[{"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-276":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},1334809,1778,"Chapter 276","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-276",276,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 276: Happy End (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sicadel was one of the great cities representing the eastern continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the vast Bettis River running through it, trade flourished endlessly — and together with Luang, the sight of its countless skyscrapers exuded a weight that could only be felt by those who saw it in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wow… w-wow…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica, visiting a metropolis for the first time, gaped with wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran chuckled at her reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s there to be that amazed about? You’ve been to the imperial capital.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It feels completely different! The capital’s full of old palaces and preserved buildings — it’s got historical value, sure — but it doesn’t have modern high-rises stretching forever like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was explaining enthusiastically, then flushed with embarrassment and quickly turned toward Killian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was certain he would be just as wide-eyed as she was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you staring at?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why aren’t you surprised?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that really a question? This isn’t my first city. I’ve traveled to many on missions. Compared to Baran, this place feels more refined — calmer.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Realizing that a man from the forest tribes was less of a country bumpkin than she was left Veronica wobbling in mild shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, under the silver moonlight, Oscar was gazing up at the rows of towers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Somewhere among all those buildings… the boss of Happy End is hiding.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The information came from the Blood Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had already been four years since the Emperor’s order to eradicate Happy End and hunt down its leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Four years… to finally find their head.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could not afford to lose him now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they did, he would vanish again — too deep to ever be found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why so many top-tier agents were being dispatched on this mission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘For me, it’s a good opportunity.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor himself had asked Oscar to uncover the traitor within the Shadow Trackers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more members gathered, the higher the chance of exposing the infiltrator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cast a sound-blocking spell and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re heading straight to the Sword Clan’s manor. Officially, it’s for negotiations on airport construction.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Sword Clan? Well, it’d make no sense for the city’s ruler to sit this one out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran nodded and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if the Sword Clan’s taking direct command, do they even need us? They’ve got plenty of high-ranking knights.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They need us. Mages can do what knights can’t.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the reverse was true as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before opening the portal, Oscar warned them,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From here on out, be careful with everything you do. The Sword Clan’s knights will look for any excuse to pick a fight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No matter how bad relations between the Mage Towers and the Sword Clan are, would they really go that far on a mission like this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Worse, if anything. Precisely because of this mission.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For generations, the Mage Towers and the Sword Clan had been like tiger and lion — rivals who respected each other’s strength but were obsessed with proving their own superiority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even mage towers that quarreled among themselves would unite if it meant countering the Sword Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Space warped, and the scenery shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They arrived at a vast mansion occupying prime land in Sicadel’s heart — worth millions in gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights guarding the gate flinched at the sudden appearance of strangers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who goes there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“State your identities!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the knights could raise their swords any higher—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Stand down. They’re guests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The voice came as though spoken right beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A chilling presence brushed past — someone was watching them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—You’re that one I saw at the Imperial Supreme Court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavenly Sword Cheon Mujin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An 8-level knight said to be able to cleave even the sky itself, observing everything in the mansion from afar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His immense mana and inhuman aura made everyone stiffen — except Oscar, who smiled faintly and turned toward the voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, sir. Have you been well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A short silence followed, then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The brats of the White Tower are as arrogant as ever. Spare me the fake pleasantries.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sharp tone faded along with his presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, don’t tell me… you just looked at where the Heavenly Sword was?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. He was walking near the lake in that forest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They all turned in that direction but could see nothing — only trees in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……You’re both monsters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A knight casually surveying his guests while strolling by a lake — and a mage pinpointing his location to exchange greetings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group of troublemakers could only click their tongues in disbelief as a carriage rolled up from the mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They rode it to the main building and followed a butler into a spacious drawing room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm? Were more people expected?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, look — that’s Oscar Crucian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“White Tower, huh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over twenty people were already gathered in small clusters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring the stares, Oscar walked calmly to the refreshment table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yellow Tower, Blue Tower, and Blood Tower mages…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Red and Black Towers were missing — likely busy reorganizing their ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After nibbling on a cookie and sipping champagne for a bit, the door opened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A middle-aged man entered with two knights, one of whom Oscar recognized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The Sword Clan’s Young Sword Master.