[{"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-77":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},1334973,1778,"Chapter 77","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-77",77,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 77: The Special Operations Division (2)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Still the same as ever.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a natural feeling upon hearing the words of the Deputy Tower Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the reason the royal family had entrusted him with the Special Operations Division was crystal clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sure, I’ve been making a bit of a name for myself over the past few months, but at the end of the day, I’m still just a beginner mage.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t as though he was a tremendous talent or someone they were betting on for his infinite future potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, why would they trust him with such a special unit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Nebula Grime. That man mentioned it.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his organization, they held a profound interest in him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: his contact rate with the Black Fingers was abnormally high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The royal family’s perspective likely wasn’t too different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They’re probably thinking that if they assign me this unit, I’ll inevitably cross paths with the Black Fingers.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt as if they were treating him like an efficient bait, a method very characteristic of how the royal family operated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar let out a faint sigh and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about the team members?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ll need to personally select up to ten mages at level four or below. Too large a team becomes unwieldy, so ten should suffice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selecting up to nine mages below level four.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wasn’t a bad condition at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It essentially meant he could hand-pick a team to his liking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Will there be support provided?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. The Special Operations Division will receive joint support from both the royal family and the Magic Tower, offering you various conveniences.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joint support from the royal family and the Magic Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant not only abundant resources but also bypassing a host of tedious procedures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Most importantly, since the division’s work involves handling information, you’ll have access to all level-two and below intel that comes into the White Tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For someone whose only information source thus far had been newspapers, this was a godsend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it wasn’t like he had any other choice, this arrangement was starting to seem quite positive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand. If possible, I’d like to finalize the restructuring of the delivery department before taking on this role. Is that acceptable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course. In any case, you won’t have much to do until then.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Deputy Tower Master smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sirin is a peaceful city, after all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, and there’s a reward prepared for you as well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A reward?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar blinked, letting out a small gasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, you mean for the results from the last training session.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right. It’s something that will bring significant changes to the White Tower’s basic curriculum in the future.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering even Fidelina had told him to look forward to it, it seemed like it wasn’t going to be anything trivial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Oscar’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, the Deputy Tower Master placed something on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nameplates, identification cards, and a letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And this is...?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, these nameplates and IDs serve as proof that you’re now a professor of the White Tower. Your field is theoretical magic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A professor of the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The power that title carried was far greater than expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s not even comparable to being the head of the potion department.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It meant he wouldn’t need to go to great lengths to prove himself wherever he went across the continent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That title alone would likely grant him immediate entry into the royal palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… is this really okay? I’m still just a level-three mage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A professor at a Magic Tower was a reflection of the tower’s caliber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the four great towers, professors were typically at least level six mages, with notable academic reputations or solid research papers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Sure, my past papers hold some authority in basic magic, but still...’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The title of level-three mage was a glaring issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the White Tower, it wasn’t exactly a stellar decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar cautiously voiced his concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m deeply grateful, but wouldn’t it be wise to reconsider this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oscar, your knowledge more than qualifies you for this position. Every elder of the White Tower unanimously agreed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s no need to worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Deputy Tower Master gave him a warm look, evoking memories of his mentor and stirring gentle emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if the White Tower’s prestige has diminished, it’s not so feeble as to fail to boast of the extraordinary talent of its mages. The Magic Tower is a shelter for its mages.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There would undoubtedly be plenty of gossip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially from the Blue Tower, competing with the White Tower in the field of potions, who would leap at the chance to attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘They know all of this.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, they likely understood it better than anyone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they still decided to grant him this, fully aware of the hassle it would entail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were willing to bear that burden for the sake of a single mage belonging to the White Tower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll do my best not to tarnish the reputation of the tower.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good. And you must stop drinking every day like you used to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Deputy Tower Master added a small jest, then glanced at the letter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In fact, the main reward is this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What could this letter possibly be…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Open it and see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Urged by the expectant gaze of the Deputy Tower Master, Oscar opened the letter, his eyes widening in surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We invite you to the embrace of the shimmering galaxy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“D-Deputy Tower Master… Is this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes. It’s an invitation to meet the Sage of the Stars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Deputy Tower Master’s face lit up with satisfaction, as though anticipating his delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Oscar looked pleased, he also hesitated, asking cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is it really okay for someone like me, still just a level-three mage, to receive something so precious? I heard each Magic Tower only distributes five of these invitations annually.