[{"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-202":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},1334648,1778,"Chapter 202","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-202",202,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 202: Blade and Thread (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the two others had left, Oscar gave Sasha a word of warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’d better brace yourself for this journey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Is it really going to be that bad?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha blinked, visibly puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve got three level-7s, and even Master’s abilities can’t be considered ordinary for a level-6, right? With that kind of power, we could probably take on an entire city and win.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In terms of sheer force, sure. It’s definitely a powerful party.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, the lineup was practically luxurious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Imperial family assembled its own army and sent it into the mountains, it was doubtful they could muster a force stronger than this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The problem was that this group and the others had different goals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re under the impression that the place marked on the map is filled with treasure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing what he meant, Sasha nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She also knew that Edna had stored all of the White Tower’s records there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had told her on the day she revealed her identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master is worried about how the others might react once they realize there’s no treasure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly. Even with our strong party, the journey itself won’t be easy. And if they go through all that trouble and come back empty-handed, of course they’ll be upset.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if the only thing there turns out to be the White Tower’s lost documents?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d almost certainly feel like they’d been used.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which, to be fair, wouldn’t be entirely wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Even if they were the ones who made the offer, from their point of view, they’re basically being exploited.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Right. But we need to avoid fighting them at all costs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grey Zone—often referred to as the Demon Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A desolate area where they couldn’t expect any support from allies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fighting two level-7s in such a place, and then making it back alive and crossing the Red Mountains in one piece?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Sasha realized just how difficult that would be, her delicate brow furrowed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah… the moment we clash with them, it’d be nearly impossible to make it out in one piece. Do you have any good ideas?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, what choice do we have? We can’t exactly back out now. Once we get the documents, we’ll have to try and talk them down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…But they’ll be in a foul mood after coming up empty-handed. Will that really work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not like they have many options either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fighting in the Grey Zone wouldn’t just be a loss for their side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others would also be stranded without a guide, still needing to cross the mountains. That made things even worse for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The most important thing is making them feel like this journey wasn’t a total loss.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which means we’ll have to offer them some kind of reward that exceeds their expectations. That’ll be expensive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we can buy back the lost documents of the White Tower with just money, that’s a bargain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn’t an exaggeration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the White Tower could recover even their high-level magic, no one would be able to look down on them anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment of thought, Sasha spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we assume the worst-case scenario, what if they still refuse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then we’ll have to sweeten the deal beyond money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what could people that strong even want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar reached out and gently pressed a finger to Sasha’s deeply furrowed brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relax. You’ll get wrinkles. I’ve got something in mind for that, so don’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that, Sasha replied with a serene expression, as if she hadn’t been worried at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, if you say so, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That complete and unconditional trust from his student filled him with pride—but also a hint of concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Hopefully Sasha wasn’t the type to get caught up in weird cults or pyramid schemes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, as Oscar was packing in his room, he suddenly froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had sensed a faint trace of mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This mana pattern… that puppet master guy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar walked over to the window and looked out in the direction the magic was coming from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vast forest behind the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The puppet master was somewhere deep inside, calling to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I think I already know what he wants…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of hesitation, Oscar made up his mind and stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the faint trail of mana deep into the woods, he walked for a while—until the strong scent of soil hit his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There was a place like this in the forest?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at a vast, circular clearing, Oscar frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Countless tree stumps—remnants of felled trees—littered the entire area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice echoed across the barren space. Oscar slowly looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The puppet master was ‘sitting’ in mid-air, hands planted against nothing but empty space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked down at Oscar with a hint of surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I called you, but still—impressive. That mana was subtle enough that even most masters wouldn’t have caught it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar stared up at him and asked bluntly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did you cut down these trees?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what if I did?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some of these were centuries old. They’re priceless relics of the White Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And? They’re just trees. Plant new ones if it matters that much. Don’t act like you’ve lost some great treasure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seriously—this is why criminals are the worst.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their entire way of thinking is just… different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out a long sigh, Oscar heard the man mutter to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm. As a guide, you pass. Your mana detection is off the charts. No wonder our senior’s so interested in you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…As a guide?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar picked up on the implication in those words, and the man let out a small laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah. You catch on quick.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just get to the point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re good at pissing people off. Fine, I’ll keep it simple. I’m not going all the way into some dangerous hellhole like the Grey Zone to babysit a brat. I don’t have the time, and I sure as hell don’t have the patience.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, he was worried he’d be a liability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought that matter was already settled with Kaya Lockwood?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My seniors’s all about long-term investments. But no matter how much potential a kid has, what’s the point if they can’t deliver? On the battlefield, it’s not potential that counts—it’s what you can do right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...That's true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nodded before he even realized it, muttering to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, what matters on the battlefield isn’t the size of your potential, but the ability to survive the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Oscar agreed with him, the man’s face lit up in amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re more reasonable than I expected. So you get what I’m trying to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In summary, you want to test my abilities. Am I wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct. And I’ll even be generous with the passing criteria.