Three Eight - Chapter 21

The most vulnerable time in a tennis game is when you are leading; even if there is a match point, the game is still possible.

Football is round, tennis is also round.

- Description from novelbuddy

“Evil God of the Universe, You are in every space and time. Present in every dimension of reality and govern the darkness of our world.Oh, almighty Atticus! Hear our plea and grant us your presence tonight, awaken my Lord!”The rain had completely stopped and the strong gale had subsided into the fading raindrops. The night had turned eerily silent and only the sizzling and cackling of the fire entered their ears.Suddenly, they all felt like floating from their feet despite setting foot on the watery, hard ground, as if they were traversing into space. The darkness of the night gradually turned darker, enveloping them, morphing into everyone, like a void eating them slowly. Sequentially, their breathing turned oddly slower. Despite exaggeratedly inhaling air to breathe, it was to no avail, as if a higher entity was limiting them from breathing.Nolan felt his throat and tried to open his mouth to gasp more air but failed. Everyone but him was in a state of indignation and panic as they struggled to breathe to fill their lungs with air. Nolan tried to calm his heart. He closed his eyes and stopped inhaling air in pure panic, instead, he put his heartbeat and breathing into a rhythm. It was hard at first, but after a minute, he found his breathing gradually went stable.His whole being was in pure anticipation of what was going to happen next.After a couple more minutes, the storm completely subsided, the night turned to normal. Nolan remained standing, taking in his surroundings with his eyes closed. Everything turned silent. The eerie atmosphere and the crackling of the fire from the hay figure didn’t even enter his ears. Nolan waited for a couple more minutes, his breathing turning normal. He was reluctant to open his eyes, afraid he might ruin their ritual.“It’s alright now, Young Master. You can open your eyes now.”Nolan’s breathing hitched. He jolted on his feet as he fluttered his eyes open.“Atticus? W-why are you here?”The butler, standing in front of him, a raincoat hung on his arm, smiled. “I am everywhere, Young Master, in order to best serve you.”****Atticus, a demi-god from the underworld, was cast out of his parents' realm and banished to the human world. The reason? He had yet to give them any grandchildren.Disclaimer: This story is a work of fiction and is purely the product of my imagination. Any resemblance to real people, events, or beliefs is entirely coincidental. The intention is not to disrespect or diminish any faith or tradition, but rather to explore ideas within a fictional context. Reader discretion is advised.

Lin Qian and Zheng PingQing, two people who have wanted to kill each other for many years, fell in love. After a lot of ups and downs, they finally married.

After his soul transmigrated into the world of Teyvat, Luo Qing was selected to become the new Trainee Fatui Harbinger, and he was about to be sent to Liyue on a diplomatic mission (to cause chaos). To his surprise, he awakened a “Frustration Value Collection System” — as long as he frustrated others, he could collect frustration points, which he could use to participate in a lottery.As he stared at the list of items in the lottery interface, Luo Qing fell deep in thought:“Spirit Speech: Time Zero,” “Multi-Shadow Clone Technique,” “Thunder Breathing Style,” “Golden Experience Requiem,” “Railgun,” “Gomu Gomu no Mi...”Why on earth were these things appearing in the world of Teyvat?!Given the notorious reputation of a Harbinger, Luo Qing knew that if he didn’t grow strong, he was certainly doomed to a miserable end. Thus, his style became... increasingly abstract...---Years later, to prevent the infamous Fatui Harbinger, Luo Qing, from causing havoc everywhere, the people and political leaders of the Seven Nations united to issue a formal protest to Snezhnaya.In response, the Fatui in Snezhnaya issued an official statement:“This Harbinger is only a trainee. He has been dismissed.”