MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 1017: Class [Bonus - ]

The elders gathered on the sidelines, observing these apparently ordinary youngsters laughing with true joy, yet no one present was deceived. They had all seen the tremendous power hidden within each of them, power that rendered anyone here helpless against even one.

This bunch from the younger generation had clearly embraced the proverb 'the young shall surpass the old' with an intensity beyond anyone's wildest expectations.

Grins spread across their faces. After all, this new era would shoulder the duty of protecting the Galaxy. Truth be told, they were already doing so in many ways. The older folks recognized they still held vast reserves of vitality and years ahead, plus riches so profound that even on the brink of natural death, a simple treasure could restore their youth... yet they all grasped one brutal reality.

In a vast realm like the Acarnis Galaxy, only the common folk met their end through mere aging. Those pursuing cultivation treaded the perilous road of brilliance and peril, where each instant might mark their demise, their ultimate exhale. It was rare to encounter any cultivator, let alone those of their caliber, who passed quietly in old age. They typically fell in fierce combats or amid the dangers of forgotten ruins they delved into. Death always had a reason.

Not a single one among them desired to fade away from senescence. They yearned to depart explosively, in the heat of conflict, perishing with glory and dignity. Yet harboring such desires didn't imply their time was near. Far from it—they still had offspring they were nurturing into adulthood.

'I recall when he was just a runny-nosed kid, rising at dawn to practice, hoping to unlock a strong class. He showed sharp wits even as a tiny tot,' Mitchelle said, her voice tinged with fondness as memories of the young Anthony, once merely a child, flooded back. She even recalled teasing him to quit daily sword drills lest he end up awakening as a mechanic.

To her, those days brimmed with humor, times when she could still trick Anthony with outlandish claims. But now, her boy had matured into a formidable adult, one who treated Life and Death like optional guidelines.

'I remember those too,' Michael's voice interrupted right as Mitchelle wrapped up.

As he uttered that, Collins and Mitchelle both shifted their eyes to Michael, curious about his recollection. He hadn't entered Anthony's world until the lad hit ten, bound by pressing military obligations that had separated him for years.

Michael, catching the stares from his father and wife, cleared his throat uneasily before continuing, 'I was just messing around.'

They eyed him once more, then shook their heads and averted their looks, refocusing elsewhere.

'If I may inquire, what class did Anthony awaken? He appears incredibly strong, so it must be some wildly overpowered one, yeah?' Zachary questioned the Null family.

'The Magic-Swordsman class,' Mitchelle answered straightforwardly, since there was no secret to keep. Others across the Blue Planet and the Galaxy shared that class, though none came close to Anthony's prowess.

Zachary raised an eyebrow, then nodded deliberately. He and the rest had anticipated something far more game-breaking, but Anthony's class didn't seem exceptionally wild. It was the youth himself who was freakishly gifted.

'Well, with things wrapped up here, let's head back,' Zachary announced, standing from his chair. He didn't glance at Aaaninja. The young man was fully mature, not some kid. Aaaninja could depart at his leisure.

The group stood as well, ready to depart, all eager for seclusion now that nothing more remained. Yet just as they prepared to go, Michael piped up unexpectedly.

'Klaus, reckon it's time for our spar, huh?'

Klaus hesitated briefly. He'd completely overlooked it, having been keen on retreating into seclusion himself. 'Looks that way,' he responded.

All eyes snapped to Klaus and Michael, intrigue lighting up their expressions. But before a word could escape, Michael beat them to it.

'No spectators allowed.'

With that, he disappeared alongside Klaus, Amara, Collins, and Mitchelle.

Michael wasn't naive. He realized he'd probably lose to Klaus, and there was zero point in letting outsiders witness his defeat. The rest, watching them fade away, could only exhale in resignation. They cast a parting look at their young ones before streaking off in beams of light, leaving just the younger generation behind.

'Looks like departure time has come,' Aura Nova remarked, eyeing Rain's disappearance.

'Yeah,' Aaaninja agreed, lifting from his seat and drifting straight to Altheria without pause.

'I wonder when we'll cross paths again,' Kingsley mused aloud, lost in thought.

'We will. Don't dwell on it,' Anthony answered steadily, levitating toward Vega.

Yet before he arrived at Vega, Lucian materialized in front of him and erected a sound barrier enclosing them, muffling their words and concealing whatever talk was imminent.

Anthony lifted a brow, puzzled by Lucian's move, but held his tongue.

'If you don't mind, got any pills that boost innate talent?' Lucian inquired bluntly, skipping any preamble. He knew of Anthony's OP system and its ability to acquire such items instantly, but also understood Anthony's character. Anthony offered gifts solely on his own accord, not from flattery or submission.

Anthony paused briefly before responding.

'For Veronica?' he ventured, his tone more affirmative than interrogative.

Lucian just nodded, silent.

Anthony showed little reaction. He lifted his hand, and a strawberry-scented pink pill materialized in his grasp. Without hesitation, he flung it to Lucian like it was trivial junk.

Anthony saw no cause to refuse or probe unnecessarily. It meant nothing to him. Plus, Veronica was Vega's closest ally, and Lucian his own friend.

'Thank—'

But before Lucian finished, Anthony had vanished. He'd teleported to Vega's side as if he'd never left.

'Farewell. It was great crossing paths with you all. I'm certain we'll reunite soon for the clash with the Angels,' Anthony said smilingly. Yet before replies could come, he and Vega blinked out of sight, leaving the others in quiet astonishment.