[{"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-176":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},1334872,1778,"Chapter 176","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-176",176,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 176: Sirin’s Afternoon (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the lid was barely cracked open, a fragrant aroma seeped out, filling the entire room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar sniffed the air, tilting his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What is this? I’m sure I’ve smelled this somewhere before.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to resist, he threw the lid open, revealing a massive fruit inside the box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fruit was about the size of an adult’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its color was a luscious shade of orange, and its surface gleamed as if it had been polished with oil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, this is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s eyes trembled as he immediately recognized the fruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he had eaten it in his previous life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, however, it wasn’t the emperor who had gifted it to him—it was the elves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Fruit of the World Tree.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vast forest covering the southwestern part of the continent was the territory of the elves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At its heart stood the colossal World Tree, also known as the Divine Tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fruit was a rare treasure that grew on the World Tree only once every ten years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Once in ten years.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One might think that sounded fairly common, but it was anything but.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elves, being an insular people, rarely interacted with humans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even when they did, it was extremely uncommon for them to offer such a precious gift as the World Tree’s fruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, due to a “special reason”, it was difficult to preserve for long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If I remember correctly, there were only two of these fruits left in the imperial treasury.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless they had somehow acquired more during the twenty years he had been asleep, this was surely one of the remaining two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar gazed at the fruit with a conflicted expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its effects were simple yet profound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It enhances both the quality and quantity of one’s mana.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fruit purified the mana one possessed, making it more refined, and drastically increased its volume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fitting power for the fruit of the Divine Tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, it was utterly wasted on a mere fourth-level mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While consuming it wouldn’t be harmful, it was simply far too valuable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even if I eat this now, I won’t be able to absorb all the mana it contains.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer amount of mana packed into the fruit was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the very least, it would take a high-level mage—level six or higher—to fully absorb it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his previous life, he had only eaten it after reaching level seven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What a waste… I’m grateful, but it’s too soon for me to consume this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason the emperor had gifted such an incredible treasure to a mere fourth-level mage was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was surely because he had heard that Oscar had inherited spatial magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Everyone knows that spatial magic consumes an enormous amount of mana.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, throughout history, the mages with the largest mana reserves always included Ado Vail in their ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor must have worried that Oscar, despite possessing spatial magic, would be unable to use it due to a lack of mana—and this was his way of showing consideration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m sure the emperor didn’t think this was wasteful at all.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that’s the kind of person he was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man who lacked nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he needed more, he would simply obtain it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But from a mage’s perspective, eating this fruit now would be wasteful to the point of madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar wanted nothing more than to close the lid and save the fruit for later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was that he couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No matter what, I have to eat it within a week.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That “special reason” mentioned earlier was the cause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The World Tree was called the Divine Tree because it truly possessed god-like powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fruit, having grown from that tree, contained a faint trace of divine energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘As the dragons would say, such potent power cannot remain in the mortal realm for long.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was likely why the World Tree spent thousands of years in slumber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, the fruit’s effectiveness would gradually diminish over time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why the elves, upon harvesting it, typically gave it to a predetermined recipient within a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course, this particular fruit was gifted by the elves, so it must have undergone special preservation treatment.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since he had opened it, the clock was now ticking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The luxurious wooden box should have clued him in—it was clearly the work of the elves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he had carelessly opened it without realizing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he found himself resenting the emperor for the first time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If you’re going to give me such a magnificent gift, you could at least make a bit of a show about it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would it have killed him to include a note or something?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a heavy sigh, Oscar crossed his arms and stared at the fruit for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of contemplation, he slowly nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no helping it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to eat it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was no longer a choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Oscar was a greedy man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I can’t consume more than one of these in the same body.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body wouldn’t be able to withstand it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he had to extract the maximum benefit from this single fruit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking a deep breath, Oscar made his decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s a little earlier than I planned, but… I’ll do it. I’ll create my fifth mana circuit.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the massive surge of mana he would gain from the fruit,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he planned to forge a brand-new mana circuit in one go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, his body would either explode from the excess mana or he would have to let it all dissipate into the ether.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And, of course, dying was not an option—nor was letting this golden opportunity slip away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without further hesitation, Oscar brought the fruit to his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bit into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fruit melted in his mouth like cotton candy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, his heartbeat quickened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s coming.