[{"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-99":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},1474005,1923,"Chapter 99","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-99",99,"\u003Cp>“What the hell? He’s a newblood himself. Did he file a self-report?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias muttered, his face pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, biting his lip, he continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t the time to joke around. We have two options—take them down first….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He flipped the receipt over and showed it to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or escape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced toward the entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, we weren’t sitting in direct view of the militia unless someone actively looked our way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias spoke rapidly, his voice almost a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But we don’t know which circle they’re using here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why we try them one by one. It shouldn’t be anything too complicated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.When are we supposed to do that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Engaging in something so suspicious right now could only invite trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I pointed out the larger issue:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if we escape successfully, how do we explain this to the tavern owner? If he suspects us, he’ll report it in a heartbeat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And don’t forget, we just registered our identities here. If we run as soon as someone mentions checking for newbloods, it’ll only escalate the situation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We could say we fled because we thought they were after Pleroma. It’s risky, sure, but still—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would that really reassure anyone in the Catacombs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear he knew how flimsy that excuse would sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let’s think. Not about escape—about another approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several questions nagged at me, but two stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First:How did someone file a report about “newbloods being here”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recognizing a newblood by appearance alone is nearly impossible. The most likely explanation is that someone unaffected by perception distortion magic identifiedusand filed the report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This raises the unsettling possibility that they specifically named “Lucas Askanian” or “Elias Hohenzollern.” But for now, I had to set that aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second:Did the militia know that third-year student from the Magic Department was a noble mage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Certainly not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Catacombs’ anti-noble sentiment is fanatical. There’s no way they’d allow a noble mage to operate within their militia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which means...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to Elias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sit up. Act natural.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s more than one person here whose life is in danger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias furrowed his brow in confusion before his lips slowly twisted into a smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we didn’t recognize that third-year from the Magic Department, he would carry out his duties as a militia member without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But we do know him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he recognized us, he couldn’t act without risking exposure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, we could simply reveal his status as an Imperial Second Academy mage, and it would all fall apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias spoke quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. Then… can I do whatever I want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why ask? You always do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, worst case, we can just blow everything up and escape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hardly a solution,I thought, but nodded anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If things went south, I’d simply rewind time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Checkpoint Assurance\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rewind: Level 1\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Current points:10.0Luck to next point:0.90\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’d already used rewind nearly five times, but by avoiding frivolous expenditures, I had plenty of points remaining.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Thank you. We’ll verify quickly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The conversation between the tavern owner and the third-year from the Magic Department reached our ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Patrons seated near the entrance were already undergoing identification checks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Elias stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every militia member turned to look at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even knowing he was prone to reckless behavior, his boldness caught me off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias addressed them casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s going on? Something wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We received a report of newbloods entering this tavern,” one militia member replied without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias glanced briefly at me, but he didn’t need my signal to understand what was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…They didn’t recognize him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The perception distortion magic was working perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one here suspected “Elias Hohenzollern” or “Lucas Askanian” was present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant the report hadn’t named us specifically—it truly targeted newbloods in general.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who could have filed such a report?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For now, I couldn’t afford to dwell on that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third-year at the counter, unlike the others, wasn’t reacting normally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze remained fixed on Elias, unblinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the militia members addressed us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you’re already up, could we see your—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need. We’re leaving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third-year cut in, his voice cold despite the slight smirk on his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re done here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Verification isn’t complete yet—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do I need to repeat myself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other militia members exchanged uncertain glances before bowing slightly to the patrons and exiting the tavern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias muttered, incredulous, “What the hell was that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A noble mage, not just residing in the Catacombs but commanding authority in the militia? And leading other commoner mages as subordinates?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these lingering questions, we met Julian Baum and quickly returned to the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The priority now wasn’t uncovering clues about Robert Müller—it was getting out of there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re back? Wait… your face!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce, who had been reading in the room, leapt to his feet in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Things got… complicated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, Lucas. What do you mean, ‘complicated’?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His reaction was amusing, especially coming from someone with foresight abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I headed straight to my room and called for Leo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo’s reaction was similar but we didn’t have time to explain everything. Soon, both Narce and Leo stood before us, their faces tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell happened? Why does your face look like that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leo, the Imperial Second Academy’s Magic Department doesn’t admit commoners, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you going to tell us or not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll explain later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo glared at me, exhaled sharply, and replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Technically, it’s not banned, but it’s practically impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has it ever happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not in the last decade, no.