MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

The first rays of dawn filtered through the heavy curtains of Anthony's room, their golden light catching the edges of his bedding.

The sun's warmth was a soft, welcoming embrace, as if the world itself acknowledged the significance of the day.

Anthony stirred beneath the covers, the faintest hint of a smile curling his lips as his eyes fluttered open.

For a moment, he lay still, savoring the tranquility of the morning.

The weight of the impending day felt strangely distant, no doubt, because he had already surpassed the expectations that others would place on him.

Today was merely a formality. The Academy's graduation ceremony, a process that had become nothing more than a simple gesture for him and his companions.

Turning his head slightly, he saw the familiar form of his mother, Mitchelle, standing by the window.

Her Crimson hair caught the morning light, glowing ethereally, and her calm presence filled the room.

There was a grace in her movements, a regal air that matched the quiet storm within her.

As always, she had already been awake long before he had stirred, a habit formed from years of being a world power.

"Good morning, Mother"

Anthony said, his voice quiet but filled with warmth.

Mitchelle turned to him, a slight smile touching her lips, but her eyes held a depth of knowing that few could match.

"Good morning, son. I trust you're ready for the day ahead?"

Anthony nodded.

"I'm ready. But I doubt there will be much to learn here anymore. The Academy can offer no more to me"

He paused, his gaze momentarily flickering to the window, where the distant silhouette of the Academy loomed.

"I'm ready to take the next step"

Mitchelle's smile deepened, her pride for her son evident but carefully restrained.

"That you are. You've already surpassed all expectations, far beyond what any of us thought possible"

Her voice softened.

"I'll make sure you're safe, as always. But remember, Anthony, even in places where you think you no longer have anything to learn, there are challenges awaiting you"

Anthony regarded his mother with a quiet respect.

"I know mom"

His words held a subtle weight, as though they were an affirmation of the changes that had taken place within him.

Mitchelle gave a knowing nod, understanding the meaning behind his words all too well.

With a swift motion, she extended her hand, weaving through the air with a fluid, practiced gesture.

The room shifted, colors rippled like water, and in an instant, Anthony and Mitchelle were standing in the grand courtyard of the Academy.

....

The Academy Domain

The grand stone gates of the Academy loomed ahead, their presence imposing and regal.

As they stepped into the heart of the Academy Domain, Anthony felt the familiar weight of history and tradition pressing against him.

The courtyard buzzed with students milling about, their conversations low, filled with anticipation.

But as Anthony made his entrance, the courtyard fell into stunned silence.

He wasn't merely the son of two legendary figures.

He was a force in his own right.

His very presence commanded attention, the air around him seemingly bending to his will.

And behind him, as always, stood Mitchelle, though she kept her presence low, watching from the shadows, her gaze sharp and ever-watchful.

Anthony's subordinates had already gathered, standing together with a quiet intensity.

The Ten Stars, as they had now come to be known, were waiting.

They were the heart of his power, loyal, unwavering, and forged through trials no less harrowing than the ones Anthony himself had faced.

Though they were, to the outside world, simply his companions, Anthony knew they were much more than that.

They were his backbone, each of them having passed through hell and emerged stronger for it.

His eyes swept over them, taking in their postures.

Spectre, Litt, Mike, Ross, Vivian, Evelyn, Donna, Arnold, Clement, and Marcus, each one of them stood tall, their expressions a mixture of resolve and anticipation.

They had already met the requirement for graduation, their strength surpassing that of most in the Academy.

But even so, they stood not as rivals, but as equals.

"Ready, then?"

Anthony's voice cut through the silence, carrying a quiet authority.

There was a murmur of agreement. The Ten Stars nodded in unison, their faces a mask of confidence, though a flicker of admiration for Anthony's calm strength could be seen in their eyes.

They had fought beside him, under him, and for him. And they had seen the power within him, an untapped potential that none had been able to match.

"Let's get this over with"

Vivian said, her tone cold as ever but with a hint of respect.

Bryan, Tiara, and the Storm Brothers were nearby, having already gathered to join them.

Though Tiara and Bryan were both Anthony's peers, two figures of great power in their own right, there was something different about this group, something more familial.

Tiara, despite her extraordinary abilities and rank, remained a quiet observer, her thoughts locked behind her silence.

She had never been close with the others, and as always, she felt out of place in this gathering of warriors.

Bryan, on the other hand, stood with a more relaxed posture, his broad shoulders leaning slightly toward Anthony, as if they had known each other for years.

