Chapter 265 Understanding [4]

Chapter 265 Understanding [4]

The Seventh Cycle. One of the many cycles that I had experienced in the Will world. Even now, I could still remember all of it. *Puff* The pungent aroma of tobacco that filled the air. Finnd new chapters on nove/lbin(.)com

The smoke was warm and harsh as it entered my lungs. Lazily curling through the air, it left a lingering, acrid scent on my clothes and hair.

A slight burn lingered at the back of my throat, coating my tongue as a sense of calm took over. It was a cycle that I would never forget. .....In that cycle, I indulged in the past. Relished the sense of calm that the cigarettes used to bring me. But that wasn't all. *Sip* Gripping the coarse-textured glass, I slowly savored the warm burn spreading down my throat.

It was similar, yet different. "Haa..." I remembered sinking into the sofa. It embraced every part of me and dragged me deeper into the sweet comfort and allure of it. My mind grew stagnant and all thoughts paused. I gradually lost all sense of thought and just basked in the comfort. I couldn't focus at all. All I could think of was about indulging myself in the pleasure. Notifications continued to pop up in my vision. It was... [Joy] Indeed, I was happy. Indulging in the sensation, all I felt was joy. But I knew it was fake. A means of escapism. And yet, knowing this, I still indulged myself. The more I sunk into this feeling, the more I found myself unable to leave it. I wanted to bask in the pleasure for longer. Perhaps even forever. I had suffered way too much. Why couldn't I enjoy myself? This much was fine, right? 'It's not.' Sadly, it wasn't. I knew it, and thus, I had no choice but to leave it. It was during that cycle that I first learned I could let go of an emotion. [Joy] I let go of it. The world lost all its color. Xiu! Xiu! Xiu! The air 'popped' the moment the Vice-Chancellor attacked. I didn't know how fast the attacks were, nor did I know their trajectory. It was the unknown that made my heart beat faster. ....It was almost as if fear was trying to lodge itself in my mind. But I didn't let it. The Twentieth Cycle. "Uwaa!" Blood lingered on the pavement as I heard the sound of a crying child. I stood still, staring at the wreckage that was upon me.

Pieces of flesh and limbs were scattered across the ground as police lines prevented me from moving further. In my grasp, a head nestled itself into my leg as my brother continued to cry. "It was a drunk driver." So the police said. It was a memory of the past. The time when I learned of my parent's death. I had been quite young back then. That was the moment when my life turned upside down.

It was a gentle step, and yet, it echoed loudly within the area. 'He's going forward?'

'Why is he heading forward?'

All eyes were on him as they noticed three magic circles forming around the Vice-Chancellor. The number of attacks looked smaller, but everyone could tell that they were stronger. With a wave of his hand, the three magic circles popped off at once. Wooom! Julien's face remained firm as the attacks shot. His expression was like that of a blank canvas, pure and untainted. And as the attacks headed his way, he took another step forward.

Tak—

At the same time, his mind sunk deeper into the cycles he experienced. It was now the forty-eight cycle. ....Of all the cycles, it was the weirdest cycle of them all. In that cycle, he was made to experience something similar. A situation where he couldn't retreat. It was a bloody cycle. A cycle that pushed his mind to the limit, and forced him to his death in an uncoutable number of times. Julien stared ahead. Time seemed to have frozen for him. He could see the Vice-Chancellor on the opposite end, but he couldn't see the projectiles. It was almost as if they weren't there, but... Julien could feel it with every fiber of his being. The danger that was closely approaching him. Tak—

He took another step forward. As he did, his eyes fluctuated, turning a golden color as [Joy] returned to him. As it did, his lips gently moved upwards as he was reminded of a certain someone. 'I really do have to thank him for this.' It wasn't completed, but it was enough. Looking ahead, he took another step forward. The moment he did, several shadows cast over the area around him. One directly behind him, one next to his left temple, and the other one right before his abdominal area. ....It all occurred so fast that nobody had any time to see what was happening. All but two people. The Vice-Chancellor, and Leon who suddenly opened his eyes as he suddenly took note of Julien's footwork. 'That...!' His eyes opened wide, and in the next moment, the scene changed. Bang—! A loud explosion echoed, gathering the attention of all those present. "....!" All eyes shot open as they stared at the scene in shock. For the next few seconds, no sound was heard. Not until...

Drip! A loud dripping sound echoed throughout the surroundings as a figure appeared in the middle, kneeling. Drip...! Beneath him, a pool of blood formed. But even as blood pooled around him, his gaze remained fixed on the Vice-Chancellor who stared at the scene in utter and complete shock. "Three.." Julien mumbled quietly, "...That's three."