MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 893: Backstory-1

"Does anyone else feel like this is a group date?" Lucian remarked suddenly, his comment instantly grabbing the attention of everyone present.

"Why do you say that?" Anthony questioned, lifting an eyebrow in curiosity. Lucian didn't miss a beat before responding, "Well, I have my girlfriend here, Aaaninja is with Altheria, and you’re here with Vega." He took a short breath, glancing toward Aura Nova and Kingsley before adding, "What about you two? Do you have partners?"

The atmosphere turned heavy with awkwardness in the following second. Shaking his head, Kingsley gave a composed reply, "I don't. What point is there in being with someone if there is no love? I am perfectly content being single until that changes." The group nodded, finding his logic sound, and their attention naturally turned to Aura Nova, who remained quiet for a beat longer than they expected.

Noticing her pause, Lucian spoke in a soft, sincere tone. "You don't need to answer that. Your privacy is yours, and I apologize if I overstepped." He offered the apology like a true gentleman, ensuring she didn't feel pressured.

A faint smile touched Aura Nova’s lips. "I was in a relationship once. I have been in love, much like the six of you," she said, her sky-blue eyes moving across Aaaninja, Lucian, Anthony, Vega, Veronica, and Altheria. "However, he was the one who broke up with me." Her voice grew quiet for a moment, as if she were reaching back into memories she had kept buried.

Aura Nova’s childhood was devoid of parental affection. Growing up in an orphanage filled with children, there were simply too many for anyone to receive individual warmth. Even among peers, deep connections were rare, as most children spent their days focused on training from the moment their awakening occurred at age ten. It was only after her awakening—when the world discovered her Omniedit ability and her staggering talent—that people began to notice her. Suddenly, she was surrounded by care, praise, and intense interest.

Aura Nova, however, found no value in any of it. To her, the attention felt hollow and insincere. Nobody had cared for her when she was nothing, yet everyone wanted her now that she was a prodigy. She interacted with many, but she never formed true friendships, nor did she pledge herself to any power or organization. With her Omniedit ability, she could perform impossible tasks, like transforming common stones into mana crystals; she had no need for wealth or the protection of others.

Inevitably, pressure mounted. The world rarely permits such a genius to remain independent. The prevailing sentiment was that if she couldn't be controlled, she shouldn't exist. When they finally pushed too far, Aura Nova simply erased them. She did not act like a hidden assassin in the night; instead, she eliminated them in the light of day as a public warning to all.

Eventually, she was taken in by Rain, the leader of the Older Generation on her home world, the Dusk Planet. She wasn't his servant or his employee; he merely provided her a place. It was under his mentorship that Aura Nova began to grasp the true nature of reality.

She learned that people approach you for only two reasons. The first is utility: you serve a purpose, a goal, or an agenda. The second reason, which is far more precious, is that they genuinely value you for who you are.

Since she had been hounded by people seeking her power since she was ten, Aura Nova instinctively placed everyone she met into the first category. She assumed they only spoke to her because she was useful.

As the years passed, her perspective grew more sophisticated and her world-view deepened. With that maturity came an understanding of complex emotions, and eventually, love followed.

Aura Nova found herself falling in love.

The object of her affection was a man who was both talented and handsome. However, regardless of his skill, he couldn't compare to her, and his charms were eclipsed by her overwhelming presence.

The saying "love is blind" was an understatement in her case.

Aura Nova was the embodiment of confidence, beauty, and wealth—arguably the most famous person on the Dusk Planet. Her association with Rain alone made her a prize for anyone, even without her personal attributes.

If a woman of her stature approached a man to confess her love, who would dare refuse? Who would claim the feeling wasn't mutual? No one. Even if those feelings hadn't existed a second before, they would materialize the moment Aura Nova spoke. A current girlfriend? Gone. A wife? A divorce would be filed immediately.

This was the situation for the man Aura Nova chose: Alexandra.

He accepted her feelings instantly, and they remained a couple for three years. Recognizing Aura Nova’s passion for reading, Alexandra made a habit of gifting her books constantly, as it was her primary hobby and her main escape when they were apart.

Throughout those three years, Alexandra enjoyed every advantage that came with Aura Nova’s rank. He was clever enough never to ask for favors directly; he didn't have to. Simply being her partner placed him at the social summit of the Dusk Planet. But just because he didn't ask didn't mean Aura Nova didn't provide. She gave him everything freely and without question.

But like many such tales, tragedy arrived.

During a training session, Aura Nova’s mana core was shattered.

True to her nature, she confided in Alexandra. To her utter bewilderment, his reaction was one of fury. He ended the relationship that very day. After delivering a barrage of cruel insults and demeaning remarks, Alexandra walked away, ending their three-year bond in an instant.

His departure was fueled by a known law of their world: a destroyed mana core was considered irreparable. History held no record of such a recovery. Aura Nova was a genius, but even she was expected to be bound by the laws of the universe.

Alexandra made the choice he viewed as most logical. He cut ties before Aura Nova’s inevitable fall from power could drag him down with her.

It was the calculating move of a man who had never truly loved her, who had only stayed for the convenience of her status.

Aura Nova, who had spent her life guarding against those who wanted to exploit her, failed to recognize the master liar who had been by her side for years.

Love was indeed blind... or perhaps, it was simply blinding.