MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 727: A day

Anthony stood quietly at the corner, his gaze resting on the family of three as an aura of affection and familial warmth filled the air. Passion, love, and a bond deeper than words hung between them. He simply smiled, saying nothing. He didn’t feel odd, left out, or embarrassed in any way. There was no reason to, after all, what he witnessed was something beautiful, something pure.

So, he remained silent and continued to watch in peace.

After a while, the family slowly broke their embrace. Vega lifted her hand to wipe away the small tear that had escaped her eye, her purple, ethereal gaze softening as it turned toward Anthony. The glow in her eyes reflected gratitude and quiet affection. Without hesitation, she walked toward him, a gentle smile blooming on her face.

Though a part of her wanted to press her lips against his in that moment, to seal her gratitude and affection with a kiss, she restrained herself. She wouldn’t dare to do such a thing before her parents... not yet.

Instead, she reached out and embraced him.

Anthony smiled as her warmth enveloped him. His hand moved instinctively, wrapping around her waist as he felt her emotions pour into him like a wave crashing against his heart. She didn’t say a word at first, and neither did he. The silence between them was not awkward, it was comforting, meaningful. He simply held her there, his fingers resting lightly at her waist, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against his chest.

Moments passed in serene stillness before Vega finally pulled back. Her eyes shimmered faintly, and her voice carried quiet strength when she spoke.

”I know no amount of words would ever measure up to what you’ve done,” she said softly. ”So, I won’t try to find them. Instead, I’ll just say this, I will always be there when you need me. For whatever. Against whoever. Against anything.”

Her tone was sincere, her words bound by promise.

Anthony’s lips curved into a faint smile, his calm blue eyes meeting hers. ”Happy birthday, Vee,” he said warmly.

It was such a simple sentence, but it caught Vega off guard. Neither Klaus nor Amara had mentioned it, and the weight of everything that had happened had pushed the wish far from their minds. Hearing it from him, however, made her heart flutter unexpectedly.

Anthony hadn’t replied to her declaration of loyalty, he didn’t need to. He already knew she would always be there for him. Even if he hadn’t helped her awaken the Perfect Rank Bloodline, Vega would still be by his side. That was simply who she was.

Vega blinked in mild surprise at his words, then smiled tenderly. ”Thank you,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Anthony nodded lightly before continuing. ”I got you a birthday present,” he said. ”I know you told me not to get you anything, but I still did. I wasn’t sure if you wou—”

Before he could finish, Vega quickly interrupted him, her tone firm and affectionate. ”I wouldn’t dare accept it,” she said with a soft laugh. ”This moment, everything you’ve done, it’s already the greatest gift I could ever receive. Accepting anything else in the name of a birthday present would make me greedy and shameless.” Then, with a playful sparkle in her eyes, she added, ”Maybe I’ll accept it next year.”

Anthony paused mid-motion, his hand halfway to retrieving the gift he had stored within his system inventory. Slowly, a smile formed on his lips as he understood what she meant. He didn’t insist or try to persuade her further. He respected her choice and simply let the matter rest, his calm smile saying more than words could.

From the side, Klaus’s deep voice broke the soft silence that lingered between them.

”Although I hate to interrupt your couple’s moment,” he began with a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips, ”Vega, with your new power and everything you’ve awakened, we’ll be training for a day inside the Time Acceleration Chamber. You need to fully adjust to your body and your abilities before anything else.”

Anthony and Vega both turned to look at him, their expressions calm but understanding. Klaus met their gazes and chuckled lightly.

”It’s only for a day,” he added. ”Don’t look at me as though I’ve stolen your favorite candy or something. It’s just a day, and then you can both run off to wherever you want.”

Anthony exhaled softly, amused, and nodded. Vega, too, nodded in agreement.

”Don’t miss me too much,” Anthony said, a teasing smile forming on his lips as he looked at Vega.

”Right back at you,” Vega replied with a smirk that matched his own. Without another word, she turned toward her father. In the next instant, both she and Klaus vanished into thin air, leaving only the faint shimmer of energy in their wake.

Amara, who had remained behind, stood silently for a moment. Her golden eyes studied Anthony, a soft smile gracing her lips as pride and appreciation filled her expression. She gave a small nod, a silent acknowledgment, a wordless thank you, and then she, too, faded into thin air just as her husband and daughter had.

The room fell utterly silent.

Anthony stood alone, surrounded by the quiet hum of stillness. He sighed gently, his eyes drifting toward the balcony. His footsteps echoed lightly across the marble floor as he approached it, the night breeze greeting him as he stepped closer. The vast expanse of the dark sky stretched above, dotted with faint glimmers of starlight.

He deactivated his ocular abilities, allowing his eyes to see the world as a normal human would. For once, he wanted no enhancements, no magical perception, just the simplicity of the night sky as it was.

He smiled faintly as he recalled Vega’s expression, the joy in her eyes, the radiance of her smile, the sheer happiness she exuded. The memory made his heart beat faster, and for a fleeting moment, he allowed himself to simply exist in that warmth.

A day passed in a blur.

Anthony spent it doing absolutely nothing, choosing rest and stillness. Vega, on the other hand, endured rigorous training under her father’s guidance inside the Time Chamber, where a single day in the outside world stretched into weeks of accelerated time within. Klaus, as expected, didn’t go easy on her. He pushed her limits, refining her control and mastery over her newfound strength until she could wield it without hesitation.

When the day finally ended, Vega emerged from the chamber, her presence calmer and more refined. She met up with Anthony not long after, and though exhaustion clung faintly to her features, her eyes were bright. She recounted her experience, explaining with mild exasperation how her father had drilled her nonstop, all under the guise of helping her adjust.

Anthony listened quietly, offering a small smile. He didn’t interrupt or comment, simply letting her speak. It wasn’t a complaint she was voicing, just the need to share the moment with someone who loved and understood her.

By the time evening came, the two had already agreed it was time to return to the military. Klaus and Amara stood side by side, pride gleaming in their eyes as they watched their daughter prepare to depart.

Amara placed a hand on Vega’s shoulder while Klaus’s expression softened. ”Be safe,” Amara said. ”And don’t forget what you’ve learned.”

”As for you,” Klaus said, glancing toward Anthony, ”there’s no need for many words. Just... protect her.”

Anthony gave a quiet nod, though they all knew he didn’t need to be told. Protecting Vega wasn’t a duty, it was instinct.

With a wave of Vega’s hand, a swirling blue portal tore open in the air before them. Its surface rippled like liquid glass, distorting the room’s reflection. Vega cast one last look at her parents, her eyes shining with affection.

Then, with a calm smile, she stepped through.

Anthony followed close behind, offering a final nod of respect before vanishing into the portal’s light.

The portal shimmered for a heartbeat before collapsing inward, leaving nothing but silence behind as they returned to the military, after spending what had felt like a week in the serenity and warmth of Vega’s home.

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AUTHOR’S NOTE: It’s your favourite shameless Author’s birthday today. And we accept all gifts... Super gifts are welcomed also...