[{"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-122":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},1334918,1778,"Chapter 122","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-122",122,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 122: Return (4)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A suffocating silence descended on the pristine white rooftop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel Sasha's wide-eyed gaze fixed on my face, studying me repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, she finally understood what I had said and smiled brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're right. You really do seem like a different person. Compared to before, your personality is much gentler, and your social skills have improved. It's like... you’ve gained a sense of ease, somehow.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be honest, I couldn’t believe it when I only read about it in your letters. But you really have changed. It’s as if… you’re an entirely different person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar couldn’t say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because, in truth, he was someone else, and the Oscar Crucian she knew had already died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought alone suddenly filled him with dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…If Sasha finds out the truth, how will she react?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had often talked about how she used to have lively discussions about magic theory with the younger Oscar, sharing conversations and moments of camaraderie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her, young Oscar must have been both an intelligent junior and a companion in the pursuit of knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The realization that he would have to tell her about the death of such a cherished figure felt like a heavy stone pressing on his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, it must be that your personality changed because of amnesia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief inner conflict flitted across his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That one line was all it would take.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he said, \"Yes, that’s it,\" Sasha wouldn’t have any doubts, and he could continue keeping this secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now was the perfect time to reveal the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had just shared secrets about her past that she had kept hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not revealing his own secret in return would feel like a betrayal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the truth came out later, in any other way, she would undoubtedly feel deeply betrayed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘More importantly…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar hated admitting this to himself, but there were advantages to telling Sasha the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A 4th-level mage’s abilities were limited, but with the support of a Tower Master, things could change dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now that he knew her feelings toward him were tinged with a frustrated sense of resentment, there was no longer any reason to hide the truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips, which usually moved so easily, felt like rusted bolts, refusing to budge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t hard to pinpoint the reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I’m afraid.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he conversed with her as the younger Oscar, the arrows of resentment always aimed at Oscar Sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This allowed him to take a step back, to listen as a bystander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But revealing the truth would mean those arrows would now turn toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s what scared him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Am I afraid of hearing Sasha’s direct resentment?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why he wanted so desperately to run away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding his own emotions, Oscar gave a bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, the fear and desire to escape hadn’t disappeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fists were sweaty, and his arms trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in this world, there are things you must face, no matter how afraid you are or how much you want to run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Facing those things head-on without retreating.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world calls people who can do that \"adults.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time for him to stand before Sasha, not as the younger Oscar, but as an adult—and as the mentor he once was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his resolve firmed, Oscar’s lips finally parted, and his calm voice flowed out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amnesia—yes, that was the most convenient excuse at the time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha’s eyes widened at the sudden remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And it worked well. People simply attributed my changes to memory loss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So… are you saying you never had amnesia?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But… you genuinely don’t seem to remember the conversations you had in the past, do you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar met her gaze directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course not. I’m not Oscar Crucian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha, who seemed about to say something, suddenly fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, her sharp, narrowed eyes revealed that she had gathered her thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If this is some sort of joke, stop it now. I’m starting to get upset, but I’ll forgive you if you stop here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A joke…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar responded to Sasha’s accusation with something far more convincing than words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He released the emotions he had been suppressing, letting them radiate out in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The change in the air around him must have told her that every word he said was true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the stunned Sasha, Oscar confessed calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The owner of this body passed away on the day he consumed the illegal elixir. His young life came to an end then and there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, white magic began to emanate from Sasha’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the white rooftop as a backdrop, it felt as though the entire world was being painted white, and the suffocating sensation intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Oscar I’m speaking to now… no, you… who exactly are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her magic conveyed a clear intent: depending on his answer, she wouldn’t hesitate to attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar reached out, gently pushing back the pressure of her magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha’s magic grew sharp, unable to comprehend what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her reaction was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For her magic to be brushed aside so effortlessly by a 4th-level mage—it defied everything she knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This person is dangerous.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She decided it would be best to subdue him first and talk later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she prepared to unleash her magic, however—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…….