[{"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-168":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},1334864,1778,"Chapter 168","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-168",168,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 168: Each One’s Dawn (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>40th Floor Training Room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After changing into comfortable training clothes, the two met in the designated room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar spoke first, addressing Veronica, who was doing light stretches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, let me ask you something. What exactly do you want to learn from me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Like, my direction going forward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was barely above a whisper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hmm, her confidence seems to be at an all-time low.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar didn’t even need to ask why—he could already guess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was undoubtedly because of Fran and Kilian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their common trait was that they had a clear understanding of what they needed to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Kilian knows the strengths and weaknesses of tattoo magic. Because of that, he's not impatient. He’s progressing slowly but surely toward his goal.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since mastering Wind Spirit techniques at Saint Hill, he'd found a clear direction for his training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, even if they moved at a slow pace, they weren’t lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But she's different.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica Fricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had the extraordinary talent of ultra-fast casting, yet she must have been feeling her own limitations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not just her abilities, but the biggest reason is probably…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was because she was surrounded by too many exceptional mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given her personality, she was bound to feel impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since she saw everyone in the Special Operations Division as rivals, she must have thought she was falling behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If at least she had a clear milestone to follow, she might feel less anxious. But she doesn’t even have that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put, she was like a drifting ship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Floating endlessly across the sea, carried by the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't know whether she was heading in the right direction—or even where she was supposed to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay. Problem identified.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that he understood the situation, the solution was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Basically, you want to know how to get stronger, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can definitely teach you that. But I won’t lie—it won’t be easy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica responded firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her sharp eyes showed not even a hint of hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At the very least, I won’t quit just because it gets hard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her resolve was solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar smirked slightly and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Starting now, what you need to do is—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he watched her swallow nervously, Oscar tapped his temple with his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You need to train your thinking skills.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Are you saying we’re going to fight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, no, that’s not what I meant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her gaze suddenly turn icy, Oscar quickly added an explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be precise, I mean imagination. Yeah, training your imagination is a better way to put it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Imagination?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica furrowed her brows, clearly not understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does that even mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It sounds complicated when I say it like that, but you’re already doing it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar clapped his hands lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, close your eyes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Okay.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She obediently shut her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, visualize a spell in your mind. Let’s keep it simple—try Wind Cutter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Got it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, actually cast Wind Cutter and open your eyes to check the result. What do you see?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica opened her eyes and examined the Wind Cutter she had conjured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, it looks the way I imagined it. But what kind of training is this supposed to be?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, take a closer look.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s voice grew more serious, and Veronica listened carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that exactly the Wind Cutter you imagined? The length, the shape, the thickness, the sharpness—do they all match?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well… they don’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly. Your first goal is to make them match perfectly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica pressed her lips together tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t say anything, but Oscar could tell what she was thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're doing it just because I told you to, but you have no idea why, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Was it that obvious?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, it wasn’t. I just know your personality.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People with strong opinions like her needed a clear explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they didn’t understand why they were doing something, they wouldn’t be motivated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s take a quick history lesson, then. Veronica, do you know when the first Spell Shooter with ultra-fast casting appeared?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About 700 years ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct. Before the Magic Tower was even established, they burst onto the scene with unprecedented speed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though their magic was weaker, they compensated by casting a huge number of spells at speeds their opponents couldn’t react to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This simple yet devastating tactic shook the magical world at the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, fast casting speed became a necessity, and that mindset still persists today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next question. What’s the strength of a Spell Shooter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Literally that—they can unleash a huge number of spells extremely fast. That gives them overwhelming firepower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And their weakness?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Since they use so many spells, they burn through mana quickly. Also, certain types of magic counter them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bingo.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar made a gesture as if to say, well said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That certain type of magic you mentioned—it’s probably high-tier magic, right? The ones that take a long time to cast.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though ultra-fast casting was possible, it didn’t mean they could skip incantation steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They just completed them at extreme speeds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But high-tier magic required preparation time, even for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"High-tier magic is on a completely different level in terms of power. Even Spell Shooters with ultra-fast casting need a long setup. The moment they start preparing a high-tier spell, they lose their biggest advantage. So how did other Spell Shooters compensate for this weakness?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…By increasing their speed even further and casting an even greater number of spells.