[{"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-232":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},1334678,1778,"Chapter 232","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-232",232,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 232: An Old Promise (6)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran stared at the giant eyeball in front of him and thought:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’ve probably gotten far away by now, right?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been about four hours since his standoff with this grotesque creature began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Oscar and Kaya had fled at full speed, they would’ve already reached the first peak by now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo, well then… since preparations are done… shall we begin?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every inch of visible space was already lined with threads like a spider’s web.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason he chose to go to such extremes was simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no hope anyway.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because he didn’t think a rescue team would arrive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, he was certain one would come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His senior, Kaya Lockwood, was someone who knew how to take care of her comrades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even though they hadn’t spent much time together, Oscar also seemed trustworthy enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The problem is my stamina.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran had done the calculations himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they made it down the mountain quickly and brought help, it would still take at least four days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And I’m not confident my body can last that long.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why he was preparing for battle—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because his chances would be higher if he fought while he still had some stamina and mana left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Or maybe… all of this is just a pathetic excuse.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe what he really wanted was just to be freed—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Freed from the constant unease that tormented him, from the nightmares that haunted him every night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran drew up his mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s begin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his gesture, countless threads began to dance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the Eye Thief’s limbs were bound by reinforced threads, and—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SPLURT!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood gushed out like a fountain from the Eye Thief’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive eyeball curved into a crescent, as if laughing, and then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The creature disappeared from sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It broke free from the threads and escaped.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though his mana-reinforced threads were sharp enough to slice through steel,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It still wasn’t enough to restrain the Eye Thief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran calmly scanned his surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Not that it matters.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because his own eyes weren’t capable of tracking the creature anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if to prove that, a chill ran down his spine, and the hair on his body stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Knew you’d try something like that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he yanked his body backward—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eye Thief dropped down onto the spot where he’d just been standing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its left arm was buried in the ground up to the elbow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A piercing strike using its sharp claws. Just like before.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as Oran analyzed the situation calmly, he swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those claws were sharp enough to cut his threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he hadn’t reacted in time, the claw would’ve pierced him straight from the crown of his head to his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Could I stitch myself back together with mana threads?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he got hit by that, his brain would be reduced to mush and he’d die instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the thought of death floated through his mind,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adrenaline began flooding Oran’s brain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘One hit and I’m dead. Meanwhile, I’ll probably have to land dozens—no, hundreds—of hits to kill it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The odds were completely against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was like playing on a chessboard tilted entirely in the enemy’s favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Oran didn’t give up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ensemble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dozens of threads strewn across the area suddenly tightened, aiming to sever the Eye Thief’s neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap! Snip!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the creature tried to pull out its embedded arm,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It swung its other arm and slashed through the threads in one motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, pulling out its trapped arm, the Eye Thief launched itself at Oran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s coming.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he sensed it, Oran raised a massive wall of threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A solid barrier woven from tens of thousands of threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>SLASH!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Eye Thief furiously slashed with both arms, and the wall was shredded in moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Two seconds, huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than he’d expected, even.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already retreating, Oran’s hands moved in a flurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Piercing Thread.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Threads tangled in the air shot forward like spears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eye Thief tried to fend them off, but there were too many.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunk! Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spears of thread pierced its flank and thigh, and blood began to flow from the wounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In the end, they’re all the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how monstrous the opponent—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they seemed unbeatable—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were still living beings with red blood just like him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Maybe… just maybe…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he manipulated the threads connected to his left hand, a sudden sound—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slice!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind was slow to register the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His left wrist felt strangely light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then came a spray of blood, and Oran’s face twisted in agony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This bastard… cut off my hand to stop me from manipulating the threads…!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d lost focus for just half a second, and in that brief moment, it had closed the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was going to die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he was about to make one final desperate move—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eye Thief, who had just sliced off his hand and raised its arm to sever his neck next, suddenly froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, it turned its head to look at something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker of hesitation passed over its large eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of thought, it slowly lowered its arm—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And without a second glance, turned away and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran muttered, unable to comprehend what had just happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spared?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Eye Thief spared him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the Five Calamities of the Crimson Mountains?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He only understood why after a girl dropped down from the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. I wasn’t too late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha Maist murmured, staring at Oran’s empty wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your limbs aren’t all intact, but… you can heal that much yourself, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…White Tower Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran let out a breath full of mixed emotions as he recognized her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a few hours ago, she had been lost in mind demon corruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, she looked as if she’d stepped into a realm he couldn’t even imagine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know whether to say thank you or congratulations first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Neither. Just think of it as me returning a favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Sasha conjured a breeze and handed him the severed hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s reattach that properly first before we go back. If we go back like this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She’d probably get scolded by her master for being late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Oran reattached the hand using Emergency Stitch,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She finally said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To the place where those waiting for them were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Oran returned with Sasha, he looked sheepish as he faced the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… I made all that effort to look cool, and then I come back rescued. Kinda embarrassing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still, it all worked out in the end.