[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower":3,"chapter-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-116":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Problematic Child of the Magic Tower",{"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},1334912,1778,"Chapter 116","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-116",116,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 116: The Mage of Ashes (6)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The basement, which he usually thought was unnecessarily spacious, felt cramped today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Am I nervous?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His opponent was a 7th-level high knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a small, deep breath, he reminded himself of his task:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To stop Commander Theodore’s rampage until he regained his senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What happens in this basement is hard to detect from the surface.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the space itself was originally a secret vault, enchanted with various spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For that reason, allowing the commander to escape this basement was out of the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If anyone were to witness his current state as a demon…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the hardships he and Lloyd had endured thus far would turn to nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gripping his wind blade tightly, Oscar spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s cold outside. How about staying warm here in the basement with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grrr…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commander Theodore, like a rabid animal, drooled uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sinister energy emanating from his body squirmed as though alive, writhing incessantly to maintain its grip on its host, exerting fierce mental domination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Krrr.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commander, glaring savagely at him, suddenly bolted down the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the opponent closed the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The force of the impact was so tremendous that Oscar’s wind blade nearly dissipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Fast!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this clash revealed a crucial detail:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commander’s attacks, though powerful, were excessively simplistic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No technique at all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if a child had taken over the body of a high knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite rising to the rank of a high knight through refined swordsmanship, Theodore wasn’t utilizing any of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he merely swung his sword wildly, relying solely on the overwhelming power of his demonic energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But even that alone is…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s wrist nearly twisted under the force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Glancing briefly at his tingling wrist, he retreated to widen the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll have to avoid close combat at all costs.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case, he would use the standard method for a mage facing a knight:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Keep a distance and block the opponent’s approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gathering his mana, Oscar swiftly manipulated the flow of air around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud. Thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore, guided by instinct, took slow, heavy steps toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hollow eyes brimmed with madness, having sunk so deep into darkness that no words could reach him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar parted his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, things might get a bit rough, so I hope you’ll forgive me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he finished speaking, he threw his wind blade toward his opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore, narrowing his eyes, moved to strike it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Magic Reconstruction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s fingers moved swiftly to form a hand seal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind blade split into dozens of currents, brushing past Theodore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Krr?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Theodore showed a faint reaction, click!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shackle appeared, binding the wrist that held the hilt of his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grrrrr!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The startled Theodore tried to move his arm, but the shackle refused to budge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clank, clank!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more he pulled, the tighter it clamped down, delivering sharp pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wind Shackles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three more shackles materialized and flew through the air, binding his remaining limbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar let out a soft sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good thing I didn’t mess up—it’s been a while since I used Magic Reconstruction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This technique involved dismantling a completed spell and using its power to create a new one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even just dismantling a spell was incredibly complex, and doing it in combat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like changing your hand in rock-paper-scissors after seeing your opponent’s move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If my guess is right and his strength has dropped to around level 6, this should hold him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar cautiously observed his restrained opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“GRAAAA!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Theodore thrashed wildly, shaking his body in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang, clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shackles strained under the pressure, making ominous noises as if they might snap, but they held firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is it working?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as a glimmer of hope entered Oscar’s eyes—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grrrr, GRRAAAA!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A surge of demonic energy erupted from Theodore’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The overwhelming energy filled the corridor, suffocating Oscar and making his head spin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Urgh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweat streamed down Oscar’s face as he struggled to maintain control of the wind shackles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest tightened, his vision blurred, and he felt as though he was holding onto a fragile leash that could snap at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Please…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his silent plea was in vain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demonic energy seized the moment his focus faltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore shook himself violently, shattering one of the shackles binding his wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of the wind exploding filled the air as Theodore, now free, tore off the remaining shackles with his unbound arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“GRRAAA!