[{"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-27":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},1334785,1778,"Chapter 27","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-27",27,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 27: Supplements (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is a city in the Empire where dark clouds gather 365 days a year, and a drizzle falls continuously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place is the territory of the Blue Tower, Rafus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A meeting was in session inside the tall tower in this gloomy land.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......The Tower Master has issued a final ultimatum.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira Main, a 5th-level mage of the Blue Tower, spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked visibly exhausted, with dark shadows under her eyes from the past few weeks of grueling work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He said that if we fail to recover the losses the Tower has sustained this time, we should be prepared for the consequences.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At her words, some subordinates shivered and slammed the table in frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Tower Master is being too harsh! Is this entirely our fault?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Not exactly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren't for that arrogant young brat, Oscar Crucian, interrupting things midway, the atmosphere of this meeting would be completely different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that case, Moira might have already been promoted to a high-ranking position in the potion department.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the past is the past. What's important now is that we have one last chance left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a crisis arises, it must be turned into an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Moira could solve this problem, she could undoubtedly cement her status with the Tower Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Show the requested data.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, ma'am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior mage immediately projected the prepared data on one side of the meeting room wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a comparison chart of potions from the Blue Tower and the White Tower, which recently entered the potion market.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira examined the data thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The White Tower has definitely restored records of old potions. The effects are indeed remarkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, just because the effects were good doesn't mean it translated into sales.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple, merchants were wary of the Blue Tower’s influence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their strategy seems to be offering low prices despite their effectiveness, but it likely won’t work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No merchant in the potion market would dare incur the wrath of the Blue Tower.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A junior mage muttered in amazement while looking at the same screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's honestly surprising. Even with such effective and much cheaper potions, merchants won't touch them at all because they're afraid of our influence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s to be expected. Humans are inherently distrustful creatures.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans often equate price with quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, even if a similar product is introduced at a lower price, people tend not to switch from what they’re used to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Especially with potions, if the price is too low, people suspect cheap ingredients or potential side effects from long-term use.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the perception that Moira intended to exploit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having completed her calculations, Moira spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The White Tower... we could crush them easily right now, don't you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Starting tomorrow, request a massive discount on all recovery potions below the premium level.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her plan was to prevent the White Tower from even gaining a foothold in the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a tactic only a dominant player like the Blue Tower could afford to use.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subordinate hesitantly raised his hand with a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if the White Tower endures this, won't we suffer significant losses? They did earn quite a bit from the Cadena flu treatment, after all.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, how much could they have possibly earned?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not baseless arrogance but rather confidence born from her calculations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They were foolish enough to release the treatment too early.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Blue Tower had developed the Cadena flu cure, they would have waited until the flu became a nationwide epidemic before selling it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That would have maximized their profits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the White Tower foolishly squandered that opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They released the treatment when the flu was only spreading in the northern region.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira estimated the sales in her mind and then spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They probably made, at most, a few tens of millions of bells.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A few tens of millions of bells... That’s a pretty ambiguous sum.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While an enormous amount to the average person, it was hardly a substantial reserve for a Magic Tower’s treasury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, that kind of money was barely enough for basic operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They likely planned to use the goodwill from the treatment to launch their potions and enter the market, but... that's not going to happen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Blue Tower had suffered a loss, then the White Tower should, too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira had no doubts about her decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Three weeks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She held up three fingers and declared confidently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If we discount our potions for just three weeks, it’ll be enough to choke them out. They won’t be able to establish themselves in the market.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She recalled the arrogant words the White Tower's brat had once told her:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>- To use the potions you've created, you’ll either have to pay us royalties for using the patented technology or destroy the entire stock. You’ll have to choose one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remembering that moment, her eyes flared with anger once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘That insolent fool. He must have felt on top of the world back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, our roles have reversed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The White Tower will either jump into a price war and bleed out or be forced to hold onto all their stock and face ruin. They’ll have to choose one or the other.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * * * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lena White, a 5th-level mage of the White Tower, was in charge of managing the potion department in Oscar's absence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression darkened as she read the morning newspaper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Blue Tower Launches “Warm Winter” Discount Campaign.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blue Tower, their competitor, had suddenly started offering discounts on all their potions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The discount was a whopping 50%, with a seemingly good justification — to help the poor get through the harsh winter in good health.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, with such a steep discount, there was no way they could make any profit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In fact, they’re losing money with every potion they sell....’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing the obvious trap in this move, Lena hurried to find Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oscar, this is serious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s the matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of frowning, Oscar took the newspaper and let out a small laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Look at them, pulling such a cute little trick.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Cute? This insane discount could ruin us!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would it ruin us?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar crumpled the newspaper and tossed it into the trash can, unfazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t worry. They can’t sustain this kind of discount for more than two or three weeks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those two or three weeks could be devastating for us! We need to establish a foothold while the Cadena flu-related products are still selling...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After that, breaking into the market would be even harder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lena bit her lip and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not too late. Let’s bundle the Cadena flu products with our potions and sell them together.