[{"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-135":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},1334931,1778,"Chapter 135","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-135",135,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 135: Artificial Island, Ivemir (12)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body felt heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar lightly shook his hands as he felt the crushing weight of mana on his shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘About halfway, huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t just a sensation—his actual speed had slowed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like he was submerged in a dense, heavy liquid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each movement was unnatural, hindered, and sluggish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What should I do?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two choices clashed in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was to go all out while he was still in peak condition and confront the enemy head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If things go well, that would be ideal. But if I fail to end this quickly, I’ll be doomed.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On top of that, he was already burdened by this weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, this option was all-or-nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And the other option…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trusting in Fran, Veronica, and Kilian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they could just shut down the mana plant, then the enemy wouldn’t be able to maintain this overwhelming pressure for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief deliberation, Oscar made his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They should start earning their keep.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering how much he had invested in them, it would be disappointing if they couldn’t handle this much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having reached his conclusion, he relaxed his body, deciding to minimize stamina and mana loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The homunculus watching him chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re acting composed. Do you really think I can’t maintain this state for long?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To some extent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unfortunate for you, but I could sustain this for over ten years if I wanted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power generated by the waterfall provided an endless supply of mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar replied indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You talk as if you’re something special, even though you’re just leeching off the mana plant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That, too, is my power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then all we have to do is get rid of that power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smug laugh echoed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You trust your allies quite a bit. But dream on. They will never achieve their goal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Geez, you sure talk a lot for something without a mouth. Where’s the sound even coming from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Insolent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a faint killing intent laced the homunculus’s voice, a dozen mages simultaneously sprang into action.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Here they come.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s eyes darted in all directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The incoming magic attacks registered instantly in his brain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll evade what I can.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body spun lightly like the wind, narrowly avoiding four spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll cut down what I can.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment his gentle evasions ended, his demeanor shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His two Wind Blades carved through the air, slicing through incoming spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And as for the ones I can neither dodge nor cut…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll block them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wind Shield he deployed in front absorbed the barrage of incoming magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the dust settled, Oscar emerged unscathed, without a single scratch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Impressive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The homunculus muttered in admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone witnessing this would have doubted whether this was truly a battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire sequence had been executed so seamlessly that it resembled a well-rehearsed circus performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One man had handled thirteen spells without a single wasted movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Oscar didn’t seem pleased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The relentless mana weighing down on him was becoming increasingly burdensome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even though I’ve been conserving stamina and mana, I’m already short of breath.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would be the first to collapse if he had to endure just two or three more exchanges like that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Should I reconsider my approach?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as doubt began creeping in about Fran and the others—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the overwhelming mana pressing on his shoulders began to fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling his movements becoming freer, Oscar smirked and looked toward the homunculus in the glass chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The ten years I know seem a bit longer than this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is impossible….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The homunculus, visibly shaken, muttered incoherently, seemingly unaware of its own disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Defeated? No, that’s not possible. The entity I sent there contained the fusion of thirteen souls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You thought you could stop them with just thirteen? No wonder you lost.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar added another remark, the surrounding mages glared at him murderously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t know anything. Merging souls means combining different thoughts and wills into a single entity.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, it created a temporary unified being with a single mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With thirteen souls fused, its power should be equivalent to a 7th-level mage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A 7th-level mage, huh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the opponent had truly been at that level, Fran and the others would never have stood a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But if this creature is talking about a 7th-level mage by standards from 200 years ago, that’s a different story.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The concept of magic levels hadn’t changed over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A 7th-level mage meant someone with seven magic circuits, whether now or 200 years ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But that doesn’t mean their abilities are the same.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic evolved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the duty of each generation to study, analyze, and improve upon the spells passed down by their predecessors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With 200 years of progress, modern mages were naturally stronger on average.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A 7th-level mage from 200 years ago would be around a 5th-level mage today—maybe a 6th if we’re being generous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The homunculus’s voice sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you claiming modern mages are superior to those of the past?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not a claim. It’s a fact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, not all mages followed this pattern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take Ado Vail, Oscar’s second mentor—he was still a nearly unmatched existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But true geniuses have existed in every era.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What mattered wasn’t the peak, but the average.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike knights, mages grew stronger as time passed and knowledge accumulated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, you don’t have to accept it if you don’t want to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The homunculus fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as if talking to itself, it muttered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see… That explains the sense of incongruity I felt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Incongruity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your magic control, your understanding of spells, the perfection of your techniques… You’re nothing like the 4th-level mages I knew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, that’s just because…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, he wasn’t actually at the 4th level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But once a misunderstanding began, it was hard to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm. You, and the mana plant as well… I suppose my standards are outdated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The homunculus coolly admitted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the dozen mages around him dissolved into mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s gaze narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s the meaning of this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve decided to change my plans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Plans?