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man’s dark circles were still as deep as ever — he’d give Chief Walker a run for his money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is everyone here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Sword Lord. All identities verified.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nodding, the middle-aged man surveyed the mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Welcome. I am Chenko Verstappen, Sword Lord of the Heavenly Sword Clan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knights introduced themselves much like mages did — by affiliation and rank:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Knight of X Clan, Level Y, Name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for some, no such introduction was needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s one of those.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tower Masters and Sword Lords didn’t need to explain their standing — their very titles spoke for themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After his introduction, the mages began to follow suit—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anatol Kincess, 7-level mage of the Blood Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Betin Marcos, 6-level mage of the Yellow Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m from the Blue—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chenko suddenly cut them off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no need for me to hear every single name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blatant slight made several mages bristle, but none protested — not here, in the Sword Clan’s home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chenko, having established dominance, asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hear the Blood Tower claims Dust is in this city. Is that confirmed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our tracking magic is the finest on the continent. You don’t think we summoned all these people without certainty, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anatol’s tone was sharper than intended, resentment lacing his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chenko regarded him calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I’ll ask plainly. Do you know Dust’s exact location — or just that he’s somewhere in the city?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We discovered he’s been hiding here for over a month now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Anatol raised a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bubbling sphere of blood rose in the air, twisting into a web of crimson threads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm. Blood Tower’s Blood Chase spell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed. If I will it, these threads will shoot straight to Dust. We’ve already mapped which building, which room, even the length of his stride.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dispelled the blood and smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You should thank His Majesty. If not for his order for cooperation with the Sword Clan, Dust would already be dead by now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re always grateful to His Majesty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chenko chuckled lightly, then looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If his location is that precise, there’s no reason to delay. We strike tonight — at midnight.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected of a knight, his decisiveness was brisk and unhesitating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At midnight, the Yellow Tower will cut power to the entire building. The Blue Tower will flood the corridors to block any escape. Then my knights will storm in and eliminate Dust.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…So we’re basically your light switches?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Betin Marcos frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chenko didn’t deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Consider where you stand. Rest assured, your contributions won’t go unrecognized.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words — know your place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sword Clan might take the lion’s share of credit, but at least the mages would get scraps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Any questions before we adjourn? …Ah, one. Speak.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured toward Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you think the plan’s too simple?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is simple. Is there a problem?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He admitted it openly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As everyone knows, Dust is a 7-level martial master. Once he’s surrounded, two of our own 7-level knights will enter and finish him. A straightforward plan, leaving no room for escape.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And if it’s all a trap?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A trap?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chenko gave a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this were a trap laid by the Black Finger organization, what exactly would they be after?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No hunter sets a snare without knowing what prey it’s for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The size and shape of the trap depend on what you’re hunting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Black Fingers aren’t fools. Think — who’s in this city?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sicadel was home to the Heavenly Sword himself —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the man at the pinnacle of humanity, on the verge of reaching Level 9.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No enemy in their right mind would stage anything here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anything else to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…No. That’s all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. Then the White Tower will handle blocking all possible escape routes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A polite way of saying stay out of the way and twiddle your thumbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This meeting’s adjourned. We’ll reconvene in a few hours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Sword Lord left, a few mages muttered among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He really commands a room, doesn’t he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph. And yet he still hasn’t inherited the title of ‘Heavenly Sword.’ Half-baked.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Watch your mouth. Do you forget where we are?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Right. My mistake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the other mages dispersed, Fran stretched and sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like it won’t be our turn.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s for the best. If it is our turn, something’s gone horribly wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Agreed. If the Level-7 masters can’t handle it, we’re not changing anything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica and Killian nodded, and Oscar agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re right. The best outcome is that we don’t have to do anything at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they didn’t shine here, that was better than a catastrophe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Catastrophe… a trap, huh.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar pondered briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If their enemies had indeed lured them to Sicadel using Dust — a Level-7 monster — as bait…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>then just what kind of prey were they truly after?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1687,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","52991c644768230d9e7501adca2dc42bbe65978ab829b084df0ff1e9ee5b3565","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-38","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-37",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]