[{"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-319":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},1334715,1778,"Chapter 319","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-319",319,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 319: Special Prescription (1)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Day 390 of Drifting in the Spirit Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A day that he had long awaited at first, but wanted to push away the closer it came, had finally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— When the time comes, Mother Tree will open the dimensional gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing on the green plains—the place where the World Tree had promised to open the dimensional passage—Fran suddenly turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He engraved the sight of the Spirit Realm deeply into his eyes, then slowly opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lady Silaphrion may not know this, but I was raised quite… carefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— It certainly looks that way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Ah, I don’t mean that sarcastically. I genuinely mean you look like someone who was cherished. Purely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She smiled faintly and urged him on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Please, go on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… honestly, at first everything went dark for me. No bed, no toilet, not even a shower. I kept thinking—how am I supposed to endure a year in a place like this? It felt hopeless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the youngest son of the Sirius Trading Company, he had lived with comforts far beyond what most people enjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For such a pampered young master to be dropped into a place no different from the primitive age—his despair was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If it weren’t for you, Lady Silaphrion… every single day would have been hell.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason he had endured life here was because of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes she was a conversation partner, sometimes a guardian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As memories from the past year flashed by, Fran’s expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that it was time to leave, emotions far more complicated than he had imagined surged up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m sorry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran bowed his head deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had received so much, yet given nothing in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guilt forced his head down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Why are you doing that? Lift your head. Come on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……I feel ashamed. I received so much, but gave nothing back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Nothing? Why do you think that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silaphrion spoke with a gentle smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— This past year spent with you will remain the most meaningful and enjoyable year of my life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— It’s true. Life here is peaceful… but that also means it’s monotonous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day repeating the same cycle, like a hamster wheel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly, a human appeared—how could that not be fascinating?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— If anything, I’m the one who’s grateful. Thank you for making the past year enjoyable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With benevolent warmth, Silaphrion chose a beautiful farewell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— When you return home, stay healthy. Eat properly. Don’t neglect your training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Thank you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran’s voice trembled with moisture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For over a year, she had been by his side constantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone who gave without reservation—like a mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I truly owe you everything.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran bent deeply at the waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply bowing didn’t feel enough to convey his gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— W-What are you doing? Get up. It’s uncomfortable when you bow that deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Fran straightened, a gentle breeze brushed away the dirt and grass from his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feeling the warmth within the wind, Fran asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will we meet again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— That would be difficult, wouldn’t it? No matter how special you are, coming back to the Spirit Realm won’t be easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason he had reached this place at all was because he had entered the deepest layer of the World Tree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the World Tree was fully healed, there was little chance it would take such a risk again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— But I’ll continue to receive news about you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Then I should ask after you whenever I meet spirits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling softly, Silaphrion looked at Mu, who stood beside Fran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to her adult form, Mu looked almost child-sized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Please take good care of Fran, Mu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— I am his companion, not his guardian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Hehe, that’s true. But that’s more than enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a mother reassured that her child wouldn’t be alone on a long journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silaphrion looked more at ease than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Woooong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, space twisted in the middle of the plains as a dimensional gate opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— The World Tree is calling. Fran, it’s really time to go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll never forget you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Nor will I.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran took a step, then turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another step, and he turned again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silaphrion remained where she was, smiling as always, waving back at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Fran finally disappeared beyond the gate, she slowly closed her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— ……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Living for countless eons as a Spirit King dulls one’s emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this single year had stirred her heart more strongly than most eras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why it had been joyful—and why its end was so regrettable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving behind only good memories, she opened her eyes and looked toward the territory of fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— I should go get a drink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A feast among defeated Spirit Kings—perhaps not so bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……So.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar tilted his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the small will-o’-the-wisp floating before him, he said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You rejected two Spirit Kings to contract with this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Correction requested. I am not an object. Therefore, referring to me as “this” is discouraged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… my head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar pressed his forehead, a dizzy spell washing over him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like selling everything to send your kid to an elite university—only for them to bring home some deadbeat as a prospective spouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ignious. Silaphrion.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fire Spirit King and the Wind Spirit King.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just their names alone were overwhelming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Fran had contracted with them, Oscar wouldn’t have worried even if the demon lord’s grandfather showed up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But instead…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar stared again at the good-for-nothing orb—no, the spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how he looked at it, he didn’t like it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with Spirit Kings as the comparison, how could he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah. Fine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After calming himself, Oscar asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So what kind of spirit is this, anyway?