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct. They completely abandoned high-tier magic. In other words, quantity over quality. That’s the fighting style most people associate with Spell Shooters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And because of that, their golden age was much shorter than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The other mages weren’t fools. The spells that Spell Shooters scatter are flashy and dazzling, but they realized that their actual power was weaker than expected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, defensive magic advanced rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s why, in modern society, there aren’t many mages who fear Spell Shooters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ultra-fast chanting is undoubtedly a blessed talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that talent alone isn't enough to reach the top, as the skill level of mages has become too standardized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any high-ranking mage could easily block dozens of intermediate spells being scattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, the higher the level, the less valuable the talent of ultra-fast chanting becomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I know. I know that ultra-fast chanting has its limits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t as if she hadn’t researched books or documents on the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, because it was her own ability, she had likely studied it more diligently than anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But right now, this is the only thing I can rely on. The only thing I can truly say I'm better at than others… is this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, that’s true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t have overwhelming mana like I do, and while your chanting speed is fast, it’s not enough to compete with tattoo magic. And you don’t have a unique magic like Fran that allows you to create unpredictable situations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica clenched her fists tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unpleasant to hear, but it wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, it was precisely because everything he said was true that it was even more frustrating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haa…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out a heavy sigh, Veronica lifted her chin defiantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s right. The only thing I have to rely on is this outdated ultra-fast chanting. So what? Are you telling me to change my style because Spell Shooters have clear limits?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, the opposite.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar lightly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't doubt yourself. You don’t need to worry about anything else—just hone that talent to the absolute limit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica’s expression turned to one of shock at the unexpected words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But… this ability clearly has its limits…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be precise, it had limits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just 20 years ago, the White Tower had the world’s greatest Spell Shooter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Magiro Wilson. The White Tower’s strategist and the White Reaper.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica’s sharp response made Oscar chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that name, he couldn't help but smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He often spouted nonsense, but he was never boring to be around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s right. Do you know what kind of rumors surrounded his magic?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I found a few war journals from soldiers who fought alongside him. They said he cast high-level spells as quickly as basic ones and annihilated demons with ease.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shook her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s probably an exaggeration. Soldiers were scared during the war—they could’ve been hallucinating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm? I think differently.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as an emperor has a chancellor, Oscar had Magiro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He acted like a scholar in peacetime, but on the battlefield, he was the most reliable Spell Shooter anyone could ask for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t called Oscar’s left hand for nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If those were mere exaggerations, the other four Great Magic Towers would have stepped in by now. They wouldn’t allow a White Tower mage to be glorified like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that they hadn’t meant only one thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rumors were true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica furrowed her brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…But if that’s the case, how is that even possible?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve spent a long time thinking about that. Especially while working on restoring lost spells.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar continued with a reasonable pretext.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The reason high-level magic takes so long to cast is simple—its formulas are incredibly complex.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magiro focused on that obvious fact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He probably wasn’t casting full high-level spells.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That makes sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But, he was casting magic that was indistinguishable from them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Are you playing with words?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not at all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar slowly closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t born with ultra-fast chanting, but his chanting speed was still quite fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you earlier, right? What you need to train is your imagination. This is why.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar painted a picture in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive spear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A spear so large and sharp that it could rival the high-level spells of the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I had to summon this spear all at once, even I wouldn’t be able to do it with my current body.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if he followed Magiro’s method, it was possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Spell fragmentation.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magnificent spear in his mind shattered into dozens of pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One part contained only the handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another had just the spearhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet another depicted the elegant curves of the blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Fragmented summoning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mana drained rapidly, and sweat beaded on his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the fragmented images he had envisioned began materializing around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this were an actual battle, those fragments would be attacking enemies and blocking incoming strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haa…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, when he opened his eyes, what stood before him was a collection of unrecognizable ‘pieces.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar controlled his mana to pull them together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Magic refinement.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swoooosh!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The individual fragments, once meaningless, swiftly merged into a single form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And before he realized it, a colossal spear radiating an overwhelming killing intent floated above him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…A promised spear of victory.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was how Magiro had used ultra-fast chanting to unleash magic as powerful as high-level spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technique was called—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over Craft.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1836,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","65a77a664d73e7ed3550c08980b046a1b2298c5c929306ea337fc1d1ae066576","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-169","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-167",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]