[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-advent-of-the-three-calamities":3,"chapter-advent-of-the-three-calamities-advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-196":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Advent of the Three Calamities",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},758781,1005,"Chapter 196 Third Leaf [2]","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-196",196,"\u003Cp>The return to the academy marked the end of the Guild exchange. Quite frankly, I was mentally tired and exhausted from the entire ordeal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Delilah said that she wanted to talk to me about something, but she didn't specify when exactly. I'll do so after taking a bit of rest.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to feel excited, but I couldn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was simply too tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that being said, I already had an idea of what she wanted to talk about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Dragon Bone.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or at least, an update on the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought of receiving the Dragon Bone made me excited, but at the same time, made me a little apprehensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely there wouldn't be any conditions attached to the bone, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I laughed a little to myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way the Empire would simply give me something so precious without any conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, I was prepared to listen to them before deciding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cli Clank—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening the door to my room, I felt a wave of nostalgia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a day may have passed, but to me, it had probably been over a week. Time flowed differently in the illusions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hopping off my shoulder, Owl-Mighty looked around curiously. It carefully observed every nook and cranny of the palce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been like this since the moment we came out of the Mirror Dimension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the sky to the trees, to the bushes... It was interested in everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I would've let it be if not for the fact that there was another portal waiting for us after coming out of the Mirror Crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huam.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yawning, I felt my eyelids grow a little heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pomf—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dropped back on the bed and stared at the familiar white ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I really was... back.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would've thought?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really was tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, Owl-Mighty was busy looking around, so it didn't need my attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't go out without my permission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I still felt the need to warn it about going out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't necessarily think it would be in any danger, but it would still be problematic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing at it for a few seconds, I finally sunk into my conciousness and the world turned black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I woke up feeling refreshed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like it might rain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coming out of my room, I noticed the gray clouds hanging in the sky. It wouldn't be long before before it was going to rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing that, I hurried my steps and headed for Delilah's office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that my mind was clearer, I could finally feel the excitement of potentially receiving the Dragon Bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I made sure to not get my hopes too high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't be too disappointed in case I didn't receive it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Tok—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the familiar office, I knocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah's voice echoed shortly after and I opened the door and entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clank—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already familiar with the place I didn't stand in ceremony and prepared to take a seat when I paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…..\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many things that I wanted to say, but couldn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lifting my head up, I met Delilah's gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked back at me without so much as a change in expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued to stare at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....And then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There were a lot of events that I needed to attend, and with what happened recently, I had trouble cleaning up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excuses started to flow out of her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Are you watching Owl-Mighty? This is the woman you regarded as scary.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at all the wrappers and papers that were scattered across the room. I could hardly believe her at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had been gone for… two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was how long it took for the office to turn into the mess that it was now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I closed my eyes for a short moment before taking a seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It's whatever.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't going to clean it up anyways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seemingly taking note of my attitude, Delilah's expression turned sharp as she changed the topic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You must already have an idea as to why I called you here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I answered while trying my best to keep my heart from trembling. I didn't want to openly display the excitement that I was feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was so excited that a few notifications flashed before my very eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were rather annoying, but it wasn't as though I could remove them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Regarding your reward, I have an update for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah spoke in the slowest tone possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt my face twitch at the fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as though she was doing this on purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to take a deep breath to calm myself down while waiting for her to finish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Atlas reported back to me not too long ago. In the end, the Empire has decided to agree to the request.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was just about to jump up from the excitement when Delilah poured cold water on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'There it is…'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The catch that I had been waiting for. It wasn't as though I didn't expect it, but it certainly dampened my excitement a little bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's no need to look that disappointed. Let me hear the condition first.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…..\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my head to meet her gaze without saying a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So long as it wasn't bad, then I didn't mind fulfilling the condition. At the end of the day, the Dragon Bone was too big of a reward for what I had accomplished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, that was what the Empire probably thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the coming months, there will be a summit between the four Empires.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A summit between the four Empires...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My ears perked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At the summit, Haven will send a few representatives. As the first-year Black Star, the Empire wants you to show your dominance against the talents of the other Empires. You won't be the only one attending. The first years have shown a lot of promise. For that, the Empire plans on providing you with resources to help you grow stronger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mind stopped halfway through her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't so much that I was shocked about the announcement since I had heard about the summit in the past, but it was more about…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Another trip?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….Eh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah stopped to look at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared back at her with a bitter look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That… Can we not? Can we host the summit here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah cut me off rather quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So much so that I was a bit taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought she'd ramble on about how it wasn't a decision that was up to her and it wa something decided by the four empires, but her answer was completely different from what I expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bring trouble wherever you go. Be it in the Academy, or outside of the Academy. I'm already facing a lot of headaches over the recent incidents. I'm not hosting any event I'm Haven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her words, I could only remain speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to refute what she said, but I found myself unable to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, she was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of whether it was outside of the Academy, or in the Academy, I'd face some sort of trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….Tsk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unknowingly, I found myself clicking my tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'….And there's also the fact that the quests are present.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could probably ignore them since there was no direct consequence to me, but the power-ups were certainly nice, and I wasn't too keen on finding out what would happen once the 'calamities' reached 100%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, the only thing I could do was sigh in defeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….When can I expect to receive the Bone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When Atlas comes back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah replied with her usual flat tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And when would that be?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In a couple of days to a week. He's currently in Bremmer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bremmer…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought for a moment before recalling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the capital city of the Empire, and where the royal estate was located. He was probably there to collect the bone personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at her, I nodded my head and prepared to stand up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was just about to when she stopped me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked at her in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there something else that she needed to say to me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's something I'm curious about. Sit down for now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I did as she told me and sat down. Before I could ask her what was going on, she extended her arm in my direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Try again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blinked my eyes, unable to understand what she was trying to imply. From the way she had her arm extended, it almost looked like she wanted me to hold it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that was crazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Touch it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt my mind grow blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was really struggling to understand her intentions, and when I was about to say something, she finally elaborated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back when Leon fought against Evelyn, you tried something on me when we were holding hands. I want you to try again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….!!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My body tensed at her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I wanted to say something but found my mouth sealed shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, I was able to keep my face from changing too much and kept my shock to myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It took a few moments for me to finally calm down, and when I did, Delilah spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I felt a weird sensation back then. It was somewhat faint, and I couldn't really tell what it was. It seemed to want to crawl into my mind, but I was able to block it just in time. It's been on my mind for quite some time. I want you to try again. I'm not mad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I swallowed my saliva before bitterly smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'So she did notice in the end…'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a good thing that it was Delilah of all people that had detected it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the same time, it made me aware of something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The second ability… it can be blocked.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most likely, someone had to have higher mental resilience than me for it to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>….Which was hard considering that my mental resilience was already quite high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It also meant that Delilah's mental resilance was higher than mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startling me out of my thoughts was Delilah, and when I looked at her, I could see her looking at me with her deep black eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They seemed to be ready to swallow me at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pursing my lips, I soon reached out with my hand and grasped her wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held her wrist for a few seconds, and just before activating the second ability, I stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lifting my head to stare at her again, I had a sudden thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart raced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pressed the third and new leaf.\u003C\u002Fp>",1795,"2026-06-02T12:40:56.142Z",1,"novelbin.me","17749baa43172b1fe8e742329803c2b6f9f4dfcb58b1b72dc756fead3cf1046e","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-197","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-195",876,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fadvent-of-the-three-calamities-cover.jpg"]