[{"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-318":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},1334714,1778,"Chapter 318","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-318",318,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 318: Companion (7)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day had come to give an answer to the contract proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignious left his domain with a confident air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s been a while since I last formed a contract.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the contractor was someone who could allow even a Spirit King like himself to remain in the Middle Realm for a long time—the best kind of partner imaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignious never doubted that the human would accept his offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘After glimpsing my power, refusal would be impossible. Especially for a mage.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had observed countless humans over a long stretch of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Enough to believe he understood them quite well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mages, in particular.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Seekers of truth.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among all humans, they possessed the strongest desire to complete themselves at the end of that arduous pursuit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After showing even a fragment of truth to such a person, how could they possibly refuse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I suppose I owe Silaphrion an apology.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, it did feel like a loophole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what could he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, too, wanted to visit the Middle Realm again after so long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—You’ve arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Domain of Tranquility, Ignious lightly nodded at Silaphrion’s voice and turned his gaze to Fran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—It’s been a week, human. You’ve prepared your answer to my proposal, I presume?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The human looked clearly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignious chuckled softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Relax. If you’ve made up your mind, answer comfortably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignious had already prepared himself to extend a hand in greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the contract was complete, he would accompany this human as a soul-bound companion until the day he died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…I won’t be entering into a contract.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Good. From now on, you and I will—hm?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking he must have misheard, Ignious asked again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—What did you just say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Didn’t you hear? He said he didn’t want to contract with you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silaphrion’s unusually cheerful voice went unheard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignious’s mind was filled with a single question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—You’re refusing a contract with me? Truly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—…I don’t understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By wielding the power of fire, he could purge every impurity within the human body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Drawing upon his own experience, he could even grant the body of a perfected archmage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignious could not comprehend rejecting such overwhelming conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still reeling from the shock, Ignious finally looked properly at the human before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he notice what had been invisible until moments ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—So that’s it. You erased my sensory imprint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The trace of his perception he had left within the human was completely gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignious glared at Silaphrion, anger flaring in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Disappointing. Silaphrion, to violate the unspoken laws…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—It wasn’t me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Do you think I’d believe such an excuse?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—But it’s true. Mu intervened this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignious, who had been about to erupt in fury, froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew very well what kind of existence Mu was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Mu…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corrector of errors in the Spirit Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only true neutral—belonging to no domain, a lone wanderer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To act freely within territories ruled by kings required power to match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Tsk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignious clicked his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Mu had intervened, there was no point in confronting Silaphrion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned back to the human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—One day, you will regret rejecting my offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regret…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran rolled the word around in his mouth, then lifted his head proudly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t think I will. I don’t regret my choices.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—What?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint fury flickered in Ignious’s eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Do you mean to say that the power to burn mountains with a gesture and evaporate lakes is insignificant?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s incredible power. Of course it is. But that’s your completed power, Ignious. It isn’t mine. I want to see how far I can go with my own strength.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—…Foolish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Foolish. Maybe it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran nodded easily, his expression oddly refreshed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But doesn’t it sound exciting? Wondering what kind of future self is waiting at the end of that foolish choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They often say genius and madness are separated by a thin sheet of paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Ignious, the so-called archmages of the Middle Realm and the eccentrics were much the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he had to ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Human. What is your name?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fran. My name is Fran Sirius.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—…Very well. I’ll remember your name, at least. And if you end up in a miserable realm, I’ll be sure to laugh at you for making such a foolish choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll do my best to make sure that doesn’t happen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Hmph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite having his contract rejected, Ignious didn’t seem particularly angry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, he looked more regretful than upset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before leaving, he spoke so only Silaphrion could hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Unfortunate for you as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Out of nowhere?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—It seems that boy has no intention of contracting with any of us.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—T-That’s not true! Maybe it’s just because it was you, Ignious!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—How naïve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snorting derisively, Ignious departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—If you’re rejected, come visit my domain sometime. I’ll pour you a drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—As if! I’m not getting rejected!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fuming, Silaphrion looked at Fran with anxious eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘After all this effort… he’s not going to be stolen by some other spirit, right?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘From today on, I’ll have to keep an even closer eye on the others.