[{"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-43":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},1334820,1778,"Chapter 43","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-43",43,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 43: The Celestial Voice (6)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, are you sure it's okay for you to be moving around? You're not just putting up a front, are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why would I bluff? Want me to run a lap along the riverside just to prove it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar casually brushed himself off and stood up after only three days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't a minor injury, but thanks to Marin spending a lot of money to call in a high-ranking priest, he was able to recover quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You never know. There could be aftereffects or something. Why not rest for a few more days?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've got too much work to do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tch. You're so stubborn. Fine, let's settle the payment first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marin handed him an envelope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here's the promised 1 million bel. I added an extra 100,000 bel as a thank-you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you. I'll make good use of it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this, he should buy some gear or maybe some elixirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The recent job made him realize how uneasy he felt if he didn’t get stronger as soon as possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm leaving this city today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marin, arms crossed, looked out at the cityscape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That crazy witch Ara Sweet, who knows what she'll do next. I'm too scared to stay here any longer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think that's a wise decision.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unfortunately, I still have some business left in this city.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Be careful. She's probably on edge right now and could do anything.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'm not worried.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he has to do is remove the lens and wipe off the tattoo on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Responding as if it were no big deal, Marin squinted her eyes and nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, I'm sure you'll handle it just fine. Judging by your skills, you won’t be the one getting beaten up out there.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course not. If anything, it’s my opponents who should be worried.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged smiles briefly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marin stretched her arms up with a big yawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ahhh, who cares! I'm off to sing for His Majesty the Emperor and receive my elixir!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Congratulations again. I’m sure your father will be up from his sickbed soon, too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Thank you, really. It's all thanks to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he shook her extended hand, an unexpected question came out of nowhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But grateful as I am, are you really not going to tell me your real name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s pupils widened in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, I’ve been a singer for three years now. You think I wouldn’t notice you wearing colored contacts? I realized it from the moment we first met.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a stunned laugh, Oscar asked back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you knew I was an impostor, why did you hire me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well… when you talked about my father, the expression on your face and the look in your eyes… It was like looking into a mirror. I thought, 'This guy has the same pain as me. Why not take a gamble and trust him?'\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You live quite recklessly yourself, Marin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh, so what? Are you going to tell me your real name or not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smiling gently, Oscar decided there was no point in hiding it now that he was found out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My name is Oscar Crucian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Wait, I think I’ve heard that name somewhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Marin furrowed her brows in thought, Evelyn whispered quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You mentioned it during dinner last time. He’s the one who created the cure for Cadena Flu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh! That genius guy, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marin looked at him with newfound curiosity, sizing him up from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm. You don't look like a genius to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't look like the world's top diva either, Marin. You seem pretty average yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What? Excuse me? What part of this beauty looks average?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She scoffed, tilting her chin up arrogantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just you wait. In a few days—or even a few hours—you'll regret it. Everyone you pass on the street will look like a squid in comparison to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To be honest, you're not quite at that level.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You could at least lie and say something nice. You’re so stingy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marin turned her head with a pout and muttered in a small voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Goodbye. You were the best bodyguard I’ve ever had.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cute reaction made Oscar smile brightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you were the best diva I’ve ever seen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That afternoon, Oscar met Killian at a café’s outdoor terrace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're here. How’s your body holding up?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ve fully recovered. But shouldn’t I be asking you that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing from the news how injured Killian had been, Oscar replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m fine too. My employer brought in a high-ranking priest for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, then there's no need to worry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I just came from picking up my payment. Want me to treat you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. A warrior of the forest never shamelessly claims credit for others' achievements.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected of a forest warrior—he’s overflowing with honor and integrity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here's your apple juice and espresso.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll take the coffee. Here, a tip for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar said with a relaxed smile, and Killian's eyes widened in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the server left, Killian leaned in closer and lowered his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s going on?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When did you become so sociable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Are you seriously asking because I talked with a server?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Absolutely. I used to think no one had worse social skills than you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Really?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was the old Oscar really that bad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a forest warrior says so… Just how hopeless was he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar clicked his tongue and shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, it’s not that hard. Want me to teach you sometime?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Really?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian suddenly stood up, pounding his chest with his fist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course! Teach me how to improve my social skills too!