[{"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-21":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},758656,1005,"Chapter 21: Extra-curricular Activities [1]","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>Inhaling deeply, I recalled the burn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The familiar smell that wafted through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the calmness that it brought me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I used to once hate the smell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with time, I grew to love it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mind emptied each time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It eased the pain, relieved the stress, and infused vibrancy into my otherwise colorless world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was what smoking meant to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at the same time, it was what killed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It gave me something but took everything away in exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was why, the sight of it made me lose myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....How do I control it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blankly stared at the ceiling of my room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acting on impulse like that...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing control of myself and letting the emotions take over...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't let that continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I need to control myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how was I going to do that...? It was easier said than done. It wasn't as if I could ban all cigarettes from this world to stop them from triggering my memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>....It was also impossible for me to stop using this power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For my survival and goal...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to use them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How troublesome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't a problem I could find the solution easily. The realistic approach was for me to slowly grow accustomed to this power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The longer I waited, the more I exposed myself to danger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to sort this problem out now. I couldn't leave it for later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at my hands, an idea struck my mind. I felt my expression stiffen at the thought, but considering my situation, it seemed to be the most appropriate approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hoooo...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sat down on my chair and took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'To understand emotions, one must experience them.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few words stuck in my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a quote I saw often whenever I researched about Emotive Magic. Thinking about my recent progress, it was without a doubt true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But merely experiencing them, didn't equate to fully understanding them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For that, it took time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One needs to continuously experience them before being able to fully understand them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which was why,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clasping my forearm, I muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sadness.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar pain invaded my chest as it started to feel heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world suddenly seemed to grow cold, and my eyes started to moisten. I bit my tongue and held the tears back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huuu...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had to take calm and steady breaths each time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain made it hard for me to focus but I still held on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clasping on the side of the wooden chair I sat on, I mumbled to myself,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I need to remain composed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't let the emotions take over my mind like last time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed to maintain my composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My aim in all of this was to develop emotional resilience by deliberately subjecting myself to various emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the time when I just came out of 'immersion', the emotions I was experiencing were milder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mainly because my understanding of them wasn't very strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason they had such a great effect the first two times was because of how concentrated my emotions were when I came out of the immersion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the tear that stained my pants, I closed my eyes before muttering,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grip—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My grip on the chair intensified and my chest started to rise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A new emotion took over the last and my face crumbled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden shift in emotion made it hard for me to keep my mind clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fire brewed in my chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My breath quickened. So did my pulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kh..!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My jaw was clenched so tightly that it started to hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, I kept myself rooted in my seat. Even as the world turned red and my vision narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept myself rooted in my seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My hands shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But my thoughts remained clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"C-control.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I forced those words through my clenched teeth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>R-right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...I needed to control myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't let myself be controlled by my emotions again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Never.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haven had 'Extra-curricular Activities'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In simpler terms: clubs. With the world being grim and the student reality harsh, clubs were set up as a way to ease the mental burden on students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Swimming... Football... Exercise Club... Cooking...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were a lot of clubs to choose from. From physical ones to nonphysical ones. The choices seemed endless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Comedy club...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes lingered on 'Comedy Club' for a few seconds too long. Enough to warrant Leon's attention as he turned to glance my way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In order to remain consistent with the previous Julien, I had him help me select a course. It was a necessary step I needed to take to ensure my safety.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you considering it? To understand emotions better?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh, yeah...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was part of the reason, sure. But there was another reason why the club interested me. I kept thinking back at the joke I said a week ago. The Cheetah, one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had bugged me for quite a while now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But was the joke bad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'....I don't think it was that bad.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or maybe there was a problem elsewhere? The delivery?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But thinking about it, the ones I did tell the joke to always had stiff expressions. That girl and Leon...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tough crowd I guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That would make sense, but Julien wouldn't go for something like that. You need to keep in mind that—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think it was my delivery.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, it had to be that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon's body stiffened on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ah, shit.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised my head to look at him. He looked at me with widened eyes and an expression that seemed to say 'Has he lost it...?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a little offended by his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he looking at me like that...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He opened his mouth but closed it shortly after. He then turned around to face the opposite direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kht.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kht...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped whatever I was doing and leaned my head to get a better look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why is he...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An idea suddenly struck my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a good long minute to think before finally saying,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you call a fish with no eyes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon's eyes widened. For a moment, I thought I saw 'fear' flash in his eyes as his body flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fsh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uhk...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body flinched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I continued,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did the farmer who lost his rake say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where is my rake?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without looking back, Leon moved forward. The entire time, his shoulders were trembling. Staring at him, I felt the need to continue and raised my voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you call a fly with no wings?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A walk.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....Kehut!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding his mouth, Leon sprinted forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I chased after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did the cow...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Krrr...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The form expanded, gradually unveiling its massive, decaying jaws and spiky back. A potent surge of mana swept the surroundings as the figure increased in size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep it quiet. We're not too far off from the institute.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah stood not far from the creature. Her gaze lingered over the creature who stared at her with deep apprehension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's growled at her before speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You think you can stop us? Your struggles are futile. Our preparations are almost done.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah's expression changed. With a laugh, she looked at the creature mockingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You bastards are always the same. How many of your 'attacks' and 'preparations' have we thwarted over the years? Have you yet to learn your lesson?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast growled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah's voice, layered by two other similar ones, cut through the creature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can't hide it from me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hide...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your fear. I can see it from miles away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast unknowingly took a step back as its body shuddered. An unknown emotion welled up from deep within its body, threatening to consume him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-you....!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A red glow enveloped the beast's eyes. It understood then that its emotions were being played with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was already too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the moment the beast stepped back, its defeat was already set in stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah's expression returned to its usually indifferent one as she raised her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Krrrrr—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The beast screamed, but it was futile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within moments of her raising her hand, the space around the beast compressed, and the echoing sound of bones cracking filled the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that, a 'Terror' ranked beast had died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Udududuk—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But something strange happened the moment the beast died. Black foam escaped its lips and its figure shrank to reveal the silhouette of a figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...A human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch... Crunch...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah halted a few meters away from the body, her eyes coldly tracing it. Eventually, she bent down and turned its arm over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A four-leaved clover appeared in her vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....As expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let go of the arm, and ambers floated in the sky as the body gradually disappeared from view.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle...!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cold eyes remained fixed on the disappearing body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gradually, her mouth parted open to mutter,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Inverted Sky.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure appeared in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One that she wholeheartedly preached to be the Black Star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crack yet again formed on her expressionless face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....I hope I'm wrong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1541,"2026-06-02T12:40:55.797Z",1,"novelbin.me","057ea88a70cb511cd38bfab3344c38d74490ccc289cefc37b4b71d3e9964ed3b","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-22","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-20",876,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fadvent-of-the-three-calamities-cover.jpg"]