[{"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-343":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},1334739,1778,"Chapter 343","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-343",343,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 343: Wind and Lightning (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There is a building one must see when coming to Rouen, known as the heart of the East.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is the Yellow Magic Tower, called the Mountain of Cubes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kirik, kirik.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yellow Tower, composed of hundreds of cubes, has its cubes rotate and move at regular intervals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accordingly, the structure inside the building also changes drastically, so for novice mages of the Yellow Tower it is essential to memorize the building’s structure according to the passage of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, even amid that dizzying transformation, the very top floors undergo no change at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The office used by the master of the Yellow Tower, Pentarion Ereus, was the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat stiffly in front of his desk, staring intently at a communication device that did not ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The airport terror attack itself had succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even just looking at the photos printed in the newspaper, the place had become little different from ruins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, if one were to ask whether the operation had succeeded, that was something that required a moment’s thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There’s no contact.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isel Marcos, his long-time confidant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under normal circumstances, when an operation ended he would report back within three days at the latest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it had already been over a week, and there had been no contact from him whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Something must have gone wrong.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All sorts of possibilities surfaced in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was nothing for him to worry about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Isel were captured, he would behave as though he were someone with no connection to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the loyalty he had shown over the past several decades, there was no doubt about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then why was the report so late?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he possibly be dead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there had been no article about the corpse of a high-ranking mage being discovered at the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, someone with Isel’s level of skill would not die easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the moment, Pentarion leaned toward the conclusion that he was alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Alive, but unable to make contact.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it would have been better if he had died cleanly on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of Isel, he had felt uneasy for the past several days for no reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a familiar mana passed down the corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock, knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Master, it’s me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who opened the door and entered was Tony Havertz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bending his waist at a ninety-degree angle, he approached in a disciplined manner and respectfully presented a file folder with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are the research results from last week.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving the documents without a word, Pentarion quickly scanned through their contents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard that quite a lot of the budget has recently been invested in airship development, yet there’s no progress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……I’m sorry. We’ve reached the conclusion that independent development may be difficult without Ouroboros.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then wouldn’t the problem be solved if you simply made Ouroboros?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pentarion said this as he tossed the documents onto the table with a flick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As though asking with his eyes: Oscar Crucian managed it, so why can’t you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony did not panic at this and simply bowed his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have also been proceeding with that separately, but since we did not obtain results you would find satisfactory, I refrained from reporting it. I will ensure that results are produced promptly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How amusing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pentarion chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So in my magic tower, taking my money, you’ve been conducting research that you haven’t reported until now—is that how I should understand it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I apologize. This incompetent disciple was short-sighted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“From now on, even if a single ballpoint pen is moved in the laboratory, report it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will remember that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an absurd demand, but Tony answered without showing it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching him, Pentarion slowly rotated his chair halfway and looked out the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sensing the unspoken dismissal that meant leave if your business is finished, Tony cautiously opened his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, the anniversary of the previous tower master’s death is approaching soon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Has that much time already passed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As was the case with most magic towers, Pentarion too had someone he once called master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unfortunate mage who died after causing a mana rampage during a dangerous magical experiment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pentarion recalled the face of that person, now only vaguely remembered, and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed. As a disciple, I should observe my master’s death anniversary.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood. Then I will inform the mages—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, you prepare it yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was an excessive demand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony already had so much work assigned to him that he barely slept two hours a day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing this full well, Tony politely made a request.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, I worry that with the many duties recently assigned to this disciple, my magical training is becoming too neglected.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re saying you can’t do it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……No. I will do my best to prepare it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony was not unaware.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At some point, Pentarion had begun to dreadfully guard against him practicing magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first he thought it was because of the master who died while practicing magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But honestly, now he was not so sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Tony bowed deeply and left the room, Pentarion finally turned his chair back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tony Havertz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His head had grown far too large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only his position within the tower, but even in terms of ability there was nothing to belittle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If this were the old days….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might have considered nipping the bud early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this magic tower had to belong solely to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The method would not be difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just stage an accidental death like with his master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, now many things were different from back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rising from his seat, Pentarion walked toward the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the spotless full-pane glass, the entire cityscape could be seen at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Streetlights illuminating the roads, cars running beneath them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even cleaning golems tidying the dirty streets were visible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……Truly a fragile age, and truly an easy one to live in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he himself had created this era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People could no longer live without the products of knowledge known as magitech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowledge is convenient, and convenience is like poison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps magitech is the strongest poison in the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And I too am addicted to that poison.