[{"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-58":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},1334954,1778,"Chapter 58","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-58",58,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 58: Training Camp (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knock, knock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the sound of knocking, the Deputy Tower Master responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Excuse me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Hmm? Oscar?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was an entirely unexpected visitor, but a smile spread across the Deputy Tower Master's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar had become someone who brought such a reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What brings you here so suddenly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, I’m not quite sure how to explain this myself...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, with an expression perfectly embodying confusion and awkwardness, cautiously began to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"While exercising in the forest today, I stumbled upon something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...In the forest?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Deputy Tower Master interlaced their fingers and rested their chin on them, a look of intrigue crossing their face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar wouldn’t come running to her over a pretty rock or an unusual mushroom he found in the woods, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you find?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, it seems to be... um...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trailing off, Oscar scratched the back of his head before finishing his sentence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think it’s a dungeon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Oscar's report, Hamel, the Deputy Tower Master, visited the pond in question with two other elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring blankly at the pond, Maxim asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is supposed to be a dungeon? It just looks like an ordinary pond to me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, Oscar proceeded to enact Scene #2 of the prearranged script.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought so too. But when I tried to rinse my dirty hands in the water...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar dipped one hand into the pond as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprisingly, the water did not ripple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s when I realized it was fake.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed. This is a very high-level illusion spell. Typically, illusions of this caliber distinguish between magical codes to discern reality from deception. The absence of such mechanisms is, in itself, remarkable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The code recognition feature had existed initially but had been erased on the way back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, entering the hideout would have taken an eternity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Landing at the bottom of the pond, Maxim eyed the conspicuously installed door with suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm. It looks like a typical dungeon entrance. Opening the door might trigger all sorts of traps.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure? It just looks like a regular door to me. Can’t we just open it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Fidelina's question, Maxim shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sorry, but trust the words of someone who’s conquered numerous dungeons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trust him, my foot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just turn the doorknob, and it’ll open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come on, just go in already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware of this thought, Maxim began cautiously examining the doorknob.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm. The mechanism must be so cleverly concealed that it’s hard to spot...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After inspecting the door for over 10 minutes, it was exasperating enough to drive anyone crazy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, over 20 minutes later, Maxim opened the door and descended the staircase.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he reached the small room inside, his expression stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"An unexpectedly cozy space appears out of nowhere? Everyone, stay alert! Even this room could be an illusion!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not, Elder Maxim.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unable to watch any longer, the Deputy Tower Master raised a hand to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From what I can tell, this seems to have been a hideout for one of our senior White Tower mages.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He examined the room, gathering information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not a speck of dust can be found anywhere, suggesting that powerful preservation magic has been maintained to this day. Whoever the owner of this place was, they were undoubtedly a high-level mage.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wouldn’t looking at the desk help us identify the owner?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Offering a reasonable suggestion, Fidelina naturally approached the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She picked up a book sitting alone atop it and muttered,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm. The book itself seems quite old—at least 20 years, I’d say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, it was made today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had simply cast a corrosion spell to make it look aged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see... The title is... Breathing Technique?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reading the plain title on the cover, she felt somewhat let down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Renowned breathing techniques typically had distinctive names.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as she turned the first page, her pupils dilated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Frozen stiff, she turned her head like a rusty golem to look at the Deputy Tower Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"D-Deputy Tower Master! Th-this is...!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it a trap!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other two quickly gathered around her, and what they saw was a single inscription:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Harmony and circulation, capturing the mysteries of eternity.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[By the 17th White Tower Master, Oscar Sage.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, all sound vanished from the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t due to any 『Silence』 or 『Sound Binding 』 spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone naturally held their breath, and Fidelina swallowed hard before barely managing to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did I read that correctly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Let’s find out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Receiving the book, the Deputy Tower Master carefully turned the pages and read its contents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rustle, rustle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the sound of turning pages was heard in the silence that enveloped the room for about 30 minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closing the book cautiously, the Deputy Tower Master lifted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The heavens have not yet abandoned the White Tower.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-you mean...?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s authentic beyond a doubt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My goodness!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maxim and Fidelina, mouths agape, unconsciously hugged each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And why not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it was Oscar Sage's breathing technique, it was the legendary Oscar Method—a groundbreaking technique that flawlessly overcame the limitations of the Harmony system, cherished as a holy grail by the Blue Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Deputy Tower Master, unusually unable to suppress his excitement, turned to look at Oscar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oscar, I doubt you realize the magnitude of what you’ve uncovered. This book is the future of the White Tower and its wings of hope.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it really that significant?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is indeed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the three of them celebrate like children warmed his heart as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...If anything, I should be the one thanking them.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For holding together the White Tower he had once brought to ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were the ones who had given him a chance to pour back the water he had spilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I've been of help to the White Tower, I'm glad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A relieved smile spread across Oscar's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 36th floor of the Magic Tower, the Campus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The largest lecture hall in the main building of this floor was finally filled with warmth once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This lecture hall feels nostalgic somehow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while, actually. It’s been half a month since we were last here, hasn’t it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Already? Wow…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A mage glanced around the lecture hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once so crowded that people had to stand for lectures, the hall now felt relatively sparse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Doesn’t it feel like there are a lot of empty seats today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This might be the normal state. Honestly, it was weird that senior mages were attending a basic magic class in the first place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mages at level 4 and above attended a few lectures before gradually dropping out—not because they had nothing left to learn, but rather because they had clarified their uncertainties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, they were likely dedicating themselves to training, digging deeper into their newfound insights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, the lecture hall was filled only with the original 32 level-3 mages from the first day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But suddenly going on a training retreat—doesn’t it feel random at this point in time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, about that...