[{"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-163":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},1334859,1778,"Chapter 163","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-163",163,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 163: Saint Hill (6)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three people who had climbed back up through the hole hid behind a wall, peeking out cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...There really are a lot of them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran muttered as he observed the stairs in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of patrolling believers easily exceeded thirty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After watching them for a moment, Fran spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But they don’t all look strong. Can’t even compare them to the guy we ran into earlier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. We were just being cautious, afraid of triggering some kind of alarm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Veronica uttered those words—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooong! Wooong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, red lights bathed the entire hallway, and an announcement rang out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Intruder alert. Intruder alert.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Three visiting mages have been confirmed to have infiltrated the basement of the main church.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[All believers are to gather in the basement immediately and eliminate the intruders on sight.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the announcement, the believers moved in perfect coordination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran shrugged at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow, well, at least we don’t have to worry about triggering the alarm anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We caused enough chaos downstairs. It was only a matter of time before we got caught.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, sensing the approaching footsteps from behind, calmly began gathering his mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, as soon as the believers spotted them, they shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Intruders spotted!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There they are!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the snap of his fingers—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive explosion of compressed air engulfed them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fran, Veronica, from here on, we’re forcing our way to the laboratory. Secure Kilian first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Veronica gave a brief response and sprinted down the hallway with her long legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think I heard a loud noise from this direction…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a fanatic turned the corner and locked eyes with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you looking at?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could react, Veronica’s knee crashed into his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kraaaagh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without sparing a glance at the unconscious fanatic, she continued sprinting down the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Intruder over here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s coming this way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s alone! Just kill her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fanatics guarding the entrance to the lab pulled out firearms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Devout believers using guns…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut up and die!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bang! Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she heard the gunfire, she tilted her head slightly, and the bullet grazed past her ear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For an ordinary person, the sharp pain would have paralyzed them in fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Veronica only pushed her legs harder against the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I won’t ever show that idiot a pathetic side of me again.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mana coursed through her circuits, forming a perfect magic formula without a single error.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic seeped into her body, granting her explosive speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>『Jet Booster』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike the basic Acceleration spell, which had a longer duration, this one provided an unparalleled increase in speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The believers' guns completely lost track of Veronica as she accelerated to nearly four times her original speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-What?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s too fast—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica’s Wind Cutter took care of them before they could react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That was way too fast. I didn’t even get to do anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran, who had arrived late, scratched his head awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica shot him a sideways glance and replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t need a patient’s help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, why are you treating me like a patient…? Huh? Hold on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blinking in realization, Fran suddenly broke into a grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you worried about me? In case I took internal damage from the last fight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Shut up, idiot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone could see she was embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran’s lips twitched, tempted to tease her, but he barely held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Later.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, now wasn’t the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We found it! The laboratory!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Call the high priests! No, call the High Priest!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The intruders are all here! In this area!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From three connecting hallways, hordes of believers began swarming in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their sheer numbers, Fran let out an awkward chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many believers do they even have?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At least a few hundred.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, now standing with his back to them, spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You two go inside and rescue Kilian first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone has to hold them off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If that’s the case, then I should—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are enemies inside, too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the mana radiating from within the lab, Oscar continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides, it’s more efficient for one person to handle this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two fell silent for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar turned to glance at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why so quiet? Get going already.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Got it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reluctantly, Fran and Veronica stepped into the lab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching their backs as they disappeared inside, Oscar smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Those two…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They probably wanted to fight alongside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Fran and Veronica had once been unable to stand by his side during a crucial moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why they wanted to prove it now—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That they had grown strong enough to fight beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Oscar understood their feelings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at least for today, it wasn’t going to happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…I can feel it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An overwhelming presence was approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful mana signature, moving toward him with slow but deliberate steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Level 6, at least.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had to fight an opponent of that caliber, protecting allies at the same time would be nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kill him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Receive salvation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>RATATATATAT!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From three directions, hundreds of bullets rained down on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced at them and murmured,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wind Shield.