MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

The landscape stretched infinitely, a masterpiece of nature untouched by civilization.

Towering trees spiraled toward the sky, their thick canopies swaying in harmony with the gentle breeze.

The scent of fresh earth and damp leaves lingered in the air, mingling with the faint crispness of the high altitude wind.

Mountains loomed in the distance, their jagged peaks slicing through the clouds like ancient sentinels.

Rolling hills, sheer cliffs, and crystal clear lakes dotted the terrain, forming a perfect blend of beauty and danger.

Within this vast expanse, eleven figures stood.

Anthony and his ten stars..... his ten subordinates.

Despite their shared history, despite the countless battles they had endured together, today was different.

There was no camaraderie in the air, no easy laughter or friendly teasing.

Instead, an unspoken tension thickened the atmosphere.

A silent, invisible force held them in place as if the very world itself was waiting, watching.

Anthony stood at the center, his posture exuding effortless confidence.

He was still, his muscles loose, his breathing steady.

His stance was casual, unassuming.

His hands were clasped behind his back, his face blank and unreadable.

He might have been mistaken for a mere observer, an instructor evaluating his students, if not for the sheer presence his subordinates radiated.

There was something different about him today.

Unlike before, there was no katana hanging at his waist.

The weapon that had become synonymous with his name, the very blade that had carved through countless enemies, was absent.

He had given it to Baldor and hadn't bothered to replace it.

Yet, he remained unfazed.

It was as if the lack of a weapon meant nothing.

As if the idea of relying on steel was beneath him.

The ten before him were far from ordinary.

They were elites, the strongest among their ranks, each honed through blood, sweat, and experience.

Warriors who had faced death and conquered fear.

Yet, as they stood before Anthony now, something primal stirred within them.

Confidence.

They refused to believe that, they couldn't land a single hit on him.

"Who goes first?"

Ross broke the silence, his deep voice steady, though his gaze held an unspoken challenge.

His eyes locked onto Anthony, seeking, measuring, daring.

"I will go first. As the second in command"

Spectre declared, stepping forward.

Litt let out a low chuckle, shaking his head.

"You always bring up this 'second in command' title whenever it benefits you. Are you a politician by any chance?"

Spectre didn't answer, merely arching an eyebrow in amusement.

"Me"

Clement interjected.

His grip on his weapon tightened slightly, his fingers flexing as if eager for battle.

Before he could act, Marcus scoffed.

"Relax, bruh. You already had your ass handed to you once. Let others take a turn first"

He didn't even turn to face Clement, his dismissal so casual it almost seemed cruel.

"I'll be going first. Ladies first, after all"

Vivian declared, stepping forward.

Her voice was light, teasing, yet beneath the surface, her eyes burned with determination.

"If it's ladies first, then naturally, I should be the one to go"

Donna added with a smirk, her flowing blue hair catching the wind like a banner.

Evelyn stood slightly apart from the group, silent.

She had no interest in direct combat.

Though her mastery over light magic allowed her to fight, healing was her true strength.

And yet… if Anthony wanted to test them, she had no choice.

A small sigh of resignation escaped her lips as she accepted her role in this.

"Vivian, you're just like Spectre, always using an advantage whenever it suits you"

Arnold remarked, shaking his head.

"That's very unfeminist, you know."

Their conversation continued, their words bouncing back and forth in an almost lazy rhythm.

Anthony remained motionless, simply watching.

Seconds stretched into minutes as they bickered, debating.

The wind carried their words, but to Anthony, they were nothing more than background noise.

He exhaled softly, his patience thinning.

'At this rate, I might just stand here forever,'

He thought, shaking his head slightly.

Finally, he spoke.

"There's no need for all this. No need to decide who goes first, second, or last"

His voice was calm, almost indifferent, yet it cut through their discussion like a blade.

"You can all come at me together"

The words froze them.

Ten against one?

It was absurd.

Unbelievable.

Even reckless.

One on one, they might have stood little chance.

But together?

They had trained under him, improved under his guidance.

Surely, with their combined strength, they could—

A flicker of hesitation passed between them.

Would this be overkill?

Would they end up overwhelming him?

But then…

"You didn't seriously think you could defeat me, did you?"

His voice was light, teasing even.

But beneath the surface, there was an edge, one that made their stomachs tighten.

"You know, I once fought the Academy's top students alone during the entrance exam. I'm sure you remember that"

Silence.

Their minds drifted back to that day.

Back to the moment when he, alone, had torn through the ranks of some of the strongest students the Academy had to offer.

Back to when they had watched in disbelief, unable to comprehend how one person could stand against so many and still emerge victorious.

But that was then.

This was now.

They weren't the same weaklings they had been back then.

They are stronger than those Anthony faced before in the Academy.

They had surpassed them.

They had trained, honed their skills, strengthened their abilities.

They had evolved.

Yet, standing before Anthony now, the weight of his presence pressed against them like an unseen force.

"Come"

A single word.

His hand lifted, fingers curling in a beckoning motion.

A taunt. An invitation. A challenge.

The moment it left his lips, everything changed.

The playful banter and hesitant discussion disappeared.

Their expressions hardened.

Their postures shifted.

Aura erupted around them, raw, pulsating energy that crackled through the air like an approaching storm.

The ground beneath them trembled ever so slightly, disturbed by the sheer force of their collective power.

The sky above brightened, as if responding to the shift in energy.

The wind stilled, nature itself holding its breath.

Their eyes sharpened, their minds focused.

No more hesitation.

No more doubt.

Their battle instincts kicked in, calculating distance, measuring strength, anticipating movement.

A silent understanding passed between them.

They would answer his challenge.

Ten against one.

No mercy.

And in the blink of an eye—

The battle began.