[{"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-26":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},1334783,1778,"Chapter 26","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-26",26,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 26: Supplements (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lazy Saturday morning, with the sun gently seeping through the cracks of the tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having completed his morning training, Oscar headed to the café on the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body felt invigorated, but his expression was anything but cheerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Those filthy Blue Tower bastards…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a few days ago, after a class, Elder Maxim shared some news with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was that merchants were reluctant to stock White Tower potions due to pressure from the Blue Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No doubt the Blue Tower applied some pressure. It's so obvious.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's true that the White Tower had made a name for itself with its remedy for the Cadena flu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the potion market was far too large for one success to change its dynamics entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Simply put, the merchants believe we're not yet at a level to compete with the Blue Tower.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As harsh as it felt, it was a fair judgment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how effective their potions were, there was no compelling reason for merchants to risk the ire of the Blue Tower by purchasing from the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sigh, this is such a headache. And why is this café so crowded early in the morning?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, standing in line, glanced at the bustling crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He overheard a conversation between two nearby mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What tasks are you handling today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just mail delivery. I only have to cover Belod Street from 1st to 5th Avenue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, that should be quick. I've been stuck with package delivery, which is a nightmare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tough luck.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar instinctively turned his gaze toward the mages ahead of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah, so these must be the 'Wind Riders,' or whatever they're called.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his lack of understanding, these were the ones handling the White Tower's primary business—deliveries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From their attire, one could hardly tell they were mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not for the white-themed clothing, they looked just like regular postal workers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, by the way, did you hear? Our salaries are supposed to be increased starting this month.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really? That'll be a relief. Well, the Tower's making good money now, thanks to the remedies and vaccines selling well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I wish they'd shut down the delivery business and just focus on that instead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That would be nice, but you know how serious the Tower Master is about the delivery service.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just can't understand it. Why put so much effort into such a small, insignificant market?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar silently agreed with their assessment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Delivery certainly isn't an attractive business.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It requires manpower but doesn't generate much profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There's no political advantage or power to be gained from it either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there was one notable upside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘According to my research, the delivery service doesn't make much money, but its public approval is by far the highest among all the Tower's business divisions.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It made sense. What other mage tower would invest resources and mages into a nearly volunteer-like service that doesn't bring in profits?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar's expression turned a bit bittersweet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sasha has always been overly kind-hearted, even from a young age. That might be why she can't bring herself to shut down the delivery division.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a mentor, he felt proud of her for maintaining such a warm spirit despite tough circumstances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a former Tower Master, his cold evaluation was that her management skills left much to be desired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Running a money-losing business when every coin mattered was a poor decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If only the potion sales were going smoother, things would be less strained.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar's brows furrowed with deep contemplation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let's just get a coffee and push through the day. There are good moments in work, after all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's true. Especially when we help elderly folks with heavy stuff, they often give us treats.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a light bulb went off in Oscar's mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly approached the departing mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait! Can I ask you something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? Oscar? What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When you're out delivering, do you often meet people face-to-face?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well... yeah, quite often. We need to get a signature confirming delivery.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the response he wanted,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar snapped his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thanked them and headed straight to the Deputy Tower Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, let me get this straight...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deputy Tower Master Hamel Grimwiz looked up after reading the business proposal before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You want to use the White Tower's Wind Riders to do door-to-door sales?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Precisely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar began explaining his plan calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard that market merchants aren't buying our potions—White Tower's potions—because of their allegiance to the Blue Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's a painful truth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To break into this entrenched market, we need a solid base of regular customers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Deputy Tower Master nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand your intent. But isn't this unrealistic?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recipients of mail and packages come in all ages and genders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And right now, the White Tower doesn't have products that can appeal to all of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, Oscar gave a confident smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we don't have the products, we can just create new ones.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you suggesting developing new potions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need for something as grand as developing. Just a few tweaks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar grabbed a piece of paper and sketched a vial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look, this is one of our best-performing mid-tier healing potions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With quick strokes, he drew four lines branching out from the vial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We'll slightly modify this potion and re-release it as four different products.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first would be for children, promoting rapid growth and strong bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second would be for women, enhancing skin elasticity, whitening, and reducing pores.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third would be for men, supporting muscle growth and strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lastly, the fourth would be for the elderly, boosting overall immunity and vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whenever the Wind Riders deliver mail, they'll also promote these four potions... No, let's change the term while we're at it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the general public, the term 'potion' itself was intimidating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Potions were seen as something only knights, soldiers, or adventurers would drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Supplements. We'll call them supplements. From now on, the White Tower's Wind Riders will do door-to-door sales of these supplements while delivering mail.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Deputy Tower Master, momentarily stunned, regained his senses and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Adjusting the effects of an already developed potion is easier said than done. In practice, it might be more challenging than creating four new products.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really? It’s just a matter of tweaking ingredient ratios and adding a few additional components.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, only a genius like Oscar Crucian could pull this off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of thought, the Deputy Tower Master spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's certainly a novel idea. And it’s bound to be effective.