[{"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-63":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},1473969,1923,"Chapter 63","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-63",63,"\u003Cp>“...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of question is that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, uh... Esther asked me to ask you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Esther was one of the three students who had come looking for Leo earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had wondered why she turned around at the end. So, this is what she wanted to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was trying to find out if I managed to get 10th place in the department through short-term memorization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I say yes, they’d want me to play Faust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I'll just answer the question for now, but it was an interesting idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, the fact that they’d consider giving me the role was surprising. They really want to pull off this play somehow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’re really desperate.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it. Thanks for the answer. And... Elias!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vice president rubbed his hands together, signaling Elias to memorize the script somehow. Elias lay back on the lounge sofa and flipped open the script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, alright. I’ll just read this then, Luca.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead. I’m going to go find Narce.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, some kids said Narce went out looking for Oswald earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that I think about it, Narce wasn’t in the Class 2 rehearsal room when I peeked in earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Narce was here, Pai would’ve come running. It’s always looking for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if I couldn’t see Pai, it always knew where everyone was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pai would usually sneak into my pocket or jump to the windowsill, but since it hasn’t, Narce must really be outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>*Squeak—*\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[We are looking for first-year magic student Amalia Castel from Class 2. Once again, we are looking for...]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, an announcement came over the speakers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by the fact that the student was a first-year in the magic department, they must be looking for that student I heard about earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It seems the school’s been notified.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it’s up to the school to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Personally, it’s concerning that two similar cases happened on the same day, around the same time, but I don’t know how the school will interpret these two disappearances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No matter how I think about it, this feels off. Should I mention it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I headed outside to find a school security guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After asking them to pass on the information to the Investigation Bureau, I returned to the student union and sat on the sofa next to Elias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where did you go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I went to report the missing students. It’s all done now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the security guard didn’t show any resistance and agreed readily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The school might have already reported it as a disappearance, but it’s better to report it twice than not at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? Then use your special class memory skills to save Class 2.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I told you I didn’t cram....\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I responded to Elias’s teasing with a smile and opened the script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was starting to yawn from reading quietly for so long, Elias suddenly sat up and whispered in my ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Is this your first time giving false testimony? Look within yourself. Do you know more about yourself than about Mr. Schubertlein’s death?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of a sudden?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wants me to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I replied with the first thing that came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You are an irredeemable sophist.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, so you did cram for midterms~?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t intend to memorize it, but given the situation, I’d been reading the script as if I were studying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias whispered even more quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Luca, you’re perfect for this. With 1 hour and 30 minutes left, you’re the only one who could memorize a 40-minute script. I knew it since you jumped from 98th to 10th place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before I could respond, Elias continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re worried, right? Your brother won’t like you playing Faust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He wouldn’t hate it, but he wouldn’t expect it either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you? Do you want to do it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not really interested. But seeing the kids like this is a little sad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’ve been working hard for the past two weeks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was noisy enough to interrupt my divine power studies, so it’s memorable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I saw them after our conversation earlier, Narce seemed really excited, so I don’t feel good about how things have turned out. Not that anyone would feel good in this situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re kind. Still, if your brother’s in the way, I won’t push it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well... I won’t volunteer, but I wouldn’t say no.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias widened his eyes and looked at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Now that I’ve said it, it sounds weird.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not like I brought it up because I want to be in the play; I just feel it’s time to share my plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave Elias a look, and he cast a soundproofing spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks. Eli, did you listen to the Strauch recording?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did. I was curious about what was said.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then you’ll understand quickly. I need to change impressions on this side too, not just Nicolaus.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias furrowed his brow in thought for a moment, then nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re changing strategies? Yeah, keeping this image would be tough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right. I thought I should let you and the others know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, you’re not going to be in the play~?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias raised an eyebrow at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I’m pushed into it, it’s fine, but otherwise, no.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Solving this situation could certainly be a good starting point to change Luca's image.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But there’s also something to lose.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news would make my brother more interested in my situation for a few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that’s why I wouldn’t completely reject the opportunity when it arises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given that I’m someone the students avoid, if word gets to my brother that I was pushed into this, the situation becomes complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...Isn’t this borderline bullying?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, the key is not just participating in the event but the factors that led to the decision. Depending on how I end up standing there, my brother’s sense of urgency will vary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine if you’re pushed into it... so I’ll just have to push you, then? You playing Faust sounds interesting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to push me first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’ll definitely draw an audience! Hey, won’t the whole school show up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not that far, really.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I just chuckled at his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By 9 o’clock, Leo returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was time for Class 1’s performance, so the students moved to the auditorium, leaving the student union quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was almost done reading the script, with only a few pages left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias sighed and asked, “Why are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s harsh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo flopped into a chair with a tired look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias relayed the professor’s words to Leo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The professor said they couldn’t find him at the other schools.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought so. Even when I went, they were announcing Oswald over there. If they did all that and he’s still not showing up…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Either he doesn’t want to anymore, or something happened. I’m betting on the latter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo replied with a grim face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, I think so too. So I requested an investigation as soon as I left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Class 2, please move to the auditorium waiting room by 9:30!