[{"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-222":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},1334668,1778,"Chapter 222","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-222",222,"\u003Cp>Chapter 222: The Way Back (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar flicked his finger toward the falling Yuribe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wham!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A blade of wind struck down like lightning, piercing straight through Yuribe’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after witnessing that did the world dissipate, and Yuribe collapsed helplessly to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Whew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had won.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The persistent, twisted thread of fate that had begun in the Red Mountains—he could finally bring it to a close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re… alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran, who had been anxiously waiting for the outcome outside Oscar’s world, clenched his fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Honestly, when the demons first arrived, he had thought they were all dead meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya Lockwood, leaning on him for support, muttered with a deeply exhausted expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like we’re a bit hard to kill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re definitely on the lucky side.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran gave a brief reply and turned his gaze to the massive dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The image of the demon being crushed like a bug was still vivid in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a lowered voice, he whispered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… what if that dragon suddenly gets hungry and decides to eat us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, do you think its stomach is strong enough to handle you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What’s that supposed to mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Oran looked incredibly offended, a shadow fell over them and a massive head loomed before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rest assured. I have never consumed any sentient creature, including humans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, r-right. Haha…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran forced an awkward laugh, his face pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya then opened her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while, Miss Edna.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Long time no see, Kaya Lockwood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his senior casually greeting a dragon, Oran blinked in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, Senior, you know this dragon—uh, this person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I used to see her from time to time when I was a kid at the White Tower. Miss Edna was close with the former Tower Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, that explains it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran nodded, finally understanding why the dragon had helped them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the two mages from the White Tower suddenly seemed like treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for them, this journey would have failed no matter who else came along.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, we thought you were dead. That’s part of the reason we came to find your nest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize for the misunderstanding—I wasn’t dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to apologize…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no treasures or artifacts as they had hoped, but they didn’t come away empty-handed either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been so long since they had truly fought for their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya glanced at Oscar and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As soon as we get back, I’ll make sure to pay you the reward we promised, so don’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, that won’t be necessary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they had used Kaya and Oran for their own purposes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar felt too guilty to take their money on top of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The previous Tower Master left White Tower records with this dragon. Recovering those alone is more than enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“White Tower records?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya and Oran’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They both knew why the White Tower had become the weakest among the four Great Towers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Looks like there’s going to be a major shake-up in the magical world when we get back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congrats, little brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing how genuinely they congratulated him made Oscar feel a slight pang of guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he had used them for his own goals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you. If either of you ever needs anything, don’t hesitate to call on me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For free?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just once, for each of you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, Oran’s face brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hiring a mage like Oscar for free was a huge gain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Man, that’s why I say—you’ve got loyalty, bro.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not bad at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, their business concluded smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar turned and looked at Sasha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like the Tower Master isn’t done yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What can you do? We’ll just have to wait a bit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There’s nothing more dangerous than interrupting someone in a trance state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless it was a true emergency, waiting was the wisest move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘As long as Sasha wakes up, everything should be fine.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, they could all ride Edna across the Red Mountains and head back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for some reason, a strange unease stirred deep in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Oscar was trying to pinpoint the cause—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuribe coughed up blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned to him with tense expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? He’s still not dead after all that…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t worry. I’ll finish it properly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reassuring the others, Oscar slowly walked toward Yuribe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint breath escaped from Yuribe’s charred, blackened nose—he was truly on the verge of death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still, no room for carelessness.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar drew his sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Yuribe’s eyes fluttered open and stared straight at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any last words?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuribe barely moved his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A raspy, grotesque voice, as if his vocal cords had melted together, scraped through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Spare me. Just this once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar snorted quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this prideful bastard ended up begging for his life at the very end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing interest, he raised his sword high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not happening. Goodbye.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he brought the sword down—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuribe whispered something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...You promised.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Promised?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he talking to Oscar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling something was off, Oscar frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shiver!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crushing aura surged over them, making the hair on his entire body stand on end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the ashen sky, something began descending.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It soon landed where they stood, casually glancing around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one could move to stop it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though glued in place, not even a finger could twitch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wh-what is this? Why can’t I move?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...It’s strong. Far stronger than Yuribe.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran and Kaya could only widen their eyes—powerless to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if they’d forgotten how to move their bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuribe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The being spoke with a dry, emotionless voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your horns look quite ridiculous since I last saw you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut… up… promise…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know. That’s why I came myself. But still…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon slowly looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Four humans and one dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After gauging their strength, the demon clicked his tongue softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To think you lost to such weaklings and still dared to call yourself a Count—how laughable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuribe clenched his lips tightly—whether out of resentment or frustration, it was hard to tell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only his blazing eyes remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s going to die.