[{"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-198":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},758783,1005,"Chapter 198 Third Leaf [4]","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-198",198,"\u003Cp>Color flashed before my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey! What are you doing!? Get out of the way!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood there, dazed and confused, unable to process what was happening. My mind was overwhelmed by the whirlpool of colorful dots ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only regained my senses when someone tapped me on the shoulder, and that's when I realized I was standing in front of the Academy store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the confusion, I moved away from the store and leaned against its wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just what in the…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was so much I needed to process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn't I in a house just moments ago? How did I suddenly appear here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a look at the time, I realized that not even a few seconds had passed since I had entered the store.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realization suddenly struck me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It can't be, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, it wasn't possible. I refused to believe it—yet, the more I thought about it, the more I came to understand what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was really, Delilah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart felt heavy at the thought. I had already had a hunch but refused to acknowledge it. Even now, I struggled to accept what I had seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling what I'd witnessed back then made my heart ache even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt uncomfortable like something was trying to crawl up my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly happened? Did I travel back in time, or was I recreating a personal memory of hers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back, I did recall her saying something about her parents working.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, she...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pursed my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My head throbbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was more inclined to think that I had relived a personal trauma of hers. Was this what the third leaf did? Allowed me to interact with her personal trauma?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An idea sprang to mind. My hand rummaged through my bag, and I took something out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a small chocolate bar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One that I had grown accustomed to buying over the recent months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Is what I saw the reason why she loves this candy so much? But how is it possible...?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it really true that I didn't travel back in time...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No, there's no way.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't want to acknowledge it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My heart was heavy, but considering the present circumstances, I understood that it wasn't the moment for me to dwell in gloom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether what I saw was really the past or not, the present was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The current Delilah was someone who stood at the top of the world. Putting the bar back into the bag, I was just about to leave when I realized something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening the bag and counting the goods, it suddenly struck me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What the...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had bought three packs. Yet, there was only one left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it finally dawned on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Heh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A weird sound came out of my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't understand the sudden surge of emotion, but it felt like something inside me had finally burst. My body trembled and for the first time in a very long while...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I laughed in public.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Be it past, present, illusion, or future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She really was a gremlin-looking midget.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curtain Call Collective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the play [Enigma of the Midnight Manor] was released, Olga, the writer of the script, had been incredibly busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demands on her time were relentless, a whirlwind of meetings, rehearsals, and promotional events.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jovinc Award was going to happen soon, and she needed to do a lot of things in preparation for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The prestigious award was the pinnacle of recognition in the arts community, and she was determined to make the most of this opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an important day for her, considering that she'd receive the official rating for her play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many people who stated she had received the fifth star for it, but it had yet to be official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rumors had some basis to them, but she needed concrete affirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only at the award ceremony that she'd receive the official rating, officially making her play one of the few within the Empire to receive such critical acclaim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The recognition would cement her status as one of the leading playwrights of her generation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Tok—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door to the room suddenly knocked, and Olga looked towards the door where a man waited for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was dressed neatly, with his hair combed to the right and sporting a well-trimmed mustache.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His appearance was meticulous and well-groomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How may I help you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't someone she was familiar with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nonetheless, staring at him and the letter in his hand, Olga felt her back straighten. The letter bore an ornate seal, and her eyes paused on the seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked familiar...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But where had she seen it before?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please don't be nervous, writer. I'm simply a delegate from the Megrail family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Olga's eyes widened, and she hastily stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Megrail family was one of the most influential in the Empire, how could she not be shocked?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To have such esteemed—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please, like I said, there's no need for such a greeting. I'm just here to hand over this letter. We've received many reports about your play, so I'm sure you will like what is in the contents.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, yes…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Olga hastily reached out for the letter and carefully and politely received it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, under the messenger's gaze, she carefully opened the letter and looked through the contents. Immediately, her eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's as you can see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The butler spoke in a graceful tone, his voice calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There will soon be a summit between the four Empires, and we've accepted your play for the opening show.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Olga didn't know how to reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was at a total loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The summit was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, a stage that only the finest could hope to grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides being able to receive a five-star rating, this was one of the greatest honors she could receive as a scriptwriter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her work would be showcased before the leaders of the four Empires, an honor that not many could receive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since the Four Empire Summit was an extremely prestigious event that only happened every five years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that they were willing to have her play be the main event, Olga could feel herself trembling in excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like her efforts were being validated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, then...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The messenger bowed politely, his mannerisms still impeccable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a graceful nod, he quietly left the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Emperor has high expectations for the play.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such were the last words he spoke before leaving, plunging the room into silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight of his statement lingered in the air, adding a certain pressure to Olga who suddenly found herself growing quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that quietness was only brief as she hastily slapped the wooden table in excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't believe this is happening!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For her to receive such an honor…!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enormity of it all was overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was over the moon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Olga was just about to reach her communication device to tell her group the news when she stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought struck her, tempering her enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly she frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a significant challenge that lay ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her excitement was quickly dampened, and she sat back down on her chair. The reality of the situation settled in, and she knew there was a crucial piece missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking about it, while her script and play were certainly well-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>acclaimed, a major reason for its success was because of the actor who played Azarias. The role had become iconic, largely due to his exceptional performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julien Dacre Evenus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, Olga could recall his name. The young actor had a talent that was rare and extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could she not when he had put on such a performance?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His portrayal of Azarias had captivated audiences, bringing the character to life in a way that was unforgettable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do I do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't impossible to have the play without the performance of the student. It had already happened several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Different actors had taken on the role of Azarias, bringing their own interpretations of the character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Olga felt like something was missing whenever he wasn't there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Azarias…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn't someone that just anyone could play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The character demanded a depth and intensity that only Julien could deliver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His portrayal had set a new standard, making it difficult for any other actor to measure up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was something that had been finely tuned and tailor-made to fit the monster actor the student was. His understanding of the character, his ability to convey complex emotions, and his stage presence were unmatched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was for that reason that she always felt like something was missing whenever she would watch the play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without him, Azarias felt incomplete, a shadow of the character he was meant to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have to get him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The decision was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing just how important the event was, Olga had no choice but to get him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Four Empire Summit demanded the best, and she knew Julien was the best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only problem was how…?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How exactly was she going to talk him into performing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was when she suddenly recalled something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Jovinc Award.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was going to participate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not when he was the most likely candidate to win the best supporting actor role?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The award was prestigious, and Julien's talent made him a prime contender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I'll get him then…!'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opportunity was perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At such a thought, Olga quickly grabbed her communication device and started making her preparations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, I went back to the market to purchase a few more bars before going back to Delilah's office and handing them to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was funny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in a very long time, I had seen a drastic change in her expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the bag filled with bars, it almost looked like her eyes could pop out at any second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only I could've taken a photo of her face…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'What a pity.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It truly was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless, as I looked at her face, I was reminded of what I had seen and started my life faded. All of a sudden, the reason why she liked chocolate bars made a lot more sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't that she was addicted to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was more like something that brought her back to her childhood when she had nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I still didn't understand the third leaf, whether I had gone back in time or I was simply replaying her trauma and interacting with an illusion, but…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, it didn't really change what I had seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haa...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a deep breath, I looked at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was cloudless, and the rain had stopped falling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at it for a few good moments, I looked at the time and headed for class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today's class… I could look forward to it somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was, after all, a class about Emotive Magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could I not be a little excited?\u003C\u002Fp>",1848,"2026-06-02T12:40:56.142Z",1,"novelbin.me","c1fc2b0bd0f9888237edadc8feb6b981913317cbda98e5f40e08be39a78d0d39","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-199","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-197",876,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fadvent-of-the-three-calamities-cover.jpg"]