MIGHT AS WELL BE OP

The morning sun bathed the room in a soft, golden hue, its rays creeping across the polished floors and casting long, slender shadows.

Anthony awoke, the lingering remnants of his conversation with his father still fresh in his mind.

His eyes opened slowly, the weight of the previous night's revelations momentarily suspended as he rose from the bed.

His mind, however, was clear, almost unnervingly so.

He stretched, a faint smile tugging at his lips as the thoughts began to race through his head, the endless possibilities now spread before him.

There was much to consider, no doubt.

The weight of the world, quite literally, seemed to rest on his decision.

But the more he thought about it, the more he found that the answer wasn't as complex as it first appeared.

Anthony had always believed in the simplicity of action over contemplation, and as he sat up in bed, the realization struck him.

He didn't need to overthink this.

There was no need to dwell on the enormity of the task before him, not now at least.

With a mental shrug, he decided that if he were to truly set himself up for success, he needed time.

Time to sharpen his skills, time to learn, time to experience.

And, with a year left before the true gravity of his responsibilities began, what better way to spend it than by embarking on a brief, but enriching, adventure?

"I might as well start my adventurer arc now"

Anthony muttered to himself, a wry grin curling at the corners of his mouth.

"But I would just make it short"

The thought was almost laughable in its simplicity, but there was something undeniably satisfying about the notion of embarking on a short, albeit intense, journey of discovery.

An adventurer's life was one of constant challenges and growth, where survival and experience were the only true currencies.

It could be precisely what he needed to refine his abilities and prepare for the trials ahead.

And besides, there was always something thrilling about the unpredictability of a new adventure, about stepping into the unknown and making it his own.

Alternatively, it could merely be a series of convenient excuses, crafted to justify the fleeting desire to embark on the life of an adventurer, even if only for a brief moment.

His gaze flickered to the large window that framed the morning sky, the endless expanse of possibilities stretching out before him.

The life of a champion, a leader, was often one of sacrifice and endless preparation.

But he could afford to take a brief detour, to indulge in something less structured and more free.

It would be, if nothing else, a welcome respite from the monumental path that lay ahead.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

With his decision made, Anthony stood and walked toward his desk, his mind already transitioning to the next task.

There were details to be handled.

He needed a new identity, one that would allow him to blend in, to move through the world unnoticed by those who might take interest in him.

He knew exactly who to contact.

Reaching for the phone, Anthony quickly dialed the number that would connect him to the family butler, a man he had known since birth.

The butler, who had been with his family for decades, was the very embodiment of professionalism, an adept and loyal servant who had never faltered in his duties.

He was more than a mere servant to Anthony, he was family, and Anthony had come to rely on him for matters far beyond household chores.

The phone buzzed once, then twice before the smooth, calm voice of the butler filled the room.

"Young master, I trust you are well this fine morning?"

The voice was impeccable, crisp, and courteous, as always.

Anthony chuckled lightly, leaning back in his chair as he spoke.

"Good morning, Uncle. I need your help. I've decided to take a bit of time off and become an adventurer. You know the drill, create a fake identity for me. Something low key, but still functional enough to allow me to move around freely"

There was a brief silence on the other end, the butler no doubt processing the request.

Anthony could almost picture him, standing perfectly still with his hands folded in front of him, his expression composed and professional.

After a moment, the butler's voice returned, smooth and reassuring.

"Of course, Young Master. I shall take care of it immediately. I will make the necessary arrangements. What type of persona would you prefer?"

He asked, already aware of Anthony's desire for a simple, unobtrusive cover.

Anthony thought for a moment, tapping his fingers against the armrest.

"Just something... ordinary. Nothing too grand. Let's keep it modest, someone who might blend in with the common adventurers, but nothing too extravagant. Perhaps a young man with some basic skills, someone starting out fresh, maybe with a backstory involving a family loss or a personal quest. Simple, but just enough to make it believable"

"Understood, Young Master"

The butler replied, his voice unwavering.

"I shall prepare the documents and ensure that all details are in place. You shall have the identity you require within the hour"

"Thanks, Uncle"

Anthony said, a smile tugging at his lips.

"I knew I could count on you"

"You are always welcome, Young Master"

The butler replied, and with a final polite farewell, the line went silent.

With the arrangements in motion, Anthony's next stop was to speak with his parents.

He stood, brushing off the remnants of sleep, and made his way down the grand hallway of the family estate, his footsteps echoing softly against the polished stone floors.

As he approached his parents' room, he found himself momentarily considering the significance of this small gesture.

While he had never truly needed their permission for anything, there was something inherently respectful about keeping them informed.

He knocked lightly before entering, pushing the door open to find both his mother and father seated in the cozy confines of their personal chambers.

His father, Michael, sat in his usual place, an air of calm authority emanating from him.

His mother, Mitchelle, however, was the picture of warmth, a slight smile on her face as she glanced up from her book.

"Anthony"

Mitchelle greeted him warmly, her voice soft yet powerful.

"How are you feeling this morning?"

"Good, better than I expected"

Anthony replied with a grin, making his way to sit on the edge of the bed.

"I've decided to take a break, just for a short while. I'm going to become an adventurer for a bit"

Both of his parents exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable for a moment before Michael spoke.

"An adventurer?"

He asked, his tone thoughtful but lacking any sense of disbelief.

"You've always had a mind for action. If it is what you wish, we have no objections. But know that the world is a far more dangerous place than it once was, be cautious"

"Don't worry"

Anthony said, standing up and moving toward the door.

"I'll be fine. It's only for a short time. Just need to clear my head a bit"

Explore new worlds at empire

Mitchelle smiled softly, her eyes filled with affection.

"Take care of yourself, Anthony"

She said, her tone full of maternal concern.

"The world may be waiting, but so are we. Remember that"

Anthony nodded, offering a small, respectful bow.

"I will, Mother. Father"

With that, he turned and left the room, his mind already racing with thoughts of the new identity that was being prepared for him.

His parents, as always, had shown their unwavering support, and with that reassurance, he felt a renewed sense of purpose.

Returning to his room, Anthony sat back down at his desk and, after a few moments of contemplation, switched on his gaming console.

The familiar hum of the device filled the room, and he began to mindlessly browse through various internet feeds.

For now, he would wait.

His new identity would be ready soon enough, and until then, he would simply indulge in a bit of relaxation.

A moment of respite before the next chapter of his journey began.

The hours passed in a blur as he delved into his games, the outside world fading into the background.

The only sounds in the room were the soft clicks of the controller and the occasional murmur of a video playing in the background.

It was a strange thing, to be so focused on the virtual world, yet still acutely aware of the real one awaiting him.

Eventually, his phone beeped, signaling the arrival of the butler's message.

The fake identity had been completed.

Anthony stood and stretched, a satisfied grin crossing his face. With everything in place, he was ready.

The path ahead was unclear, but it would be a journey of his own making, and for now, that was enough.

He glanced at the time, noting the late hour, and then made his way to the bed, seeking a restful sleep.

As his mind slipped into slumber, he found himself transported to a Dreamland.

In this world, he was the hero, rescuing the kingdom's princess, marrying her, and vanquishing the malevolent Demon King.

His triumphs didn't end there, for he ascended to the throne, becoming the new emperor, revered and powerful.