MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 357 357: Stand

Morning arrived swiftly.

Anthony stirred from his sleep.

Unlike the usual grogginess that clouded his vision and the lingering dizziness that accompanied his awakening, his eyes were strikingly clear, and his body brimmed with energy.

Turning his head toward the bedside clock, he noted the time—8:13 AM.

”The day has finally arrived”

He murmured, a smile playing on his lips.

Rising from bed, he made his way to the bathroom.

Unlike his usual rushed routine, Anthony allowed himself to linger, relishing the warmth of the water as it cascaded over his skin.

By the time he stepped out, the clock had already struck 9:30 AM.

His universal clothing stirred to life, shifting like liquid silk.

The fabric morphed seamlessly, conforming to his physique and adapting to the precise style he envisioned, an extension of his will.

Standing before the mirror, Anthony meticulously adjusted every detail of his appearance, ensuring absolute perfection.

He refused to meet his girlfriend looking anything less than his best.

Lost in admiration, his thoughts wandered, envisioning the moment ahead, until a sudden knock at the door pulled him back to reality.

”Come in”

Anthony called, his voice calm yet authoritative.

The door opened, and a maid entered with measured grace, her movements deliberate and refined.

Lifting the hem of her gown slightly, she crossed one foot over the other and bowed deeply.

”Good morning, Young Master. I trust you had a restful night”

She said with practiced politeness.

”The Patriarch requires your presence immediately”

Anthony continued to scrutinize his reflection, his expression unreadable, making no effort to acknowledge the maidʼs presence beyond her words.

”Where is my father now?”

He asked, his voice steady.

The maid straightened from her bow before responding with composed deference.

”The Patriarch is in the Grand Hall at this moment”

At her reply, Anthony finally spoke again.

”Thank you. You may leave”

With another graceful bow, the maid turned and exited, the door closing softly behind her.

After a brief moment, Anthony stepped out of his room and made his way directly to the Grand Hall.

Two guards stood at attention by the grand entrance.

Upon seeing him, they exchanged no words, only offering a respectful bow as they pushed the doors open.

Anthony entered with measured grace, his footsteps light yet assured.

At the far end of the hall, his father sat upon a throne like chair, exuding an aura of quiet authority.

Michael observed his sonʼs approach before breaking the silence.

”You seem unusually cheerful this morning. Are you truly this eager to join the army?”

A slight twitch played at the corner of Anthonyʼs lips as he heard his fatherʼs words.

Whenever Anthony met his father in the Grand Hall, it often felt as though he was speaking to the Patriarch rather than the man who had raised him.

Yet today, something was different, Michael was addressing him as a father, not as a leader.

”Yes, Father. Iʼm truly happy to join the army”

Anthony replied with a smile.

”After all, itʼs a family tradition, and this marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life”

Michael gave a slow nod before speaking again.

”Have you gathered everything you need for the military?”

”Thereʼs nothing I truly need”

Anthony responded without hesitation.

Michaelʼs fingers drummed lightly against the armrest of his chair as he studied his son, his gaze contemplative.

”Well, I donʼt have much insight to offer about the military. Thatʼs something youʼll have to experience for yourself”

Michael finally spoke.

Anthony blinked, tilting his head in mild confusion.

”Then why did you call me here? I thought youʼd at least have something to tell me about the military”

Michael exhaled a small chuckle, his eyes glinting with amusement.

”Oh? Canʼt a father simply wish to see his little monsterʼs face?”

Anthonyʼs lips parted slightly before he shook his head in quiet defeat.

It had been a long time since his father had called him that.

”So, whereʼs Mom?”

Anthony asked.

”She went to take care of a few arrangements before we depart for the military”

Michael replied.

”Oh, right”

Anthony murmured, nodding.

”Since I wonʼt be going with you both, how will I get to the military?”

”Thereʼs no need to worry”

Michael reassured him.

