[{"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-213":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},1474119,1923,"Chapter 213","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-213",213,"\u003Cp>Bring Heike’s blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She plans to make Heike Ainsidel like Marco Schreiber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she said, Heike could become a worse villain than Adelbert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a way, handing Heike over might be right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked puzzled by my words, nodding for me to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I get you’re targeting Ainsidel to stop Pleroma. But why this outcome?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Same unique ability, fine. It’s valuable to Pleroma. But why go through me? You could easily handle a Junker without Eszett.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone using health checkups for schemes—why this? I can’t help but suspect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her yellow eyes glanced at my soundproofing spell, then fixed on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfazed by my sharper tone, she said, “Interesting reaction. It’s just a suggestion. I heard Bishop Ainsidel’s plotting something unusual.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unusual?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know details. Does it help to know Central’s highly wary of Ainsidel?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I believe her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, that’s not the approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given Abraham’s actions, it could be a lie. But it’s worth noting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ainsidel did secretly contract with the Catacombs to monopolize tech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that’s not a full answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’ll act for the greater good? Laughable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She kept smiling, hands clasped, watching me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I spoke slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here’s my guess. Your decade as Marco Schreiber collapsed, so you need a replacement. Building a new sect from Pleroma fizzled, so you’re starting over. I think you plan to take Heike’s body and send it to Pleroma. Assuming a bond with Bishop Ainsidel, you’d gain leverage over him and a prime spot in Pleroma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I paused, shaking my head at a new thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, you could oust Osnabrück’s Ainsidel with that ability. Since Bishop Ainsidel seeks personal gain outside Central, they’d welcome you, with the same ability. Am I wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guess I’m right. That’s it. What if I refuse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips curled slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No further words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a chill, staring at her. She’s capable of force here. The Chairman, not the Crown Prince, did so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she goes that far, I won’t play nice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’s shielded against my mind-control magic with mana. Such defense works sitting still, but cracks when she acts, thinking she’s winning. If she attacks, I’ll turn it into a chance to extract info with mind-control, then rewind time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she just smiled. Mulling my words, she spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Control Heike Ainsidel for peace. Why’s that hard? Pleroma wants his ability, so he can’t be left free. If that powerful direct-line adoptee joins Pleroma, you know what happens.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning closer, she said, “I know you visited the Ainsidel family three weeks ago. You know there’s no proof Bishop Ainsidel’s direct-line, but Heike, who is, could surpass him. Even a toddler gets this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring her snooping…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her intentions aren’t pure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, there’s no reason to involve me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, including Heike in Eszett remains unexplained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then explain like I’m a toddler. If you’re so worried, take the blood yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She laughed loudly, shaking her head. Ignoring it, I said, “Why drag me in? You could handle a Junker easily, yet you put Heike in the team for Imperial entry. If not, I’ll pretend today never happened.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe you used my wariness of Heike to gain my consent. Efficient strategy. But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I narrowed my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’ll you do without my blood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She laughed, as if hearing something absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Think drawing your blood’s hard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’d rather not. I’ll wait till you offer it. Otherwise, this relationship ends.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Face reality.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gotta see it through to know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned back, exhaling, murmuring, “You’re tough to handle. Say one thing, you grasp ten. Can’t say much. But you missed this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling, she stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ever think Heike’s ability could extract your team’s info? If someone with six people’s memories falls to Pleroma, what then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled, face blank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One reason she put Heike in the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To provoke me. To make me hand Heike over. With heightened risk, she’d want me to deal with him fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why go through me? That’s what I need to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have a hunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Planning to indebten me?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking saving me boosts her influence?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Very Abraham-like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why follow you? You put Heike in the team.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I gave you countless opportunities, yet I’m treated like this—shocking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I used them well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when did I ask? I turned potential minuses into pluses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pushing my teacup forward, I said, “Excuse me, I’ll go. Continuing wastes your time unless I stop first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll need my proposal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing, I turned at her quiet voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an unreadable expression, she said, “If Heike becomes suspicious, come to me. I’m ready to back you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You sound certain he will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, I replied, “I’ll keep that in mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bait to blackmail Bishop Ainsidel with Heike?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No. Bait to trap me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Feels like she struck first.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll need her proposal?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thinks so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t even explain how Heike could be used against Bishop Ainsidel. If she wanted alliance, she’d clarify the plan’s basis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She believes I’ll come crawling without it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That means she thinks a bigger crisis than Abraham awaits me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hurried to the banquet hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter and chatter grew louder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey? Lucas is here~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce, sipping wine, grinned brightly, lowering his glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I fully entered, all eyes turned to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ulrike waved cheerfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucas! Where were you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just out. Can I borrow Narce?