MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 402: My brother

At Lieutenant Kingsleyʼs question, Anthony responded almost instantly, the brief pause masked by his use of the Authority of Information.

”Nothing in particular. Just verifying a few things. Iʼve heard tales of your exploits and accomplishments during my time in the lower ranks. Itʼs a pleasure to finally meet you”

Kingsley offered a curt nod in acknowledgment, his expression unreadable.

Turning toward his team, Anthony addressed them calmly.

”I understand youʼve been together as a team for some time, whereas Iʼm just joining in. May I ask, who served as your previous captain? Iʼd appreciate a briefing on any relevant matters”

At Anthonyʼs words, the four teammates exchanged subtle glances, their expressions shifting before they turned to face him.

It was Kingsley who finally broke the silence.

”The former captain… died a few months ago during a mission”

Anthonyʼs brows furrowed slightly at the revelation.

It was the first time he had personally encountered news of someone perishing in active duty.

Yet, he chose not to press for details.

No questions, no follow up.

He simply let the matter rest, for now.

”Since weʼre now a team and likely heading out on a mission soon”

Anthony began, his tone composed yet direct,

”I believe itʼs important we familiarize ourselves with each otherʼs elements, abilities, or any notable Talents weʼre comfortable sharing”

Dale, the vampire, was the first to respond.

”I wield a spear”

He said flatly.

”Like every vampires, I can manipulate blood. I also possess an affinity for the Darkness element. As for Talents… I have none worth mentioning”

Seraphim, the elf, was next to speak.

”I donʼt specialize in any particular weapon”

She admitted, her voice calm but resolute.

”Iʼm only proficient with the standard arsenal we were trained with during our year in the military training. As youʼve probably noticed, I donʼt possess mana. Instead, I wield spiritual energy, an internal force that allows me to accomplish feats beyond the norm for most elves. That said, I donʼt have any unique Talent to speak of”

Then came Reynold, the Phoenix, his tone confident yet measured.

”Like all of my kind, I possess Phoenix flames”

He began, the faintest flicker of heat trailing his words.

”But I also have an affinity for the Lightning element. My weapon of choice is the rapier, though donʼt mistake that for speed alone. I have strength to match. As for my Talent… itʼs called ʼMomentum Control.ʼ But donʼt get your hopes up, itʼs not as broken as it sounds”

Anthonyʼs mind whirled at the mention of such a rare ability.

ʼMomentum Controlʼ

A power that, when fully realized, could turn the tide of any battle with terrifying precision.

ʼIt seems Reynold got a nerfed version of itʼ

Anthony mused, his expression unreadable.

Finally, Kingsley, the human, spoke up.

”I possess neither mana nor any alternative form of energy”

He stated plainly, his voice firm and steady.

”Iʼm trained in the use of various weapons, like every soldier whoʼs passed through the military system. However, my body is my primary weapon”

He paused briefly before continuing.

”I do have a Talent, one known as Divine Kata. I wonʼt explain it here. If youʼre curious, youʼll have to see it for yourself during our missions”

Anthony gave a thoughtful nod as Kingsley finished, acknowledging his words with silent respect.

An expectant quiet settled over the group as all eyes turned to Anthony, waiting for his own introduction.

Noticing their expectant gazes, Anthony finally spoke.

”Well”

He began casually, though his tone carried weight.

”Iʼm an expert with all forms of weapon, but I have a particular fondness for the katana”

He paused briefly before continuing, his words calm but staggering in implication.

”I also possess an affinity for every known element, from fire and lightning, to even the rarer ones like space. In addition, I can wield spiritual energy, much like Seraphim. Honestly, Iʼm capable of quite a few things, which makes it difficult to summarize my abilities clearly. But, like Kingsley said, youʼll just have to witness it for yourselves during our missions”

His words hung in the air like thunder that never struck.

The group froze, their thoughts halting mid motion.

ʼProficient in all weapons? Affinity for every element? Access to spiritual energy, something exclusive to elves?ʼ

They could hardly process it.

”Anthony, I understand the need to boast a little”

Seraphim said with a teasing smile, her arms loosely crossed.

”But donʼt you think thatʼs a bit… excessive?”

”No one has affinity with all elements”

Dale added, his tone skeptical, though his gaze remained sharp and curious.

Anthony didnʼt respond.

There was no need.

Words would never suffice.

With nothing more than a flicker of his will, the air around him began to hum.

Mana and spiritual energy trembled together, bending to his presence like obedient servants.

Then, one by one, elemental manifestations formed in a slow, deliberate display, hovering in the air around him in perfect harmony.

