[{"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-4":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},1473910,1923,"Chapter 4","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-4",4,"\u003Cp>Ding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Suggestion: Life is Yours! Find What You Need to Do.\" Achieved: 3\u002F3!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Congratulations!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Suggestion: Life is Yours! Find What You Need to Do.\" Success!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Chapter 1. If You Help Yourself, God Will Help You (1)' Completed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Route 1 — 〈Chapter 2. If You Help Yourself, God Will Help You (2)〉' Confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Finally, it feels better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I touched my newly cut short hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, this is it. If you’re going to grow your hair, trim it as it grows, or just cut it off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'At least now I look less shabby.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of the droopy face that came out unconsciously, I looked in the mirror with no expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, I looked quite decent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though my skin was pale, eating well and exercising diligently to bring some color back would make me look much better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I left the shop and thanked the student following a step behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks for escorting me. So, we’re in the same class?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Y-Yeah. At our school, you stay in the same class until you graduate, Lucas... You didn’t know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I knew that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the protagonist was a student here, I knew such information from the novel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, really...? Haha! I didn’t realize. Haha...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, what’s your name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Me?! I-I’m Melvin. But why do you ask...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can’t even ask a classmate’s name, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why is he trembling so much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling like a bully shaking down a kid, I just closed my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t think much seeing everyone avoiding me, but seeing him tremble one-on-one made me feel oddly guilty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we arrived in front of a building, Melvin, his face brightening, pointed at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the dorm. I’ll go now, see you in class tomorrow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, wait a minute.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where do I go to find my room?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Melvin, looking near death, led me to the administration office while keeping as much distance as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'His reaction is funny.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guilt was fleeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having already adjusted to such reactions, I waved with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious about the level, I checked the likability score, and it was predictably at -10.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks. See you later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-Yeah... I’ll really go now...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could respond, he ran down the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the administration office, I asked about my room number and found my way there. Opening the door, my luggage sent from home was already inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guess I’ll start with organizing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The luggage included a few clothes, books for classes, writing tools, and some medicine. Even the wand, useless to Luca, was tucked away in a corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After throwing everything into the wardrobe and desk, the only thing left was the medicine box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suppressing the urge to kick the box, I opened the lid. On the black cloth, shielding it from light, lay a cream-colored letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t need to check to know who sent it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tore open the envelope and pulled out the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[To my dear brother.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Hello. By the time you read this, you’ll already be at school. You can’t imagine how worried I was when you collapsed like that. I wish I could have stayed by your side, but I had to leave early. I didn’t know the medicine would hurt you so much. Please forgive me.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That apology was the lightest in the world. Knowing Luca’s fate, I could only laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest of the letter contained updates about father, what he said about me, and useless advice to raise my grades to average.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading with dull eyes, I finally reached the end of the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Though I nagged a bit, I believe you know what to prioritize. Always put your health first. Especially these days, there seems to be a lot of change, so let me know if anything happens.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[May God’s blessing always be with you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sincerely, your brother.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A plain, useless letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His persistence in writing such a long letter just to appear nice was palpable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes fell on the most noticeable sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I believe you know what to prioritize.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, I do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I dumped the box into the drawer and locked it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The poor soul that would drink this medicine was no longer your brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I’d like to just throw it away...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I can’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To incriminate my brother, I need some of this as evidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Depending on the remaining effect of the medicine, my plans might change, so for now, I need to check how much magic I can use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Three days ago, my brother made me drink a bottle.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was practically spat out immediately, so it wouldn’t matter. The last time I drank two bottles consecutively was four days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the medicine is taken weekly, its effect should be significantly reduced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, let’s try using magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...But.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s been so long since I last used it. Was I twelve?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, I was born into a mage family, with just a slightly closed core, so I should manage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stretched my hand out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Ping!*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, red magic flickered. Before I could be surprised by the unfamiliar magic, a sharp pain shot through my heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ugh...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really works. My knees buckled under the pain. It was hard to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This is with the medicine’s effect weakened...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeding such a thing to your brother and still sleeping soundly at night, huh?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was absurd even as a reader, but experiencing it firsthand was even more so. I could only laugh in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Anyway, the plan is on track.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today is the last weekday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weekend starts tomorrow. By then, the medicine’s effect will be completely gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the cold sweat, I laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes. First, let’s get Leo on my side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, stepping out of my room, I encountered students preparing for school.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Surprisingly, they don’t avoid me?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amazed at the unexpected situation, I looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a student walked by nonchalantly, saw my face, and quickly ran off in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in the crowded dormitory lobby, it was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that they weren’t avoiding me; they didn’t recognize me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to Survive as the Second Son of a Magic Family (4)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, having always appeared disheveled, I showed up with my hair neatly trimmed, causing a delayed reaction from the students who have always avoided and despised Luca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adding insult to injury—unlike the outside world, which just avoided him—some students at the school were more daring, openly ignoring and insulting Luca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are three main reasons for this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, because of the Pleroma rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, because Luca, who can't use magic, got into the magic department through donation admission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, because a student with strong influence at the school particularly hates me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And... that student is Leo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'I've got a long way to go.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo has excellent social relationships, grades, and conduct, making him well-established in the school. His magical abilities are also top-tier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that someone like him openly hates Luca, it was taken as a sign by some bold but less refined students that it was safe to bully Luca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why memories of blatant contempt and ridicule remain in Luca's mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the situation isn't entirely hopeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While investigating Luca's death, Leo confides in the protagonist about his past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unknown to Luca, Leo had seen Luca before he was seriously bullied by his brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo, who came from a family of medical practitioners and had minimal talent for ordinary magic, started devoting himself to magic after witnessing Luca's magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having had a positive impression of Luca from a young age, Leo didn't fully believe the Pleroma rumors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this led to backlash on Luca.