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive wave of mana, far greater than what he had previously possessed, surged through him like a tidal wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar sharpened his focus, pouring all his attention into the incoming power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a single drop of this refined mana could be wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hngh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden influx of mana caused his circuits to swell painfully, as if they were about to burst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how excruciating it was, he couldn’t afford to let it slip away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll absorb every last bit of it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fighting through the agony, Oscar carefully stabilized his circuits, guiding the mana through his body in a steady, controlled flow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But despite his efforts, there was still far too much mana left over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘From here on out…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no turning back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As planned, Oscar began engraving his fifth mana circuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The design and layout had already been thoroughly planned out long ago, so there were no obstacles during the process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the overwhelming magic surged, clamoring for direction, Oscar installed a new circuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If another mage were to witness this scene, they would have been shocked beyond belief at the sheer recklessness of such an act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Oscar completed the task without a single moment of hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had it not been for the unwavering resolve he had cultivated as an archmage in his previous life, he would have wavered and suffered dire consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He barely had time for a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rampaging magic instantly filled the fifth circuit to capacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was then that Oscar’s expression changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after installing the fifth circuit, there was still a significant amount of magic left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no choice but to contemplate his next move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What should I do?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fifth circuit had already been successfully installed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he were to release the remaining magic back into nature, he would still have profited significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was a mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An archmage who once stood at the pinnacle of magic, revered by all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a position that could never be reached through half-hearted effort or moderate satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I try something crazy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A powerful impulse struck him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he knew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever a new magic circuit was installed, the stabilization process was essential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the very thing he repeatedly emphasized to his students during lectures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But…….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how he looked at it, this was an incredibly rare opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he let this chance slip away, it would take at least a year before he could reach level six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar bit down hard on his lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in the midst of his contemplation, the magic surging inside him continued to rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this rate, he would either explode or be forced to release the magic into the atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My master once said……’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When faced with hesitation, it’s better to simply go for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, if something truly shouldn’t be done, the doubt itself wouldn’t even arise—it would simply feel wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Phew.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, he was trembling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His once fiery blood felt cold, and his mouth was parched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Attempting to carve two magic circuits at once was a feat he had never dared in his previous life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—he had never even heard of anyone attempting such madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar slowly closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He halted the operation of his five senses and instead relied solely on his sixth sense, observing the universe within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the cosmos of swirling magic storms, he began to map out new constellations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dots connected into lines, and the lines formed pathways.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Ugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem arose almost immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic began to leak from the unstable fifth circuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Should I give up?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he abandon the new circuit and focus solely on restoring the fifth one?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fear crept into his mind, planting seeds of weakness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Oscar bit his lip even harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp pain and the metallic taste of blood stung his senses, sharpening his focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘……I’ll restore the fifth circuit and install the sixth one. I’ll do both simultaneously.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a suicidal decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t something that could be achieved through mere dual casting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It required mental fortitude beyond that of any ordinary person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone could speak clearly under normal circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But could they do so when staring down the barrel of a gun?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without trembling?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar did it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calmly, as if nothing were amiss, he carried on with the restoration and installation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For two hours, he maintained his superhuman endurance and focus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The last…… one.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he placed the final celestial dot, as if the reprieve had reached its limit, Oscar lost consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar slowly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A foul stench assaulted his nostrils.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh…….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he sluggishly scanned his surroundings, his gaze landed on a mirror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The small face of Oscar stared back at him, unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, his skin, usually flawless, now glistened with a noticeable sheen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He got up and moved his body cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming that there were no issues, he gulped and examined his internal state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘One, two, three, four…….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four circuits, glowing more brilliantly than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And alongside them, two fainter but clearly connected magic circuits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I did it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mage who had installed two magic circuits in a single night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he found it hard to believe, chuckling at the absurdity of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Of course, the fifth and sixth circuits are still unstable.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The circuits had a long way to go before stabilizing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, despite technically being a level six mage, he was effectively still at level five.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, he had to be even more cautious than most level five mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single mistake could cause both circuits to explode simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still…….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no denying it—he was significantly stronger than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A smile he couldn’t suppress tugged at his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, suddenly, he sniffed the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……That smell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was likely due to the impurities expelled from his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The physical reconstruction that occurred when a mage reached a higher rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t a full rebirth, but the toxins and waste in his body had been purged, leaving him healthier and stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could feel his vision had improved as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Alright, first things first, cleaning up……’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced at the empty wooden box and licked his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sasha is going to scold me, huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2062,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","9ca4008bc832b6bd440b00d207bdac65873d710445a80e6138c56cdbad93cd15","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-177","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-175",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]