[{"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-89":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},1473995,1923,"Chapter 89","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-89",89,"\u003Cp>Given the urgency, the students nodded solemnly, ready to follow instructions without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stepped forward and began issuing clear directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From the epidermis to the subcutaneous layer, remember the 2:5:3 ratio and apply stabilization magic for each layer. Got it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-yeah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Start with the epidermis. Mix tissue replication potion and induction agent at a 9:1 ratio, then add an equal amount of Alimonium base.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, wait!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stir it while heating before it fully replicates. For the second layer, use a 7:3 ratio, same base, and remember that the potion for the dermis needs to be 50% of the total—calculate carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the number of beakers grew, Narce took charge of heating the mixtures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For the last layer, go with a 3:7 ratio. Once done, remember to add an accelerator—it needs to work in 60 seconds.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exact amount depended on context, but since this was a high school-level problem, the school-taught method would suffice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Add 0.1% of the total potion to accelerate by about 10% per increment. But if you exceed 5% of the base, you’ll get the same side effects Leo showed earlier. Calculate carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students, now focused and coordinated, worked with rapid precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’ve completely steadied themselves.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From earlier panic over basic calculations to this sharp turnaround, they were living up to the reputation of Imperial Second Academy students.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They proved themselves capable, even under pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding, ding, ding—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Time’s up, but finish combining everything,” Leo instructed as he stopped the stopwatch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students followed through, using stabilization magic to merge the potions into a single vial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All done!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They handed the completed potion to Leo, who pierced a synthetic skin sample and poured the concoction over the wound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though slower than Leo’s earlier demonstration, the bleeding gradually stopped, and the tissue began to regenerate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Whoa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s working!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The skin layers filled in slowly but surely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While my guidance had helped, the students’ satisfaction in their own work was evident in their reactions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…There’s no excess tissue forming, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, it’s stopped!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fully restored skin confirmed their calculations were correct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though memorizing the potion layers and their ratios was vital, accuracy in calculations was key.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recovering quickly from panic and handling the math correctly showed that these students weren’t exaggerating when they claimed to be good at calculations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not bad for a first attempt.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I focused on recipe instructions, they could handle the calculations, leaving problem-solving to Leo and Narce. The division of labor was shaping up well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Satisfied, I glanced at the two Class 1 students. Their gaze was fixed on me, as if they had something to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All right, last step: five drops of consecrated lemon juice. The mental interference potion needs its effects reduced, so…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dilution!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. Ten percent dilution.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We spent the entire day in the lab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I’d planned to use the Class 1 students as calculators, they began treating me like a recipe dispenser.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time I dictated a formula, they absorbed it and repeated it back flawlessly. Meanwhile, Leo handed me a pile of five years’ worth of past competition questions, all the way to the finals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They really think I can just spit out answers without effort….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading and dictating recipes nonstop drained my energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m going to grab something to eat. Anyone want anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? I’ll go instead!” one of the Class 1 students exclaimed, standing up in a huff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The brains of the team stay seated. Fetching snacks is grunt work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why lump me in? You’re the only grunt here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. So it’s grunt work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They seemed to be having fun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring their banter, I stepped out, hoping to clear my head as much as to grab food.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the mental strain, I couldn’t complain. My job required far less physical effort than theirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo, though more familiar with potions than the rest of us, wasn’t as adept as the students from specialized schools. Memorization was crucial for all of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We worked through the night, returning to the dormitory just before dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucas, you’re the team’s MVP!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Class 1 students clasped their hands together dramatically before heading to their room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘When did we get this close?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, these were the same students who’d spent a semester together in the special class. There wasn’t much distance between us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Forget Pleroma or any rumors for now—practical results matter more.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then, Leo walked in carrying a bundle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What’s that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bouquets. The juniors came to cheer us on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He set another basket of letters on my desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here’s today’s batch of mail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks. They’re still coming in, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bundle of letters rustled, and a familiar creature popped its head out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucas!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the—?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo stared at Pai in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remarkably, despite looking like a rodent, Pai hadn’t shredded any of the mail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Narce’s asleep~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―“So?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Play with me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>―“No. I’ll be up for another hour or two, so stay here if you want.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I settled into my bed, reading through the letters one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About three letters in, I reached for another and felt something familiar: an unusually thick envelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wordlessly, I held up the hefty letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo whistled, then buried his face in a potion manual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[To the esteemed Sir Nicolaus Ernst,]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Changed from “respected” to “esteemed.”’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less formal, but somehow more unnerving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened the letter and read the first sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[I knew you’d understand me! I’m so happy, Sir Ernst. Clearly, our souls are connected on a higher plane—united against our mutual enemy, Pleroma. When can we meet in person?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What the hell is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Scratch the less formal—it’s just as weird as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dropping the letter on Leo’s desk, I used magic to change my hair and eye color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo, puzzled, read the letter and asked incredulously, “Lucas, did you reply to this person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nope. Looks weird to you too, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Obviously. What did you do to make them think you’d understand them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No idea.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I flipped the envelope over to check the name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Robert Mueller.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A common name, with a common surname.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking the envelope, I warped to the Crown Prince’s palace and knocked on the secretary’s office door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good day. I have a question.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, Sir Nicolaus! A pleasure to see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The head secretary greeted me warmly, rising from his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could I review the list of incoming mail from the past week?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He retrieved a thick ledger from a shelf and handed it to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take your time.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I opened the book, ran my wand over the pages, and whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Seek, and you shall find.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Robert Mueller.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several entries glowed faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Four letters in one week.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not extreme, but unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The content was odd, but nothing overtly malicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could I also see the list of outgoing mail from the secretary’s office?