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s true. But after much discussion among the elders, they concluded that considering the value of the breathing technique and training method you discovered, this was the least they could do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, the value of those techniques was indeed extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost instinctively nodding, Oscar stared at the glittering invitation card.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In my past life, I didn’t meet the Sage of the Stars until I was a level-six mage.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had expected to meet the sage at around that time again, but the opportunity had come far sooner than anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, it was too soon to celebrate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was one concern nagging at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’m not sure if he’ll agree to meet me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was commonly known that one could only meet the Sage of Stars once in a lifetime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This meant that there was also a possibility the Sage might not grant him an audience this time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though his appearance had changed, the soul inside was still that of Oscar Sage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I won't know for sure until I go meet him myself.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After organizing his thoughts, Oscar looked at the Deputy Tower Master and replied,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...If you insist, then I’ll accept it gratefully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in his room, Oscar floated in mid-air, crossing his arms, with a book in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the future, it was better to practice flying whenever possible, even while reading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Swish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind turned the pages of the book on its own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[In the Magic Towers, there is a concept of performance. The annual performance determines the evaluation of each Magic Tower. Naturally, talented mages aspire to belong to well-evaluated towers, and towers strive to achieve high performance to attract such talent for the next year.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed the performance concept of the Magic Towers hadn't changed much over the years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, it wasn't particularly flawed even back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar's gaze deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The elements that make up a tower's performance can be divided into three main parts.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first, of course, was achievements in magic and research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Magic Tower itself was a place for exploring truth, this part was the most important.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The key point is how many excellent spells, theories, or restorations were achieved in a year.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he were to cite an example, developing the cure and vaccine for the Cadena Flu would fall under this category.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the profits earned from it weren’t included in the performance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor who had introduced the concept of performance centuries ago did not want the Magic Towers to turn into merchants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The second factor was how many high-level mages were produced.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This particular category, he recalled, had the highest score weight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having more powerful mages was directly tied to national power, after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But relying on just these two methods made achieving consistent annual performance difficult.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meaningful magic research typically took at least five years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Producing 7th-level mages or higher was even rarer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If such feats were achieved annually, the Great Demon Emperor would have been hunted down immediately upon his appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So the quickest way for Magic Towers to boost their performance is…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar’s eyes scanned the pages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[In reality, most towers focus on sending their mages on assignments to boost their performance. These range from small individual commissions to larger-scale agreements with specific factions or cities.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘As expected, it’s commissions.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was likely the very reason the concept of \"performance\" was established in the first place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a clever design.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Magic Towers, though sworn to loyalty to the empire, were not under direct command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet by sending their mages to solve the empire’s various issues voluntarily, the system ensured mutual benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And our White Tower is most lacking in this area of commissions.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With few high-ranking or intermediate mages, the White Tower wouldn’t receive many requests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘We don’t even have much advanced magic available.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The advanced spells owned by the tower were probably limited to those known by the Deputy Tower Master and the elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Incidentally, Sasha’s position as Tower Master was likely related to this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Only the Tower Master and their successor can access all of a tower’s advanced spells.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Sasha was a direct disciple he had personally chosen as his third apprentice, her talent was extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This likely explained why she was appointed as Tower Master—so she could master all the advanced magic available.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In short, I need to make up for the lack of performance through the Special Operations Division.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that what Nebula Grime had mentioned about performance opportunities referred to the Special Operations Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The division likely dealt with major incidents, providing bigger chances to accumulate performance than ordinary commissions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But the problem is that I only have one body.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While other towers were deploying thousands of mages to resolve commissions, trying to match their performance single-handedly was nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though, he had managed it once before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The performance we gained by executing the Demon Emperor during the Night of Purge was absolutely monumental.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, twenty years later, the imperial family recognized the White Tower as one of the Four Great Towers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This spoke volumes about how overwhelming that achievement had been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But since I’ve been warned that failing to secure performance could be dangerous during the White Night Festival…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had to build performance through major incidents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, major incidents were not something one could handle alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was time to recruit members for the Special Operations Division.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>",1912,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","fd4e2de73c17ce6cd091cdcf5aa15bb361352c8fb6a8a0a9f19f83b03dc4ba69","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-78","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-76",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]