MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

The morning sun bathed the world in a soft, golden hue.

The sky, untouched by any hint of clouds, stretched wide above him, its expanse endless, much like the possibilities ahead.

Anthony took a deep breath, savoring the fresh air, the crispness of a new day.

A year of training loomed ahead, but today marked the first step in a journey that, though short, would lead him into the life he had only dreamed of in his past existence.

Today, he would walk the path of an adventurer.

Though his steps were steady, there was a sense of excitement building within him, a warmth that spread from his chest outward.

He had never been one for contemplation.

He had made his decision, and now it was time to move.

There was no reason to waste any more time thinking about it.

He entered the shower, the steam quickly enveloping him.

The water, hot and soothing, washed away the remnants of sleep, and with it, any lingering uncertainty about his decision.

His body, lean and defined with muscles honed over years of intense training, was a testament to his dedication.

He had long since stopped doubting the path ahead of him.

There was no need for reflection, not anymore.

The present moment, with its challenges and possibilities, was all that mattered.

After he stepped out of the shower and dried himself off, Anthony moved toward his wardrobe.

His attire was carefully chosen: a finely crafted black coat, sleek and elegant, with accents of silver at the cuffs and collar.

It was understated, but it spoke volumes of his status.

The fabric clung to his form, the cut sharp and precise, accentuating his powerful frame without drawing unnecessary attention.

The trousers, pressed to perfection, gave him a look of authority.

He admired the reflection in the mirror for a brief moment before his gaze shifted to the katana resting on the nearby stand.

Its blade gleamed, a reminder of the path he had walked to this point.

The katana was his trusted companion, but today, it was different.

It had taken on a new form, one that was as striking as it was functional.

The blade had transformed into a fusion of red and blue, the colors swirling in a mesmerizing pattern, reflecting his resolve.

Anthony made his way out of his room and down the hall, his footsteps echoing softly in the empty corridors.

He reached the study, where his butler, whom Anthony affectionately called 'Uncle', was waiting for him.

The man was older, with salt and pepper hair and a face lined with wisdom and experience.

He had served the Null family for decades, and his loyalty was unwavering.

"Good morning, Young Master"

The butler greeted, his voice low and respectful.

"Good morning, Uncle"

Anthony replied, his tone casual but filled with gratitude.

"I trust you're ready for your journey?"

The butler inquired, his eyes scanning Anthony's attire with a keen eye.

"I'm ready" Anthony said.

"I need the identity"

The butler nodded, his movements precise as he retrieved a small, sealed envelope from his desk.

Inside was the documentation that would be Anthony's new life, an identity carefully crafted to ensure that no one would ever suspect him of being the Null heir.

Anthony took the envelope from the butler's hand and opened it, unfolding the papers within.

The name on the document was completely foreign, a new persona that had been created from the ground up.

"You've done a good job"

Anthony remarked, his tone appreciative.

"I only did what was asked, Young Master"

The butler replied with a bow.

"Of course"

Anthony muttered absently, his thoughts already drifting toward his next step.

Anthony then turned his attention to the mirror.

With a small concentration of energy, he began to manipulate his appearance.

His features rippled, shifting and contorting until they no longer resembled the face that had been so familiar to him his entire life.

His once sharp jaw softened, his nose altered, his eyes narrowed, and his hair darkened, taking on a more nondescript hue.

He could feel his appearance change, the transformation seamless, as though it were always meant to be this way.

The man who stared back at him was different, someone who could blend in without drawing any suspicion.

His new face, though not unattractive, lacked the striking handsomeness that had been his signature.

When Anthony was satisfied, he took another look at himself.

If his original face had once scored a perfect 100 on the scale of attractiveness, this one would be no more than a fifty at best.

He had made himself average, plain, nothing about him would stand out in a crowd.

His eyes, now a pitch black, were unremarkable.

His skin had lost its usual glow, and his hair was no longer the silky, white that framed his face so perfectly.

Instead, it was a muted shade of black, unpolished in comparison to the former radiance.

Yet, beneath this new visage, Anthony's body, his muscles and his strength, remained the same.

It had been a conscious choice.

He had considered wearing a mask that could distort his real features, but ultimately decided against it.

A mask, even one that could alter his appearance, would have been too obvious.