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Sure, go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled, Ulrike glanced between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce, wide-eyed, nodded, understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whispering to Elias, he approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ready?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded. He grabbed my arm, chanting a warp spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening my eyes, we were in a room Elias likely suggested. His room, but it felt long unused, with faint traces of his mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here’s good for talking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce pulled a chair for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened his trait window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Traits: Divine Power, Foresight (Lv.2)*, Insight (Lv.3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, they were 1 and 2.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Foresight and Insight leveled up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d confirmed this last Friday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘On selection day, he said, “Heike doesn’t know anything, so don’t press him.”’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Heike made Team 1, Narce said that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During the second exam, Narce said Heike’s thoughts were hard to read. How was he sure without his ability working?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only an expanded Insight range explained it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Narce. Insight’s getting easier to use.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? Yeah. You noticed~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling at his bright response, I waited as he addressed my curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“During the exam, I overused it. Pushing past limits can expand an ability’s range.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it. You looked rough that day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave a concerned smile, then checked, “So, the expanded range is all from that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Asking if there’s another reason? Haha, that’s it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce laughed, meeting my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Overuse bursts the dam. That’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded slowly, locking eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His yellow eyes mirrored mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I asked the real question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Narce. A few things. Think Heike could cause major trouble soon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clutched his head, shaking it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, not within Foresight’s range… assuming no variables.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even by someone else’s influence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nah. He’ll just keep going like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded, thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks. That helps.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No prob~ By the way, Her Highness mentioned Heike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right. Thoughts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm, without meeting her, I’m not sure…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tilting his head, he said, “You know, but her advice isn’t logically wrong. Especially Heike leaking our info if he joins the enemy. With variables, it’s plausible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost in thought, Narce clapped, snapping me back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the plan? Tell me, and I’ll Foresight it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You sure? You drank.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Use it when it’s hot. Go wild.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce joked, smiling unlike himself. I mirrored it and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not listening to Abraham. His advice has merit, like you said, but it doesn’t mean grabbing Heike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Make another Marco Schreiber? Abraham’s as influential as Pleroma. Borrowing his power to stop Pleroma’s no different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He listed righteous reasons to bring Heike, but as I told him, Heike’s a tool for Abraham to re-enter Pleroma and build a base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I killed the Chairman—would I let another like him rise? Every new identity he makes, I’d have to crush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever his intent, he’s exploiting my doubts for gain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, settled~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce clapped, laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I like your take. You’re tired, so stop thinking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing, he gestured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before Abraham’s words come true, let’s fix it ourselves. Let’s meet Heike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, wait, Lucas.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I reached for his hand, Narce waved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before meeting Heike, I’ll tell him you’re looking. Cool?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great. Can I say anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puzzled, I nodded vaguely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce thinks we can fix the future ourselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Optimistic, nice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Solving Heike’s issue without Abraham’s help is best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Abraham claims Heike will cause trouble, willingly or not, so he’ll control him…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This bastard doesn’t see both are problems.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prevent Heike from causing trouble, willingly or not. Eszett’s formation helps—six people to protect him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, ensure protecting Heike keeps us safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Check for Pleroma connections, or if Ainsidel’s ability leaks our info through Heike unwillingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ll use Divine Power if needed. Unlike Abraham, wary of my Divine Power, Heike’s easier to subdue magically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce’s upgraded Foresight didn’t predict beyond my questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heike, brought by Narce, peeked at me warily, then stepped back to join Eszett.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having just arrived at the banquet, students I hadn’t greeted swarmed me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Stefan Cooper, 3rd-year Class 1. Never got to say hi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nice to meet you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I shook his hand, chatting briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘One Imperial entry, and my image flips…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially here, with only our school’s students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if they were Eszett? I’d have the special reward already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After 20 minutes of greetings, a familiar face appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adelbert approached, and students scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He offered an ice cream cup from who-knows-where. Not his style, but his presence was a boon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congrats on the Imperial entry. About your role…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No big deal. You did well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s talk later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling, I hurried away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heike!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heike, eating snacks with Narce, turned sharply. Surprisingly, his face was flushed, unlike usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce smirked mysteriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were suspicious, but the window before me was unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Favorability +1\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>",1659,"2026-06-06T03:11:08.304Z",1,"novelbin.me","33a88c8488163d20d8e2411e1d1fe55db310209977c22467e2a926451dca860d","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-214","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-212",367,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-cover.jpg"]