[{"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-123":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},1334919,1778,"Chapter 123","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-123",123,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 123: Return (5)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha cried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cried so much that her eyes swelled up like balloons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, as if she felt awkward about the situation, she kept avoiding his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anyone were to witness this scene, they would undoubtedly think he was the one who made her cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, who naturally pulled out a handkerchief, strode over to Sasha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flinched and looked cautious, but he didn’t care and brought the handkerchief right to her nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like in the old days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Blow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hngh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hesitating for a moment, Sasha blew her nose hard, even clearing the snot, and then looked visibly more refreshed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, she started avoiding his gaze again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, who had folded the snot-covered handkerchief several times and tucked it into his pocket, asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong? Feeling awkward?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… obviously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was so quiet it sounded like ants crawling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carefully, she opened her mouth again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I… ask you just a few more questions?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ask as many as you want.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, what was the first thing I ever said to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first thing Sasha ever said?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Usually, a baby’s first words are something like “Ma” or “Pa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Babies often say words like “Mama” or “Papa” first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in Sasha’s case…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It was ‘Ka.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like she was trying to say “Oscar” but couldn’t manage the first syllable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, whenever you were hungry, you’d cry out, ‘Ka~ Ka~’ nonstop. Back then, you couldn’t even control your bladder, so I had to change your diapers—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-that’s enough! Next question!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face flushed red, Sasha quickly tried to change the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I was little, I broke something once. We promised to take that secret to our graves. What was it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, this was a bit confusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: this crybaby and he had made such promises countless times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which promise are you talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The one where I got on my knees and begged for forgiveness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, if it’s that one, are you talking about the time you accidentally broke Lloyd’s favorite flower while admiring it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, Lloyd had been so determined to find the culprit that he studied tracking magic with fire in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a side note, he eventually figured out on his own that Sasha was the culprit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he found out it was the youngest, he decided to pretend not to know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That’s right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha slowly nodded her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, for the first time, she looked him in the eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You really are my Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re really… my Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly stopped her when she looked like she was about to cry again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I get that you’re sad, but you’ve already cried for 20 minutes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What can I do if tears keep coming out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, can you try holding back a little? We’ve got a lot to talk about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sniffling, Sasha nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. And if there’s anything else you want to ask, just ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…How did this happen to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That part, I don’t know either. I was definitely dead, but when I opened my eyes, I was in a hospital room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memories of that day, not long ago, resurfaced vividly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At first, I thought someone was messing around with my soul. But the Sage of the Stars denied that. They said resurrection isn’t such a simple concept.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha seemed to ponder something for a moment, then cautiously asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So… did Oscar truly die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Like I said before, he drank an illegal potion and died. Otherwise, my soul wouldn’t have been able to enter this body.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, Sasha’s expression turned bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having been close to countless deaths, Oscar understood how she must be feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, there’s no need for you to apologize, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the grand scheme of time, she was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the young Oscar drank the illegal potion and died, his soul had entered this body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Sasha still couldn’t erase the bitter expression from her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I always thought he was a child who’d eventually shine bright… That’s the part I find so heartbreaking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…He was a remarkable mage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar closed his eyes and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, I’m thinking of making sure his revenge is carried out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Revenge? For what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You might not know this, but that boy wasn’t a mana deficiency patient.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he explained that all 20 of his body’s mana circuits had been deliberately blocked, Sasha clenched her fists in fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Th-those terrible people! Who are they?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know. But they’ll show themselves to me soon enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the Night of mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the news of him reaching Level 4 became widely known.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…If you ever need my help, just let me know. I want to take revenge too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With her eyes blazing with determination, Sasha suddenly looked straight at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And there’s one more thing I want to ask.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Am I the first person to know you’ve returned?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her unwavering gaze, there was an indescribable pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her blank expression was so stern that, for a moment, she reminded him of Lloyd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unconsciously gulping, Oscar nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of-of course. You’re the first one I’ve told.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, excluding the Spirit King of the Wind and the dwarves—though that was just a minor technicality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his answer, Sasha’s expression immediately softened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s a relief. For a moment, I thought you might have told him at the Red Citadel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Him? No matter what, he’s still your senior.