MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

Aura smiled at Lucian's words as she spoke, "It isn't a challenge, I'm just saying."

Lucian nodded silently, saying nothing further. Aaaninja rose from his seat, and with a casual wave of his hand, a small golden box appeared, hovering delicately on his palm. He extended it toward Aura. She did not move at all, merely fixating on the box cradled in Aaaninja's hands, her gaze occasionally flicking up to meet his eyes.

"It's called the reward random box. It practically gives out anything at random. It could be a mere pebble, or it could be something extraordinary, like a fruit of immortality," Aaaninja explained, his tone nonchalant, as though the origin and mechanics of the box were trivial and hardly worth mentioning. "All you have to do is touch it, and it will open."

Aura regarded him for a moment, then inclined her head slightly. She leaned forward from her seat, her fingers brushing the surface of the golden box. Instantly, the box glowed softly, radiating a gentle, golden light, before dissolving from Aaaninja's palm into countless motes of sparkling illumination.

Without warning, thousands of flip-flops erupted from thin air, cascading to the floor at Aura's feet in a chaotic heap, threatening to bury her entirely.

'Flip-flops?' everyone thought, stunned by the absurdity of the spectacle.

"That was… unexpected," Aaaninja admitted, his voice betraying a rare note of surprise; even he had not anticipated this outcome.

Aura paused for a moment, then, with a graceful flick of her hand, spoke, "Thanks for the gift." In response, the flip-flops vanished into her space ring, disappearing as effortlessly as they had appeared. Aaaninja nodded approvingly, his gaze shifting to Akira, the black cat nestled comfortably in Anthony's arms. "You have a nice cat, Aura."

Aura did not question how he knew she was the owner; she was certain he had his ways. Her attention turned elsewhere as Aaaninja's eyes then fell upon Kingsley, a figure of enigma unlike any he had encountered before.

He could not sense even the faintest trace of mana or energy from the man; all he could perceive was the vitality that pulsed faintly beneath Kingsley's composed exterior. Kingsley radiated no presence, yet something about him was distinctly different, his physique, his existence, the weight of his very being suggested a strength and depth that defied normal comprehension. Aaaninja's gaze drifted to Vega, but she appeared as a blank slate, unreadable and impervious to his probing.

After a moment, he shook his head, deciding to abandon the fruitless endeavor of attempting to peer into her essences.

Vega and Kingsley noticed Aaaninja's inquisitive gaze. They understood precisely what he had been attempting, but they remained silent. Whether they stopped him or allowed it, nothing could alter the moment.

Valak waved his hand, and a couch materialized before him. He sat, gesturing for Veronica to join him, but she did not comply. Instead, she spoke: "I will be back; I need to retrieve something." With that, she turned and walked away from the lobby, her movements measured and purposeful.

Vega, watching Veronica depart, rose to her feet and walked off without explanation. She felt no need to justify her actions; those who understood the situation, Anthony, Kingsley, Lucian, already knew the unspoken rules.

Charles exhaled softly, rising to his feet with a shake of his head, and walked away. Bills followed suit, casting a brief glance at Aura. Seeing that she remained stationary, he fell into step behind Charles. Both men recognized that they did not belong in this crowd and saw no reason to linger unnecessarily.

Aura, however, could not leave, even if she had wished to follow Charles and Bills. Akira remained perched on Anthony's lap, fully engrossed in her ongoing mission, another tantalizing piece of cat food. Akira would not move until the task was complete, and Aura could not abandon her feline companion in the midst of it.

Akira finally rose, leaping gracefully from Anthony's lap to settle onto Aaaninja's. Her black eyes locked onto his, wide and shimmering, as if mesmerized.

"Your eyes… can I have them?" she asked softly. Her voice carried an odd mixture of innocence and imperiousness, like a child utterly unaware of the gravity of her request.

Aaaninja froze, startled by the question. Nearby, the presences of Elyndra and Altheria began to flare, the mana of the two women ready to ignite at the brazen demands of this talking cat.

But before they could act, Aura cast a single glance in their direction. Though unaccompanied by her presence, the glance alone was imbued with the full weight of her killing intent. Elyndra and Altheria paused instantly, their eyes snapping toward Aura, who met their gaze without a word. Should they dare make a move against Akira, they would be extinguished without hesitation.

"It's okay, Altheria, Elyndra," Aaaninja said, his voice calm and amused, echoed in their ears. The two celestial women immediately nodded, breaking eye contact with Aura as though her presence had been erased from their minds entirely.

"I'm sorry, you cannot," Aaaninja added, gently moving to pet Akira's fur. Yet having already denied her request, Akira refused, leaping back to Anthony to continue her mission without interruption.

"It seems Akira doesn't like you?" Anthony remarked with a soft chuckle.

Aaaninja shook his head. "I'm more of a dog person. Besides, you could always try offering her your own eyes," he added, the final remark teasing, delivered with a mischievous smile.

Anthony shook his head, laughter softening his features.

"So, what is this meeting about? Since you are so well-connected and of the Celestial race, I assume you know something," Anthony asked, his tone calm but edged with curiosity.

"I do indeed know something," Aaaninja replied smoothly. "But why spoil the surprise? Patience is a virtue, and the meeting is tomorrow anyway. A few more hours will not make much difference," he added, a teasing smile playing upon his lips.

Behind him, Altheria, Aaaninja's girlfriend, observed quietly, lost in thought. 'I've never seen him smile or talk this much,' she reflected inwardly. 'At least he has friends.' A small smile tugged at her lips. In their home planets, Aaaninja would likely have been wearing his customary apathetic expression, locked away in solitary training behind closed doors, indifferent to all else. Yet here, in the presence of others, he allowed a glimpse of warmth, fleeting though it may be.