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, that’s a bit sensitive. Is there an issue?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been receiving peculiar letters. I wanted to check if the office responded to them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We do send standard replies. You’re welcome to review those records in this case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reviewing the responses—simple acknowledgment letters—I found nothing alarming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could they really think a generic reply meant I understood them?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While eccentric individuals were inevitable, it was better to address potential issues early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need to check if anyone’s been sending replies on their own.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I headed directly to the Royal Investigation Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The 64-team round of the Bavarian Magical Potion Experimentation Tournament will now begin.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I was expecting someone to say this was a waste of time, but the Bureau took my request surprisingly seriously.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to the letter sent to Leo’s office that morning, the investigation progressed quickly, allowing me to focus fully on the competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff… huff…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sir, are you okay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The members of our team muttered weakly in the hallway outside the exam venue, drained from the buildup of nerves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to Narce, who looked uncharacteristically calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re not nervous?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Nope. Why would I be? We have your memory, so there’s nothing to worry about!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Did you use your ability again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nope. I try to avoid it before major events. If I know the outcome in advance, I might slack off, and that could change the future. It’s better to trust the team!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a sound argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking back, Narce always used his foresight ability casually for trivial things. When it came to significant moments, he seemed to rely on it selectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I nodded and glanced out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The exam hall was massive—essentially a stadium.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With an audience of 10,000, spectators filled every corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcements introducing teams from other schools droned on, and eventually, it was our turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Team 52, representing the 2nd Year Students of the Imperial Second Academy, Prussia.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Woooo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good luck out there, Lucas.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Class 1 students, now visibly steeled for the challenge, patted my shoulder with solemn expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the safety protocols were explained, silencing magic was cast over each table, and the official announcement rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The first experimental topic is Mental Interference Potions.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, isn’t that what we practiced yesterday? Lemon juice!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students clapped their hands in excitement, and I nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was one of the topics we had drilled extensively. With over 50 potion types practiced the day before, the odds of one appearing were high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing the topic boosted morale, and the team radiated confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Begin.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thirty Minutes Later\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first round ended, and the announcement filled the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[This concludes the 64-team round. We will now announce the teams advancing to the 32-team round.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magical letters appeared in the air, rapidly forming team numbers and names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aww…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yessss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheers and groans echoed as team names were marked. Teams that failed had their names crossed out with a red line, while successful teams saw their names linked to the next round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The numbers ticked upward—46, 47, 48…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally,Team 52appeared, with a bright line connecting it to the next stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Woooooo!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Class 1 student practically screamed, slapping my shoulder with such force it stung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucas, it’s all thanks to you! Without you, we’d have been toast!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The energy froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, heads turned toward us, the gazes cold and heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, people were thinking,‘What was that supposed to mean?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, the cheers for the next successful team quickly drowned out the tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing the awkwardness, the student glanced around nervously and whispered to the group, “Did I… mess up? I feel like I wasn’t supposed to say that. Was it because of Lucas’s reputation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably. Thanks for that,” I replied dryly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo, meanwhile, turned from the match brackets with a complicated expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guys, our next opponent is the Saxen-Meiningen Magical Medicine Academy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…A magical medicine school?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the 32 remaining teams, 25 were from specialized magical medicine schools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From here on, we’d mostly be up against specialists. The real challenge began with the 32-team round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The 32-team round will begin in 40 minutes. Please rest freely and return to your seats by 12:40.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another Round Later\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uggghhhhhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, we made it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce clapped as our team’s name appeared on the 16-team bracket. Despite our worries, we had advanced to the round of 16.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just one more match.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn’t care about advancing further—winning this round would complete my goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[The 16-team round will begin in 20 minutes. Please rest freely and return by 1:40.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Only 20 minutes? We could hit the café and make it back in time if we run. Want us to grab you anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I’m fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, we’ll be quick!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Class 1 students dashed off, disappearing out the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I watched them leave, I stood and announced, “I’m going to our lab for a bit. I want to review some recipes before the next round.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Okay, don’t take too long,” Leo replied, waving me off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lab was attached to the gymnasium, a short 10-minute walk away. It was common for students to visit during breaks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall was emptier now, with only 16 teams remaining. When I reached our lab, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint noise came from behind me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Clunk!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door slammed shut with a gust of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This feels wrong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I immediately turned back and grabbed the handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clunk, clunk—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wouldn’t budge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pushed harder, but the door refused to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Fifteen minutes left until we need to be seated, and I’m locked in?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I tried the front door but found it similarly locked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello? Anyone out there?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pounding on the door brought no response. The hall outside was eerily silent, as if deserted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Who did this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With so many enemies, narrowing it down was impossible. It could be any team we’d defeated—or someone with a personal grudge against me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Adrian couldn’t be ruled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, too many suspects. Focus on getting out first.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clunk, bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy wooden door didn’t yield to brute force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Breaking it with magic or warping is my only option.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warping violated competition rules and could lead to disqualification. Even if I managed to avoid detection, one glaring issue remained:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How would I explain getting out without opening the door?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone was watching, claiming someone had let me out wouldn’t hold water. Worse, escaping this way would prevent me from reporting the incident and identifying the culprit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Think calmly.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I needed a non-magical way to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eyeing the room, I noticed the usual lab features: storage cabinets, emergency showers, and a safety hammer for breaking glass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Modern design, huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes trailed upward, locking onto something promising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Found it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A way out.\u003C\u002Fp>",2271,"2026-06-06T03:11:08.303Z",1,"novelbin.me","1c55dd403b2621e35f91ec72f5e63ef68944e9b47c45bfc07bf90ea26097fc0c","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-90","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-88",367,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-cover.jpg"]