MIGHT AS WELL BE OP-Chapter 958: Different

The two halves of Aura Nova’s bisected body hit the ground with a heavy, sickening thud as they fell separately to the left and the right sides. The impact was dull yet final, the kind of sound that lingered unpleasantly in the ears long after it had occurred. Blood pooled outward in thick, crimson streams, spreading across the fractured stone like creeping vines, while organs and innards splattered grotesquely across the earth below, staining the once-clean battlefield with visceral proof of mortality. The metallic scent of iron filled the air, suffocating and raw.

Lucian stood still amidst the aftermath, his posture relaxed, his breathing even, without turning back to look at the death he had caused, as though such an outcome were nothing more than routine. Although he knew Klaus was overpowered enough to resurrect people with ease, he trusted that Aura Nova’s Omniedit innate ability definitely had a way to resurrect her on its own, a safeguard embedded deep within her existence that refused to let her story end here.

And the moment he thought that, mana pulsed through the air like the heartbeat of the world itself, faint at first and then growing stronger, heavier, until the atmosphere hummed with pressure. It circulated around Aura Nova’s corpse in slow spirals, threads of luminous energy weaving together as though guided by invisible hands, gradually forming a blue cocoon of pure mana.

The cocoon shimmered and rotated gently, its surface rippling like water under moonlight, and it pulsed rhythmically as though alive, as though it were breathing, protecting her from any further harm. No one saw what was happening within, as the light was too dense and too sacred to pierce, but no one panicked or reacted either, because they had already guessed what was happening, their expressions calm and unsurprised.

Her resurrection.

Soon, the blue cocoon began to dissipate into the air like mist at dawn, fragments of mana breaking apart and returning to the environment as the energy slowly receded and returned to its dormant state. The pressure faded, the humming stopped, and silence reclaimed the battlefield. Aura Nova’s feet touched the earth below with a quiet, deliberate grace, her posture straight and unhurried.

Her eyelids fluttered open as her sky-blue eyes graced reality once more, clear and brilliant like untouched summer skies, and her presence seemed to have changed entirely, as though she had metamorphosized into something purer, sharper, and infinitely deeper than before. It was subtle, yet unmistakable, like the difference between raw ore and a polished blade.

Vega, who was watching from above, stayed silent for a long moment before she finally spoke, her voice carrying a faint uncertainty, "I don’t know why, but she seems... different."

"Your thoughts and intuition are correct," Anthony’s voice came from the side as he sat in absolute calm, composed as always, while staring down at Aura Nova from his position high above, his gaze steady and unreadable. "Through Lucian’s help and advice, she had achieved true self actualisation. Without his help, who knows how long that would have taken," Anthony added as he continued to observe Aura Nova closely, as though studying the subtle shifts in her presence and existence.

"While it doesn’t suddenly change her battle prowess or grant any new abilities and whatnot, after her rebirth and everything in the future, she will be stronger than anyone can imagine," Anthony added, as he could clearly see the dormant potential hiding within Aura Nova that now seemed to be unlocked, like chains silently falling away.

"But if she didn’t want to change or disregarded Lucian’s advice, she would never have achieved true self actualisation." A small smile graced his lips as he continued to speak, faint yet genuine. "I guess, like Lucian, I am looking forward to the monster she is going to become."

Vega and Altheria nodded in understanding. Although saddened that Aura Nova had lost, they were also a little happy deep down, because she had walked out of the spar with something far greater than a simple victory. She had gained growth, clarity, and a future filled with limitless possibilities. Her path forward was now brighter than any star scattered across the endless galaxy.

"Maybe I should have participated," Vega murmured under her breath as she could tell everyone was gaining something valuable from each spar and battle, something invisible yet profound.

Kingsley had lost against Aura Nova, but he came back improved, sharper than before. Lucian had lost against Anthony; although she didn’t know what exactly that man had gained, she was certain he had glimpsed something beyond ordinary comprehension.

And now, Aura Nova had lost and achieved true self actualisation. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"You should have partaken when everyone chose a number," Klaus’ voice came from the side with a tired sigh as he addressed his daughter, Vega, his tone firm yet gentle. "Battle and life and death situations are one of the fastest ways to improve. It’s the reason Michael is progressing faster than any other human of the older generation. Pressure either breaks you or forges you."

Vega stayed silent for a moment, absorbing his words. She understood the truth in Klaus’ statement. She could only sigh at the missed opportunity, her fingers tightening slightly. ’Maybe next time,’ she told herself quietly, determination slowly replacing regret.

"You know, it amazes me how much knowledge you seem to possess, despite coming from a lower planet," Aaaninja Chronisynth Eternos’s voice came from the side, smooth and curious. His clock-like, rainbow-coloured eyes shifted toward Anthony’s direction as he stared at him, the rotating hues reflecting countless layers of calculation and time itself.

Anthony smiled with unshaken composure as he spoke, completely at ease. "I know, I’m very mysterious. I love that about me." His sky-blue eyes shifted toward Aaaninja, calm and playful. He paused for a moment before he continued, "Besides, it’s highly likely it’s our turn next. Ready to get your revenge?" Anthony mused with a teasing smile on his face.

"It’s not revenge," Aaaninja stated, breaking eye contact with Anthony as his voice grew quieter. "It’s more like breaking past a wall I couldn’t overcome. That is all." Yet his heart couldn’t help but beat faster at the anticipation, the faint thrill of challenge creeping into his chest despite his composed words.

Anthony smiled as his sky-blue eyes remained on the man for a moment longer before he shook his head and decided not to speak anymore. His attention turned to Lucian instead. He hadn’t expected Lucian to help Aura Nova achieve true self actualisation; that had genuinely surprised him a bit. For someone so carefree and sarcastic, Lucian occasionally did things that carried unexpected depth.

Aura Nova stood silent for a moment, her mind replaying the battle. She couldn’t understand how Lucian had bisected her cleanly in half from her head down with such effortless precision. The memory felt unreal, like a dream she couldn’t quite grasp. But after a moment of thought, she sighed softly and chose to forget about it. There was no point clinging to confusion. All that remained was pushing forward, not dwelling on the past.

She had seen her flaws clearly now, laid bare before her like an open book, and she would overcome them. She had come here thinking she would simply tear through all of them easily, with maybe only a little trouble. But it seemed her thoughts had been premature, perhaps even a tad arrogant. This was the Galaxy, vast and unforgiving. This wasn’t the Dusk Planet which she had dominated until now, where she had reigned literally uncontested.

Her eyes turned to Lucian, who continued to stand off to the side casually. The moment her sky-blue eyes met his black ones, a smile broke across her face, not the confident smirk that appeared on her lips before any battle, but a normal, genuine smile filled with sincerity. Her lips parted as she spoke, her voice soft and gentle, "Thank you for this. This wouldn’t be possible without you."

Lucian stayed silent for a moment before he replied, "You’re damn right it wouldn’t be possible without me." His tone was almost arrogant, carrying that familiar smugness, but the next second he returned the genuine smile as he spoke again, softer this time. "But it wouldn’t be possible if you hadn’t accepted change. It was fated to happen. I simply brought the timeline forward." He paused for a moment as his black eyes shifted toward the drifting clouds above. "I guess that is what we anomalies do, challenge fate and order," he mused in finality as he slowly shook his head.