Their bond, formed through battles and tests of endurance, was undeniable.

And the Storm Brothers, Bringer and Rider, stood together with the same quiet strength, their dark eyes scanning the surroundings with the practiced vigilance of seasoned warriors.

"Anthony"

Bryan said, his voice low but filled with respect of his power.

"So this is it, huh? Graduation day. Feels like we've been waiting for this moment for a lifetime"

Anthony's lips curled slightly into a smile, though it was more thoughtful than amused.

"It feels more like the end of a chapter, Bryan. I'm not sure if there's anything left for us here"

Kevin, the Vice President's younger brother, stood at the far end of the courtyard, his piercing gaze locked onto the gathering group.

He was a vampire, as Tiara was, though his presence carried an undeniable weight.

There was no need for formalities here, no written exams, no tests of skill.

Kevin only needed to sense the aura of each of them to know their worth.

"You all look the part" Kevin remarked as he stepped forward, his voice like smooth velvet.

His eyes swept over the group with the practiced ease of one who had seen countless talents rise and fall.

"Your auras are unmistakable. SS rank, every one of you"

Anthony met his gaze.

"We're here to graduate. You know the deal, Kevin. We don't need to waste time with the usual procedures. You can sense it"

Kevin's lips curled into a faint smile.

"Indeed. The Academy has nothing more to teach you. The knowledge you seek now lies outside these walls"

He stepped aside, gesturing toward the grand gates that loomed in the distance.

"Go. You've earned it"

As the group moved to leave, Anthony's attention flickered briefly to Tiara. He knew she had her reservations, her pride had always kept her distant from others.

But today, perhaps, she would come to understand what it truly meant to stand alongside them, not just as a disciple of the Vice President, but as an equal.

The others exchanged glances, their camaraderie evident even without words.

But Tiara... she stayed quiet. Always. Her silence felt like a shield, one that had been built over time.

She was still coming to terms with her own place in this world, and Anthony was the mirror that showed her just how far ahead he had gone.

It wasn't a matter of pride anymore, it was simply the reality of their situation.

Clement stood among them, as ever, the embodiment of silence.

His presence was a quiet yet potent force, unspoken but undeniable.

His gaze drifted toward Anthony for the briefest of moments, a flicker of recognition in his eyes, yet his lips remained sealed, betraying no emotion.

No words passed between them, and none were needed.

Anthony could feel the palpable aura that surrounded Clement, an almost suffocating intensity that whispered of power and purpose.

The truth was laid bare before him, clear as day, the man's rise to the zenith of the Master rank had been forged by his unique ability, Soul Collector.

Anthony, with the insight of his All-Seeing Eyes, had witnessed the unsettling truth, the countless souls Clement had gathered during their harrowing captivity.

Each one had pushed him further along his path, elevating him to his current position.

Yet, despite the weight of those souls, Clement's expression remained as immutable as stone.

There was no trace of remorse, no hint of triumph, no glimmer of sorrow, only an unyielding, stoic acknowledgment of his own ascension, a quiet acceptance of the price he had paid to reach this point.

In his stillness, he conveyed everything without uttering a single word.

As they walked toward the gates, the group, Anthony and his companions, Bryan, Tiara, the Storm Brothers, felt the collective weight of what they were about to face.

Graduation was not just an academic rite; it was the beginning of a new path. One where their destinies would be forged by their own hands.

And so, they stepped forward, leaving behind the walls of the Academy. The world awaited them, and they would not be held back.

Before they left, each of them shared a brief but meaningful exchange.

"Take care of yourselves" Anthony said to the group.

"No matter where we go, our paths are forever linked"

The Storm Brothers gave a hearty salute.

"Until we meet again"

Rider said.

Bryan nodded, his usual confidence radiating.

"Don't forget us when you leave, Anthony"

Tiara, standing apart from the group, simply gave him a glance that conveyed more than words ever could.

There was no need for a farewell. She knew this wasn't the end.

Finally, Anthony stood alone at the Academy gate.

He could feel his mother's presence, a gentle pull on his senses, though she remained hidden.

He was about to leave when a soft shift in the air caught his attention.

Without turning, he already knew someone was behind him.

The air grew still, the world holding its breath as an unknown figure emerged from the shadows.

"Null Anthony"

The figure spoke, its voice low and unmistakable.

"The Dean wants to see you"

Anthony turned slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The figure was cloaked in darkness, but there was something about their presence that felt familiar.

The Dean. Anthony raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"Lead the way"

Anthony replied, his voice calm and steady.