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone shouted as they walked through the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite Class 2 students being everywhere, the corridor was dead silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo looked at the hallway with a troubled expression and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. Our classmates will be there too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you find the protagonist?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When we entered through the backstage door, a few Class 1 students asked Leo and Elias, their faces annoyingly cheerful. The fact they greeted them so readily suggested they’d known each other since the Third Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo shook his head and walked past them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Class 1 student called after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leo, we’ve got 113 people gathered!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So what….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo murmured with an exasperated look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘113 is quite a crowd.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the whole student body is about a thousand, it’s a significant number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, you can talk like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know what people think I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo let out a dry laugh, much like earlier, and opened the waiting room door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As we entered the Class 2 waiting room, the mood was noticeably somber, in stark contrast to the bustling atmosphere outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One student blurted out as soon as Leo walked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Leo, what are we going to do? We’ve got 40 minutes left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo only bit his lip, unable to give any answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce caught my eye and nodded in greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, one student suggested an idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should we make the audience Faust? What do you think?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mephistopheles would perform solo?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If all the supporting roles are gone, there won’t be enough content.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief exchange of ideas was followed by silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gloomy atmosphere resumed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’re really down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having prepared for this, it must be disheartening to fail before it even starts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe I should help a bit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I have an idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To bring it up, I’ll need to run a test first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tapped Elias’s arm and slipped out of the waiting room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About five minutes after I left, Elias came out looking for me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I signaled him over, and without speaking, I activated my divine power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—“Can you hear me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias widened his eyes and stared at me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—“Seems like you can hear me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias’s jaw practically dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the magic Narce used on me when we went to investigate Dasrothe’s interview photo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I thought it would be useful someday, so I made sure to learn it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was worth skipping the play discussions to study divine power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Though I didn’t expect to use it to help the kids’ play….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—“As long as it works, that’s good. Are you confident with improv? Since you’ve read the script, you know the flow better now, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias nodded, still looking bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he whispered quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The length?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—“If it ends around 35 minutes, no one will complain. I’ll help time it right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Oh, so you’re helping this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias’s lips curved into a grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He snapped his fingers, casting a spell, likely to prevent others from noticing the magic’s flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—“Alright, listen. I’ll tell you how much to extend and what to say. That should cover the length with improv.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right. Timing? We need to consider the delay when you check the script and relay it to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—“It might be a little awkward, but we’ll have to live with that. But since I memorized the necessary lines, the delay on my end should be minimal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You memorized everything?! Then… we should be fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias whistled as he stroked his chin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell your friends yourself, Luca. Just say you’re giving me a crash course in memorization techniques.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling the plan I’d mentioned, Elias said that and waited for my response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t intended to back out completely anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there’s a chance to slightly improve my negative image, I might as well help and use it to my advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait a second.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to leave, Elias blocked my path and cast a soundproofing spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold on. Don’t you think something’s off?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your brother’s informant is that Traut or whatever the magic swordsmanship professor’s name is. And Narce relays information to that professor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, you like to be thorough, so you’re considering additional informants. Am I right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But to gain an advantage, you need to advertise your help. Like I said, as a memorization crash course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias emphasized the word “advertise,” then tilted his head and raised his eyebrows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah! Wait. Let’s not say you’re helping out of pure goodwill. It’s true this opportunity is too good to waste. It’s a chance to be the hero of Class 2.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s a bit much….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s very much like Elias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyway, I wasn’t going to say it like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I gave a smile, signaling for him to continue, and listened to what he had to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were anyone else, it might not be worth it, but what the protagonist has to say is always valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wouldn’t the news of your assistance reach your brother, whether I go out or you get pushed into it? This is an opportunity, Luca. Your image will change more dramatically if you step forward than if I do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Elias waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, let me clarify. This won’t change your image overnight. But it’ll be a stepping stone, right? Lay the foundation now. Opportunities to lay a foundation this big are rare.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is he psychic…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was about to say it wouldn’t change overnight, but he beat me to it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t planned on making this big a move, but Elias’s words weren’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the situation is set up safely, it’s a golden opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since I’ve had some real-life experience in this field, participating in an event like this isn’t entirely unfamiliar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to respond, Elias leaned in and whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And if you go out there, you’ll draw 500 people in a minute.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he was thinking about the audience competition too….\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he’s in Class 2, he’s looking out for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah~ this’ll be fun. I’ll enjoy the play~! You were good at acting when you played poker.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While poker and theater aren’t exactly the same, it’s true they’re not entirely unrelated, so I didn’t say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, if I’m going to be in the play, I need to start acting now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now I need your help, Eli.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Elias confidently gave me a thumbs-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, trust me. I’ll leave them speechless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Speechless?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gesture, as if I needn’t worry about explanations, made me uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And I realized why Elias was so confident the moment we re-entered the waiting room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his magic securing his crutch in place, Elias grabbed my shoulder tightly and shouted,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, everyone. I found our lead actor!”\u003C\u002Fp>",2297,"2026-06-06T03:11:08.303Z",1,"novelbin.me","b4c80d6d4455d6d702fe4cb5c1159dda04b9a9c029d25f4415b4457ab410b11e","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-64","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-62",367,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-cover.jpg"]