MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 999: Determination

Aaaninja reflected inwardly, 'My command over mana has surged dramatically,' sensing the energy circulating around him effortlessly, without any deliberate effort on his part, as if it pulsed with life and stood ready to heed his every wish in total submission, reacting to his simple being instead of active guidance.

'In the upcoming bout, I'll delve into each of my recent advancements,' Aaaninja resolved decisively, aware that the following confrontation wouldn't feature him—it was bound to pit Anthony against Aura Nova, their showdown certain to disrupt the battlefield's core entirely.

His attention returned to his companions ahead, yet now he deactivated the innate skill that let him perceive both future and past simultaneously, since he didn't require it right then, planning to switch it back on after thoroughly evaluating and grasping his fresh powers and strides forward.

In that instant choice, he disappeared from his hovering spot and materialized in front of the group within a mere fraction of a second, without any rush of air, no warping of space, and no lingering trail—just seamless movement and precision that outstripped every velocity he'd known before, his transit so impeccable it seemed the void had eagerly shifted to place him there.

"Welcome to the Apexus Mana Rank," Anthony broke the silence first, his broad and authentic grin lighting up as he hailed Aaaninja, his words laced with pride and thrill, for who wouldn't celebrate a comrade's staggering leap and elevation?

Aaaninja raised an eyebrow just a touch, then responded, "You speak as though you’ve already reached this level," a subtle yet perceptive grin curving his mouth while intrigue sparked in his eyes.

"Of course I have, I am Null Anthony after all," Anthony shot back with that same grin, his assurance total and beyond doubt, as if such a feat was utterly routine for him.

Aaaninja gazed at Anthony, at a loss for words, having assumed he was the initial one among his allies to attain this stage, yet evidently that notion was wrong, sparking a mix of astonishment and fascination in him.

The group gawked at Anthony like he defied all reason, the youngest among them—only Veronica and Vega matched his years—yet he towered over everyone in power and progress. After a short pause for reflection, they chose to drop deeper musings on this illogical protagonist and redirect their focus to the freshly empowered Aaaninja, whose surge had reshaped their view of development.

'Naturally, he's already hit the Apexus Mana Rank,' Lucian mused to himself, expecting no less from a figure like Anthony, whose very being routinely shattered standard boundaries.

The others gathered around Aaaninja, offering their warmest felicitations, their faces earnest and brimming with respect.

Aaaninja couldn't suppress a smile in reply, since this felt worlds apart from his usual encounters. Typically, the Celestials of the Celestial Solar System offered praise after his breakthroughs, but he recognized their insincerity then, as each sought gains from him, overtly or covertly. Likely only his lifelong protector and his parents had ever spoken with true intent.

"So, tell us, what abilities did you gain?" Vega jumped in without delay, her eagerness too strong to contain. Though she realized Aaaninja might sidestep such a private query, she figured asking and facing denial beat lingering in the unknown.

Aaaninja parted his lips to answer, but Veronica interjected with another query, her tone alive with awe, "Your eyes seem more mesmerizing and beautiful, I’m certain you’ve gained some form of upgrade, what are they?" she pressed, her enthusiasm and marvel plain to see.

Altheria stayed quiet, merely observing alongside Anthony and Lucian, a soft smile gracing her features, as she swelled with profound pride for her partner and his remarkable evolution. Yet simultaneously, she couldn't quell the subtle sorrow buried in her core. She was falling further behind—not that she'd ever matched Aaaninja evenly at the start—but the divide was expanding so swiftly it filled her with dread.

What if she turned into Aaaninja’s liability? What if a foe unable to best Aaaninja targeted her instead, seizing her and luring him into an ambush, pushing him toward rash choices that left him severely wounded, or fatally, ended his life? His Time affinity didn't render him all-powerful or unbreakable.

She let out a hushed breath at the idea, but right after, a grin reclaimed her expression as a key memory surfaced: the ramen from the guide known as Broth-ben had boosted her and Veronica's aptitudes dramatically, handing them a chance they'd lacked until now.

'Even if I'll never close the gap with him, I'll ensure I never drag him down as a vulnerability,' she vowed steadfastly in her thoughts, her resolve blazing like an eternal blaze.

Nearby, Zachary and his spouse Nyxss burst into hearty laughter, proudly proclaiming Aaaninja’s gifts and feats, their delight boundless and real. From his infancy, they'd imposed no pressures on him, unlike typical heirs in mighty lineages who carried crushing duties before uttering their first cry.

Aaaninja had escaped such weights; they'd never steered him rigidly along any route, just nurtured his natural unfolding into the individual he'd grown into, steering lightly without stifling his unique spirit.

"Sigh... I cannot help but feel jealous, you know," Aura Nova murmured from nearby with a gentle exhale, her tone blending irritation and reflection.

At her remark, Lucian pivoted to her with interest and queried, "Huh, why?"

"Well, on the Dusk Planet, I had always remained unchallenged and reigned supreme, but now... sigh... it seems the Planetary stage and the Galactical stage are separated by distances beyond imagination," Aura Nova exhaled again while explaining, her insight rooting firmly inside her.

Though she described it as envy, true envy didn't stir her heart—instead, a fierce and relentless drive burned to seize back her peak position. She'd dominated her world, and nothing barred her from ruling her galaxy too.

"Meh... do not worry about it. Just undergo your closed-door training, and you will come to understand the monster that you truly are. You simply do not know it yet because you have not trained since your True Self Actualization," Anthony’s steady voice drifted over, brimming with firm assurance.

Aura Nova dipped her head in quiet agreement, though a subtle grin touched her lips, one harboring a menacing and fearsome vow of impending ascent.

Aaaninja’s eyes turned to Anthony, his prismatic, timepiece irises locking with Anthony’s azure ones as he said, "I hope you are ready for our rematch, it will not be as easy as you expect it to be," a bold grin tugging at his mouth's edge.

Anthony grinned in return at Aaaninja while answering, "We may both be at the Apexus Mana Rank, but you forget, there is a reason I am called Null Anthony," his grin holding steady as he uttered it, his poise utterly steadfast.

For Anthony, Aaaninja’s surge and strides were beyond question vast and phenomenal, yet insufficient to eclipse him or unsettle the bedrock of his unyielding faith in his own dominance.