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heaven that religious people cry about?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing but a fleeting illusion that provokes empty laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most perfect city where every system is built upon magitech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rouen was the true earthly paradise in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This convenience… it’s not something one can easily abandon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even if he had to suppress the desires within himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he could not recklessly harm Tony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he wished to strut about in the kingdom he had created, not even the smallest blemish could be allowed to appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beeeep—beep—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sudden sound ringing through the room, Pentarion looked around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The communicator?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, the sound was not coming from there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking around for a moment, he realized the sound was coming from a box that held old belongings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Surely not….”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opening the box with a frown, his gaze fell upon a communication crystal sphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sphere, which had gathered dust for decades, flickered and displayed numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This crystal sphere is a personal one used during the war. Not many people know the access channel.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No, among them, there were hardly any who were still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the mana code emanating from the crystal sphere was unmistakably Isel’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pentarion carefully took the crystal sphere out and placed it on the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cautiously combined the repeatedly appearing numbers in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Terror, variable, lost, Heavenly Sword, southwest.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the nature of the crystal sphere, which completed words through numbers, forming smooth sentences was difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, even a mere listing of words was enough to understand what the other party wanted to convey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘To summarize, a variable occurred during the terror attack, and lost… did he lose the communicator? And Heavenly Sword.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the day the airport terror attack occurred, there had indeed been a report that the Heavenly Sword had left the family and headed north.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If so, it was understandable why Isel had been unable to contact him until now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had been fleeing from the Heavenly Sword, he wouldn’t have had even ten minutes of peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If his current location is the southwest, did he go from the north toward the west and then reach there?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, he had circled the continent counterclockwise in a wide loop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless he had been running for his life, even someone like Isel would find it difficult to achieve such speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the subsequent response was very much like Isel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beep, beep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As new numbers appeared, Pentarion watched them and combined the words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—White Tower, dragon, pursuit, Yan Kingdom, financial support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sequence of words that followed, Pentarion’s eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that recently the White Tower had assembled mages and dispatched them outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that group had been sent to capture Isel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But why was the word dragon included there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Don’t tell me… that fellow had his secret exposed during battle.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless the fact that he had shot down Edna Sol Laplace had been discovered, there was no reason for him to send the word dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, considering that Yan Kingdom was mentioned, the pursuit must be quite intense, so it seemed he planned to hide in Yan Kingdom for the time being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even that response was very much like Isel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Financial support.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pentarion pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were two major things he was considering right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is the one who contacted him truly Isel Marcos?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it really is Isel, what should he do with him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pentarion thought carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If someone was impersonating Isel, the most likely candidate would be a mage of the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then which mage of the White Tower could possibly do such a thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment the question arose, one person came to mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oscar Crucian.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were the skill he displayed during the Night of the Mages and the White Night Festival, stealing a mana code would be trivial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, he had recently seen an article about him in the newspaper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They said he was in critical condition.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only that article had appeared, Pentarion would have suspected him as the culprit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the El Terra Order had stepped in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had even sent extraordinary support including an archbishop and the saintess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If that were a lie, there would be no reason for the Order to dispatch even the saintess and an archbishop.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, there was a high possibility that it was true Oscar Crucian was hovering between life and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Which meant the one who sent the message was likely Isel himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pentarion contemplated for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could simply leave money at a hidden safehouse as it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Isel took that money and crossed into Yan Kingdom, he could probably endure for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a pure question arose in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What if he gets caught by the pursuit?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something like the airport terror attack could be connected to him, but he could simply deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Edna Sol Laplace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shooting down that dragon that had been returning to the White Tower was an entirely different story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even if Isel acted out of loyalty….’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How many people would believe that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would think it was something he himself had planned, blinded by greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If things grew to that extent, they would spiral out of control.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘When that happens.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would also be separated from the convenience he enjoyed now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After closing his eyes and pondering for a long time, Pentarion slowly opened them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“……”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he manipulated the crystal sphere and sent a reply to the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Two days later at midnight. In the Valdes Forest of the southeastern continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1988,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.790Z",1,"novelbin.me","c818e7f64e26c11421b0fe23a1dde01abebcdd4933e4a00230086fb45c9a7a3c","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-344","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-342",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]