MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

After the looting was complete, Zael took charge and led the group out of the secret realm.

Upon their return, the news of their exploits spread like wildfire throughout the guild hall, igniting waves of intrigue and admiration.

Adventurers of lower ranks, from Rank 4 to Rank 10, could only stand in hushed awe, their gazes filled with a mixture of envy and reverence.

Who among them hadn't dreamt of attaining such prestige?

Yet, for now, all they could do was watch from the shadows of ambition, their aspirations burning quietly within.

The name Lorian Blackwood resonated through the halls of the guild like a triumphant anthem, carried from one corner to another as his feats were whispered, recounted, and marveled at.

Those who once knew him, whether as a companion or rival, found themselves submerged in a sea of regret, lamenting their inability to tether themselves closer to such greatness when the opportunity had presented itself.

Within the guild, the atmosphere was electric.

Celebrations broke out in nearly every corner, festive gatherings and spontaneous revelries celebrating survival and the victories earned in the secret realm.

The intensity of the battle had forced many to their limits, and in doing so, spurred profound growth.

Adventurers stood taller, their strength visibly transformed.

Some shattered the barriers that had long constrained them within their current levels, while others ascended entirely into new realms of power.

Even Mira and Daelen, their talents already remarkable, took a decisive step further into the depths of the King realm, their auras sharper and more refined.

Days passed, and the much anticipated rewards were distributed according to rank, each tier receiving prizes commensurate with their standing.

The higher the rank, the more valuable the spoils, a fitting acknowledgment of their contributions.

But amidst the jubilation, a peculiar absence loomed, a shadow over the proceedings.

Lorian Blackwood was nowhere to be found.

When his name was called to claim his reward, there was only silence.

Attempts by Daelen and Mira to contact him met with failure, their messages seemingly lost to the void. It was as if he had vanished, leaving behind only the echo of his deeds.

Meanwhile, Anthony had grown weary of lingering.

His self imposed one month deadline had reached its end, and with no further distractions, his purpose in the guild had run its course.

Without fanfare, he departed, his enigmatic presence fading like a fleeting shadow.

A sleek car roared across the road, its engine growling with a power that demanded attention.

The vehicle moved at such blinding speed that only the most discerning eyes could catch a fleeting glimpse of its sleek design.

Those fortunate enough to witness it could only marvel, knowing that such a car was reserved for the elite, an unmistakable symbol of wealth and status.

Inside the car, Anthony reclined comfortably, a relaxed expression on his face.

He rolled down the window, letting the wind sweep through his hair as memories of his recent missions flooded his mind.

A faint smile tugged at his lips as he reflected on the experiences he had accumulated.

"At least I've had a breather"

He mused silently, the weight of responsibility momentarily lightened by the recollection of his adventures.

In what felt like no time, the car came to a halt before the grand gates of the Null estate.

Towering over the driveway, the estate exuded an aura of power and sophistication, a testament to the family's unmatched legacy.

Two guards approached the vehicle with disciplined steps, their very presence exuding authority.

Their auras, potent and refined, unmistakably surpassed the sovereign rank, signaling their readiness to engage in battle at a moment's notice.

"Lower the window"

Came the curt command of one of the guards, his voice steady but laced with authority.

Anthony complied without hesitation, the tinted glass sliding down to reveal his face.

The guard froze mid sentence, his eyes widening in shock as he recognized the man before him.

"Y-Young Master"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

He stammered, his composed demeanor crumbling in an instant.

Anthony's soft laughter broke the tension.

"No need to overthink it"

He said warmly.

"You're just doing your job"

With that, he rolled the window back up, his casual demeanor doing little to diminish the awe in the guard's eyes.

"Open the gate"

The guard barked, his voice firm but now tinged with reverence.

A bead of sweat trickled down his temple as he watched the car glide smoothly into the estate.

'Thank the heavens the young master isn't like those arrogant fools of a young master'

The guard thought, his relief palpable as he resumed his post.

Meanwhile, Anthony's car disappeared into the estate grounds, its presence a fleeting echo of the weight he carried as a member of the Null family.

Anthony pulled into the expansive driveway of the Null estate and parked his car.

He stepped out with the effortless grace of someone accustomed to command, his demeanor calm yet self assured.

The moment he crossed the threshold of the mansion, the ever diligent butler was already waiting.

Dressed impeccably, with an air of quiet authority, the older man's sharp eyes flicked over Anthony, as if assessing his well being in a single glance.

"Young Master, how was your journey?"

The butler asked, his tone warm but formal.

Anthony smiled faintly, a gesture of familiarity.

"It was fine, Uncle. Are Mother and Father around, or have they left for the battlefield already?"

He replied, his voice casual yet tinged with curiosity.

The butler's gaze softened slightly at the question, his posture still as precise as ever.

"They are here for now, Young Master. I don't believe they plan to leave until after the Galaxy Competition"

He said, his tone steady.

Anthony nodded, a flicker of understanding crossing his face.

"I see. I'll head to them, then"

He said, his strides purposeful as he moved deeper into the estate.

The butler watched him for a moment, his expression unreadable.

"Very well, Young Master"

He murmured softly, before resuming his duties.

Anthony walked through the halls of the Null estate, his footsteps soft on the polished marble floors.

Reaching his parents' chambers, he knocked twice, the sound resonating lightly through the quiet corridor.

"Come in"

Mitchelle's warm voice called out from within.

He entered immediately, the faint scent of exotic incense greeting him as he stepped inside.

"Hoo… my little monster, how was your journey?"