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right. So, we just ran into a Magic Department third-year in the Catacombs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know the guy we played poker with? It’s him. We even spoke directly—it’s definitely him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no doubt about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was he part of the Imperial Second Academy, but he’d also represented the academy in competitions. I’d seen him just a few days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The third-year vice representative from Class 2? He’s a Prussian noble. He shouldn’t be anywhere near there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And yet, there he was. In the militia.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo was at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to Narce, whose expression mirrored Leo’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Narce.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think they recognized Elias?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. If the disguise were that bad, I would’ve stepped in. Also…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce hesitated, speaking carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucas, your appearance wasn’t particularly recognizable either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That makes sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While I had received treatment at the Catacombs' infirmary, my battered state worked as an unintentional disguise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, my face isn’t nearly as well-known as Elias’.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, how did you encounter the militia?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There was a report that newbloods were in the tavern we were at.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s all the explanation you’ll get for now. I called you here to discuss revising the plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what revision would that be?” Leo asked seriously. “Frankly, I’d suggest pulling out. There are other paths to our goal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I understood where he was coming from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But retreating wasn’t an option anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment that third-year recognized Elias, the stakes had risen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was a spy for the Emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elias entering the Catacombs alone would be more than enough grounds to eliminate him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As much as I hate to say it, we have no choice but to go deeper into the Catacombs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That man isn’t there legitimately, and he’s already exposed himself to you. How can you be sure of anything if you stay?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo’s logic was sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If retreat were viable, I’d have rewound time already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this isn’t something we can escape from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving the Catacombs would only increase the risks for both Elias and me, and it would render us powerless to stop the Emperor’s plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, staying posed its own dangers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when weighing the two options, retreat carried the higher risk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unfortunately, there’s no way to resolve this without infiltrating further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned to Narce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why I need your help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you need?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come into the Catacombs with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo’s frown deepened, but I raised a hand to calm him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’d be ideal if all four of us could go, but having one publicly recognized face—Elias—is enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce mumbled thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do want to help, but… no, I think there’s a better way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’d make more sense for Leo to go. I’ll join later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must have a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing Narce, asking too many questions would just waste time—it was better to trust him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between Narce’s higher magic power and Leo’s superior skill stats, either could contribute effectively without much difference in overall capability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some deliberation, Narce looked at us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should still disguise yourselves before heading in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, that’s a given. Though it won’t do much againsthim.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are better methods. Leo, if you’re okay with it, I can lend you my appearance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leo’s baffled tone was met with Narce’s mischievous grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly what I said. It’s not hard—at least, not as hard as making someone look older.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that even possible to learn?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. The textbook method involves memorizing a three-page formula, but for someone like Lucas or me, overlapping it with mental manipulation magic should work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lucas would probably just memorize the formula.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yeah, probably.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce nodded thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, who should we test it on first? Elias?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce snapped his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hair grew longer and turned white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the hair was the least shocking part.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes, nose, mouth—every feature shifted until he was a perfect replica of Elias.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elias…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haven’t done this since I was a kid. Feels fun! So, what’s something you’ve always wanted to hear?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reality snapped back into focus as he teased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I scoffed, unimpressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The real one’s right here. Hearing it secondhand means nothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You wound me, Lucas~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, point is—I can do this. Any guesses on what you’d like me to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce’s impression, from Elias’ mannerisms to his drawling tone, was uncanny.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Leo was squinting as if trying to distinguish them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re scarily good at this, Narce.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thanks! Calling you ‘Lucas’ feels fresh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With another snap, Narce returned to his original form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, Leo, what do you think? Would you enter the Catacombs using my face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Why can’t I just use my own face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce smiled slyly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Normally, I’d hesitate to say this with certainty, but—yes, you really should use mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Fine. It’s weird, but fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>***\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Narce finalized his plan, I had an idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Narce, you just need to avoid entering the Catacombs yourself, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, that’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, could you turn into me instead?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm… sure, if I had some elixir. Why—ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce’s understanding smile mirrored my own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a nearby café, Narce—now disguised as me—sat waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Missed a lot of classes lately, haven’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Narce glanced up to see the third-year from the Magic Department pulling out a chair across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>",1803,"2026-06-06T03:11:08.303Z",1,"novelbin.me","a07b95ebdd334751f221dc558191665f013e8751947f9b70aee537fb90afe6c6","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-100","how-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-chapter-98",367,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-as-the-second-son-of-a-mage-famil-cover.jpg"]