Crackling lightning hissed beside a pulsing orb of fire.

A serene sphere of water shimmered next to razor-sharp ice.

Darkness churned like a vortex, while blood twisted unnaturally through the air.

Metal gleamed with a dull shine, and space warped subtly around a flickering core.

And there were more, essences of other forces, each element swirling in controlled equilibrium around him.

Shock rippled across their faces like a silent shockwave, each expression frozen in disbelief as they took in the surreal sight before them.

What they were witnessing defied the very foundation of elemental manipulation.

It was common knowledge, without affinity, one couldnʼt even stir the faintest wisp of an element.

Not even its lowest form could be influenced.

That was a law, a truth drilled into every warrior from the moment they began their path.

Skill books offered a slight exception, granting temporary access to an elemental technique without the need for affinity, but even then, it was restricted.

You could activate the skill, yes, but you couldnʼt control or command the element itself.

The skill was like a pre-written spell: use it, and it was gone.

There was no connection, no resonance.

Unless Anthony had somehow acquired a skill book that conjured floating orbs of every known element, an utterly pointless and unheard-of skill, the display before them was nothing short of impossible.

And yet, here it was.

Each element hovered in raw, refined beauty, responding not to an artifact, not to a chant or seal, but to Anthonyʼs will alone.

It wasnʼt just power.

It was dominion.

Seraphimʼs gaze lingered on the orb of spiritual energy floating before her.

She examined it carefully, its flow, its resonance, the subtle hum only those attuned to it could perceive.

This wasnʼt some pre-set activation like the effect of a skill book.

No, this was control. Genuine manipulation.

She lifted her eyes to Anthony, her expression unreadable.

”How do you know how to manipulate spiritual energy?”

She asked, her voice calm but laced with restrained astonishment.

”Thatʼs supposed to be exclusive to the elf race”

Anthony offered a faint smile, his demeanor as composed as ever.

”Itʼs one of my abilities”

He replied smoothly.

”And donʼt bother pressing for details. I wonʼt be giving any in-depth explanations”

Seraphim fell silent, unable to challenge his words.

There was no denying what sheʼd seen.

Dale, too, recognized the truth.

The darkness and blood werenʼt borrowed tricks.

Anthony had controlled them directly, the way only a true wielder could.

Reynold came to the same conclusion as he quietly observed the flickering flames and crackling lightning.

There was no artifice here. No tricks.

Just undeniable mastery.

A slow smile crept across Kingsleyʼs face, one that quickly bloomed into a full, unrestrained laugh.

”Hahaha! It seems Iʼve finally found my long lost brother”

He said between bursts of laughter.

Anthony turned toward him, visibly confused by the sudden shift in tone.

”Brother? How did I suddenly earn that title?”

He asked, brow raised in curiosity.

Kingsley only chuckled harder before offering a grin that carried a strange mix of pride and understanding.

”Come on”

He said, spreading his arms slightly

”People like us, those who can make the world itself bend, weʼre rare. Welcome to the team”

Anthony narrowed his eyes slightly, not in suspicion, but in quiet contemplation.

ʼSuch remarkable perceptionʼ

He thought.

With nothing more than a glimpse of elemental manipulation, Kingsley had arrived at a deeper truth, one most wouldnʼt even begin to consider.

ʼPeople always react differently when they recognize someone on their levelʼ

Anthony thought, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he gave a subtle shake of his head.

With a flick of his wrist, Kingsley summoned a large, sturdy table from his space ring.

Chairs materialized around it in perfect formation, followed by several ornate bottles of alcohol and a set of finely crafted cups that clinked softly as they touched the wood.

”Letʼs drink”

Kingsley declared, his grin still lingering.

”And get to know my brother a little better”

He began pouring the drinks with practiced ease, the golden liquid catching the light as it filled each cup.

Dale raised an eyebrow as he took his seat.

”You seem unusually cheerful. Whatʼs with the sudden mood shift?”

Kingsley glanced at him with a smirk.

”You wouldnʼt understand, even if I explained”

Dalen scoffed lightly but didnʼt press further, accepting the drink without protest.

And just like that, the hours slipped by with ease.

Laughter echoed beneath the sky, casual conversation weaving through the scent of alcohol and the clinking of cups.

They shared stories, traded jabs, and let down their guard.

Through it all, Anthony remained composed yet open, answering what he could, deflecting what he wouldnʼt.

He didnʼt need to impress them, his presence had already done that.

Without lifting a finger to try, he had seamlessly merged with the team, thanks in no small part to Kingsley, whose easy charisma had laid the foundation.