MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 958: Different

The bisected remains of Aura Nova's body slammed into the ground with a heavy, nauseating thud, splitting apart to crash on the left and right. That muffled, conclusive noise echoed grimly in the ears well after it faded. Thick crimson blood surged outward in heavy flows, crawling over the cracked stone like insidious tendrils, while her entrails and organs burst messily onto the dirt beneath, defiling the previously spotless arena with brutal signs of death. A choking, metallic tang of blood saturated the atmosphere, raw and overpowering.

Lucian remained motionless in the chaos, his stance casual, breaths steady, refusing to glance back at the destruction he'd wrought, as if such a result was just another everyday event. He was aware Klaus could revive folks effortlessly due to his overwhelming power, yet he believed Aura Nova's Omniedit innate ability surely included its own revival method, a core protection woven into her very being that wouldn't allow her tale to conclude like this.

Right then, mana throbbed through the surroundings like the world's own pulse, starting subtle before intensifying, weighing down the air until it vibrated with tension. It swirled lazily around Aura Nova's fallen form, strands of glowing power intertwining as if directed by unseen forces, slowly shaping a azure shell of concentrated mana.

The shell gleamed and turned softly, its exterior undulating like liquid beneath moonlight, beating steadily as if it possessed life, as if it drew breath to shield her from additional damage. Nobody could glimpse the interior, the radiance too thick and holy to penetrate, but no alarm stirred among the onlookers or prompted any moves, since they'd all anticipated this development, their faces serene and expectant.

Her revival.

Before long, the azure shell dissolved into the breeze like morning fog, bits of mana scattering and merging back into the surroundings as the force ebbed away and settled into quiet. The weight lifted, the vibration ceased, and quiet enveloped the arena once more. Aura Nova's feet settled lightly on the soil with poised elegance, her form upright and leisurely.

Her lids lifted as her azure eyes returned to the world, pristine and radiant like clear midsummer heavens, and her aura felt utterly transformed, as if she'd evolved into something more refined, keener, and vastly more profound than prior. The shift was delicate but undeniable, akin to unrefined metal versus a honed edge.

Vega, observing from her elevated spot, held her tongue for an extended beat before voicing her thoughts, her tone laced with slight doubt, "I don’t know why, but she seems... different."

"Your thoughts and intuition are correct," Anthony’s voice emerged from nearby as he perched in total serenity, ever the picture of poise, gazing steadily at Aura Nova from his lofty vantage, his expression inscrutable. "Through Lucian’s help and advice, she had achieved true self actualisation. Without his help, who knows how long that would have taken," Anthony continued, scrutinizing Aura Nova intently, as if analyzing the nuanced alterations in her aura and essence.

"While it doesn’t suddenly change her battle prowess or grant any new abilities and whatnot, after her rebirth and everything in the future, she will be stronger than anyone can imagine," Anthony went on, since he could plainly detect the latent power within Aura Nova now freed, as if invisible bonds had quietly shattered.

"But if she didn’t want to change or disregarded Lucian’s advice, she would never have achieved true self actualisation." A subtle, authentic smile touched his mouth as he pressed on, soft but real. "I guess, like Lucian, I am looking forward to the monster she is going to become."

Vega and Altheria nodded in agreement. Though they felt a pang over Aura Nova's defeat, a quiet joy stirred inside them, for she'd emerged from the duel bearing far more than mere triumph. She'd earned evolution, insight, and a destiny brimming with boundless potential. Her road ahead now shone brighter than any celestial light in the infinite cosmos.

"Maybe I should have participated," Vega whispered to herself, sensing how every clash and fight yielded profound, unseen gains to those involved.

Kingsley fell to Aura Nova yet returned refined, more acute than earlier. Lucian yielded to Anthony; though the details escaped her, she knew he'd touched upon realms beyond normal grasp.

And now, Aura Nova had fallen and attained true self actualisation.

"You should have partaken when everyone chose a number," Klaus’ voice sounded from beside her with a weary exhale as he spoke to his daughter Vega, his manner strict but kind. "Battle and life and death situations are one of the fastest ways to improve. It’s the reason Michael is progressing faster than any other human of the older generation. Pressure either breaks you or forges you."

Vega paused in silence, taking in his wisdom. The validity of Klaus’ words rang true to her. She could merely exhale over the lost chance, her grip tightening just a bit. ’Maybe next time,’ she resolved inwardly, resolve gradually overtaking her disappointment.

"You know, it amazes me how much knowledge you seem to possess, despite coming from a lower planet," Aaaninja Chronisynth Eternos’s voice drifted over, sleek and inquisitive. His timepiece-shaped, multicolored eyes turned toward Anthony, locking on with swirling shades that mirrored endless computations and temporal depths.

Anthony grinned with steady assurance as he responded, utterly relaxed. "I know, I’m very mysterious. I love that about me." His azure eyes flicked to Aaaninja, serene and mischievous. He held for a beat before adding, "Besides, it’s highly likely it’s our turn next. Ready to get your revenge?" Anthony teased, a playful smirk curving his lips.

"It’s not revenge," Aaaninja declared, averting his gaze from Anthony as his tone softened. "It’s more like breaking past a wall I couldn’t overcome. That is all." Still, his pulse quickened with eagerness, a subtle rush of excitement invading his calm despite his steady declaration.

Anthony's grin lingered as his azure eyes fixed on the man a second longer, then he shook his head and chose silence. His focus shifted to Lucian. He'd never foreseen Lucian aiding Aura Nova to true self actualisation; that had caught him off guard somewhat. For a guy so laid-back and snarky, Lucian sometimes revealed surprising layers of insight.

Aura Nova lingered quietly for a spell, her thoughts revisiting the clash. She struggled to fathom how Lucian had sliced her neatly in two from crown to base with such casual accuracy. The recollection seemed dreamlike, hard to pin down. But after brief reflection, she breathed out gently and let it go. Dwelling on bewilderment served no purpose. Only advancing mattered, not lingering on what was done.

Her shortcomings now stood exposed to her, revealed plainly like pages in a tome, and she'd conquer them. She'd arrived assuming she'd crush them all with minimal effort, perhaps facing slight resistance at most. Yet her assumptions proved hasty, bordering on hubris. This was the Galaxy, immense and relentless. It differed from the Dusk Planet she'd ruled unchallenged until this point.

Her gaze settled on Lucian, who lounged idly nearby. As her azure eyes connected with his dark ones, a true smile spread over her features, not the bold grin of pre-fight bravado, but an earnest, heartfelt expression. Her mouth opened as she said, her voice tender and warm, "Thank you for this. This wouldn’t be possible without you."

Lucian held quiet briefly before answering, "You’re damn right it wouldn’t be possible without me." His delivery held a cocky edge, that signature smug vibe, but instantly he mirrored the sincere smile, his words gentling. "But it wouldn’t be possible if you hadn’t accepted change. It was fated to happen. I simply brought the timeline forward." He halted as his dark eyes lifted to the wandering clouds overhead. "I guess that is what we anomalies do, challenge fate and order," he reflected conclusively while easing his head from side to side.