Chapter 728: The Author
Within the fortified confines of Military Base Alpha-9, a swirling blue portal tore open, rippling through the air with energy so dense it distorted the atmosphere. From within the luminescent gateway, Anthony and Vega stepped out, their forms emerging gracefully from the cascading light. The familiar surroundings greeted them immediately, the sterile air, the faint metallic scent, and the carefully arranged furnishings that carried a touch of clinical neatness. Every detail within the chamber exuded the distinct atmosphere of military precision and discipline.
The anesthetic-like sharpness of the environment struck them both as they took in their surroundings. They had arrived within Anthony’s private island quarters, a personal space provided by the military, an honor reserved only for someone of his extraordinary lineage, the son of two Supreme Monarchs.
"We haven’t even been gone that long," Anthony murmured softly, his voice carrying a note of wistful amusement as he stepped forward and sat on the edge of his bed. "But somehow... it feels nostalgic."
"Well," Vega replied calmly, her tone composed yet thoughtful, "we’ve been gone for almost a week." She made her way toward the window, her graceful movement effortless. Her purple-hued, ethereal eyes lingered on the view beyond the transparent glass, taking in the sprawling sight of the military base below, soldiers marching in unison, aircrafts humming through the sky, and defense towers pulsating with faint blue lights.
She stood there silently for a while, her gaze distant and unwavering, her posture elegant yet contemplative.
"What are you thinking?" Anthony asked at last, his azure eyes shifting toward her unmoving silhouette.
"The next big event you spoke about," Vega said with a faint smile, her reflection glimmering faintly on the glass. "Shouldn’t it be about time it began?"
Anthony chuckled lightly at her question, already understanding her intent without needing to read her mind. "You just want to test your new powers against a real enemy... right?" he asked with an amused look.
Vega did not deny it. Since her most recent advancement in strength, she had only battled her father, and even that had ended in defeat, something she had expected yet still yearned to overcome.
"You don’t expect me to possess such abilities and not test them at least once... right?" Vega said with a soft, teasing smile, still not turning to face him. Her radiant reflection shimmered against the glass, her beauty and quiet confidence both luminous and imposing.
Anthony didn’t respond immediately. He understood her perfectly. Anyone in her position would feel the same, the urge to find a worthy opponent, to test the limits of one’s newfound power, to feel the clash of wills in the chaos of battle.
"Then go," Anthony said finally, his tone calm and composed. "Head to some random planet... or fly deep into the galaxy. I’m sure some space thieves and bandit or interstellar traffickers will find you soon enough. You might just discover your worthy opponent among them."
Vega paused, considering his suggestion carefully. Indeed, beyond the safe boundaries of planetary protection, countless bandits and cosmic marauders roamed the void, predators preying upon travelers, traders, and even explorers of renown. To venture into such lawless regions of the galaxy required one to possess planetary-level combat power, at the very least.
For Vega, this was not an issue. Her strength easily reached such limits. With her breathtaking beauty and her unmistakable aura of wealth and nobility, she needed only to make herself known, many would certainly come after her.
Seeing her thoughtful silence, Anthony continued, "As for the next big event... since I’m back with the military, I suppose it should be starting soon."
As those words left his lips, he lifted his gaze upward. His eyes seemed to pierce through the ceiling and beyond, extending into the endless cosmos above. It was as though his sight reached the very edges of reality, searching for someone unseen, someone beyond the veil. For a moment, it almost seemed he was staring into the heavens themselves, looking for the Author, the mysterious being who might be weaving his fate from afar.
But, of course, his gaze met no one. No presence lingered there. With a faint sigh, Anthony lowered his eyes and turned back toward Vega, who remained motionless by the window, bathed in faint bluish light.
’I also wonder what this next big event will be,’ Anthony thought inwardly, his mind calm but curious. ’Would it bring me, Aaaninja, and Lucian together once more?’ The thought drew a faint smile to his lips.
"Hmmm..." Vega finally broke the silence. "I think I might do just that. After all, I have nothing else to occupy my time with," she said, her tone resolute, her gaze steady. She had made her decision.
Then, with a soft smirk, she added, "But I do hope this next big event is truly worth it. After the Forsake Cult Purge Mission, my standards have... risen quite a bit."
Anthony didn’t respond, though he smiled faintly. He could fight Vega if he wished, he had the strength, but he understood perfectly well what she sought. She didn’t simply crave combat; she longed for the thrill of battle, the raw unpredictability, the chaos, the near-death moments that sharpened one’s instinct. She yearned for that genuine feeling of danger, of struggle and survival.
Still, Anthony couldn’t ignore the truth: despite her overwhelming power, Vega’s greatest weakness was still her lack of real combat experience. Anyone capable of planetary-level strength had likely fought countless battles, surviving only through sheer instinct and cunning. Even if some were weaker than Vega, their experience could allow them to suppress her, or, at the very least, escape her grasp.
But Anthony wasn’t troubled. Under his tutelage, Vega was learning rapidly. After all, even his talented subordinates had once lacked experience until they were forged through battle.
He could easily erase Vega’s weakness by granting her a battle experience skill similar to his own, but he chose not to. He knew Vega too well. On any ordinary day, she might have accepted such a gift. But today? No. Not when she wanted to earn her strength through her own struggle.
Anthony shook his head faintly, dismissing the thought. Vega was a genius, perhaps second only to him... or perhaps third, he wasn’t sure what lay beyond the infinite multiverse. But that uncertainty didn’t matter. Just like when she had fought Judith the Zombie, Vega would learn in real time, through instinct and adaptation.
’I wonder what new boosts and abilities she gained after her bloodline awakening,’ Anthony mused inwardly. He hadn’t asked her directly, not because she would refuse to tell him, but simply because he felt no need to. Her power spoke for itself.
"Ahh... I need to visit Donna and Vivian," Vega said suddenly, her voice carrying a note of recollection. "I barely have over a week left." She had originally planned to see them during her stay with her parents, but, as usual, she had completely forgotten.
’I’ll visit them later, she concluded inwardly with a faint sigh.
Just as she was about to turn away from the window to face Anthony, a loud crash resounded through the room as the door burst open without warning.