[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil":3,"chapter-how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-118":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","How to Survive as the Second Son of a Mage Family",{"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},1474024,1923,"Chapter 118","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-118",118,"\u003Cp>Narce smiled at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think you might be right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no reason it has to be in a drink.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Damn. He really did read my mind again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shot him a look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’re still reading it—stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I thought that, he stifled a chuckle and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. Their movement patterns are too similar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most of them were involved in the hot spring restoration project.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But why were Martin Dürer and Karin Kohl—the most recent victims—inside a closed-off building?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Martin Dürer is the head servant of my estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re preparing to reopen the hot springs soon, so I sent him to inspect the site before the Grand Duchy’s officials came for a final check.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And Kohl?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble hesitated before whispering something to his attendant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, a different servant ran up to us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, good day, Fathers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you had questions about the workers at the hot springs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What was Karin Kohl doing there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She was hired to check the thermometers—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… well, there’s no strict division of labor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you need specifics, I can ask—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Were they wearing gloves?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We provided them—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But since the work wasn’t dangerous, most people didn’t use them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded and flipped through my notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only the people who entered the springs got possessed, then they would have noticed something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we already had five other cases of people getting possessed without entering the facility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five of the victims all drank water from Petkelée around the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, that’s a public water fountain here in Baden-Baden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our hot spring water is safe to drink.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw Narce’s smile freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We both exchanged a look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would you like to visit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s a little warm, but this time of year—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, no.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce quickly cut him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he turned to the noble with a polite smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can you shut down that fountain for a week?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to investigate, and public access could interfere.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut it down?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s something I’d have to request approval for.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But please do it quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If there are other fountains, shut them down too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noble still looked confused but agreed to submit a request as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We left the cathedral and wandered through the village.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Did you get this idea from Strauch?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Poisoning water supplies—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, that’s a very Pléroma thing to do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce rubbed his chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This wasn’t in any of the documents we found, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I tried using Insight, but something felt off—like it was blocked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unfortunately, no.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had already learned that Pléroma sects competed with each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainshidel’s case taught us something new—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even dioceses fought for power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There might be a grand strategy for the whole church, but there were definitely individual actors like Ainshidel trying to hoard benefits for themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like in Osnabrück, we needed to investigate the Pléroma diocese here to uncover their plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then again—’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, they’re already caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever was behind this really overplayed their hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Narce stopped in his tracks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second later, we heard screams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not one or two—but several.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chill ran down my spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce’s reaction told me everything—this was another possession case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We exchanged a glance—then ran toward the noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we arrived, Narce looked up and let out a low whistle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood why—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky above this area was completely black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath it, someone stumbled out of a building, writhing and screaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark energy leaked from his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the previous case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today’s Tuesday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But we weren’t supposed to start this until the weekend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha… guess we’ll just have to file an early report.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce stamped his staff into the ground, tracing a circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, the entire plaza floor glowed white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter whether this is a demon or a Pléroma experiment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s handle this quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unless you don’t want to—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You already know I want to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I twirled my wand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was free career progression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why the hell wouldn’t I?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[AAAAAAHHHHH!]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That didn’t sound human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like an animal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straight out of the exorcism handbook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s his name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Karin Kohl.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce grinned as he shifted his staff back into a wand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s begin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike last time, the exorcism took less than an hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, divine magic didn’t work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A completely different case from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Looks like I need to start classifying these.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We had barely scratched the surface—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I could tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was big.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if this was happening here—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was probably happening elsewhere, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the professor entered, his face was grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several students noticed and started whispering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t think much of it—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until he called my name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucas.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I quickly hid my expression and answered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Professor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pack your things and head to the front gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire classroom went silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Did I get expelled without knowing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professor sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the Askanien estate’s head steward is waiting for you at the gate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The steward?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what exactly did he mean by “pack enough for a week at home”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was I suddenly being sent home?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I turned to look at Elias, his expression froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Leo—who usually kept his composure—furrowed his brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange sense of dread crept over me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was the steward here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today wasn’t even the day I was supposed to drink the medicine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll understand once you get there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professor’s voice was somber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dozen different scenarios flashed through my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single one was good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My pulse quickened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Professor, I see no reason to go home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t even my scheduled meeting day with the steward.