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior or not, aren’t you angry? He betrayed you and ran straight to the enemy’s tower master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, every time he thought about it, his heart felt heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after meeting Lloyd in person, he couldn’t bring himself to criticize him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The way he looked now… he didn’t seem happy at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar let out a bitter smile and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He must have had his reasons. Anyway, I had already decided in my heart that you, who have consistently protected the White Tower, were the first person who deserved to know this secret.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a lie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, really? I’m so happy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing how happy Sasha was made him feel a little guilty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he gave her an awkward smile, the excited Sasha kept talking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, the success of restoring the potion’s formula and the magic was all thanks to your knowledge, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right. Honestly, I wanted to restore all the high-level magic I remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That would be difficult, though. If you had done that, you might have been kidnapped to a secret imperial military base and subjected to experiments.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, Sasha understood the risks all too well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was funny how they ended up reaching the same conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In any case, I’ve already prepared for that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar revealed that he had entrusted all his materials to Edna Sol Laplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Sasha paused for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I see. At least you considered those of us left behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. If I didn’t have faith that you could manage on your own, I wouldn’t have made that decision.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faith.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that word, Sasha’s expression suddenly became somber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry. I feel like I didn’t live up to that expectation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not your fault. If anything, you’ve done far better than I expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the way she monopolized the delivery market by utilizing Ouroboros and magical engineering for airship operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar gave her the highest praise for that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I probably wouldn’t have even thought of something so ingenious. You’ve been a genius since you were young.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-What are you saying? If it were you, Master, things wouldn’t have gotten so bad in the first place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blushing from the compliment, she laughed bashfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, to retrieve the high-level magic and various materials, we’ll need to find Edna first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I already know where she is. When I visited Baran, I learned her whereabouts through the Blood Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...You know where she is but haven’t retrieved the materials yet? She must be in a very hard-to-reach place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sharp as ever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar turned his gaze to the north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond the northern plateau, past the barren wasteland, stood a mountain range like a natural fortress blocking the way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Edna is beyond the Red Mountains. I suspect she couldn’t escape from there on the day the Great Emperor died.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...That’s impossible. Didn’t she always fly through the skies when she traveled?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was precisely why dragons were called demigods and guardians of balance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite their enormous size, it was nearly impossible to spot them flying through the stratosphere with the naked eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But for some reason, she couldn’t escape the Red Mountains. That’s the truth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, the Red Mountains…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After some thought, Sasha spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With the White Tower’s current power, crossing the Red Mountains is impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I agree. That’s why I plan to somehow secure the help of the imperial family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the imperial family assisted, rescuing her wouldn’t be impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was figuring out how to gain their support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are three ways to do that,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha said, holding up three fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The first is the most dangerous: I go directly to the Emperor and inform him of your return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rejected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar immediately shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I plan to share my return only with people I’ve personally judged trustworthy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha didn’t know the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, for that matter, neither did Oscar anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s unlikely, but if he’s become a completely different person from before…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Informing him of his return could be an irreparable mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, no matter what, he intended to confirm it for himself first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I agree with you. Then the second method is to win the Oscar at the White Night Festival and secure a private audience with the Emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s definitely the easiest option.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could meet the Emperor in person, he’d find a way to make it work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And the last method… is the Night of the mages.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Night of the mages? You mean the one being revived this year?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right. It’s not certain yet, but there’s a rumor that the Emperor himself will attend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor might attend the Night of the mages?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that was true, it meant he could see him very soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it seemed much more likely than winning an Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If I can gain the imperial family’s support and bring Edna back… things will improve.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glory of the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brightest and most beloved days of the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Restoring it all wouldn’t just be a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha clenched her fists tightly and made a resolution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, I’ll support you with everything I have. Once everything is revealed and it’s the right time, I’ll even return the Tower Master position to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, I don’t need the Tower Master position.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar firmly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to take away his disciple’s position—it just didn’t feel right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And more than anything…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d always thought of himself as an excellent mage, but not a great leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling faintly, Oscar patted Sasha’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re a much better Tower Master than I am. So be confident.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-Master…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Sasha burst into tears and cried for another twenty minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1890,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","1cef9e585e9286b518da22ff7c5aa30100b29c527d771e03c3fd3181f598adaf","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-124","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-122",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]