[{"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-251":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},1334756,1778,"Chapter 251","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-251",251,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 251: Blooming the Flower (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in her room, Sasha stood beside the bed, both fists clenched tightly, her head hung low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, she managed to open her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-m-m…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her trembling lips looked like they might ring out if tapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, watching Sasha struggle to apologize, silently cheered her on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just a bit more! You can do it! Just say sorry!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps his fervent encouragement finally reached her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha squeezed her eyes shut and shouted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-might as well go crazy! Aghhh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face flushed crimson with embarrassment as she cast a baby bird’s pleading gaze at him, as if searching for her mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No, wait—what am I supposed to do if you look at me like that?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t like he could apologize on her behalf.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar floundered in his own awkwardness, Lloyd asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar Crucian, explain this to me. Just what exactly is going on here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, well, the Tower Master wanted to formally apologize to you, Mr. Lloyd.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…To me? An apology?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lloyd turned to look at Sasha with a startled expression, clearly never expecting she would go so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She said… even if she couldn’t trust others, she should have trusted you to the end. That she had to. And she’s sorry she didn’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wha—why would you tell him everything like that…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha muttered, looking troubled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lloyd, staring at her, suddenly turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no need for her to apologize. Even if I had my reasons for leaving the White Tower, the choice to slip away without a word was mine alone. It would’ve been stranger if she hadn’t misunderstood—tell her that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar blinked. Lloyd could just say that directly—why make him play messenger?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he noticed something and smirked faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s embarrassed, huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lloyd got embarrassed, his earlobes always turned red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would’ve thought he still had that same habit after decades?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to act composed in front of his younger sister, yet clearly flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar nodded and relayed the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s what he said.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“B-but I still feel bad, thinking of how hard it must’ve been for him at that young age… Tell him I’m glad he came back, even if it’s late.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s what she said.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…And tell her I’m sorry too—for leaving without a word. It should’ve been me apologizing first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He says so.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar couldn’t help but chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here he was, stuck in the middle, relaying words like some go-between.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d both aged, their heads grown, but the way they acted? Still the same as before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“W-why are you laughing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why laugh at this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Awkward and embarrassed, both turned their irritation on the wrong person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar only shrugged and replied with mock innocence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just thought the two of you look good together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching them glance away in opposite directions, Oscar felt it wouldn’t take long for them to go back to how they used to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about I take a picture to commemorate your reconciliation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-no thanks!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll pass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even teasing them was just like old times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The news of Lloyd’s return to the White Tower stirred mixed reactions in the council chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This emergency meeting gathered only department heads and above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unsurprisingly, Lloyd was not exactly welcomed with open arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to speak was Fidelina, arms crossed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Honestly? I don’t see why we should take him back at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think it’s worth considering,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Said Maxim coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looking at sheer power, it’s a good thing. He’s an 8th-level mage, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s exactly the problem. The timing’s too convenient. What if he’s a Red Tower spy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This time, I agree with Fidelina,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Added Schwein, unusually siding with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I believe our greatest strength is the trust built by enduring hardships together. From that perspective, a mage who changes towers twice doesn’t inspire much goodwill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deputy-Tower Master Hamel turned to Sasha.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s hear your view, Tower Master. Why bring him back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…He had his reasons,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha explained, recounting parts of Lloyd’s past while skipping over the most personal matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening, Fidelina muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Now that I think about it, our sponsorship funds jumped right after Lloyd left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that address you said didn’t match the patron’s details—?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! That’s it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Covering her mouth in shock, Fidelina’s stance flipped instantly—from hostile to welcoming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Lloyd hadn’t left when he did, the White Tower would’ve collapsed within three years.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Was our financial situation truly that dire?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dire? Don’t joke. The imperial compensation all went into rebuilding and restoring magic—we were broke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, the White Tower’s struggles had mostly been about money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lloyd’s secret patronage had kept them alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With the Tower Master confirming this, I see no reason to doubt. I support his return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to oppose then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One by one, the mages voiced their approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Fidelina still hesitated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not that I oppose, but… shouldn’t we think further?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About what?