This was more subtle, this was the art of deception at its finest.

His disguise would go unnoticed.

Once he had finished his transformation,

Anthony turned to the butler and nodded.

"The preparations are complete?"

The butler gave a short nod in return.

"Everything is as you requested, Young Master"

With a final glance around the room, Anthony left his study.

He made his way to his parents' quarters, his footsteps silent against the marble floors.

Mitchelle was sitting by the window, her gaze distant as she peered out at the sprawling grounds of the estate.

When Anthony entered, she looked up, her piercing eyes narrowing as they assessed him.

"Anthony?"

She said, her voice betraying a hint of surprise.

"It's me, Mom"

She replied, offering a small smile.

She stood up slowly, her gaze fixed on him with an intensity that could pierce through the most carefully constructed facades.

She circled him, her sharp eyes scanning every detail of his form, but she stopped when she reached his face.

"Anthony…" she trailed off, clearly startled.

"I cannot see through this disguise. It's perfect"

Anthony chuckled softly, shaking his head.

"I had a feeling you would be able to see through it"

Mitchelle's scrutiny only intensified, her eyes narrowing as she took in the rest of him.

She examined his posture, his hands, his bearing, but something about him remained unchanged.

Apart from his face, hair, and eye color, everything about him was the same.

His build, his strength, the muscle tone that rippled beneath his clothes, it all remained.

Her lips pressed together, and she nodded slowly.

"You've done well, but don't let it become too comfortable. People will eventually learn who you are"

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Anthony simply smiled, a quiet confidence in his eyes.

"Be safe, Anthony"

Mitchelle said, her voice softening.

"I will Mother"

Anthony replied, and with that, he left her room, heading toward his next destination.

He went to his garage, where his new car, one he had purchased through his system, was waiting for him.

It was a sleek, black vehicle with the faintest touch of luxury.

The engine purred to life as he slid into the driver's seat, his hands gripping the wheel.

The ride to the adventurers' guild was quick, but his heart raced with excitement.

The building loomed in the distance as he approached, its presence imposing and filled with the promise of adventure.

When he parked the car and stepped out, the familiar tension in his chest grew, but it was a different kind of tension, a kind of nervous excitement that made him feel alive.

He had read about adventurers' guilds in his past life, but now, he was going to be part of that world for a short while.

He made his way to the entrance, pushing open the door.

The sound of chatter and laughter hit him first, and he saw a group of people gathered around a table, drinking beer and sharing stories.

They were the kind of people he had only read about before, but now he was here, walking among them.

The mission board stood in the corner, the same as in all the books he had read.

It was the centerpiece of every guild, a place where adventurers could find work, challenge themselves, and push their limits.

It was a symbol of everything Anthony had ever dreamed of.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

With a deep breath, he walked further into the guild, ready to take the next step.

At the counter, a demi-human woman of the cat race was seated, her beauty stunning in its simplicity.

Her fur was a soft shade of cream, her large amber eyes sparkling with curiosity as she looked up at him.

"Hello"

She said, her voice smooth and melodic.

"How can I assist you today?"

"I'd like to register as an adventurer"

Anthony replied, his voice steady.

The woman smiled, a flicker of amusement in her gaze.

"Very well. Please fill out this form with your details"

She handed him a piece of parchment, and Anthony took it gratefully, quickly filling in his new identity.

Name, age, background, all the necessary details were written out without hesitation.

"Here you go"

He said once he had finished.

Anthony handed over the completed form to the demi-human woman behind the counter.

She smiled softly at him, her feline ears twitching slightly as she took the paper.

She glanced over it briefly before turning to the computer in front of her, quickly inputting the details he had provided.

Her fingers moved with practiced precision as she worked.

Once she was done, she reached beside her to a small machine, sliding the form into a compartment.

After a soft whir, an adventurer ID card slid out, the smooth plastic gleaming under the light.

She handed it to Anthony, her smile never wavering.

"Here is your adventurer ID"

She said, her voice calm and welcoming.

"Thank you"

Anthony replied simply, taking the card from her.

The demi-human gave him a nod.

"Welcome to the adventurer guild, Mr Lorian Blackwood"

Anthony nodded back, slipping the ID into his pocket.