MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1008: Thoughts

The lifeless body and detached head of Aura Nova hurtled unbound through the heavens, drawn downward by gravity's relentless pull, until they slammed into the earth with a deep, eerie crash that stirred a faint shroud of dust around the remains from the brutal force of the landing.

From his lofty perch amid the clouds, Anthony looked down steadily, his azure eyes locked serenely on Aura Nova’s body, while his mind inevitably drifted; he pondered if someday, by chance, he might cross paths with a foe who equaled him in every way and compelled him to unleash his utmost power freely, devoid of any caution or scheme.

Anthony recalled just one instance in his post-reincarnation existence when he had truly exerted himself to the limit, and that lone event occurred when assassins first targeted him soon after his chaotic shopping trip, transforming a simple errand into a grim testament to the world's dangers.

In the Acarnis Galaxy, at his present strength, he remained essentially invincible, a figure beyond ordinary threats, yet the greater Galaxy presented a whole other scenario, one shrouded in mystery for him and likely teeming with entities that surpassed even his grasp of power.

His gaze lifted to the heavens, as if striving to glimpse something distant past the barriers of existence; he let out a quiet sigh and shook his head, since he harbored no urgent desire to attain that level—no, his interest was merely a cool, intrigued observation.

Should the Universe provide him with a rival of such stature, then fine, and should it withhold one, it made no difference, for he savored his existence quite thoroughly without relying on endless trials to stir him.

His form shimmered faintly as he disappeared from the clouds in a swift streak that warped the surrounding atmosphere, reappearing in mere instants next to Aura Nova’s body, giving it a last glance before pivoting away with steady nonchalance, knowing full well she would revive shortly, just as she invariably did.

"Null Anthony wins," Klaus’ voice echoed from overhead in a blunt manner, since he had anticipated this result all along and never questioned it even briefly, being far more captivated by the path and the fine details of the fight that culminated in this end than by the end itself.

Soon, waves of mana rippled visibly through the atmosphere, then swirled and surrounded Aura Nova’s body with careful intent, raising it softly skyward as it shaped a glowing azure pod that throbbed gently with healing forces. No one reacted with shock to the display, for this mirrored exactly how she had revived following her prior clash with Lucian Darkheart, a technique now well-known to the onlookers.

A short while after, the mana pod burst apart into myriad sparkling shards, and Aura Nova emerged, her head securely back on her neck as if it had never been cut off. Upon stepping forth, she couldn't suppress a soft sigh directed at herself, a subdued breath laden with deeper significance than any visible feeling. She lingered motionless for some beats, her hand balling into a tight fist with nails pressing into her skin, though no blood surfaced, since the wounds mended too rapidly for it to form.

She tilted her face upward to the sky wordlessly, gazing at the floating white clouds and the endless, stunning blue expanse that echoed her own eye color. Though she projected smiles and laughter on the surface, she would never confess that her ego had suffered a hit, to some extent. In the end, she had reigned at the height of might on the Dusk Planet, where her reputation alone inspired awe.

Yet right now, all her gains from tireless practice, relentless effort, and numerous retreats in isolation appeared... lacking.

Indeed, she had overcome Kingsley Sky, but that triumph came only after triggering her Root Access Mode Command. And how had Aaaninja handled the identical Kingsley Sky? He had dispatched him effortlessly, treating him as insignificant, as if the confrontation warranted no attention.

Beyond that, she had fallen to Lucian Darkheart and now to Null Anthony. The deeper she dwelled on these, the tighter a quiet irritation twisted in her heart. Even though it wasn't a fight to the 'True Death' and just a practice bout, it exposed truths she would rather keep hidden.

Despite her vast progress and attaining True Actualization, she felt it fell short in this instant, having suffered another loss, with Aaaninja set as her upcoming and concluding rival in this lineup of duels.

The weight pressed heavily upon her, her adversaries immensely formidable figures; Null Anthony on one flank, Aaaninja Chronisynth Eternos next, then Lucian Darkheart, and Kingsley Sky too, who had mastered the Martial Rhythm and grown past his old constraints.

All four embodied absurd power in every regard, beings who elevated the limits of might merely by their presence.

As her reflections churned in her thoughts, a subtle grin slowly curved her mouth. She might have been bested this time, but future encounters could differ. As a resolute figure unbowed by fate, she would climb to the summit inevitably, and upon that day, she would quietly savor the looks on their faces as they fell to her.

No fierce spark of resolve flared in her gaze, no bold wave of assurance showed externally; instead, she stayed true to her nature, steady and resolute, as if grand vows of determination weren't needed to scale the heights and eclipse them all.

With that conviction rooted deep in her psyche, her frame ascended gradually into the air, then she dashed ahead at a restrained pace, trailing right after Anthony, until they reached the spot where the others gathered. Anthony merely claimed his place silently, since no words truly warranted speaking.

"Do you need a hug?" Veronica suggested right as Aura Nova neared, her tone soft but hesitant.

Aura Nova halted for a second, unsure how to reply, since she couldn't quite grasp why Veronica appeared to pity her, but she declined with a slight smile, saying, "No, thank you," her words even, deliberate, and perfectly courteous.

"No need to overthink it, Aura Nova, although you might stand a chance against Aaaninja and Lucian in the future when you return from your training, you still would not stand a chance against Anthony," Vega remarked from nearby with a gentle head shake, her voice straightforward instead of harsh.

Unlike her close companion Veronica, Vega skipped comforts like embraces, recognizing that Aura Nova wasn't one for lingering in feelings; if action was required, she tackled it head-on without delay. Though their acquaintance was relatively fresh, Vega knew this defined Aura Nova's character, and that quality largely explained her impressive prowess today.