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Absolutely not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar shook his head firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s exactly what the Blue Tower wants. We’d be giving them the perfect excuse to crush us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Cadena-related products would only be in demand for at most another month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they bundled them with potions, their sales would indeed skyrocket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, market dissatisfaction would quietly build.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘When the Cadena treatment is no longer needed, we’d be finished as well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could already imagine the sensational headlines that would pop up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what should we do? We can’t just sit here and get pummeled until we collapse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lena looked frustrated, but then she noticed something odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why is he... so calm in this situation?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His relaxed demeanor was infuriating, as if the poor potion sales didn’t concern him at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Do you have something planned?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It would be rude not to respond when they attack us, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar turned to Lena with a question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Until now, we haven’t sold any potions, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. We haven’t sold a single bottle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which means we still have all that potion stock in our warehouse?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......In the warehouse? The stock is piled up like a mountain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar made a bold decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Starting today, reprocess all the intermediate potions piled up in the warehouse into the Zero Series. I've given you the recipe, so you can handle it, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…All that stock?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or would you rather sit around hugging that stock while doing nothing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar chuckled and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And tell the postmen to spread the word: if a household buys two or more kinds of Zero Series, offer an additional discount. That way, families with kids or elderly parents will be inclined to buy more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Lena couldn’t help but be impressed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was as if Oscar had predicted this situation and was handling it with incredible flexibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And one more thing. Let’s bribe a few people from the information guild to spread a little rumor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A rumor? What kind of rumor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"M-Zero.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>M-Zero was the name of a male (Male) supplement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar lightly tapped his chin as he continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If a rumor spreads that it also helps with vitality enhancement, won’t that be interesting?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"………Would that actually boost sales?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just wait and see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar shrugged with a confident smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three weeks flew by in the blink of an eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During that time, Moira Main barely got any sleep, monitoring the potion market's sales every day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And today, she came to a conclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'The massive discount promotion by our Blue Tower ended two days ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’ve been checking the sales charts since then, but White Tower's potions still haven’t been selling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the Cadena Flu issue has died down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today, I’m finally certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White Tower will never gain a foothold in the potion market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they really want to, they’ll need at least a decade of long-term investment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, even if they decide to invest that long, we could crush them whenever we want.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Moira was feeling confident in his complete victory, the head of the Blue Tower's potion department personally came to see her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moira Main.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, sir.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira stood up abruptly, clenching her fists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was sure it was praise for driving White Tower out of the potion market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn’t let her guard down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just because I pushed White Tower out doesn’t mean I’ve completely recovered the Blue Tower’s losses. This is only the first hurdle.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she waited with a humble expression for the next words, the department head’s face twisted like crumpled paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of work have you been doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Excuse me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m asking if you sacrificed so much profit just to get these pathetic results!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, a newspaper was flung at his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stunned, Moira didn’t even think to rub her stinging nose; she glanced at the newspaper that had fallen to the floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the front page were large headlines about the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[White Tower Breaks into New Market? Hits Jackpot with Nutritional Supplements.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Zero Series Sells 10 Million Bottles in a Month, Popular Among Families as a Gift Product.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Convenient Home Deliveries: Spotlight on White Tower’s Door-to-Door Sales and Subscription System.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[M-Zero for Men: Surprising Effects on Vitality, Leading to Shortages.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[White Tower’s Success Story: From Cadena Flu Remedy to Nutritional Supplements.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Alchemist Genius Oscar Crucian’s Remarkable Statement: ‘Inspired by the Blue Tower’s Generous Discount, the White Tower Vows to Offer Lifetime Discounts on Potions.’]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wha…what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nutritional supplements, not potions?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>White Tower had been selling these all along?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No way. How could I not have known… Ah!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira’s gaze stopped at the phrase \"door-to-door sales.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She realized that the core of this business was face-to-face contracts using the postmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘With this method, sales volumes wouldn’t be recorded in the market data.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the transactions happened directly on the spot rather than through store inventories, there was no way to track them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding the situation at last, Moira Main’s face turned pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The potion department head coldly remarked as he observed her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He even declared that he’d keep selling White Tower’s potions at a lifetime discount.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira Main quickly checked the price they had announced and screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s blatant fraud! This price is exactly what they originally intended to sell at!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you think the public knows that? Not a single bottle was supplied to the market until now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were two main reasons why market vendors hadn’t accepted White Tower’s potions before:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One was to avoid the Blue Tower’s displeasure, and the other was the unbelievably low price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…Given the situation now, worrying about the Blue Tower’s reaction has become irrelevant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it’s a different market, White Tower has already sold 10 million bottles of their supplement, becoming a rising star in the potion industry.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Moreover, they’ve crafted a plausible justification for the low price, calling it a \"lifetime discount.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s clear that White Tower’s potions will soon flood the market.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Moira Main opened and closed her mouth, unable to find words, the potion department head issued a chilling warning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ll be very busy from now on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wh-what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To recover the losses the Blue Tower suffered, you’ll have to work for the rest of your life without pay, and it still won’t be enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moira Main’s face filled with despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2191,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.509Z",1,"novelbin.me","c3ddefdf546c66e81c0a82cf57df5256940bf36d6ffbd7a5c1bfd2ae6541713d","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-263","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-262",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]