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One on the left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One on the right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three Wind Shields, each large enough to completely cover his towering frame, materialized at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, they moved—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shifting ever so slightly to intercept every bullet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Keep firing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s alone! Don’t stop until he’s dead!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>RATATATATAT!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For sixteen straight seconds, the relentless gunfire continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, the fanatics began to feel something was off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no blood?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wait… Not a single shot landed?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Impossible. Are White Tower mages’ defenses really this strong?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thousands of bullets had been deflected—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet, the shields remained unbroken, unblemished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more terrifying than the shields was the man behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing tall, arms crossed, looking down on them with composed indifference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A m-monster… He’s just like Serio…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the fanatics muttered in horror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CRACK!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive shield fell from above, crushing the fanatic in half.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the others hesitated in shock, Oscar raised a hand in a calming gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do not be jealous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice was smooth, almost mocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll be saved soon enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, ah… Serio-nim…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"High Priest…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, hmm, yes, yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he nodded slyly and moved, the fanatics parted like the sea, making way for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man who easily passed through them looked more like a boy than a young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'…Early to mid-20s at most?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now he understood why Fran had called him a monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked like someone his age, yet no attacks could reach him, making him seem even more like a monster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm? What, do you know me or something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar stared silently at the sudden question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling awkward, the man continued speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's just that your expression kept getting worse as I got closer. Thought maybe you knew me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As if I’d know someone like you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Right? Well, I don’t know your face either. But…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man's eyes, the one called Serio by the cultists, curved beautifully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your way of speaking is really irritating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a coincidence. I was just thinking the same about your ominous energy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his expression had soured, it was because of the sinister aura that came with the magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serio slowly walked down the hallway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go ahead, act tough all you want. The order was given to kill everyone except for the special ones anyway.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard you have an impressive defense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aha, your friend said that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right. I'm both the strongest shield and the strongest sword of the cult. I am the one and only High Priest of the Salvation Cult.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, there's no one stronger than you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's right. At least among the priests.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But there's still the cult leader, isn’t there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How foolish. The cult leader didn’t rise to that position through strength. He holds that position because of his devout faith.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that were true, then this guy was the only one in the cult worth worrying about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar felt a little more at ease and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go on, bring out that so-called unbreakable shield.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Looks like your friend didn’t explain it properly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment Serio chuckled—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From above, an overwhelming force of demonic energy descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar immediately leaped to the side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spot where he had stood was utterly destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The steel floor…'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With just a single attack, the supposedly sturdy ground was smashed as if it were ordinary stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar took this in, he heard his opponent's voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How foolish. This isn't just a shield.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a wing. The very Wings of Salvation described in the scriptures of the cult. In other words, I am an angel.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah, this guy was definitely insane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar observed the summoned \"shield,\" or rather, the so-called \"wings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were made of violet energy, flickering like ominous flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speaking of which, you also use an interesting shield.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serio licked his lips as he mentioned Oscar’s Wind Shield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shall we see whose shield is stronger?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You just called it a wing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here I come!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The opponent’s shield flew at him at an unexpected speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s three Wind Shields merged into one, forming a barrier in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CLANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like fragile glass, it shattered instantly, and the attack continued toward Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! Weak as hell!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His opponent was convinced that Oscar couldn’t block the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling victory within his grasp, Serio aimed for Oscar’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t block it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar admitted it honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he used all his energy, he could create a strong enough shield to withstand a couple of hits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the amount of mana it would consume was enormous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'There’s no reason to waste my energy just to block a few attacks.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the opponent was the strongest shield, then all he had to do was become the strongest sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Vwooom! Vwoooom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wind Cutter Oscar summoned roared more fiercely than any beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Serio burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hahaha! You’re a Level 4 Mage, and the best you can do is a Wind Cutter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re the foolish one. This isn't a Wind Cutter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing his own words thrown back at him, Serio frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Oscar wasn’t joking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a serious expression, he faced the incoming wings with a single blade of Wind Cutter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Has he lost his mind? Spouting nonsense with such a straight face.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Serio, who knew the toughness of his wings, shook his head—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Screeeech!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The supposedly weak Wind Cutter began to slice through his wings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1780,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","41da8d092e5ed67ad8b75e9bbf6c3451fcc5398b40fec26363c40335dfabee43","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-164","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-162",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]