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The homunculus pressed itself against the glass and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar Crucian, what do you think our goal is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Revenge against the empire that deceived you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, you know well. Then what’s the first step toward achieving that revenge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, first, you’d need to crawl out of that glass chamber.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. If we want revenge, we must escape this prison first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud, thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The homunculus inside the glass chamber banged its body against the wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that’s impossible. We are beings that can only breathe, think, and live within this special liquid inside the glass chamber.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Ah, really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s eyes gleamed at the unexpected information, but the homunculus scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re thinking of doing anything foolish, I suggest you stop. This reinforced glass chamber boasts durability strong enough to withstand sword energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need a body. Not a fake illusion like this, but a real body of flesh and blood, one that can live outside this glass chamber.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had realized what they wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Possession… no, in this case, should I call it parasitism? You need a body to inhabit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can call it whatever you want. That’s the correct answer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The homunculus pressed against the glass and whispered in a sweet voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar Crucian. Join hands with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Without even hearing the conditions? There’s no harm in listening.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t need to hear them to know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran, Veronica, Killian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They wanted one of their bodies for themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in return, they’d probably offer the knowledge they had accumulated over 200 years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give me the body of one of your companions. In return, I will teach you all the knowledge we have amassed over more than two centuries.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could it be so perfectly word-for-word what he expected?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar let out a small exclamation before replying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You already heard my answer earlier, didn’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmm. So I can take this to mean there’s no peaceful resolution?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t that obvious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had already been fighting to the death for hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need a living body, and you refuse to give us one. That leaves us with only one option—to take it by force.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead and try. If you can.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what they did, Oscar was confident he wouldn’t lose in a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Especially now that they’ve lost their near-infinite mana.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he pondered strategies in his mind against this centuries-old relic, the homunculus muttered quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I should have kept those thirteen souls instead of sending them out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, a figure appeared in front of the glass chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A seemingly ordinary old man with no particularly distinct features.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the moment Oscar faced him, he swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mana emanating from within the old man was anything but ordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This… this might really be close to Level 7.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if reading his thoughts, the old man slowly opened his eyes and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar Crucian. What level would you say this form is at in modern standards?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar couldn’t answer immediately, and the old man smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From your reaction, I take it you’ve realized that I am at least on par with a Level 7 mage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So this is what you meant by merging souls?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man nodded readily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time, I merged all the remaining souls—forty in total.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That merging souls wasn’t just a simple matter of 1+1 was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They said it unifies thinking and judgment.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that were the only advantage, there’d be no reason to merge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The previous strength—casting multiple spells simultaneously—likely remained intact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Basically, I should assume I’m fighting forty mages in one body.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s gaze flicked toward the glass chamber behind the old man’s illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, the homunculus remained completely motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I get the chance, I’ll strike the main body.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this old man was just an illusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A very special illusion infused with forty souls—but an illusion nonetheless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That might actually work to my advantage.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Destroying the illusion would undoubtedly shock the real body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, considering the enemy’s power level was near Level 7, that was easier said than done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can see what you’re thinking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man spoke in a relaxed tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want to break free of my line of sight and attack the real body. Your intentions are crystal clear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised one hand lightly, and an immense surge of magic energy condensed, pressing down on the entire space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar Crucian. The offer we—I—gave you was a gesture of goodwill. But since you refused it, don’t regret what happens next.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind and above the old man, nearly a hundred magic circles appeared in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Holy shit…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cursed and hurriedly drew upon his own mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man smirked, his lips curving slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry too much. After all, I need your body to remain functional. I won’t break it too badly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic poured forth from the hundred circles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every single one of them was an offensive spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chaotic mix of random attributes, making it nearly impossible to counter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Oscar didn’t give up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giving up now would mean surrendering his body to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That’s not an option.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, this was the body of the little Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had promised to fulfill that boy’s dreams and revenge—he wouldn’t let anyone take it until that mission was complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Think.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The barrage of attacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading and interpreting their countless trajectories while simultaneously strategizing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t dodge or block all of them anyway.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A plan to overturn the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flood of thoughts raced through his mind, calculating feasibility and success rates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And through it all, his body never stopped moving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hup!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar twisted mid-air, dodging the incoming spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, he couldn’t avoid everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slice! Tear!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His skin was gashed in multiple places, and blood splattered from wounds both shallow and deep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could even register the pain, his mind burned with intensity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A frontal assault is impossible. Escape is impossible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From countless considerations, only one strategy emerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll deceive him.