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Having great talent yet yielding to strange rumors seemed foolish, so I treated him brusquely.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo confides this to the protagonist while investigating Luca's death. And right now is likely the 'brusque treatment' period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'How did I get involved in such trouble...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this could work in my favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regardless of the type of emotion, it's better to have strong feelings than indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maintaining that intensity while dramatically reversing its direction can be advantageous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I entered, the noisy classroom fell silent in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The surprise from seeing me looking different from usual was evident in their reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring their stares, I found a seat at the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I felt a sharp gaze from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, look who decided to live longer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cynical voice reached my ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I silently took out a book, chuckling inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'All it took was a haircut for me to hear that I'll live longer...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of state had I been in for the past year?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, it's obvious who spoke those words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I lifted my head to look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A student surrounded by friends was resting his chin on his hand, glaring coldly at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With wheat-colored blond hair, blue eyes, gentle downward-sloping eyes, and a firmly set mouth, his immaculate appearance screamed 'model student.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without Luca's memories, I could immediately recognize him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That student is Leo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Route 1 — 〈Chapter 2〉 has begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>「Chapter 2. If You Help Yourself, God Will Help You (2)」\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>〈Chapter 2. If You Help Yourself, God Will Help You (2) 〉\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suggestion: Make 'Leonard Wittelsbach' your ally. (0\u002F1) (167 hours 59 minutes 58 seconds)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* Route 1 ― 〈Chapter 3. Undecided (1) 〉\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* Route 2 ― 〈Death 〉\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Death.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>167 hours 59 minutes, one week.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This quest is casually suggesting such madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I found myself breathless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'No.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with a one-week deadline, there's a chance. Being in the same class as Leo now, I'm confident I won't fail this suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I broke eye contact with Leo's piercing blue eyes and sat down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good morning, students. Did you have a good vacation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professor greeted energetically, placing the attendance book on the lectern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the professor's enthusiasm, the students' reactions were lukewarm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unperturbed, the professor continued introducing the class.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You should know from last year, this class is about learning the history of magic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A light subject for the first class, I liked it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the professor's explanation continued, I leaned back, emptying my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When our eyes met earlier, I quickly checked Leo's favorability, which was -8.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Higher than most students here, who are at -10, but still a negative number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To make Leo an ally within 168 hours, one week, I needed to speed up my existing plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scribbled something in my notebook, then checked the time. Despite an hour passing, the class showed no sign of ending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is the cornerstone that allows us to pioneer the future through understanding the past. We can autonomously navigate life by facing the microcosm of ourselves...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it okay to talk like this for an hour in high school?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stopped looking at my notebook and scanned the room. Most students were already zoning out, doing their own thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clap—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professor clapped his hands, drawing the students' attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, everyone. Focus. I have one last question. What is the meeting that decided magic-wielders must attend the annual Eucharist? Anyone who gets it right will receive full marks for attendance this semester.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The professor is at it again... How are we supposed to know that when we haven't properly learned it yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does he expect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students in front of me whispered almost inaudibly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the distance, that boldness...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can only have such an attitude if you look down on the teacher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Reminds me of high school...'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once you're seen as a pushover, it doesn't matter if you're a teacher or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling a bit sorry, I listened to the professor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This won't be on the test. But knowing this is part of being a proud student of our 2nd Imperial Academy. It’s an important event that reveals the origin of our divine power. Doesn't anyone know?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, the classroom was silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I reviewed the routes of action I scribbled in my notebook, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second-year, first class, first period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is not a bad time to start the plan for the suggestion and decide my course of action going forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Shall I give it a try?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should I act as I did at home here in school as well?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had already shown uncharacteristic behavior to the student who guided me, but that was just to one person. I could still change direction now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, the professor's question came from the divine power books I memorized tediously on my way here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing the answer, it’s a good opportunity to use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Is there any prompt?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pulled up the quest window just in case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No suggestions other than making Leo an ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It pops up for useless things but not when needed...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Fine.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once is enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I read in the newspaper yesterday that my brother's royal magician group left for the papal state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It'll take at least a year for him to finish his task, and since teleportation magic between countries is banned, he would have to travel by carriage or train to return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the circumstances, he wouldn’t return just to lock me in the basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'And... it was my brother who first told me to improve my grades.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He's the one who scared me into doing what he says, so if I follow his orders, how could he find fault with it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Answering a question in class should be cautious but wouldn’t trigger direct action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is assuming the news even reaches him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the novel, my brother didn’t place a watchdog on Luca. Given my state just after possessing Luca, it’s understandable. A mentally and physically broken person couldn't act autonomously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, answering a question in class shouldn’t immediately reach his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I smiled, listening to the professor's complaint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No one? This is related to what I've discussed earlier. I'm sure we touched on this briefly last year...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright. Remember it well from now on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Second Council of Leytherum.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell over the classroom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Students packed into the classroom turned to me, their faces showing clear surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The professor, too, seemed shocked that I answered, his mouth hanging open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one seemed able to break the stunned silence. Smiling softly, I spoke to ease the atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Am I wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Student?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Is that your answer?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tilted my head as if to ask if there was a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...You’re correct. It is the Second Council of Leytherum. I know you missed many classes last year due to illness... but you remembered this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ended the conversation with a smile instead of answering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meeting the many gazes directed at me, the students quickly looked away as if something was on my face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What mattered was not the other students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I looked toward where Leo was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of his earlier cold expression, Leo now looked at me in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a new window appeared before my eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 2 Special Reward\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hint: Check your survival probability!\u003C\u002Fp>",2483,"2026-06-06T03:11:08.023Z",1,"novelbin.me","eb595b3886102642ec5c36e3dad8bb0fbffa28dce5ab840f80c9a90f14045b99","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-5","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-3",367,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-cover.jpg"]