[{"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-37":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},1334808,1778,"Chapter 37","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-37",37,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 37: Free City (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a sudden blur, his opponent shot out through the smoke from his cigarette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s eyes narrowed as he analyzed every muscular movement of the attacker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘A mage... and one with well-trained martial skills too, but…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the man’s foot flew toward Oscar, filling his field of vision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Move aside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar murmured nonchalantly as a 『Wind Shield』 materialized before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shield was enhanced with 『Shock Absorption』 and 『Durability Reinforcement.』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the devastating kick was effortlessly blocked, the man's eyebrow twitched.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Blocked?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course, why wouldn’t I?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar replied with a casual tone, but inside, he was shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Wind Shield he’d summoned was stronger than usual, yet it shattered under just one kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This guy is on a whole other level.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that wasn’t even a kick reinforced with magic—pure physical power alone had that kind of destructive force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘How does someone end up with that kind of body?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the man looked lean, the force he packed could only be described as godlike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced briefly at the grimy alley floor with a heightened sense of caution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘First, I’ll take the initiative.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making his decision, Oscar charged at the opponent, kicking an empty can on the ground as he ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the can flew towards the man's head, he moved just slightly, watching it pass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The magic hidden inside the can exploded, causing his opponent to stagger from the surprise attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing control, Oscar lunged and threw a series of punches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pow! Bam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the relentless assault, the man displayed monster-like reflexes, blocking about half of the strikes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This body wasn’t the weak frame that once holed up researching and drinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, he’d built up the strength and stamina to handle basic combat techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he couldn’t match this guy’s raw speed and power…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could make up for the difference with experience and skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grabbing the man’s collar, Oscar drove his feet firmly into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a burst of mana erupted from below, launching his opponent upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suspended in the air, the man’s pupils widened at this new combat style.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar executed a flawless shoulder throw.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bam!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, his opponent’s face contorted in pain as he hit the hard concrete floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll end this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar swung a kick at the man’s head, enhancing his leg with magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smash!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn’t enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He managed to mitigate the impact at the last moment with magic reinforcement on his skin.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as he suspected, the man rose, dusting himself off, seemingly unscathed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Oscar and remarked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re strong. I’ll have to fight seriously.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bluffing, are we…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s words trailed off in shock as the man rushed forward at a speed that put his previous movements to shame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Acceleration? No… faster—it’s like a jet booster. But when did he prepare this?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spell was cast in an instant, faster even than Veronica’s “Rapid Casting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘At this speed… I can still keep up.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To avoid losing control, Oscar activatedAccelerationtoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But again, the man’s speed burst explosively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A second-layered jet booster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he controlled it flawlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘He’s coming!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, he was a silver blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A lightning-fast kick smashed into Oscar’s neck, followed by a spinning blow to his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar tumbled backward but felt a small relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had barely managed to activate his Wind Shield in time, dissipating the impact.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, he used two shields with 『Shock Absorption』 and 『Durability Reinforcement.』\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d only used one, he’d have been knocked out cold by that kick.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Blocked that too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only his opponent’s crimson eyes shone in the darkened alley, predatory and piercing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man defied all conventional limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His power level was just Level 4, but his actual strength was closer to that of a top Level 5 mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll finish this with the next strike.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar sensed the truth in the man’s words and prepared himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If it’s a battle of speed, I’ll lose ten times over.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t equipped to handle even a basic two-layered acceleration, much less a dual jet boost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His only hope lay in skill and experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar positioned himself and charged, but the man’s form vanished, sinking into the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though his eyes couldn’t keep up, he never lost track of magic once he sensed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pinpointed his opponent’s location and drew on all his mana.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A torrent of power surged through three circuits within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his right fist as winds converged around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Merge with me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar half-closed his eyes, becoming one with the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s First Form: Sound of Waves\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thrust his fist forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man charging toward him paused in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of nowhere, Oscar Crucian had thrown a punch into empty space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he seemed to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So, he lost track of me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His speed had exceeded Oscar’s ability to keep up, forcing him to swing blindly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He threw a punch, hoping for a lucky hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oddly enough, he managed to get the direction and position right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But this is the end now.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the man stretched out his hand to knock Oscar unconscious, a sound like waves crashing echoed in his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Waves?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was an alley, with no sign of the sea or even standing water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort, and his brow furrowed as he realized warmth was spreading through his abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heat grew stronger and soon transformed into searing pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".....!