MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Chapter 703: Behind The Wheel

Hours drifted by almost unnoticed as Vega and Anthony sat together, simply talking, exchanging laughter, and savoring one another’s company. They had hardly moved from the couch where they were seated, as though the rest of the world had lost its importance and nothing else truly mattered.

Eventually, Vega’s eyes wandered toward the sleek digital clock resting on the table beside them. Its bright numbers glowed softly in the room’s atmosphere. ”It’s already almost three o’clock in the afternoon. We can head out now,” she stated, her voice calm yet filled with an undertone of excitement.

”Sure,” Anthony replied as he slowly rose from the chair. Vega mirrored his movement with the same unhurried grace, and together they made their way toward the door.

They stepped into the grand hallway once again, greeted by the glittering chandelier overhead and the murals adorning the walls, which seemed to watch over them with silent majesty. Their footsteps echoed faintly as they passed room after room, descending a wide flight of stairs before finally approaching the entrance to the garage.

Upon arriving at the basement level, Vega pressed a small button near the wall. Immediately, a sliding metallic door groaned to life, parting open with smooth mechanical ease. As the door fully retracted, the sight that greeted them was almost breathtaking, rows of elegant cars came into view, each one gleaming under carefully placed lights. Their colors ranged from bold crimson to icy silver, while their shapes varied between fierce, angular sports cars and sleek, luxurious sedans. The allure of craftsmanship radiated from every polished surface.

Anthony let out a low whistle as his eyes roamed over the collection. Though he had long passed the stage of caring about material possessions such as cars, a soft spot for their beauty and power still lingered within him.

”I didn’t know your parents owned cars,” Anthony admitted honestly, his voice tinged with surprise as his fingers lightly traced the body of a sleek yellow coupe. ”They never struck me as the type.”

Vega chuckled softly, shaking her head. ”You do know we need cars... right? After all, it’s not like I could just fly to the water park or other places when I was still a child. Either Aunt Jenna, or Mom, or Dad always drove me. So yes, even we needed cars back then.” She spoke with a calm matter-of-fact tone as she walked gracefully toward a low, menacing sports car, so low to the ground it seemed it could scrape the earth at any given moment.

Anthony nodded in understanding. His thoughts drifted briefly: ’Amara, Klaus, and Jenna don’t need the cars. They probably got them after Vega was born, to make things easier for her.’

”It’s been quite a few years since I last sat behind the wheel,” Anthony mused aloud, his voice carrying a hint of nostalgia as he approached a black diamond-colored car, where Vega had now stopped.

”So... we’re taking this one?” he asked.

Vega gave a simple nod before slipping elegantly into the passenger seat. Anthony noticed the car’s smart key fob resting neatly atop the front tire. With nothing more than a thought, the key appeared in his palm as though summoned. Sliding into the driver’s seat, he pressed the push-button ignition. Instantly, the car roared to life, the engines awakening with a guttural growl of raw power that reverberated through the enclosed space.

Revving the engine slightly, Anthony shifted the gear from park into drive. His foot pressed firmly against the accelerator, and the car surged forward with ferocity. It rocketed toward the garage’s outer gate, which remained closed, making it appear as though they were about to crash headlong into it.

But before impact could occur, Vega’s will bent the surrounding space. The air shimmered as reality itself folded. The car merged seamlessly with the fabric of space, phasing through the heavy gate and emerging unscathed on the open road beyond.

Anthony grinned, exhilarated by the rush. ”Driving does feel good once in a while,” he intoned. ”Far better than an AI-powered aircraft, if I might add.”

With practiced ease, he shifted the gear again, the car’s speed climbing rapidly as the estate shrank behind them.

”You seem to be enjoying this,” Vega remarked calmly from her seat, her tone more observant than questioning.

”Vee,” Anthony began with a light chuckle, ”it’s every man’s dream to tame a beast of a car like this. To push it to its limits on a track, free from the shackles of traffic laws. No worries about a child suddenly running onto the street, or another driver making a careless mistake. Just pure, unrestrained speed.”

Vega smiled faintly at his words. ”So, how many car races have you actually been in?” she teased, raising an eyebrow.

”Surprisingly, none,” Anthony admitted, shaking his head. In truth, he had never once taken part in a real race.

Her smile widened as she tilted her head toward him. ”Then why don’t we head to a racing track? Test your words with action. Didn’t you just say this is every man’s dream?”

Anthony glanced at her briefly, his eyes filled with curiosity. ”But wouldn’t it be boring for you?” he asked sincerely.

”It won’t,” she replied with an almost serene smile. ”Don’t worry about me.”

”Then it’s settled,” Anthony declared, his lips curving upward. ”We’ll head to a racing track first.”

With those words, he pressed harder on the accelerator. The car responded instantly, its energy igniting with even greater power. The sound of the engine deepened, and the vehicle surged forward like a predator set free. The air around them seemed to tear apart as the machine roared down the road with unstoppable momentum.

Vega sat quietly, watching him with a smile tugging at her lips. Though racing itself held little personal interest for her, she found joy in simply being beside Anthony, allowing him to experience his excitement. After all, during their archery date months ago, she had seen him wield a bow and arrow despite his lack of enthusiasm for long-range weapons. He had done it purely for her sake. This time, she was more than willing to return the gesture.

”Do you know of any racetrack nearby?” Vega asked after a short silence.

Anthony shook his head lightly. ”Not really. I never had a reason to look into that sort of thing. But finding one isn’t difficult.” His voice was calm and confident as he spoke.

With but a thought, the Authority Of Information activated within him, feeding him the exact details he sought.

”There’s one just a few kilometers from here,” he said with certainty. ”It shouldn’t take more than a short while. Brace yourself, Vee.”

She smirked in amusement. ”Please. The inertia of a car can’t affect me. My mana rank is far too high for such trivial forces to matter.”

But Anthony hardly heard her words. His focus was already sharpened as he shifted gears once again. His foot pressed mercilessly on the accelerator, and the world outside blurred into streaks of light and color. Onlookers on the roadside saw only a streak of black tearing past, followed by a violent blast of displaced wind that left them staggering in confusion before they could even comprehend what had passed them.

The beast of a car thundered forward, carrying its two passengers toward the thrill of speed and the unknown challenges of the racetrack that awaited.