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you saying...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go ahead with it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the green light, Oscar got to work immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just two days, the recipes for the four supplements were completed and sent to the potion manufacturing department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creak, creak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a rocking chair on his front porch, an old man named Graham looked up at the clear sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the sky on a breezy afternoon was his only joy these days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As I get older, my energy just keeps dwindling...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His usual hobby was playing chess at the central fountain of Sirin, but recently, even that had become too exhausting for his tired body and mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone approached him as he gazed up at the sky, feeling as weak as a sickly chicken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Graham!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Hmm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sound of someone calling his name, Graham slowly turned his head, a rare spark of life lighting up his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the White Tower's postman, who spoke with him more often than his busy children and grandchildren.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Good to see you. Do you have a letter for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, it's from a friend of yours in Melbourne.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha. So that old friend of mine is still kicking, huh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, come on. They say people live to a hundred nowadays. Why would he be dead?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A hundred? Even at eighty, I feel like my body and mind are heavy as lead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The postman, rummaging through his rather full-looking backpack, suddenly pulled something out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case, would you like to try this, sir?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm? What is that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's a new supplement we've just launched at our Magic Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The postman handed him a small glass bottle, just the size to fit in his palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The label read \"S-Zero.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"S-Zero? What's that supposed to mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, it stands for a 'Senior' supplement that's top priority for the elderly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah. What's the point of an old man like me, waiting for his time, drinking that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It does make a difference.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The postman leaned closer, glancing around as if making sure no one else was listening, and lowered his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You know old Mr. Miller on 2nd Avenue, right? He took this last week, and now he's out hiking these days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Is that really true?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Graham couldn't hide his disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Mr. Miller had always complained about his knees, barely able to walk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. It's because this supplement was developed by Oscar Crucian, the Magic Tower's prodigy himself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oscar Crucian... That name sounds familiar...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Remember? He was the one who developed the cure for the Cadena flu not long ago.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, right!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memory clicked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elderly folks had been abuzz with talk about how a real talent had finally emerged from the crumbling Magic Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing that, the little bottle in his hand suddenly seemed much more significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, this is a supplement made by that amazing wizard?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Graham stared at the bottle with curiosity, then turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But... how much does it cost?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One bottle is 30 bels. If you take one bottle a week, it should give you a boost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm. I don't need it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was expensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The price was enough for a nice steak dinner at a good restaurant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too much for someone like Graham, living on a modest pension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The postman interjected just as Graham was about to hand the bottle back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hold on, sir. You’re registered as a resident of Sirin, right? We’re currently running a special promotion for residents. If you sign up for a year-long subscription, we'll deliver one bottle of the supplement every week for just 799 bells. And it's even available with a 12-month interest-free payment plan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Normally, drinking a bottle weekly would cost 1,560 bells a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, they were offering it at half the price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like a deal he couldn’t pass up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plus, they offered an interest-free payment plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘799 bells for a year... If I cut down on alcohol and cigarettes, I might manage it somehow…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, his kids had been nagging him to reduce those habits, considering his age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spending that money on a healthy supplement seemed like a better investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, he was reaching an age where he was starting to notice signs of health decline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, and we’re giving away the first bottle for free.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha! You should have said that first!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Graham immediately opened the bottle and downed the supplement in one gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mm!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was sweet with a hint of bitterness, a taste that felt oddly addictive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the effect wasn’t immediate, the flavor alone made him want to have it from time to time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's tasty. But I don’t feel any sudden surge of energy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, come on, sir! If you felt a boost right after drinking it, it wouldn’t be a supplement; it would be a miracle potion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha, that's true.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Graham chuckled and waved at the postman, who was getting ready to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t go too far. Come back again sometime.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. I hope to see you in good health next time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, when Graham woke up, he felt a strange sense of discomfort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only while washing up and eating freshly made toast and bacon that he realized what it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I feel refreshed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the past few months, he had woken up feeling groggy and heavy-headed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But today, he felt surprisingly light and clear-minded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Could it be because of the supplement I drank yesterday?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No way, he thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could one bottle make such a difference overnight?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head with a chuckle, dismissing the idea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nevertheless, he put on his outdoor clothes and decided to visit the fountain for the first time in a while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Hey, isn’t that old Graham?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I hadn’t seen you in weeks. Thought you were gone for good. But here you are, looking fine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m not going anywhere before you, my friend. I just wasn’t feeling well, so I took a few days off.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Graham naturally sat in an empty seat and started a game of chess after a long break.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wow, did you practice at home while you were away? You’re on fire today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Haha. I’m feeling unusually focused today. It’s like I’m ten years younger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s going on? Did you find some magical elixir?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not exactly an elixir, but...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on, spill it. You definitely took something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the persistent questioning of his friends, Graham cautiously revealed the story of the supplement from the Magic Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it wasn’t just happening in Sirin; across all territories where the White Tower’s postmen traveled, similar stories were unfolding simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2216,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.509Z",1,"novelbin.me","643e06f37469717d9ecdbd031e4dadf51027106e197c47928fa0a4834f1aba17","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-262","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-25",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]