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Benjamin Scott began explaining everything that had happened a few days ago when he was with Sylvia.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hmm. I heard rumors that Leo Brult was the first among our cohort to become an intermediate mage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve also heard that others in our class are starting to reach level 4.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s fast. They’re from the other Magic Towers, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah. All the talented ones from the academy went over there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though grouped as the \"Four Great Magic Towers,\" the disparity among them was evident. People didn’t call it “Three Strong, One Weak” without reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was something everyone, especially the mages of the White Tower, knew well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...It feels like we’re the only ones being left behind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, don’t overthink it. We’ll all reach level 4 eventually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, let’s stay optimistic. The ones advancing now are just those who are especially capable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Capable ones, huh...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, does that mean everyone gathered here lacks ability?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A somber atmosphere lingered in the lecture hall until the door opened and a familiar figure stepped inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar Crucian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eyes of the junior mages sparkled as they looked at their proud senior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recently, he had made headlines for rewriting history in Baran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Senior! Is it true that the Security Bureau and the Violet Brigade clashed in Baran?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard you fought a tattooist at the scene. Was that real?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Rumor has it you took down a mage hunter on your way back. Can you tell us more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this rate, they might even ask about his first love.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s enough chit-chat. I noticed your gloomy faces when I walked in. What’s the matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well, before you arrived, we were talking about the other Magic Towers...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some of our peers from the academy have become intermediate mages, and it’s made us a little restless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he hadn’t experienced it personally, falling behind one’s peers seemed to be a significant source of stress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar asked directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why do you think your growth is slower than your academy peers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sudden question left everyone glancing at each other awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The silence stretched long until Damian finally responded with a blunt remark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it obvious? It’s because we’re less talented than they are.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t entirely wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Prestigious Magic Towers scouted those who stood out at the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Right now, that probably means the other three Magic Towers, excluding the White Tower.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those mages were essentially filtered in the first round, meaning those who ended up at other towers were of relatively lower caliber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with the White Tower's reputation at rock bottom, talented mages now preferred the Blood Tower or Black Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In other words, my students are either average or, at best, gifted.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the most talented among them, Damian, wasn’t exceptional enough to be called a genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had barely managed to solve the reverse calculation problem of 『Sound Binding 』 by the end of the first lecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sure, there’s a difference in talent. But do you really think level 4 is about talent?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...You’re still level 3 yourself, though.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahem, I heard that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap, tap!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Floating chalk began writing on the blackboard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Basic Mages]**\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 1: Able to manipulate mana and perform simple basic spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 2: Capable of complex basic spell calculations and improving spell accuracy and efficiency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level 3: Fully understands and begins applying all basic spells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond that, nothing was written.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no need for them to know just yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the academic definition of the stages of basic mages. Anyone here who feels they haven’t fully understood or can’t apply basic spells, raise your hand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Awkwardly, they half-raised their hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar sighed deeply and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Put your hands down. What do you think I’ve been teaching you all this time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reinterpretation of basic magic had been designed specifically for the White Tower’s basic mages—to help them thoroughly understand and apply basic magic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t need to learn anything else about basic magic from anyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They might not realize it, but he had trained them to reach that point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And one more thing. I can confidently say that no level-3 mage from any other tower has as solid a foundation as you do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A level-9 Archmage had distilled all his insights into easily understandable lessons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If another Magic Tower were capable of better teaching, they’d have conquered the continent already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quiet and reserved, Amy Lavin hesitantly raised her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“D-Does that mean we can reach level 4 r-right now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As you know, reaching level 7 or higher requires epiphanies, but level 4 intermediate mages don’t need anything like that. Any mage capable enough to enter a Magic Tower will eventually reach level 4. So I’ll ask again—why haven’t you crossed that threshold yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The students fell silent, deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they had mastered basic magic as he claimed, then something else must be holding them back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damian frowned and muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could it be because our mana circuits haven’t stabilized yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar nodded and continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When a new mana circuit is installed, it usually takes anywhere from six months to three years to stabilize completely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happens if you install a new circuit before it’s stabilized?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You die.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no exaggeration or metaphor in his blunt answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s like building another sandcastle on top of an unstable one. The moment a wave hits, it collapses. Installing a new circuit before the previous one stabilizes is like setting up a ticking time bomb.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sound of gulps filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These students were likely the most tempted to hastily install new circuits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Incidentally, this applied to him as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If his past life as an Archmage had allowed him to shoot straight to level 9 upon awakening, he would’ve done so already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So once our mana circuits stabilize, we can reach level 4 anytime?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the clear answer, they still looked puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t know how to accelerate the stabilization process.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll learn how to speed up the stabilization of your mana circuits during this retreat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar pulled out a pair of sunglasses and a hat from who-knows-where.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, blowing a whistle, he announced:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, gather at the campus field. You’ve got five minutes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Clara]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>",2236,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","8db8250165f1aa59f3de7a224690bae38897d476aad17faf4d95590469adeb5b","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-59","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-57",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]