Michael's voice boomed cheerfully from where he lounged on a lavish couch, a sly grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"It was fine"

Anthony replied simply, his tone calm but respectful.

"Did you enjoy adventuring?"

Mitchelle asked as she approached, her delicate hands reaching out to tousle his white hair affectionately.

"It was okay, Mom"

He answered, sighing lightly as he smoothed his hair back into place.

"Though not as thrilling as I imagined"

Mitchelle chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she returned to her seat.

"It's not that adventuring isn't thrilling"

She explained, crossing her legs gracefully.

"It's just that you became an adventurer at the worst possible time"

Anthony frowned slightly, his curiosity piqued.

"What do you mean, Mom?"

Michael, who had been scrolling through his phone, finally chimed in without looking up.

"What your mother means is that adventuring is more fun when you start from the very bottom, when you're weak, striving, and working your way up through the ranks"

Mitchelle nodded, picking up where Michael left off.

"But you, my dear, were already strong to begin with. You probably flew straight to Rank 1 or something like that. It's no wonder it didn't feel challenging or rewarding. At least some missions must have kept you entertained"

She added with a knowing smile.

Anthony exhaled, shaking his head with a wry smile.

"Well, it was still a fun one month vacation"

He admitted.

Mitchelle leaned back in her chair, an exaggerated look of exasperation on her face.

"My baby is turning into his father, calling work and killing a vacation"

She teased, throwing a pointed glance at Michael.

Michael, caught off guard, cleared his throat awkwardly, feigning innocence.

"Hey, I'm just setting a good example"

He muttered, trying to hide his grin behind the phone.

Anthony chuckled softly, the warm and familiar banter filling the room with an air of comfort and ease.

Michael shifted the conversation abruptly, his tone firm and resolute.

"So, son, when do you plan on beginning your training? I tolerated your idleness this month because I believe in your potential, but from now on, I won't allow you to squander another second"

His piercing gaze locked onto Anthony, leaving no room for argument.

Anthony inclined his head in acknowledgment, his expression calm yet determined.

"I plan to start the moment I leave your chambers"

He replied confidently.

This had always been his intention.

While he had managed to match an Emperor ranked opponent, it was only a Level 3.

Against a Level 4, he knew survival would hinge on his superior combat instincts, with victory relying on his arsenal of techniques and hidden advantages.

However, facing someone like Zael, a peak Emperor, was an entirely different story.

Such an opponent could end him before he even had the chance to act.

A smile spread across Michael's face as he absorbed Anthony's response.

"Good, as expected from my son"

He said, his voice filled with approval.

"I've already arranged for your training for the entire year. Your grandfather, mother, and I will personally train you. As for that excuse about your physique not allowing others to train you, it's nothing but a lie. Don't bother making excuses"

During the past month, Michael and Mitchelle had meticulously prepared everything to push Anthony's limits, planning to push him to the very edge of death itself.

They knew this was necessary, as Anthony's current strength was far inferior to the others participating in the tournament.

Anthony frowned at his father's words, an unsettling feeling forming in his chest.

"Father, I've trained alone and achieved what others thought impossible. I don't mean to sound disrespectful, but even if you had trained me from the moment I awakened, I wouldn't be this strong. I wouldn't have reached this level. The truth behind that 'physique' excuse is not what you think"

Anthony's gaze hardened as he locked eyes with his father.

"I've shattered every record you can imagine, and I did it alone. It only took me six years. If you want to make the most of this one year, I need to train alone again"

His voice was unwavering, his resolve clear as he faced both of his parents.

"What if I refuse?"

Michael's voice was calm as he processed the words, taking a moment before replying.

"Then I'll simply leave and come back after a year"

Anthony shrugged casually, his decision already made.

"You think you can escape right under my nose?"

Michael asked, his gaze sharp.

Anthony merely shook his head, choosing not to respond.

Mitchelle and Michael exchanged a look, their silent understanding clear.

They knew, deep down, that Anthony was hiding something from them.

He always had.

Whenever he disappeared, they searched for him, but their efforts always came to naught.

Not a trace could be found, not even the mark they had left on his body responded to their attempts.

They understood, though, that their son had always kept certain things from them.

They loved him dearly, but they weren't blind.

Parental love didn't cloud their judgment entirely.

Still, neither of them pressed him for answers. Continue your adventure at empire

They knew that everyone had their secrets, and Anthony was no exception.

Though Anthony longed to take them with him to the Divine realm, he couldn't.

The system had made it clear that only those who were absolutely loyal to him could enter.

His parents, though they would never harm him, were not exempt from the system's rules.

Only his blood servants were allowed access.

The thought of offering his blood to his parents to make them his servants was one Anthony couldn't bring himself to imagine, let alone speak.

A minute of heavy silence passed before Michael finally sighed, breaking the quiet.

"You are free to train on your own then. But if you return less than what I expect, there will be consequences"

Anthony raised an eyebrow. It was the first time his father had ever mentioned punishment since his reincarnation.

With a grin, Anthony replied.

"Don't be surprised when I return, Dad"

Mitchelle stepped forward, pulling him into a tight hug and pressing a kiss to his forehead.

"I will miss you, son"

"Don't worry, Mom"

Anthony said confidently.

"I'm the greatest genius in existence"

"We'll see about that when you return"

Michael remarked, a faint smile tugging at his lips as he leaned back in his seat.

Anthony smiled back, his eyes filled with determination.

"Goodbye"

In a flash of light, Anthony disappeared, his form vanishing as he entered the Divine realm to begin his training.