MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1009: Fastest Victory

Yet before Aura Nova managed to respond, Altheria interjected sharply, "So much for women supporting women," clicking her tongue during her words, her voice infused with subtle sarcasm and purposeful baiting.

Vega directed her gaze at Altheria, simply smiling and then shaking her head in complete silence. Battle outcomes left no room for feminism; only victors and defeated existed, with the results roaring far beyond any philosophy.

Aura Nova turned her eyes to Vega, her bright blue orbs locking with Vega’s violet ones in a quiet stare, a silent rapport flowing between them. Following a short pause for thought, Aura Nova gave a simple nod without a sound, though those who knew her well would see it as mere recognition, not acceptance or yielding to Vega’s previous words.

Even so, Aura Nova deemed the scene somewhat humorous and strangely similar to the interplay among Aaaninja, Anthony, and Lucian.

Three years back, Aaaninja fell to Anthony and had remained steadfast in seeking a rematch ever since, but Lucian consistently pointed out the seeming pointlessness of it, as if he perceived truths hidden from the rest.

In this current setup, she occupied Aaaninja’s spot, while Vega filled Lucian’s role, warning her that despite major gains from upcoming training, the final verdict would stay the same.

A smile crept over Aura Nova’s face at the idea, almost drawing a full laugh from the absurdity, yet she held back and just shook her head. Right now, she needed two things: wrapping up her fight with Aaaninja Chronisynth Eternos first, and rushing back to the Dusk Planet next to start her isolation training without delay, since endless ideas, insights, and ways to advance blazed fiercely in her thoughts.

’I hope we wrap up this Divinora Angel Galaxy mess fast,’ she mused inwardly, knowing any extra holdup would wreck her cultivation. Why retreat into seclusion only to get dragged out too soon by foes or surprises before hitting the goal?

"Shall we proceed to the next battle?" Klaus’s voice boomed through the heavens, pulling all focus with its commanding power.

Once nods came from the group, he snapped his fingers like always, summoning the screen with five digits that danced and swirled wildly in the air.

Though unspoken, all realized this sparring event neared its end, with most pairings already done and just a handful of expected clashes left.

At last, the numbers halted, revealing two clear figures; Three Versus Five.

Lucian Darkheart Versus Kingsley Sky.

Lucian looked over at Kingsley, who sat in his usual serene pose with a blank face. In the blink of an eye, they both disappeared from their spots and plunged down to the arena beneath.

They touched down smoothly, positioned several meters away. No words passed between them; Kingsley seldom talked during his bouts anyway, preferring quiet over chat, unlike Lucian who sometimes engaged. So they just waited there, at ease and unaffected, as if the tension meant nothing.

Klaus’s announcement rolled out again, marking the start of the duel. Without pause, Kingsley triggered his Law Defiance Field, nullifying all energy types in a wide area surrounding him right away.

But such efforts proved useless, as immediately after, a katana’s sheathing noise rang out from behind him. Shock widened his eyes, baffled by the source at his back. His golden stare dropped to spot fiery tracks burned into the ground, clearly from a fire-infused speed art.

That insight hit just as his head detached smoothly from his shoulders, with Lucian finishing the match in under a second from the beginning, setting the quickest win in this whole session.

Lucian Darkheart eyed Kingsley’s body for a moment before pivoting away, his face unchanging. He’d closed it out fast and without mercy because Kingsley posed a real threat. With control over the Martial Rhythm, Lucian couldn’t risk giving him time to deploy it in the fight, as that could have swung things the wrong way.

Kingsley’s Law Defiance Field proved strong, shutting down mana, intents, and other energies, but Lucian’s special gift let him wield the four basic elements without drawing on outside power to start. That’s exactly what enabled his quick and firm end to the bout.

"Lucian Darkheart wins," Klaus declared with a hint of dullness, expecting a show instead of Lucian’s sudden finish, though he couldn’t really object.

Lucian blinked out from his stance and rematerialized among the watchers. He settled into his chair with his typical neutral look and steady calm.

Anthony, next to him, whistled softly in fun as he said, "That has to be the fastest fight in history."

Lucian Darkheart let out a sigh and shook his head, knowing Anthony ribbed him, and chose not to reply at all.

Kingsley’s remains jerked briefly like a glitch in existence, then faded and reformed whole as he revived like the event never happened. Like Lucian, he teleported from the field back to his spot. He stayed quiet, shutting his eyes to ponder, as if breaking down exactly what went wrong.

Seeing him close his eyes, no one mocked his quick defeat. Eyes turned to the screen again, and this round a palpable thrill filled the space, almost tangible, since all guessed who the upcoming fighters would be.

The display lit up with two numbers; One Versus Two.

Anthony and Aaaninja didn’t glance at each other. They just vanished from their seats and materialized on the field below. If this clash would end as abruptly as their bout three years prior stayed a mystery to the crowd.

Both had clearly powered up since that time, yet the big doubt hung: could Aaaninja, armed with his fresh strengths and skills, finally beat the one called Null Anthony?

Klaus’s call ripped through the sky like thunder, and even he couldn’t hide the thrill and eagerness in his voice as the eagerly awaited showdown was set to begin.

_____