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… a colorless spirit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s that supposed to mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was genuinely the first time in his life he’d heard of such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar asked grimly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So then—is it a Spirit King too? The Colorless Spirit King?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uh… not sure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran glanced at Mu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Catching the intent in his gaze, Mu replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— I do not know. I am an undefined existence. Rank does not apply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That seals it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another wave of dizziness hit Oscar as he collapsed onto the sofa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, Fran.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-Yeah?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Later on, be my guarantor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Out of nowhere? Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just because. You seem like the kind of guy who’d do a good job.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was there another idiot in the world who would reject Spirit Kings for a spirit like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoo…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After letting out a long sigh and gulping down cold water, Oscar regained his composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s done is done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking calmly, he could at least understand Fran’s mindset.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He doesn’t want pre-completed power.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a mage, it was the best possible choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Sasha or Lloyd had made that decision, Oscar would have applauded through tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those two had the talent to reach the pinnacle on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Fran Sirius…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar looked at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kid had talent—there was no doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cold as it might sound, if he hadn’t, Oscar wouldn’t have tried to stop him from leaving the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Well… who knows.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already walking a path no one had ever taken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first human to enter the Spirit Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A contract with a never-before-seen colorless spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>History would judge the results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do your best. That’s all I’ll say.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced at Mu and added gruffly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You listen to Fran too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— I am Fran’s partner. Not baggage or a subordinate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, fine. Then get along.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing up, Oscar said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s head back. Home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It ended up lasting way longer than I thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It probably felt especially long to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For Oscar it was no short time—but for Fran, it had been over a year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, as if recalling something, Fran put on a mischievous grin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, Oscar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean, what? Is that how you talk to your older brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Oscar’s dumbfounded stare, Fran puffed out his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, what. I lived a whole year longer than you, so that makes me your senior, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chuckling as if amused, Oscar wordlessly patted Fran on the shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still green behind the ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you stupid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you actually stupid?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the normal reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those were the first words out of Veronica and Killian’s mouths upon hearing Fran’s choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hurt, Fran covered Mu’s ears and shouted,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cover your ears! Don’t listen!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— In my current form, blocking hearing is meaningless. Also, I have already heard it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mu had taken the form of an orb to remain longer in the mortal realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, Veronica and Killian—having low spirit affinity—couldn’t hear any of that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well… I guess I should be relieved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Veronica muttered while sucking on a lollipop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’d contracted with a Spirit King, it would’ve felt unfair.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh? Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’d be like the guy chasing after me suddenly flying way up there—somewhere I could never even look at.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm. Fair point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian nodded with arms crossed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good choice, Fran. Contracting with the Spirit of Incompetence was wise.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s colorless!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All right, enough chatting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar cut in to reset the mood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s handle the backlog first. Killian, organize the requests we completed while Fran and I were gone. Veronica, check the newly arrived ones. I’ll review the important documents from the Shadow Trackers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—then what about me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran pointed at himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scoop of fear lingered on his innocent face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That fear born from knowing Oscar would never leave him idle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, you’re heading to the closed-training wing. I applied as soon as you arrived.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Who decided that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I spent over a year rolling around in the Spirit Realm!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And because of that, you’ve contracted a new spirit. Now you need to learn how to use it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fran’s current strength was hard to gauge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even he didn’t fully understand it yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evaluation and adjustment were necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Figure out what the two of you can do together, and assess your current level. Fifteen days should be enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifteen days…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, it wasn’t too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. I’ll go and come back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Fran answered with slumped shoulders and a gloomy face—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Attention from the broadcast room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All four looked up at the ceiling speakers simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— Oscar Crucian, Oscar Crucian. Please stop what you are doing and report to the Tower Master’s office immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they called like this, urgently—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nine times out of ten, something had gone wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch. I’ll be back. Sorry, but handle the documents among yourselves.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This damned Mage Tower never lets anyone rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1795,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.790Z",1,"novelbin.me","38d2aea7d05391be6e322fa1034fc5a69c570f1cf768a23314f8bf64d9ee1bb7","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-320","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-318",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]