”Someone from the military will come for you soon. I already registered you yesterday, right after our game”

Anthonyʼs mind drifted back to the previous night.

He recalled how Michael had pulled out a device, tapping it a few times just after Anthony had agreed to enlist.

ʼSo thatʼs what he was doingʼ

Anthony mused, realization settling in.

Michael suddenly rose from his seat.

Descending the short staircase before his throne, he moved with a deliberate grace.

Yet, as he approached, Anthony sensed a subtle shift in the air around him, an almost imperceptible change in his fatherʼs presence.

Stopping just before him, Michael met Anthonyʼs gaze and held it for a long, silent moment.

Then, he spoke.

”I know how gifted you are, my son. Many in your position would be consumed by arrogance, but your eyes remain clear, unclouded by conceit. That is one of the qualities I admire most about you”

Anthony remained still.

He did not speak.

He did not blink.

His father had always called him ʼMonster Babyʼ

But now, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, he had called him my son.

It was rare for Michael to speak from the heart.

He was a man who carried himself with effortless ease, exuding a carefree air.

Yet, in this moment, there was only sincerity.

”Until now, every battle youʼve faced has been one-on-one”

Michael said, his voice steady.

”Whether it was the Bloodbath or the Starborn Tournament, youʼve always fought a single opponent at a time”

He lifted his hand and placed it firmly on Anthonyʼs shoulder.

”This time, that wonʼt be the case”

His tone darkened.

”You wonʼt face a single enemy. Youʼll face many. There will be no honor, no rules to hold them back. No one will come to your aid if you falter. There are no restrictions against killing, itʼs a free-for-all”

Michaelʼs grip tightened.

”These wonʼt be mindless beasts relying on raw ferocity. This will be far worse”

Anthony remained still.

He didnʼt flinch.

He didnʼt speak.

He simply endured his fatherʼs grip and absorbed every word, letting their weight sink into his very being.

”I know you are extraordinary, but even I donʼt know the full extent of your talent”

Michael admitted.

”I donʼt know how you acquired the abilities you possess now. I donʼt know how you managed to summon such ancient beings during your impossible mission or the Starborn Tournament. I donʼt understand it, and frankly, I donʼt need to”

His second hand rose, settling firmly on Anthonyʼs other shoulder.

His grip tightened.

”Because you are my son. Because you carry my blood. Because you are my descendant”

His voice deepened, weighted with unspoken emotion.

”The military is different, my son. Donʼt let it break you. Donʼt let it devour you. Donʼt let its madness take root in your mind”

Then, without hesitation, Michael pulled Anthony into an embrace.

His arms wrapped around him, firm and unyielding, as if shielding him from the weight of the world.

”I want you to shine as brightly as you can”

He murmured.

”Stand tall. Hold your gaze steady. Stand knowing that you are the descendant of the Sword Saint and the Crimson Witch of Destruction. Stand knowing you were born for greatness. And when the world tries to break you, know this, whenever you falter, I will be there to hold up the sky”

His voice softened, the final words settling into silence.

Yet, Michael did not release his son.

He held him tighter, as though unwilling to let go.

This was the moment he sent his son into the maelstrom. Into the madness.

Anthony found himself at a loss for words.

It was the first time he had seen his father like this, vulnerable, unguarded, and deeply protective.

After a moment of silence, Anthony lifted his arms and embraced his father in return.

His voice was barely a whisper.

”Thank you, Father”

Michael didnʼt answer, but his presence lingered in the air, silent and weighty.

Then, in an instant, Michaelʼs form dissolved from Anthonyʼs embrace.

He vanished from the Grand Hall entirely, leaving only the faint echo of his voice as he spoke his final words.

”Shine brightly, my son”

Anthonyʼs hands fell to his sides, and he stood motionless for several moments.

A quiet stirring began deep within him, as if something awakened.

Then, a smile slowly spread across his face.

With a single thought, he vanished from the Grand Hall, disappearing into the unknown.