\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thread of mana emanated from her opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a mana so familiar, so nostalgic, it felt like the scent of long-forgotten memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Caught in its grasp, Sasha froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her trembling eyes darted to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the mana she had both resented and longed for—one she thought she would never encounter again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana of a hero to humanity, a mentor who had been more like a parent to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar Sage’s mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overwhelmed, Sasha dropped her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……Heh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint mutter escaped her lips as her head hung low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Oscar was about to speak, Sasha slowly raised her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The once innocent and lively face was now filled with a fury more intense than anything he had ever seen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cloud of magic descended above her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling a sudden chill run down his spine, Oscar hastily pulled the cord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Teleporting to another location, he gulped as he stared at the spot he had just been standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If that had hit me…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need to imagine further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magical force, brimming with killing intent, would have torn his entire body to shreds, leaving nothing but a pool of blood behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing this was no joke, Oscar hurriedly raised his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait! Sasha, let’s calm down for a moment—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piercing voice reverberated through the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha glared at him with blazing eyes and issued a warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For the sin of insulting him and trying to mock me, you’ll pay dearly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar trembled with genuine fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no way of dealing with a high-level mage who was genuinely trying to kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘W-what do I do?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he had wanted was a conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had envisioned a heartwarming resolution where a priest facilitates an honest dialogue, leading to mutual understanding and reconciliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead, before he even had the chance to paint the picture, the canvas had turned pitch black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Survival first.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until Sasha’s anger subsided, he’d have to keep running and attempt a conversation later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar began to gather his magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, as expected. So, you’re finally showing your true colors!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You’re the one who tried to kill me first!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About to claim self-defense, Oscar was stunned by the incoming gusts of wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unique Magic: Rippling Wind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless gentle breezes flew toward him with no sense of malice or warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Oscar knew what those winds truly were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You’ve got to be kidding me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rippling Wind was a magic so powerful that it could effortlessly slice through the bones of most monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, needless to say, he was far less durable than those monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Blink.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once again, Oscar pulled the cord, teleporting to the opposite end of the rooftop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he resolved to keep running until Sasha’s anger waned—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve already seen that trick.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling voice accompanied by a petite figure’s cold gaze pierced him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, Sasha had read his magic and tracked his location, already waiting for him at the new spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha’s small fist struck him square in the solar plexus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though her hands seemed delicate, they carried an immense amount of magical power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If that lands, it’s over.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar instinctively realized this and hastily completed a spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『Isolation Garden.』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forced to act quickly, he sacrificed several safety measures, further shrinking the already small range of the spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But this will be enough.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Sasha’s fist halted midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at the void-like domain surrounding her with a bewildered expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… is Master’s… How is this possible?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isolation Garden was a unique spell created by Oscar Sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, it was a spell that couldn’t exist in the world after his death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a gaze filled with indescribable emotions, she asked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you to claim Oscar is dead, and yet so effortlessly use the magic of my late Master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only natural for her to react this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If their roles were reversed, he too wouldn’t have believed it easily and would have been suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar gave a bitter smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, for the first time, he said the words he had been holding back, pressing deep into his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha’s eyes widened, unable to grasp the meaning behind his apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the sincerity in Oscar’s voice resonated clearly as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise to return in a hundred nights.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the last promise he had made to Sasha—one he had ultimately failed to fulfill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if he ever faced her again as Oscar Sage, it was the first thing he wanted to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha’s wide, glistening eyes fixed on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A whirlwind of emotions surged within her gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t believe it, I can’t trust him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But I want to believe… This must be a trick… But how could anyone else know that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, the words she managed to force out were ones of denial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Don’t lie to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not lying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master is dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, but somehow, I’ve come to meet this crybaby again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t call me… a crybaby…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The radiant magic around her dissipated into countless particles, scattering like snow and wind in every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the swirling fragments, Sasha rubbed her eyes and began to sob like a child.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her body might have grown, but her crying was just as it had been before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar silently stayed by her side, waiting until she calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were so many things they needed to talk about from here on out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1842,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","5a7eb733eb0f63fb05808ba0c554b88423975eb07c7105dff0aa03ef24182a18","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-123","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-121",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]