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You did good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar and Kaya genuinely welcomed his return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kaya, in particular, quickly scanned his body and muttered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that eyeball freak is strong. You even lost a hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Is it that obvious?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve known you too long. I can tell when you’ve stitched something up with threads.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That thing was insanely strong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grumbling, Oran listened to what had happened here—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his jaw dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You erased the Storm? What the hell…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Sasha had reached Level 8, Oran couldn’t help but be shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew what she had been capable of before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a single digit change, and her power had skyrocketed beyond belief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered honestly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With that kind of strength, isn’t she on par with the other four Tower Elders?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably not. Those people have been at Level 8 for decades.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, that makes sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oran nodded quietly and muttered to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thinking about it like that, I’m curious how powerful the previous head of the White Tower was—he reached level 9, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My master? I doubt even ten of me right now could stand a chance against him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Wait, is the gap really that big?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. My master is the greatest mage in history.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm, hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling awkward at the disciple’s praise for her teacher, Oscar cleared his throat and changed the subject.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At our current pace, we should be able to exit the mountain range within two days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Hey, once we’re down, open a portal to the nearest inn or hotel, would you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, good idea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to soak in hot water himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s keep moving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man sat silently on horseback, gazing at the Red Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short distance away, a group of his subordinates muttered among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is the Deputy Commander waiting for over there?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who knows. Maybe he sensed some kind of magical flow from the mountains?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I didn’t feel anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course not. You think you’re on his level?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, despite the sudden patrol, the subordinates didn’t complain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their superior always had his reasons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait. What’s that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…People? No, if they’re coming down from the mountains—are they demons?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spotting figures descending from the Red Mountains, the soldiers urgently spurred their horses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deputy Commander!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t make a fuss.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his command was calm, the man watched the approaching group with sharp eyes and finally spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s been a while.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Lloyd Schultz?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who responded was Oscar Crucian, looking quite bedraggled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected to run into Lloyd here of all places, and asked, visibly flustered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What brings you here…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The first peak of the Red Mountains falls under our Western Front jurisdiction. I sensed a familiar magical presence, so I came.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Lloyd added coolly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But crossing the Red Mountains—was that an officially reported expedition to the Imperial Court?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, well…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unauthorized entry into the perilous Red Mountains was strictly forbidden by the Empire. Oscar hadn't expected him to press that point and was momentarily caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s fine. I crossed with a guardian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the back, Sasha stepped forward, pulling down her hood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze was confident and sharp—very unlike her usual demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked Lloyd straight in the eye and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You do know that a Tower Master has personal investigative authority to cross the Red Mountains, right? And companions are permitted as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lloyd stared at her for a moment, then turned to glance at the rest of the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with their hoods pulled low, he couldn’t make out who they were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are their identities confirmed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. Or do you not trust me, the head of the White Tower?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uh… Apologies, ma’am, but even so, this is part of our official duties…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lloyd cut off the knight who was politely trying to press the matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the White Tower Master vouches for them, their identities are confirmed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha didn’t thank him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She simply kept glaring at him, as if something about him deeply irritated her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, observing the situation, spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, then we’ll be on our way. We don’t want to be late for the White Night Festival.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The White Night Festival?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lloyd turned and replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That already started two days ago. Even if you traveled at top speed, it would probably be over by the time you arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, that’s fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Oscar pulled on a thread of space and opened a portal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lloyd, rarely surprised, showed interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is this that 'space' magic?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, quite convenient, isn’t it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the opportunity arises, I’d like to study it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll give you plenty of time next time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar and his group disappeared through the portal, the soldiers could hardly hide their amazement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that’s the space magic we’ve heard so much about…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rumor has it that it builds upon Lord Ado Vail’s advancements.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought the White Tower had fallen, but they still have quite a few talents.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that you mention it, the White Tower Master seemed much more formidable than the rumors say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"……\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lloyd nodded as he listened to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You've gotten a lot stronger, Sasha.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little girl who used to cry almost daily had become a full-fledged level 8 archmage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hadn’t declared it outright, but Lloyd could tell the moment he saw her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, turning in the direction of the capital, he murmured softly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Then I suppose it’s time for me to move as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2026,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","b94225f26c256dffe4650b1cebe8b984bbfbe0f2f0b5bc62e1c9791f69ff2237","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-233","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-231",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]