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The consequences of taking him in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp ones caught on quickly and sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxim asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean the Red Tower?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. From their view, we just stole an 8th-level mage right out from under them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She pressed on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The worst-case scenario is war between towers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would they really go that far? We have two 8th-level mages now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You never know. That Red Tower Master is infamous for being reckless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber fell into tense thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the militarized Red Tower, the White Tower’s growth was fragile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had proved themselves a part of the Four Great Towers at the recent festival, but they were far from the strongest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need years to grow—five at the least, maybe ten.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her reasoning was sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if they refused Lloyd now, he would never come back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And if Kudel feeds him Gu poison… he may end his own life.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar refused to let either outcome happen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That doesn’t matter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This, too, was proof of his influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he was the one who had raised the White Tower to its present heights in just one year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar, I trust you have a reason?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Fidelina, then at Schwein.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As Elder Schwein said, our strength lies in bonds of trust. The solidarity forged through hardship cannot be matched by any other tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The White Tower does not abandon its comrades. That’s our reputation. So I ask you all—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s gaze swept the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is Lloyd Schultz our comrade, or not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The word comrade made them think deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Technically, not right now—he’s not part of our tower.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But hasn’t everything he’s done for years been for the White Tower’s sake?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So he’s simply a mage who had to step away, nothing more.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being comrades wasn’t about shared affiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was about whether they’d been running toward the same goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You leave us with no words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fidelina shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t really oppose his return anyway. Just thought we should be cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fair enough. Every tower needs someone to play the villain,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxim said with a smirk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly—wait, villain? Excuse me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their usual bickering drew chuckles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deputy-Master Hamel concluded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tower Master, the consensus is clear.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha, smiling faintly, nodded firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As of this moment, I declare Lloyd Schultz officially reinstated to the White Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, nose stinging with sudden emotion, nearly smiled with her—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BANG!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The chamber doors slammed open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mage rushed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“T-Tower Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s this commotion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Red Tower Master… he’s here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far sooner than expected, the color drained from every face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha’s expression hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many did he bring?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“H-he came alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red Tower Master, Kudel Redmane, downed his hot tea in one gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahhh, not bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across from him sat Sasha Maestro, the seat of honor left empty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though only the two of them were in the reception room, the air was heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s your business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, don’t pretend you don’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lounging back, Kudel glanced around, then said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I came to take back my disciple. I’ll repay you plenty for feeding and housing him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sasha’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was offering her an easy way out: admit she’d merely kept Lloyd temporarily, and he’d overlook even cutting off Dane’s fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blatant disregard—for her, for the entire White Tower—was infuriating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He is here, but he’ll be staying longer. Please leave. If he wishes to return, I’ll send him back myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kudel tapped the armrest with his finger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You thought that through before speaking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I always say only what I can take responsibility for. Unlike some people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh. Why do kids these days always lace their words with barbs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaning forward, Kudel gave a chilling warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I really wonder—what gives you the confidence to strut around like this? People might think Oscar Sage is still alive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it’s the Imperial family you’re relying on, think again. They won’t be coming anytime soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Funny. That doesn’t match what I was told.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoever said that must’ve been lying to calm you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No. He wasn’t lying. I, too, only say what I can stand behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Startled by the sudden voice, Kudel turned toward the reception room’s open door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oscar Crucian?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scowled at the insolent brat—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he laid eyes on the man entering, his face froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, it’s been a long time since I visited here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newcomer strode in calmly and claimed the seat of honor as though it were his by right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, turning his head, he spoke casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what do you know—Kudel, you’re here too? Visiting the White Tower for business?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor, Ludwig, had arrived without warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kudel bit down hard on his lower lip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1633,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","d31a79eec264b5b624e4df74c20b0700d27c59c05f7d304322e4d8c703cd8a12","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-10","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-9",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]