[{"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-403":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},758788,1005,"Chapter 403: Linus Evenus [3]","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-403",403,"\u003Cp>\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you looking for something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>11\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah had known for quite a while about my presence. I didn't think someone like her wouldn't notice my sudden appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But despite being aware, she was too preoccupied with something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes and set my rewards aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Where...? Maybe here?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overhearing Delilah's mumbles, I moved closer to her. She looked quite desperate for whatever she was looking for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you forget something here? If you did then the maids probably took it away?\" \"....!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realization dawned on Delilah after she heard my words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though her face didn't change very much, it grew a little pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly did she forget?...And wait, why was she even looking at it in my room?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought struck me as I recalled the chocolate bar from the previous night and my face turned strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You, did you lea-\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It wasn't me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pursed my lips and chose to remain quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was definitely her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah wasn't the greatest of liars. Still, I decided to drop the topic. It was also then that Delilah took notice of the manual in my hand and her interest piqued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Red ranked?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She extended her hand and I handed her the manual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flip, flip-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a few casual flips of the pages, her brows rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....This is very good. Suits you well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so? Atlas gave it to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|| ||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah stopped for a moment before handing the manual back to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay. You can practice it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shortly after that, she sat down and crossed her legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>11 ||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stood for a moment, unable to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Practice. I'll help you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The manual isn't easy to learn. Go. I'll teach you until you can use it by yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>11 ||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blinking my eyes, it didn't take long for me to understand her intentions. Taking off my blazer, I sat down on the ground and opened the manual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hand pressed against my back shortly after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take a deep breath.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah's cool voice whispered from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I concentrated on her words and opened the manual while taking a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Place your hand over the manual and channel your mana.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I did as told.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flip! Flip-\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The book opened abruptly, the pages flipping over repeatedly. I stayed still while information flooded my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ukh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It hurt quite a lot and almost shattered my concentration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guide the mana just like how it's being shown in your mind.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delilah's voice served as a flagpole that kept me grounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It will hurt a little but don't mind the pain. It's supposed to hurt you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn't really hurt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I focused on her voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was all I could hear as my surroundings turned quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep the flow smooth. You're starting to get better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was soft and crisp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Softly guiding me as I adapted to the new manual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt reassuring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I started to pick up more things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the sound of her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It's smoother. Keep it like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the soft touch of her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Focus.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A warm current ran through my body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nearly there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy enveloped every inch of my body, surging through me like a torrent of warm and\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>peaceful energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My head began to feel light, almost weightless under its overwhelming presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was when I saw it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>■ Exp EXP + 0.1%\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The all too familiar notification.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Followed by another one I quickly discarded while being slightly taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Why did...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No one seems to recognize me.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon sat on one of the benches scattered throughout the campus and looked around. He could\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>see many new faces walking around the Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of whom were first years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked rather lively, talking with one another without a care for the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made Leon envious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...They didn't have a tyrant of a boss like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May I sit here?\" Suddenly, Leon heard a familiar voice coming from beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head and was surprised to see that it was indeed someone that he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>11\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He kept his expression firm and faintly nodded his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's grown quite a lot from the last time that I've seen him.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cadet in question was Linus, the second young master. Leon thought about revealing his\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>identity to him but after a little thought, decided to keep quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His relationship with Linus was not bad but it wasn't close either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He always kept to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...He wasn't very talented in combat, but he was quite smart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took after his father in that regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Judging from your uniform, you must be a second-year, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon answered after a little thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see. You must have it rough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rough?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm, yes. With all the work that you have and all the incidents that happened last year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Incidents...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon thought about it for a few seconds before nodding his head. There had been quite a lot of\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>accidents last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It must be rough on you. I heard that it happened a lot to you guys. Do you think that you\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>were being targeted?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or maybe someone purposely set up the incidents against you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Where was the conversation going?