MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 959: Guilty

Aura Nova remained quiet after hearing Lucian's words. She realized he was referring to her... or perhaps to both of them as outliers, entities that lingered just beyond the strict boundaries of destiny, yet she still couldn't grasp his full intent. In theory, she knew about anomalies, having heard the word from scholars and folks numerous times, but she didn't see herself as one. To her, she was just ordinary Aura Nova, full of imperfections, nothing special enough to earn that label.

A short while later, she gave a gentle shake of her head and let the thought slip away, figuring it wasn't worth overthinking. This guy named Lucian Darkheart baffled her completely. Sometimes he'd break the fourth wall with casual remarks, treating the world like a scripted tale, and other times he'd label himself and others as anomalies challenging destiny and structure, as if the rules of being were just optional guidelines to him.

With that resolved, she began to ascend smoothly into the sky, her form lifting with elegant poise, before darting off toward the onlookers' spot. A subtle trail of breeze followed her like the tail of a distant shooting star. Lucian didn't hang around much longer; the fight was over, so there was no point sticking to the field. He trailed after her effortlessly at matching velocity, pockets stuffed casually, gliding forward as if the breeze itself was propelling him without effort.

Once they reached the crowd, Anthony broke the ice, his tone steady but tinged with light humor, "Congratulations on your realisation. I guess next time you can take revenge on Lucian, and lecture him," he added with an easy grin, obviously poking fun rather than anything serious.

"Thanks," Aura Nova responded with a subtle dip of her head, her voice courteous yet genuine, as she stepped aside and settled slowly into her chair, her actions calm and deliberate.

Veronica faced Lucian while she talked, her eyebrows knitting slightly in worry, "Don’t you think you are being too harsh by cleaving her in two?" she added with a soft sigh. She knew it wasn't her place to comment, aware that spars involved danger and hurt, but Aura Nova was her close friend, and witnessing her get divided like that had shaken her more than anticipated.

"My blade doesn’t discriminate between gender," Lucian shot back in a playful manner as he winked at her, his mouth curving into a sly smirk that left it unclear if he meant it or was just messing with her deliberately.

Veronica let out another sigh and opted to drop it, understanding that debating with Lucian was pointless, like chasing the breeze—it led nowhere and just wore you out.

Altheria and Vega were already peppering Aura Nova with inquiries about her actualisation, their eagerness overriding any hint of holding back.

"How do you feel?"

"Did you gain anything?"

"Did you perceive any reality’s secrets?"

They unleashed the barrage of questions nonstop, even though Anthony had already explained what true self actualisation entailed. Yet they preferred hearing it straight from her, not from someone versed only in theory without the personal encounter. For them, Aura Nova's insights held far greater value than any secondhand account.

Aura Nova took her time responding, showing no irritation. She fielded their queries with an inviting smile, her voice soft and reflective, selecting her phrases with care as if articulating something elusive beyond mere words. It felt more like an inner insight than a concrete reward, more akin to sharpened awareness than raw strength, but she strived to convey it in ways they could relate to.

Rain observed quietly from the sidelines. He'd caught every word Lucian directed at Aura Nova regarding her shortcomings and vulnerabilities, each criticism and defect exposed without pity. A mix of guilt, sorrow, and joy churned inside him fiercely, like a subdued tempest.

Joyful that Aura Nova had attained true self-actualisation, despite him only learning of it moments ago. Sorrowful over her defeat and the harsh suffering she endured. Guilty because he blamed her flaws and limits on his own shortcomings somehow.

If only he'd warned her sooner against overdepending on her Omniedit innate ability. If only he'd imposed tougher drills. If only he'd included her in his missions beyond the planet. If only he'd challenged her more instead of shielding her. If only...

A torrent of feelings raged through him, squeezing his chest with sharp discomfort. But soon, he drew in a deep breath and released a sigh. He held firm faith in Aura Nova's gifts. Even without fully unlocking them, she'd advanced this far, and now with true self actualisation in hand, he felt true delight that she'd grow even mightier—and given her incredible aptitude, that progress would happen quicker than anyone could predict.

Aura Nova's gaze drifted to Rain, who sat in quietude. Her eyes wavered briefly as she sensed his inner turmoil. Having known this man, like a father figure to her, for years, she could read his thoughts without delving into his mind. His expression laid it all out clearly for her.

'No need to feel guilty, Rain. It isn’t your fault, it’s mine. This is my path, my journey, and I’m glad I met people like them. If not, I would have been stuck on this road without achieving my true potential for a long while,' she hesitated for a beat before adding, 'and at the end of the day, it is thanks to you, who brought me here, that I was able to meet them. Thank you. My true self actualisation would also not be possible without you too,' Aura Nova conveyed telepathically to Rain, her inner voice tender and comforting.

Rain froze briefly upon receiving Aura Nova's message in his thoughts. He merely shook his head and stayed silent, doubting his steady voice. Still, a gentle smile formed on his face, modest but heartfelt.

'Only if I could do more for you,' he mused inwardly while seated in stillness, his mind dwelling on her with tender paternal warmth.

Riven glanced at Rain. He wrongly assumed Rain's gloom stemmed from Aura Nova's loss to his son, Lucian. With a smug grin, he commented, pride shining through, "No need to feel down. It’s only natural she lost against my son, Rain," his words laced with paternal boasting about Lucian.

Rain's attention turned to Riven. He offered a resigned smile and nodded mutely, choosing not to dispel the misconception.

"I guess it’s time to resume this battle, right?" Klaus interjected from nearby, his voice solid and commanding as ever.

"You just want to see the younger generation beat each other up," Amara noted as she perched next to Klaus. She'd spoken little during the whole event, staying mostly hushed from the initial match onward, just quietly taking it all in.

"There is no harm in that, is there? And besides, because of this spar, they are all growing in real time," he countered with a broad grin, evidently relishing the show more than was fitting.

Amara gave a faint smile and a head shake as she answered, "I guess so." After that, she fell back into her quiet observer role, watching on without meddling.

At that, the massive holographic screen shimmered once more, throwing dancing glows over the group's features. The five figures blinked and reordered swiftly, mixing repeatedly as suspense mounted subtly. A hush fell over the assembly as eyes fixed on the display, excitement hanging heavy.

The next instant, two figures emerged as the lineup halted fully.

One versus Five.

The top against the bottom rank.

Null Anthony versus Sky Kingsley.

____

Thanks for reading. Still need those golden tickets, please.