[{"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-268":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},1334797,1778,"Chapter 268","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-268",268,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 268: Null City (5)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only light where they had been was the glow of the elevator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the elevator was gone, they were left in pitch-black darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s too dark. I can’t see a thing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, sorry. I think I just stepped on someone’s foot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…That was my foot, actually. Please, I’m begging you, just stay still.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They each tried casting Light magic, but the darkness would not disperse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, this was no ordinary darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a shaky voice, Veronica asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar, can’t you just use your spatial magic to get us out of here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve actually been trying since a while ago…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the subspace refused to open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be more precise, the moment the subspace appeared, it vanished again, over and over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a candle flame flickering in the wind, unstable and unreliable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At his explanation, Fran muttered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, then this space itself must be special?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. The broken communication, the darkness, the inability to scan the terrain… One thing is certain, this isn’t a normal space.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced around at the void he could not see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think we’re in a spatial rift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A spatial rift? What’s that supposed to be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to Master Ado, it’s the place spatial mages must fear most.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recalling his master’s words, he explained,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Put simply, it’s a byproduct of space that failed to fully form. Everything here is unstable and chaotic. Even the most skilled space mage can be swallowed if they lose focus for a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then… does that mean the culprit is a spatial mage too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s the tricky part. If the other side truly mastered space, they wouldn’t need to resort to such a crude trick.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what’s your theory?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s one of two things, either they have an artifact tied to space, or they’re a half-baked space mage with shallow understanding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Listening quietly, Killian asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t there any way to tell which it is?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he spoke, Oscar was already gathering mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“World Liberation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His world surged outward, devouring the space around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he swiftly retracted it, explaining,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s not an artifact. This feels like someone dabbling in space magic without true mastery.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How do you know that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it had been an artifact-created space, no way it could’ve endured even my half-strength World Liberation at level six.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even weakened, his ability held immense power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Containing that force would be too much for any mere artifact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica raised a doubt,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what if it were a national-treasure level artifact? I heard those are incredible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Possible, yes. But no artifact of that grade would ever produce something this shoddy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, that makes sense.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded, then asked nervously,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…You’re not about to say you don’t know how to escape this spatial rift, are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relax. I do know. Battles between spatial mages usually go like this, one side poses a problem, the other side has to solve it. Right now, I’m the one solving.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they were trapped inside the opponent’s imperfect space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the solution was deceptively simple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spatial rifts are inherently unstable. Normally, they collapse quickly on their own.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if someone created it deliberately, it was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would have to continuously maintain and repair it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar scanned the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Somewhere in here, there’s a spatial thread keeping this rift intact. If I find and pull it, the rift collapses and I can use my magic freely again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Obviously you don’t know where it is, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nope. We’ll have to move and look for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All three of the others groaned quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because that meant wandering blind through utter darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t that too dangerous? We don’t even know the layout here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll handle that part.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, didn’t you already fail with Wind Archive earlier?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, but that was with Wind Archive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true mage always prepares more than one method.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blue light gleamed in Oscar’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, even in the black void, a world of threads became visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Spatial threads.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spread them outward, tugging gently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a technique inspired by Oran’s thread-weaving from the Red Mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sight of the Strings.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The threads stretched into the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some struck walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some reached endlessly forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this, Oscar pieced together the rough shape of the space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Done. We’ve got three possible paths.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And for the record, no splitting up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica’s tone was firm, almost desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In horror stories, when people split up in situations like this, that’s always when the killer or ghost picks them off one by one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… she’s not wrong. Staying together is safest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though her metaphor was comical, Oscar agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no reason for us to separate. Let’s stick together.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See? Becky’s more cowardly than she lets on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shut it. You’re just too reckless, Fran.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think I’m normal. Right, Killian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct. Ghosts are nothing more than illusions born of weak hearts. A deranged level-seven murderer is far scarier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring their banter, Oscar said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, line up. Hands on the shoulders in front.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone placed a hand on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, whose hand is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“M-mine, Fran.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, then the next one—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve got yours. Wait, this is your shoulder, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Who else would it be? Yes, it’s mine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So it was Oscar, Fran, then Veronica.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the tallest, Killian, took the rear, resting his hand on Veronica’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s move.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar led them forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, even with hands linked, walking in sync was awkward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh. We’re too slow. Should we chant a marching rhythm or something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wouldn’t it be easier to just walk separately?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“N-no! That’s when ghosts snatch people one by one!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then let’s do this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar conjured magical threads and tied them around their wrists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There. Now we’re tethered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This feels like being walked like a dog. Not a fan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Better than getting kidnapped by ghosts.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring Veronica’s grumbling, they pressed on, much faster now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar, are we close?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Almost there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of the first path, he examined the spatial threads—Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on novｅlfire.net\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only to shake his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not this way. Let’s go back and try the second.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright. One of the two left has to be right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica’s voice was calmer now, reassured by the lack of danger so far.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar tugged each thread to check.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yikes. Did you just pull the string?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, but…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third thread—the one that should’ve connected to Killian—came slack into his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The thread snapped? When?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it had snapped, he should’ve noticed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A taut thread always goes limp when cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he hadn’t realized until he tugged it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant his perception had been dulled without him knowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swallowing hard, Oscar called,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Killian? Killian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others noticed too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Where’s Killian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, he’s gone?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Both of you, calm down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar forced calm on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica, whom he expected to panic, was eerily silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar tugged the second thread—Veronica’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It, too, slid loose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh, Oscar? Becky’s way too quiet…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fran, stay calm. I think… we’re facing the worst-case scenario.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But again, no answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar tugged the last three threads—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them came free, lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Shit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Companions vanishing without sound or magical disturbance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar bolted back the way they’d come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not too late yet.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could collapse the rift fast enough, maybe he could still save them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached the end of the second path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another dead end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cursing, he ran harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Fine. This is better.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only one path remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thread had to be there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the end of the last path, his eyes finally wavered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spatial thread wasn’t there either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panic rose in his throat, but he forced himself to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There is no such thing as a rift without a solution. Master Ado said so. He was never wrong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant he had overlooked something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What did I miss?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He replayed everything from the start.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And found one oddity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The missing mages’ traces.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There hadn’t been any.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the culprit had been abducting them here, there should’ve been some sign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So why none? Did each group get pulled into separate rifts?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he couldn’t create ten rifts at once, let alone inside an unstable one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then what’s different between them and us…?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hypothesis, contradiction, discard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Repeat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until one thought struck him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…The elevator.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had escaped before the elevator fell, after noticing Prometheus’s trick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what if the others hadn’t?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Chances are, they didn’t.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even they themselves might’ve gone down with it, had he not sensed something off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So the missing mages…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar looked down, into the abyss below where the elevator had plunged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The darkness showed nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his guess was wrong, he’d be wasting the precious golden time to save his comrades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But if every impossibility is eliminated, the lone remaining option must be the truth.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar cloaked himself in wind like a mantle—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And hurled himself into the depths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1505,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","fd924c61dfbd57a0edc6dac429f456aaab25dbe9e6a2e336940d309d3548613d","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-269","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-33",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]