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For quite some time afterward, the cries of spirits echoed through the Domain of Tranquility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 367 of drifting through the Spirit Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran let out a small sound of wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A shiver ran through him, as if lightning had pierced his crown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A familiar voice followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—F-Fran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Turning slowly, he saw a woman standing there, tense from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—C-Can you see me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After spending more than a year together, this was the first time he could see her form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran smiled brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can see you clearly, Lady Silaphrion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Congratulations. Your spirit affinity has finally reached a stable stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>High enough to visually perceive a Spirit King—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a level achieved by only a handful throughout continental history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Good thing you reached this stage before leaving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s all thanks to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without her protection, surviving here safely would have been impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The day you leave is approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think I’ll miss my time here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—You really mean that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Th-Then…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hesitating for a moment, Silaphrion gathered her courage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—How about contracting with me? Then we could stay together forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran gave a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since Ignious had made his proposal, he’d had a feeling this moment would come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For months, he had thought about it—hundreds, thousands of times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was his answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think I have an aversion to accepting already completed power.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A contract with a Spirit King meant wielding power perfected by someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t the path he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If my companions heard this, they’d probably scold me and beat me up… but I want to stand beside them with strength I completed myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not as a Spirit King’s contractor—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>but as Fran Sirius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anything else felt like something he would deeply regret one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—I figured as much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silaphrion looked a little lonely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice carried moisture, yet sounded calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—I’m sorry. I expected this answer, but I acted selfishly because I didn’t want to lose you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Silaphrion…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Hey! Let’s not get too gloomy. You’re leaving soon—we should have fun until then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Changing the mood instantly, she asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Then is there a spirit you do want to contract with? An attribute or rank?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… there is someone, but I don’t know if it’s even possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Who? If you asked, even Spirit Kings would agree without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silaphrion tilted her head, then her eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Mu? You mean the colorless spirit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—That’s… certainly complicated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking for a moment, she continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—As far as I know, Mu has never contracted and gone to the Middle Realm. Probably never before that either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it’s not impossible to contract, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—That part… honestly, I don’t know either. Mu is very different from ordinary spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were many Spirit Kings, even among the greatest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But only one truly singular existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—But why Mu? His power… it seems compatible with harmony, but it’s not fully understood yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s exactly why I like him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A power not yet fully defined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A being that still had to grow, explore possibilities, and wander in uncertainty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt a lot like himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With him… I think we could grow together. Helping each other somehow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—I see.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silaphrion murmured softly, then smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Why are you telling me that? Go tell Mu already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh! You’re right. Thank you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him leave, she felt the breeze gently pass and muttered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—They say raising children is pointless in the end… I think I finally understand that feeling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, she understood a parent’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu was, as always, on the floating island.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as always, gazing down at the Spirit Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you get bored?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The biggest change over the past year was this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu no longer ran away when spoken to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without looking over, Mu replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—I don’t. The more I look, the more beautiful it becomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That much, huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran sat beside him and casually continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are even more beautiful places outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Outside?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu finally turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing interest, Fran nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Middle Realm. There are countless beautiful places—oceans that mirror the sky, temples lined with colossal statues…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The Middle Realm…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu quickly lost interest and looked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, wait. Why the disappointment?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—I cannot go there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not? You’re a spirit. Just contract.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—I exist, yet do not exist. No one knows of my existence. Therefore, no one exists who can summon me through a contract.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what about me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran spoke solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m looking at you right now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—…Your talent as a spirit caller is excellent. You could form a contract with a Spirit King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just turned one down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Why?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I want to complete my own color.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed at the same scenery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re called the colorless spirit. I think you won’t overwrite me. You’ll let me remain myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu stared at him, hollow eyes asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Are you sure that’s enough?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—There may come a day when you find me useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even then, I won’t regret this choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, Mu muttered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—I’ve never seen humans before, but you seem especially hopeless among them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not true. There’s this guy named Oscar—he’s truly hopeless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Sounds interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It is. Every day will be.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran extended his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment’s hesitation, Mu gently took his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their souls meshed together, a calm warmth spreading through them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Synchronization complete.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nice to meet you, Mu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran smiled brighter than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1794,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.790Z",1,"novelbin.me","cd43e677ba2b2f957dd8717a251a9ca2db2e57629cc4d5b0213765b37a3b9015","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-319","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-317",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]