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t want to explicitly say that my family ordered me to meet the steward twice a week—especially in front of my classmates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But everyone already knew that I regularly missed class for family matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now wasn’t the time to be picky about how I asked my questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professor hesitated for a moment, seemingly trying to find the right words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone knocked on the classroom door and walked in without waiting for a reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pardon my intrusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can’t delay any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I speak with Young Master Lucas?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah, yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucas, please step outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professor hurried to dismiss me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation wasn’t exactly against school rules, but it was still inappropriate for noble affairs to interfere with class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clearly wanted to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why do I need to go home?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward and the professor exchanged awkward glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the steward took a deep breath and spoke firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You must arrive at Dessau’s main estate by tonight, Young Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I cannot disclose the reason, but Duke Georg Askanien himself has ordered you to return—not me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air instantly turned cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My classmates exchanged nervous glances, glancing between me and the steward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…So this isn’t something I get to decide.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias had despised this feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This damn social hierarchy didn’t even pretend to offer me freedom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment I realized how powerless I was, my mind cleared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For starters—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had no idea why Georg Askanien had summoned me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already sacrificed my entire two-week break for this family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, they were still dragging me back—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Interrupting my classes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Defying this order could lead to unpredictable consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if my worst suspicion was correct—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was really what I thought it was—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then this was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I slowly rose from my seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I used the excuse of packing my luggage to slip into my dormitory alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then I drank three bottles of the medicine my brother had sent me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My core ached violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, I considered leaving my artifact behind—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who knew what might happen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sealed it in a magic-proof box instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward remained silent throughout our train ride to Dessau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what I asked, his response was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I cannot answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the train finally arrived, the steward broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have arrived, Young Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We stepped onto the platform, where a carriage from House Askanien was already waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as we boarded, I could feel people watching me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some even hurriedly moved out of the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still the same outside of school, huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was better than it had been at the start of the semester.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least I looked like a normal person now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it was because the news had confirmed that I hadn’t caused any problems during the week-long alchemy tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bavarian royal newspaper’s coverage had been widely shared by Anhalt’s daily press—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, too many people were curious about what a Pléroma brat had been up to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept my mind occupied with these pointless thoughts—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But beneath the surface, my worries never stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I stared out the carriage window, I felt the vehicle gradually slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The steward’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A servant opened the carriage door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene before me was utterly ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A black-clad procession lined both sides of the path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just the main estate staff—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It looked like every servant from the entire domain had gathered here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another attendant took my luggage from the steward’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a voice greeted me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome back, Your Highness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Your Highness?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way they treated me now was worlds apart from before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, I had woken up in one of House Askanien’s many mansions—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not this main estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even if I had arrived here from the start, I never would have received this level of treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A distinguished guest was here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They must have wanted to save face in front of that guest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I silently scanned their faces before stepping forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need for greetings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew exactly who these people were—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them were loyal to Adrian Askanien.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped at the estate’s entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As two servants moved to open the doors, I spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servants hesitated, exchanging confused glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they turned back to me, looking visibly nervous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They hadn’t expected me to say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A year ago, Lucas wouldn’t have.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So their reaction didn’t anger me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at the closed doors and spoke to the steward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is my father?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is here, in the main estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You will meet him during tonight’s banquet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then take me to my room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Before that, I must ask you to spare a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is something you must see first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…After traveling for three hours, is it really so urgent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though my voice was cold, the steward didn’t waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Young Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was deep in enemy territory now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to show my hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave him a silent nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One servant opened the doors, while another removed my coat and hat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we walked through the silent corridors, the steward led me toward the left wing of the estate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We climbed a staircase to the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From here, I already knew the layout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There would be another hall just like the one below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas’s memories guided me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we entered the familiar yet foreign hall—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I saw someone reclining on a couch by the window, gazing outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure dressed in pure white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in a long while, I felt a strange sensation creep over me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My mind went cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slow smile twisted my lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man turned his head and met my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrian Askanien’s eyes widened in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His familiar gentle smile returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve arrived, Lucas.”\u003C\u002Fp>",1971,"2026-06-06T03:11:08.303Z",1,"novelbin.me","609faaf6fd0514618115f1fd631e2015889c9545a3228fadd89898b8c8767131","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-119","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-117",367,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-cover.jpg"]