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, a twisting agony filled his insides, as if all his organs were wringing themselves out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BOOM!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was hurled in the opposite direction of where he was headed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ugh! Ugh!Cough!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man, now slammed into a large trash can in the alley, spat out blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at Oscar, who was approaching him slowly, with a look of disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...What is this technique?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Resonance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive wave of air resonates with the frequency of the opponent's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It's like when different objects vibrate at the same frequency, producing a stronger force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the wave penetrates the target, it causes devastating internal destruction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the words of the Yan Empire, it’s like the art of 'striking a cow through a mountain.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man muttered in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I can't understand it. When did you get this strong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You say that like we’ve fought before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We have. More than once.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be that he knew young Oscar?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar furrowed his brows and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where did we fight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mainly in the sparring hall of the White Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A question mark seemed to float over Oscar’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was he talking about, the White Tower?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wait, could it be…?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden foreboding hit Oscar, and he asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just to be sure, what's the name of the person looking for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hamel Grimwiz, the Deputy Master of the White Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn it! You should’ve said that from the start!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I did say it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar remembered his words, staring at him with a resolute expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've been waiting for you, Oscar Crucian! Someone’s looking for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar held his forehead, exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...And if I refuse to go, he said he'd take me by force?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He instructed me that if words wouldn’t work, force was acceptable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unbelievable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of guy is this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t even manage basic communication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But why does it feel like I've heard this infuriating speech pattern before?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar furrowed his brows and combed through his memory, his expression suddenly froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey... What’s your name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My name is Killian Lockwood, a proud warrior of the forest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian Lockwood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the troublemaker even young Oscar had written about.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Veronica felt a fierce rivalry with him—the White Tower's rising star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Wait, did he say his last name is Lockwood?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, his voice trembling, asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know a Radan Lockwood?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed! He's my proud father! He was once a comrade of the great Oscar Sage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Radan Lockwood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beast of hand-to-hand combat from the forest tribes, an 8th-level mage of the White Tower, known as the White Lion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been Oscar’s ally and comrade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he first arrived at the White Tower, he had the same terrible communication skills as this kid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, in summary...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Did I just beat up my friend’s son?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar felt dizzy, his head drooping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just wanted to pass out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * * * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We have a problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...I know. It’s a big problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar slumped next to the trash can, looking very downcast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian, watching him, tilted his head in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My organs are ruptured, so why are you making that face?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have my reasons.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar let out a heavy sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know how he’d face Radan in the afterlife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though knowing him, he’d probably just laugh it off and tell him not to worry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Now that I think about it, as a warrior of the forest…'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced over at Killian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His clothes covered most of his body, and he wore gloves that hid almost all of his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'A tattooed mage.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warriors of the forest tribe have a bit of a disadvantage when it comes to spell-casting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bluntly put, they’re not the brightest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'But they’re loyal and had an unyielding desire to learn magic.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why the White Tower's Fifth Magic Tower Master created \"tattoo magic\" just for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By pre-etching magic tattoos on their skin, they could activate spells by simply channeling their mana into them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Thanks to that, they can fire off spells as quickly as incantation-free casting. But each tattoo has limited uses, and once depleted, they can’t cast any spells until they recharge.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The forest warriors usually make up for that downtime with their impressive physical abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This kid probably has dozens of tattoos on his body. Radan’s body was just like that.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what’s the problem? Does it hurt a lot?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It does. But pain is nothing to a warrior of the forest. The real problem is that I took on a job in Baran, and I can’t carry it out in this condition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Sorry about that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not telling you this to get an apology.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian shook his head, his face expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ll need to complete the job for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Weren't you saying before that I should be sent back to Sirin?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But the job comes with a hefty penalty. If I cancel now, I’ll be bankrupt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar hung his head and covered his face with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he doing this on purpose, rubbing guilt on him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. I can’t let you become a credit risk. What’s the job?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Ah, she’s coming out just now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian looked over at the screen on a nearby building wall, where a woman was singing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That celestial voice... My job is to guard her.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1836,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.509Z",1,"novelbin.me","777a365e27f72fd7099cf97a8918c20e18f5c206ed2d822aee755ed364b2fa91","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-276","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-36",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]