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>|| ||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of a sudden, Linus stopped and turned his head, looking directly at Leon. His expression\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was calm and so were his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was almost as if he could see through his disguise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's been a while, Leon. How have you been doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, he had seen right through his disguise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon's expression remained stoic as he stared back at the second young master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was only a little surprised by the fact that he had been caught. Linus was smart after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something like this wasn't unexpected from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You haven't answered me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....I'm doing well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm glad you are, Leon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linus showed a smile as he leaned back on the bench.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've been meaning to talk to you for quite some time, Leon. It's just that I never really got\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the time to do so. I've been quite busy myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon kept his words short.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't know where the conversation was going.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For how long are you going to play dumb?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"....\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You and I know it. Julien is the one responsible for all the incidents that have happened. You\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>of all people should know this. I don't understand why you're protecting him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because he's not the same Julien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And... He's someone worth following.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon answered in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Is it because you owe it to the family for rescuing you in the past? If that's the case you\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>don't have to do that. You've already brought great honor to the family. You can consider you\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>debt repaid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's also not it? Then is it because you're scared of Julien?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still not speaking?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linus massaged his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't pressure Leon any longer. This was a dead conversation anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since you don't want to talk, I'll take my leave. However, before I do, I want you to\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>reconsider your thoughts on being Julien's knight. He's not worthy of your talents. He'll only\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>lead our family to ruin if you don't keep him in check.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I've seen it myself...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Linus mumbled quietly in a voice that Leon just barely managed to get.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Leon could ask for any clarification about what he meant by his words, Linus had\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>already turned around and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leon could only stare at his departing back from the bench as his brows tightly knit together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'He's figured something out or knows something...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what...?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What exactly did he know?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The days continued to pass by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no big event following my return to Haven. Things were rather normal for the next\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I woke up, tried to catch up with the world that I had missed, and trained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a fairly uneventful week.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...The only thing I couldn't get used to were the new additions to the class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang-!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An enormous dummy, about twice my size flew across the training room before shattering\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>against the nearest wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire class grew quiet as all eyes fell toward the figure responsible for all of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With two piercing yellow eyes, Caius stood with a cold look as he held his hand facing the direction of where the training dummy had been thrown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Professor in charge stood with a blank look before recovering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"T-that... Time, twenty seconds. Caius Aetheria first place!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>||\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nobody said a word the moment the result of the session was announced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could they when everyone struggled so much to leave a single dent on the training\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>dummy while Caius downright shattered it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even I only left a single dent on the dummy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was with me using my domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Has he gotten even stronger than before?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...He was already strong before, but now? He felt even stronger than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as if sensing my gaze, he turned his head to face my direction. Our eyes met for a brief\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>moment. It was then that I noticed a subtle fluctuation in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it was only brief as he looked away from me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt no emotions in his eyes at that moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held no resentment against me. No fear. No... nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...He felt like a robot, almost. 'What in the...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone may have your attention please.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bringing me out of my thoughts was the Professor who clapped twice to get our attention. He\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>was a tall man with short brown hair and blue eyes. His looks were neither great nor bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About average.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In spite of his average looks, his body radiated with power as he held up a sheet in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've been told to give you guys the piece of news before the class ends.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned his head back while squinting his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It's to inform you guys about the upcoming 'Gathering of the Seven Churches'.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I suddenly paid close attention to the Professor's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It will be held next week at the Academy, and attendance is compulsory. The Seven Cardinals from the Seven Churches will be arriving to lead the event. It'll be a closed event, meaning that there will be no outsiders. If any of you have any affiliations with any churches, please let\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>me know in advance. It'll help for the arrangement.\" The surroundings grew loud upon the announcement. Everyone started whispering to one another, talking about the event. Almost everyone in the\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Academy was affiliated with one of the seven gods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lot of the noble families followed a certain god, hence why they had certain followings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't quite know what God the Evenus family followed, but I knew exactly what god I\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't wait for the Professor to head to me as I directly walked up to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm? Ah, Julien.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He recognized me immediately as he held the paper in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you affiliated with any of the churches? If so-\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oracleus.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I mumbled, the words spilling out in a hushed tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I'm affiliated with the church of Oracleus.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1889,"2026-06-02T12:40:56.143Z",1,"novelbin.me","d6614e6b2dd4cf60b742de16dc52c687f17a88d6717b6367aeeb8b5cf69152ec","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-404","advent-of-the-three-calamities-chapter-402",876,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fadvent-of-the-three-calamities-cover.jpg"]