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man spread his fingers and pointed toward the entrance to the clearing where he had come in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Make it out of this clearing in one piece, and you pass. But if you lose even a single arm or leg before that, you fail. Easy, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar couldn’t help but laugh dryly at his casual attitude toward mutilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if I refuse?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I’m out of this operation. And if I’m out, I’m guessing you won’t be going either.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two level-7 masters were an irreplaceable asset in any battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing he had no choice, Oscar scowled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, delighted like a child at his reaction, shouted energetically:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, then—let’s begin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the signal, Oscar immediately went on alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the man just crossed one leg over the other and grinned lazily, showing no intention to attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He told me to get out of the clearing, yet he’s not attacking?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced over his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distance to the edge of the clearing was only about 20 meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he really wanted to, he could use the spell 『Blink』 and be out in under a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Come to think of it, he doesn’t know I can use spatial magic.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That must be why he was acting so relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, this contest was as good as won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without a moment’s hesitation, Oscar tugged at the threads of space and activated 『Blink』.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment his body began shifting through space—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A strange and overwhelming sense of wrongness washed over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sweating cold, Oscar instinctively canceled the spell and looked behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘From here to the entrance… there’s something there. But… I can’t see it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t detectable by his senses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even enhanced vision imbued with magic revealed anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That could only mean the trap was cloaked in an incredibly advanced stealth technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s thought, Oscar decided to use 『Wind Archive』.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Show me all the magical particles lingering in this clearing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind dispersed in an instant, and then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sight beyond belief unfolded before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The source of the wrongness was thread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An enormous web of thread, spread across the clearing like an invisible spider’s web.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had used 『Blink』, his body would have been torn to shreds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the man, who appeared to be sitting casually in midair, was actually perched atop a strand of thread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man tilted his head, noticing Oscar’s change in expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……Don’t tell me… you can see this? That shouldn’t be possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blinking in disbelief, the man snapped his fingers lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of threads shuddered and surged toward Oscar—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>like a towering wave, like the whole world turning hostile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘My only escape route… is forward.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar trusted the path revealed by Wind Archive and boldly stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The threads that aimed for his vitals and pressure points narrowly missed him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, a flicker of interest passed through the man's eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, well… you really can see them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t it a bit childish to play with thread at your age?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha, hahaha!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throwing his head back in laughter, the man slapped the thread beneath him in delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re something else, huh? Most people don’t even realize these threads are there until they lose a limb.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thread Without Shadow—Shadowless Thread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True to its name, the threads cast no shadows even under the bright moonlight, they were so thin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still grinning, the man continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But… you fail.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Like I said. You have to make it out of this clearing to pass. All you’ve done is dodge the threads. That’s not good enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wagged his extended index finger from side to side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially since we’re talking about going to that hellhole.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You’ve been to the Grey Zone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. Back when I was cocky—just like you. My whole team died. I barely made it out with my life.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was casual, like he was talking about someone else, but there was a trace of self-mockery in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar opened and closed his mouth a few times, unable to find the right words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man exaggerated his laughter as if trying to shake off the mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha! But hey, don’t be too disappointed. Once you become a Master, I’ll go to the Grey Zone with you. How’s that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’ll come with me once he reached level 7, huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not a bad offer—Oscar knew how dangerous the Grey Zone was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t be sure when he’d reach level 7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His path had diverged from his previous life, so the time to his destination would be different too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I can’t just wait around.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he was lucky, he could reach enlightenment and level up tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If unlucky, it could take months or even years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that would be too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, there were people in the White Tower stuck training intermediate magic because they lacked suitable high-tier spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’re the ones who endured the hardest times of the White Tower for my sake.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar couldn’t bring himself to demand even more patience and sacrifice from them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He slowly closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His first master had always said that opportunity was a gift for the prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had also taught that one should always strive not to be someone who missed their chance and regretted it later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Since the day my master passed, I’ve never once stopped striving.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even after dying alongside the Archmage and being reborn in a new body, that hadn’t changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar shook his head firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have to go this time, no matter what. So let’s resume the test.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm. Seems like you’re not great at taking hints.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Annoyed by the stubbornness, the man’s gaze turned a bit colder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me be blunt— You’ve got talent, sure. But you’re not ready yet.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar stared straight at the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The real reason he didn’t want to go to the Grey Zone was that he didn’t trust Oscar’s ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then all Oscar had to do was prove otherwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack. Crackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar rolled his stiff neck a few times after looking up at the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just need to make it out of the clearing, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the man’s expressionless face, the faint look of “And?” appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s lips moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jet Booster.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, wait—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the man could stop him,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar turned around and BOOM! launched himself at explosive speed straight into the wall of threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2219,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","c52365759ac1e98cfd15d935f79dfba18e4c0447e125ca3703e42fba09dde997","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-203","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-201",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]