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s body trembled as he watched the scene unfold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the result of his desperate struggle to regain control over his own body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glared at the suddenly appearing demon as though he would kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Descartes.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the four Grand Dukes of the Demon Realm who followed the Great Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even in his past life, when they clashed, he was a transcendent powerhouse already at the cusp of level 8.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be frank, even if Sasha were to break through and reach level 8 at this moment, she would still stand no chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Damn it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A disaster, like a calamity had just descended upon them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he couldn’t afford to die without doing anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Step!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of Oscar’s legs moved forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, the demon Descartes turned his head toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked slightly surprised, as though he hadn’t expected anyone to break free of his authority on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After silently observing Oscar for a long moment, Descartes finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yuribe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calling out the name of the one who had once been a fellow Grand Duke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crunch!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped down hard on Yuribe’s chest, bursting his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This won’t do. Let’s pretend the promise never existed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gah! Y-You bastard…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuribe’s bloodshot eyes filled with disbelief—he hadn’t seen the betrayal coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Descartes met his gaze calmly and muttered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Blame yourself. That one over there is simply more interesting than you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The light faded from Yuribe’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He soon scattered into black smoke and was absorbed into Descartes’ body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No flavor whatsoever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yuribe had at least remained at level 8, it might’ve been different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But having fallen to level 7, absorbing him brought little benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Descartes then turned his gaze toward Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like in his past life—those eyes, devoid of emotion, impossible to read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing was clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By choosing Oscar over Yuribe, Descartes had shown a sliver of interest—perhaps even favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leave. Staying here any longer won’t end well for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar was thrown into confusion by the demon’s advice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As far as he knew, few humans had ever survived an encounter with that one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That demon treated human lives like pebbles by the roadside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And now he’s letting me go? Why?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it simply because Oscar had the talent to resist his power at level 6?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just for that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar stood there, face still frozen, Descartes turned and spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This isn’t the time. Get stronger, then come back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with that, Descartes disappeared into the ashen sky, just as suddenly as he had appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah, hah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff, huff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the others, who had regained control of their bodies, begin to breathe again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wiping the sweat from his brow with his sleeve, Oran clicked his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew… We owe little brother big time. That monster seems to take an interest in talented people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar instinctively denied it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered all too well the many promising talents that demon had slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Has something changed in the past 21 years?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what could have happened to make such a cruel demon spare him now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no way to answer that question at the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they had merely survived by the grace of an enemy’s whim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother… Considering what just happened with the Tower Master, don’t you think we should run while we can?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar checked Sasha’s condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was still in a complete trance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was no telling when she might awaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Now that someone like Descartes has come through here, demons from nearby zones will surely come to investigate.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, they had to leave immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar bit his lip and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s move. I’ll carry Sasha.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, get on my back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar gently hoisted Sasha onto his back and climbed onto Edna.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran then spread his threads to secure everyone’s positions firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re taking off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flap! Flap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edna’s wings flapped, and their figures soared above the clouds in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which peak should we pass through?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Number 2.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the condition of their group, it was best to avoid any of the disasters lurking in the Red Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar stared at the ground rapidly shrinking below, his expression troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I hope Edna can hold out until we reach the White Tower…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as with all worries, this one soon came true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just past the halfway point across the Red Mountains, Edna’s body began to shudder violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strong winds slapped their faces, heightening their anxiety—and then Edna let out a sharp cry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Kuh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, hold on tight…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Edna had completely exhausted her stamina and was now slowly plummeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar quickly cast a spell to soften her descent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crash! Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She scraped down the mountainside for hundreds of meters before finally collapsing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a weak voice, she apologized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry. I’ve run out of strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t had a moment’s rest in the past 21 years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, right after sustaining a realm and fighting two level-7 demons, no less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar patted her and gave a quiet suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Edna, I know it’s hard, but can you shift into your human form? We can’t take you along like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…My vitality is severely damaged and I barely have any mana left, but I’ll try.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she gathered every last drop of mana, her body began to glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, she looked up at Oscar and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the smallest form I can manage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was now no taller than his thigh—a tiny girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s already hard enough taking care of Sasha, and now Edna too…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Letting out a deep sigh, Oscar nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No choice, then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, crossing the Red Mountains was one of his stronger suits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now carrying two burdens, Oscar returned to the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They needed to cover as much ground as possible before the sun went down.\u003C\u002Fp>",2010,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","25c3ba970b42597793a0249eebc5d11e17b12ca7f332575418645cb952ffcef3","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-223","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-221",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]