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Calm down and take a seat first. Once you know this, it's actually pretty simple. It's almost like magic.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Magic is difficult.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, sorry. Then think of it like fighting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fighting? That sounds easy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar immediately adjusted his approach for a personalized lesson by recognising the other person's level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a side note, Oscar was quite skilled at teaching forest warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even gave similar lessons to this guy's father back in the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you meet someone new and don't know what to say, just start with a compliment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A compliment?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, the key is to lower their guard. This technique works especially well with people who share common ground with you, like hobbies or style.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other person seemed to have a moment of realization, as if something clicked in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quickly downed his apple juice and declared,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll go make some friends using the method you taught me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright, good luck.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar smirked as he watched him leave and reached for his coffee cup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like having a bucket of icy seawater poured over his head on a winter day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold sensation seeped through his clothes, freezing his heart, and his sense of caution heightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'A strong one.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first true powerhouse he's encountered since inhabiting little Oscar's body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An opponent at least level 7 in skill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Where are they?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar scanned his surroundings, searching for the source, and his gaze landed on a woman standing idly across the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was wearing sunglasses with striking orange lenses and a long-brimmed flat cap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Ash-gray hair, about 173 cm tall.'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like witnessing a bomb that could go off at any moment right in the middle of the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment their eyes seemed to meet, a carriage passed between them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clop, clop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the carriage passed, the woman was nowhere to be seen across the street.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you going too easy on your little brother's friend? Shouldn't we at least collect a debt for killing one of our recruits?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior following the woman asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave it. He wasn't even an official member anyway. Besides, if someone can't handle a level 3 mage, it's better that we never took him in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman, walking while responding, gradually slowed her pace and eventually came to a full stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned around abruptly and asked her junior,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, do you think you could find me if I deliberately hide my presence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Find you? No way. It'd be hard even to realize you were there in the first place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then how many level 3 mages in this city do you think could find me if I hid my presence?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Is this some new kind of harassment? I doubt there'd be any across the entire continent, not just in Baran.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exactly, that's the normal reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman's eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why do I keep feeling like that guy and I made eye contact?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, come on. It must have been a coincidence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…It didn’t feel like a coincidence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman tilted her head and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you know who that level 3 mage at the cafe was?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course. It was Oscar Crucian. He's a genius of the White Tower, famous for restoring cures for Cadena Flu and various potions. He's been quite the talk lately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oscar Crucian, a genius, huh...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman rolled those words around in her mouth and smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interesting guy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking forward to seeing more of him, she resumed walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As evening came, Killian returned, decked out in sunglasses, a hat, necklaces, rings, and shoes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s all this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These are gifts from my new friends. Thanks to you, I was able to make lots of friends.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Something seems off here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making new friends was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But receiving all these gifts on a first meeting?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, sensing something amiss, asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly happened?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just like you said, I went to find people with common interests in the back alley.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...The back alley? Why go there to make friends?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, I like cigarettes, so I looked for people who smoke.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm. Go on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I complimented them, just like you told me to.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There it was again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That ominous feeling, this time even stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Tell me exactly what you said to them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian placed the items he'd received on the table and looked at Oscar with an icy gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, out of the blue, he said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your shoes are cool.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That necklace looks pretty nice on you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar slapped his forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And after you said that, they just gave you these things?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think they wanted to be kind and celebrate our newfound friendship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...No, that’s not it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In our society, we call this extortion, or slang for it: a shakedown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar let out a deep sigh and pointed outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut up and follow me. We have to return all these things today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But why return gifts from friends?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They weren't gifts from friends.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They weren’t?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nope. You didn’t make a single friend today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killian's shoulders slumped, looking dejected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",1812,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.509Z",1,"novelbin.me","2fec9633bf17777d8b27a47b6069eab0f10c3f0b592ba5abdc961c50c483faf1","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-282","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-281",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]