[{"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-217":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},1474123,1923,"Chapter 218","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-217",217,"\u003Cp>Chapter 218\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia Tsheringen, smiling faintly, rubbed her chin in thought before speaking to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t panic, Lucas. No backing out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m gonna give it my all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia grinned like she was about to dive into something fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tried to mask it for politeness, but couldn’t hide the excitement entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a reason I asked Yulia for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, Elias and Narce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re easier psychologically—real friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But they’d crack up…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No question. They’d collapse laughing mid-act. Sometimes their faces alone make me laugh—how could they pull it off?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Ulrike or Heike?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nah.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re not close enough to ask for acting, and while I could boost Favorability hanging out…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s a key problem. If a stalker attacks, they lack the judgment and Magic Power to counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia, though, won’t laugh mid-act, has the skills to handle a special-ability criminal, and isn’t awkward enough for this request to strain things—perfect conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo’s sigh pierced my ears today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We were in a different building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not the main stadium for the opening and international friendly tournament, but an ice hockey arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More blue decor than the main stadium, and far fewer people. We hadn’t met a soul. Felt like just the three of us in the building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We walked, eyeing banners and panels.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[1898 Berlin Pentalon]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Warmest welcome to athletes from 56 national delegations.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blackletter font, heavy with gravitas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia laughed, saying,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fun that the three of us are patrolling together today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She put a hand on my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right, Lucas?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yup.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling back, I caught Leo’s eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know my plan, so my dragging Yulia along puzzled him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At our destination, Yulia clapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been with Narce, but we each took a room. You guys too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then… I’ll take the left row on the first floor. Leo, right row?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucas?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia, with a polite smile, shrugged at Leo’s question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm? With me, of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo stared silently, then turned, heading to the right room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the left room with Yulia, I swapped my wand for a staff, striking the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No foreign magic reflected off mine. Moving the staff to check the walls, Yulia closed the door behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Click—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia glanced at the window and ceiling, smiling, and approached slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Puzzled, I watched. She waved it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Keep going.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave a dry laugh, pressing the staff to the wall. Pink magic flowed along it. Nothing caught.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stepping toward a central metal shelf, Yulia grabbed my left arm, spinning me to face her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Golden eyes loomed close. Her hair, supposed to be waxed and tucked under a cap per regulations, brushed my forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What the fuck’s this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was too lax earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m the one about to crack up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing laughter, I whispered to Yulia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yulia, this isn’t what I asked for.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just friends~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Friends, my ass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So smooth. She’s done this before, hasn’t she?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No Favorability window, so she’s not swept by weird vibes—just acting. Seemed to eye the window, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d come with hypotheses about the culprit. They likely weren’t watching through the window, but Yulia’s effort was enough, so no need to point out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Diverting my focus, stifling laughter, light leaked through the door crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried pushing Yulia, too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom—!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deafening roar, and corridor light flooded in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia, calm, turned slightly, only for Leo to grab her collar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pain stabbed my core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo, dumbfounded, yanked Yulia’s shirt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’re you doing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Friendship bonding? Getting closer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t fuck around.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo, irritated, shoved Yulia out and slammed the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Yulia gone, the magic density spiked, choking me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this? Think this is school? Even if it was, since when were you two that tight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gestured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo’s icy glare was clear—where his disbelief lay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Misunderstanding. Sorry. Explaining’s tough now, but this was legit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Legit…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cold sneer hit hard. Leo twisted his lips in a new expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think I’m thrilled? This is to lure the culprit out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My core stung like hell. I nearly flipped his core but stopped, knowing I’d schemed something shady at work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll explain. Not slacking to make you work, so go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Short question, but clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can’t explain now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The culprit might overhear, and if my hypothesis holds, silencing spells won’t help. Yulia tried hard; I can’t ruin it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo’s stare bore into me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Avoiding it, I met his eyes, and he turned, leaving, convinced I wasn’t lying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I followed, watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘She’d make a great manager.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hawk-eyed, no slacking. Then I remembered he’s already class rep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo approached Yulia, retying her tie, and pushed her to the left room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Switch. I’m with Lucas, you’re solo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why? I wanna stick with Lucas.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo’s sarcasm dripped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Asking why now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That retort, that look—seasoned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia, outmatched, shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Wait a sec.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pulled me a few steps from Leo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling Leo’s chill, Yulia gave an awkward smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gonna get axed by Leo before we catch the culprit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s such a stickler…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a playground—what’s this? That’s why he grilled us about school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re working, and in perfect team mode, this wouldn’t fly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Yulia’s reckless push, unknown till now, was checked by Leo’s unexpected necessity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha! You know he’s a by-the-book guy. Hm, we’re just messing around while working…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She trailed off, switching topics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After this, we hit the annex for breakfast. See you then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded, following Leo to the right room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not wanting this eerie vibe, I passed Leo to check another room—saves time, good move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, predictably, Leo grabbed my collar like Yulia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could fight back, but why get mad at a high schooler’s rigidity? To Leo, I looked like I was screwing around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three suffocating hours later, 8 AM.