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment that thought solidified, Oscar cast 『Wind Shield』.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive barrier large enough to cover his entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How foolish. You should know that such a shield won’t stop these attacks.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he knew that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He never intended to block the barrage with just Wind Shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason he cast it…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Let your guard down.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even for just a second, he needed the old man to lower his vigilance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Oscar crouched beneath the shield, his eyes never lost their fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom! Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shield shattered in moments, and the old man’s magic bombarded the spot where Oscar had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s over.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man, watching with his hands behind his back, took slow steps forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the dust settled, he saw Oscar’s bloodied body lying there and reached out his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only for Oscar’s figure to dissipate into smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…An illusion?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing his mistake, the old man’s head snapped around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By then, Oscar had already used Blink, pulling the thread of space to arrive inside the glass chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Got it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first and last chance that would never come again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew his Wind Blade inside the chamber, ready to slice the brain in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>...Or so he thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You nearly ruined everything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body—he couldn't move a single finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An immense magical force bound him, preventing even the slightest movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man approached the glass chamber, his face twisted in displeasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I must admit, your resolve is admirable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To think that in such a grim situation, he had come up with such an elaborate plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the end, the outcome had already been decided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'This doesn't feel right.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bad premonition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't afford to give his opponent any more time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man, sensing urgency, quickly waved his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Oscar's body slowly lifted inside the glass chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...This guy really has nothing left to lose, huh?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, the mana generator had been shut down by Fran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant—his opponent was using magic recklessly, without any thought for what came next.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Accept me. Accept us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment their eyes met, blood spurted from Oscar's mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kh-hak!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt something unknown creeping into him, and his vision turned inside out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire bloodstream began to boil as heat surged through his body, accompanied by unbearable pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as if something had been forcefully stuffed into his body—something that didn’t quite fit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Arghhhhhh!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bubbles rose, bursting at the surface of the liquid-filled chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't breathe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But worse than the physical pain was the mental agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if his brain was being contaminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Accept us. Accept us quietly.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It became difficult to tell whether these thoughts were his own—or theirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Summoning superhuman willpower, Oscar barely clung to consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice, smooth and pleased, echoed in his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Oh? You’re holding up quite well. Your mental fortitude is far greater than we expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice whispered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-But give up. Let go, and drift into a deep sleep. Then, you’ll be free from all this pain… Hm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Homunculus' voice suddenly shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-…What is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A feeling of bewilderment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Homunculus strode into Oscar’s mental world with confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here, there was no one to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Oscar Crucian. There’s no need to fight this one with magic.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing wasn’t something they even considered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still—there was never a 0% chance of failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, stripped of infinite mana, they had no reason to take unnecessary risks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Here, I am guaranteed to win.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, he possessed the power of forty merged souls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forcibly overpowering the target’s soul and seizing control of the body should be simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Homunculus frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen many mental worlds before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even considering that—this place was strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Books?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An endless expanse of books, stacked high upon each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a mental world was a representation of its owner's inner universe, then this one was far too barren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the 53 minds he had consumed, not a single one had been this desolate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Where is the room?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deepest chamber of a person’s mental world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoever occupied that room would become the true owner of the body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing this, the Homunculus pressed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'...Found it.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, nestled among the towering stacks of books, he spotted the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached for the doorknob—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, he turned his head to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Oscar’s soul was supposed to be inside that room…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then who was the shadowy figure standing among the books, back turned towards him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling realization struck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the Homunculus opened his mouth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A command was issued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"U-UUUEEEEGH!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the glass chamber, the small brain convulsed violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forceful ejection had caused severe backlash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s composed figure was now completely gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Barely regaining his senses, the Homunculus shuddered in pure terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wh-Who… What are you?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Cough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive foreign soul had tried to enter his body—only to be violently expelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, in no better condition, struggled to keep his eyes open and glared at his opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An-Answer me! Wh-Who is inside that body?! What are you?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar didn’t know exactly what the Homunculus was saying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right now, his opponent was completely defenseless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would not miss this chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『Wind Blade.』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time, he didn’t make a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a swift, precise strike—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Homunculus was cleaved in two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wh-Why…!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A final, desperate cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRASH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glass chamber shattered, and its liquid spilled out onto the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2991,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","f5644b8477fc36b8fae8d8ac6bbf6764f3a1495362837a9d90f10afce02431a9","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-136","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-134",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]