MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 567: Elope

Since it was still morning, Anthony decided to wait until the afternoon before meeting with the Warlord to receive the mission details.

He and Vega spent the morning simply joking around and gisting about various random things. Vega was bragging about how heads always turned whenever she walked into a room, and Anthony simply listened with a smile playing on his lips, indulging her every word.

”So, why didn’t you go to Omni Peak Academy? If we’d met sooner, we could have been celebrating our fourth-year dating anniversary by now,” Anthony asked as he gently played with Vega’s fingers, his voice warm and teasing.

”Sighs... My father said there was nothing to learn there since he could already teach me everything himself, and that I didn’t need any connections,” Vega replied, her voice holding a touch of exasperation as she sighed.

”Well, that is indeed true. I understand your father’s perspective,” Anthony nodded, his tone understanding.

”Yeah. I did too at first. I didn’t really care much about Omni Peak Academy. But when I started reading online about the Academy invasion... I almost cried. If I had been there, I could have joined such an eventful event,” Vega said, her tone turning melancholic.

”You do know a lot of people who worked within the Academy Domain died, right?” Anthony asked, his voice serious.

”People die every day, Ant,” Vega replied with a nonchalant shrug, her voice devoid of sympathy for people she didn’t personally know.

”After the invasion, I actually wanted to enter the Academy as a transfer student,” she continued, her gaze distant, as if remembering something important.

”Why?” Anthony asked, genuinely curious about her reasoning.

”Duh. Since no student or professor died during the first attack, it was obvious that the demons would make another move. But this time, it would be outside the Academy. Just like the first sabotage, where students were assassinated on missions by the Forsaken Cult,” Vega explained calmly.

She paused briefly, then added, ”And indeed, my guess was right. You were all kidnapped, and over ninety percent of your classmates were wiped out in just one event.”

Anthony looked at her for a moment, then said, ”You sound like a battle maniac.”

”I’m not,” Vega replied with a light laugh. ”I just love huge events like that. Just like the fall of Military Base Alpha-6. Now that was a major event. I can’t be bothered with small battles. The big ones are the fun ones.”

”Which is why I’m hoping this mission turns out to be something huge,” she concluded with a sigh, almost wistful.

”So, have you participated in any of these huge events that you love so much?” Anthony asked, curious to hear about her past experiences.

Vega shook her head and replied, ”Sadly, none. All my battles have always been against some random guy or during beast tides like the military entrance trials.”

”You are such a battle lover,” Anthony said with a smile, amused by her preferences.

”I’m not, Ant,” Vega repeated firmly. ”I only love huge events. There’s a difference.”

”Well, I’m sure this new mission will be your first real big event. So look forward to it,” Anthony said in an encouraging tone, his eyes filled with quiet hope.

”Indeed, I am,” Vega nodded with confidence.

”But don’t disappoint me after getting my hopes up. Let me see what you can do,” Anthony added with a smile, nudging her slightly.

”Be ready to feast your eyes, Ant,” Vega replied with a smirk, her expression radiating confidence in her abilities.

Suddenly, her phone, which was on the table, vibrated as a notification came in. Vega reached over and picked it up with a casual motion.

It was a text from Veronica.

{Veronica: Just came back from my mission. Where are you? Did you quit the military with your boyfriend and elope to another planet to escape your father? I totally support you. Love, bestie.}

Vega stared at the message with a speechless expression as she read it.

’What does she mean by elope? Am I that type of daughter?’ Vega thought to herself, then sighed.

She spoke aloud, her eyes still fixed on the screen, ”It’s Veronica.”

”She’s returned from her mission?” Anthony asked, raising an eyebrow.

”It seems so. Can she come here?” Vega asked, turning to him.

”You don’t even have to ask, Vee,” Anthony replied softly with a gentle smile.

”Thanks,” Vega said, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as she typed her response.

{Vega: What do you mean elope? Stop reading too many romance novels. Your imagination is getting out of hand. I’m at Anthony’s room. You can come over, just track my phone. Love, Bestie.}

As soon as she sent the text, Veronica instantly replied.

{Veronica: I’ll be there.}

With that, their texting ended. Vega dropped the phone on the table and said, ”She’s coming.”

Within minutes, a knock came from Anthony’s door.

Anthony rose to his feet and walked over to the door.

Opening it, he smiled and greeted, ”Hey, been a while.”

”Good morning, Anthony,” Veronica greeted as she stepped inside.

She walked toward Vega, who was lounging on the bed.

”When did you return from your mission?” Vega asked.

Veronica sat gently on the sofa before replying, ”Yesterday. I was so tired, I needed some rest before coming over.”

”You needed rest, or you needed to see your boyfriend? Which is it?” Vega asked, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

”Don’t lecture me while you’re in your man’s room. That would be a double standard,” Veronica replied quickly, grinning as she retorted.

”So, Veronica, how was your mission? Anything interesting?” Anthony asked as he sat down beside Vega, smoothly shifting the topic.

”Well, I almost died, again. But hey, I’m still alive, so there’s that,” she replied with a dramatic sigh.

”At least you’re alive and have no permanent scars,” Vega said with a smile.

”Says the one who’s overpowered and is also dating an overpowered boy—” Veronica’s words suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

Her eyes widened in shock.

”Why the hell are you wearing a Captain ranked military uniform?” Veronica exclaimed, finally registering the insignia on Vega’s clothes.

Anthony smiled at the outburst and rose from his seat, walking toward the door.

”I’ll leave you both to talk. I have to meet with the Warlords,” he said casually.

With that, he walked out, leaving the two best friends alone to talk freely.