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I met Yulia. She held up breakfast from imperial subcontractors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm~ Salad today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My core ached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giving me the stink-eye for talking? I tapped the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo’s signal stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But peace didn’t last. Ten minutes into eating, Yulia said something, and Leo’s magic flared around my core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Asked before, but if I get you a new artifact, will you pierce your ear? Got one I want you to wear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Sorry. I’ll think about it later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I snapped my fingers under the table. Leo, visibly twitching, turned, scoffing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia, seeing Leo’s odd reaction, laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guess I pushed too hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nah, thanks for the offer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five hours later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No notes after lunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Good. Stay gone.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And let me land a punch. Contradictory, but that’s my raw desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I unclenched my fist, smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Culprit’s peace came, but I dodged Leo’s collar-grabs multiple times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sending Yulia off, I faced Leo’s menacing approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why you always on my case?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We’re too close, so he’s picking on me, not Yulia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or he expected better from me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hasn’t grabbed me yet, just threatens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned close, unblinking sky-blue eyes low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucas, work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chatting with Tsheringen all day’s work? Tough mission…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo’s mocking smile hit, so I smiled, wringing my hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo hunched, frowning, touching his core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I call Yulia Tsheringen in my head, but saying it’s different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His class rep and goody-two-shoes vibe hid his sarcasm, but he’s got bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Politician needs that edge.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I get why he’s so strict, but his attitude needs work. I started this mess, so I won’t push harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Explain later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo, about to speak, sighed and turned. He needed time to cool off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I went out, approaching Yulia, who’d been fixing her tie all day because of Leo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yulia, rein in that… class rep. What’s his deal?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hm, haha! She won’t be reined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia, pondering, spoke lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, national interest’s her thing. You too, right? We grew up like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>National interest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Random, but I get it. Before I could ask, she grabbed my shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All day with weird vibes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha~ Won’t we get awkward tomorrow?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Know better, behave…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it’s damn effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The culprit’s so pissed she’s silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No Favorability window, so Yulia’s not swept up, just acting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This way, no personal drama ruins teamwork, and we mess with the culprit as planned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia held out her hand. I tapped it, but her fingers laced with mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I held back laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia bit her lip, showing strain—there’s a limit to holding it in—but she forced a straight face, acting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearing her throat, she smiled, peering into my eyes. My face reflected in her clear yellow eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Absorbing my flowing magic, she murmured,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Magic Power’s unique, you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Duh. Pink’s one-of-a-kind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, not that… Your pink magic’s probably unique worldwide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yup.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled, feeling chills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, know why I keep asking for your hand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No clue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? Better stay clueless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia grinned brightly. I stared, like *why stop there?*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unique magic and hand-holding are linked, I get.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let go, likely thinking she’d drawn enough attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truth hit right after.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned at footsteps, laughing dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let go because Leo approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo said nothing, just shot us a cold glance and passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia gave an awkward laugh, her 18-year friendship data kicking in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt it too. Not a normal look. He doesn’t half-ignore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia grabbed my hand, chasing Leo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, Leo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo, scornful, glanced and walked on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether we followed, Leo unfolded a map, checked, and opened a large door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia, despite the chill, spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, huge~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Labeled a supply room, it was a warehouse. Stale, unused air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One side had daily items, the other artifacts—magic lamps, radios, projectors, no electricity. Far off, maintenance gear was neatly arranged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Finding magic anomalies here’ll take ages. These places always do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia muttered, tapping a magic-item shelf with her wand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo blocked her side, so I took the non-magic items, far off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, Pentalon’s going color for broadcasts. Leo, your family’s magic’s in its budget, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yulia said, eyeing artifacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Color’s pricier—needs dyed magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No reply. Yulia apologized seriously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re upset. Sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two slackers, who’d be happy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo’s reply dripped sarcasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wasn’t slacking.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, we soured the mood. Our acting creeped us out—third parties must gag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Need mental compensation.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Messing with a culprit pissed off a friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gotta find a way to soothe him later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The left door shook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Boom—!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyes met. The open door slammed shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo shot up, and the magic lamps died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Lamps out?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Artifacts don’t die unless their lifespan’s up or air’s magic is cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Door closing didn’t kill them, so the air’s magic…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I thought, corridor light faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Total darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Click—*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo tried the doorknob, locked. No give after tries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing it was locked, the air chilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yulia, Leo, feel anyone’s magic outside?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nope.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Nothing. We’re the only ones here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt none either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s this mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No face-to-face, as planned…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Finally, you bastard.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Acting beyond letters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time to test my hypothesis.\u003C\u002Fp>",1813,"2026-06-06T03:11:08.304Z",1,"novelbin.me","94fad6b2f1e2c5e29162eea4d7e03e471027914321ed0390f74adbd07f802cd9","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-218","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-216",367,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-cover.jpg"]