," Anthony grinned with bold certainty, plainly relishing the moment, as if this chain of bouts was barely a warm-up for him.

"If I didn't know you, I'd peg you for just another cocky kid... but you do have the strength to match your talk," Klaus responded with a steady smile, his gaze sparkling faintly with eagerness for more duels and unexpected twists.

Anthony halted briefly before continuing. "Won't you finally shore up this isolated realm for good? You've patched it up countless times, and it still crumbles. It's way too fragile." He scanned the cracked surroundings. He knew his own Mirror Dimension would never falter like this realm did. His creation was vastly tougher and more resilient.

Klaus held quiet for a beat before answering. "That's not on me," he exhaled, starting his explanation. "I just lowballed how much destruction you lot could unleash. Usually, I give it a quick boost and call it done, assuming it'd suffice... but clearly, I misjudged." He stopped for a second, then went on, "Time to fortify it properly. Just the outer shields, I suppose."

As soon as his words ended, mana burst forth like a booming thunder in their ears. It erupted fiercely from Klaus's form and rocketed upward like an azure beam stabbing the skies. At that, the whole isolated realm quaked nonstop, as if its core rules were getting overhauled, the void shuddering and settling under his command.

The air grew denser, the earth firmed up, and unseen shields layered over each other. Moments later, Klaus's mana faded abruptly, and calm resumed, everything now steadier and much more solid than earlier.

"All set," Klaus said in a relaxed, almost indifferent drawl, like the feat he'd pulled off wasn't one that could stump whole groups for years.

Anthony gave a simple nod and dropped into his chair, his gaze shifting to his companions. Over on the other side, the girls were already murmuring quietly among themselves.

"Doesn't your guy come off as overly cocky?" Altheria's words rang out, aimed at Vega, who perched there smiling, obviously delighted by Anthony's victory. Sure, she trusted and backed her partner fully, but she hadn't gauged Lucian's fighting strength precisely. What if he'd matched Anthony's wild level? That doubt had nagged at her through the bout.

Their scraps with the Eleven Winged Angels counted for little, since they'd just toyed with those foes like felines batting at rodents. No true strain, no genuine peril.

"Well... he strikes you as cocky 'cause you don't really get him. Bet Aaaninja wouldn't take it that way," Vega answered, her grin steady and laid-back. She got why Altheria bristled at Anthony's quips. After all, Aaaninja was her partner too. How could she stay cool hearing that about him?

Vega's look slid to Veronica next to her, then she added, "Guess I take this round, Veronica."

Veronica went quiet briefly, then let out a gentle sigh. "Seems like it. Your man's even wilder than you," she remarked evenly, her face composed, showing no shock or real upset.

She felt no sorrow over Lucian's defeat. In the bigger picture, it didn't faze her. But one setback didn't shake her faith in him. A lone loss changed nothing. She was convinced he'd triumph over Aaaninja, Aura Nova, and Kingsley in time.

"You look pleased." Romulus's voice floated down from overhead. He'd settled atop Vega's head, idling there after viewing the match too. He felt a tad restless, unable to drop by the Spirit King, who was tied up with its own concerns.

"Why not?" Vega shot back smilingly. She hesitated a touch, then tacked on, "Appreciate the assist."

"Anytime," Romulus answered evenly. As for the aid, he'd sharpened the senses of some spectators, letting them follow the blistering velocity and rhythm of Anthony and Lucian's moves. Lacking that, it all would've blurred into sight-stealing streaks.

Romulus kept mum after that, still observing. Like Klaus, he was getting some real enjoyment, discovering surprising fun in watching these gifted youths advance.

Altheria and Veronica's stares flicked to Romulus lounging atop Vega's head, then darted away fast. By now, they grasped a little of who—or what—he really was. Though his tiny golden shape seemed adorable, nearly innocuous, they wouldn't voice it, terrified of vanishing for any slight offense.