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>demonic energy surged along his hand as he slashed at the corridor’s floor and ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar barely managed to throw himself aside to evade the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore, having freed himself completely, appeared right in front of Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s wide eyes caught the descending blade aimed at his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just an ordinary strike; it was a blow capable of cutting through him in a single stroke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『Blink』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instinctively, Oscar tugged at the strings of space, teleporting behind his opponent’s back, and simultaneously—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore’s animalistic reaction read Oscar’s new position, and a powerful back kick slammed into his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s body was flung and crashed into the basement wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh! Cough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spewing a handful of blood, he looked up through his blurred vision at the opponent slowly walking toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Level 6, my ass...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rampaging mana far exceeded his expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in raw power alone, it rivaled a Level 7, showing no signs of inferiority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s fortunate he can’t use swordsmanship... but how am I supposed to survive 21 more minutes against that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar let out a bitter laugh, pushing himself up and brushing back his sweat-drenched hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The commander is nearly impervious to regular attacks.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this frenzied state, Theodore wouldn’t feel any pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that, thanks to the enhanced regenerative power of demonic energy, minor wounds would heal almost instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In short, I need overwhelming firepower to incapacitate him in one decisive strike.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the monster striding toward him, Oscar quickly calculated his options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But few spells came to mind that could work against a high knight’s resilient body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The most promising option is that wave spell... but...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even that had limitations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he fought Kaya Lockwood, the circumstances were entirely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then,『The Lonely Garden』 had nullified her tattoo magic’s defense system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Against Commander Theodore, there are no shortcuts like that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a battle that required brute force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was that a Level 4 mage couldn’t possibly break through the defenses of a high knight with sheer power alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There is... one way. But...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar hesitated, concern flickering in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Tch. Master Ado told me not to use this on people, at least for now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: he lacked fine control over the technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Oscar decided to trust the time he had spent honing his craft in this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Mana prioritizes the host’s survival above all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, if Theodore sustained a near-fatal wound, his demonic energy would shut down all other functions to focus solely on recovery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a situation where stalling for time was critical, it was the ideal scenario.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reaching his conclusion, Oscar murmured to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, hold out somehow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A gust of wind swirled before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pressing his palms against the current, Oscar began folding the wind inward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With each fold, the wind grew louder and more menacing, its power exponentially increasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Oscar managed to compress the wind three times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is my limit for now.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was just three folds, attempting a fourth would theoretically require sixteen times more mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even reaching Level 7 wouldn’t guarantee enough mana for such a feat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woooom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind, now compressed threefold, emanated a terrifying energy, but it still wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His opponent was a Level 7 high knight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore’s body, refined through a lifetime of blood and sweat, wouldn’t crumble to this level of force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Which means I have to go... even further.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s eyes shone with resolve, and the world before him shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dingy, dark basement vanished, replaced by a world of strings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With practiced skill, he grabbed hold of five strings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ugh!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five strings—this was just within his capability but still a heavy burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire mana circuit strained under the pressure, and blood trickled from his eyes and mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the pain, Oscar focused all his will on completing the spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Using spatial magic... to fold space along with the wind.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap! Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a thick piece of paper folded to its limit, the very fabric of space folded twice more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind, compressed to its breaking point, let out a heavy, ominous roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Here we go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the strongest lance he could muster—his ultimate creation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『Fusion Magic: Space and Wind』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Breath of Annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grrgh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to contain the wind any longer, Oscar released it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The unleashed force surged forward, tearing through the corridor like a voracious beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind, so powerful it warped the surrounding space, consumed everything in its path like a piercing lance of destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, silence engulfed the world as though time had stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A delayed shockwave, as deafening as a thunderclap, shook the entire basement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff, cough, cough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Covered in dust, Oscar lowered his trembling hands and stared tensely at the settling debris.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, the silhouette of the Level 7 high knight emerged from the dust cloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Theodore’s body was in utter disarray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even his demonic energy’s regenerative power can’t keep up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle, crackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a broken machine, Commander Theodore stood frozen in place, unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confirming this, Oscar finally exhaled deeply and slumped to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Phew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning against the corridor wall, Oscar closed his weary eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, all that remained was to wait until Theodore’s demonic energy fully converted into energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Savoring the brief calm after the storm, Oscar let himself catch his breath, realizing he had survived another close call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>",1684,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","ba24248134a813d96fe99444c983e9e191a3f6689001e05d58a496716437063f","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-117","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-115",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]