[{"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-99":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},1334995,1778,"Chapter 99","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-99",99,"\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chapter 99: The Sage of Stars (3)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haa… haa…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar, his stamina and mana depleted, was gasping heavily, unable to move easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain was shrouded in such deep darkness that it was impossible to distinguish anything right in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, when the sleet lightened, a faint green aurora appeared in the night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...This is ridiculously hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, he missed his past life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, he had used the Flight spell to reach the summit in just a few hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what could he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His current body wasn't at that level yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Activating Night Vision, Oscar carefully surveyed his surroundings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Confirming there was no one around, he dug into the snow to create a small burrow and crawled inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Ugh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire body’s muscles and mana circuits screamed in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gulped down a superior potion like water and poured another bottle over his swollen legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the pain subside, and his mind began to clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Something feels off. Sure, I’m just Level 3, but this is over the top.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had been 21 hours since he started climbing the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first ambush had merely been a prelude—four more attacks followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he ascended, the skill level of those trying to steal his invitation increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last group included a Level 5 mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Right now, I’m compensating for my lack of level with experience and mana reserves, but… that has its limits.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still had at least a full day of climbing to reach the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that time, how many more attackers would he encounter?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How strong would they be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar sighed deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Logically, the stronger ones would gather near the top.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, there was no reason for skilled individuals to waste time bickering at the base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting patiently at the top meant the invitation holder would eventually come to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar analyzed his current abilities objectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘...At my level, I can handle opponents up to Level 5 somehow.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Level 6?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how much the opponent underestimated him, the overwhelming difference in power couldn’t be bridged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closing his eyes, Oscar sank into deep thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should he keep climbing the mountain, or should he come back stronger and try again later?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he returned after reaching Level 6, he was confident he could reach the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had succeeded in the past, and there weren’t many ways to stop a flying mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But it’s already taken five days to get here, and another day to climb this mountain.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The time he promised the Deputy Tower Master was one month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he descended and returned to Sirin, he would have only 20 days left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten days would be wasted without achieving anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Twenty days… there’s no way I can reach Level 4 in that short time, not even me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his past life, it had taken a year and a half to progress from Level 3 to Level 4.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his current breathing technique, that could be shortened to six months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But it’s only been two months since I reached Level 3…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he trained diligently, he might reach Level 4 in four months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other mages would be astonished, but for him, even that felt too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Twenty-five days… only twenty-five days left…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After agonizing for a long time, Oscar finally made up his mind and slowly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I won’t descend this mountain.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a decision that would shock those who knew him well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had always emphasized that recognizing one’s limits and retreating took courage, especially for those aspiring to become high-level mages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But I won’t keep climbing either.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Oscar chose a third option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This place is brimming with mana, far more than other regions.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the perfect training ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rich mana and harsh natural conditions would push his circuits to their limits 24\u002F7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, training was most effective when survival was on the line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘The attackers.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The enemies swarming this mountain would provide excellent experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peak where the Sage of Stars resided was the closest place to the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Depending on how one defined “sky,” it could even be considered the sky itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was so high that even the clouds lay far below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive circular observatory stood at the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew who built it, when, how, or why—it was an enigmatic structure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Living there was an elderly man, known to the world as the “Sage of Stars.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sigh… So this star is not the one either.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man gazed through his telescope, disappointment clear in his voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A star he had been observing for days had dimmed and faded away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s worrisome… time is of the essence…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muttering cryptically, he left the dark room with a grim expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hem of his robe brushed against the floor with a soft rustle as he moved to another room and sat on a sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could do now was wait for a new star to be born.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle, crackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, an unusual sound came from the floating holographic map in the center of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Recognizing it as the sound of fire, the old man reacted with mild interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Ah, come to think of it…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About ten days ago, a new challenger had entered his domain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Level 3 harmony mage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had expected the challenger to fail within hours and planned to teach them a basic spell as a parting gift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, he hadn’t paid them any attention or held any expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘And yet, that one is still holding on?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surprised, the old man approached the holographic map with growing curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved his hand lightly, zooming in on the desired area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the scene came into view, a question mark floated above his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Hmm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, in the middle of a cleared snowy slope, stood a small cabin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackle, crackle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The earlier sound came from the mage roasting rabbit meat over a torch outside the cabin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unbelievable. Has he been living here this whole time? How?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man’s face, rarely showing any emotion, was now painted with a rare look of bewilderment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the centuries he had spent atop this peak, he had never encountered anyone like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Typically, the mages who entered his mountain could be categorized into three groups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Weak mages, fairly skilled mages, and monsters.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weak mages couldn’t even make it to the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hence, the knowledge they could acquire was minimal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fairly skilled mages somehow managed to reach the top, earning themselves some moderately useful knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the final category: monsters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They arrived at the summit effortlessly and obtained knowledge that became a significant asset to their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But this one... what is he?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had thought the man was a weak mage, but as time went on, it seemed the man was holding his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps he could even reach the summit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sage of Stars believed the man was exceptionally lucky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If he had encountered the dolls, he would have been eliminated by now... What are they doing?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He checked on the dolls he had scattered throughout the mountain, referred to by others as “disciples.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, a strange groan escaped his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Out of the total 108 dolls, only 12 remained; the rest had been destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So he didn’t just avoid them by luck; he survived encounters with the dolls?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man appeared to be someone who wouldn’t last even two hours in the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His demeanor exuded refinement and delicacy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the question filled his mind, the old man, unable to contain his curiosity, gestured with his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sofa dragged itself across the floor toward him, and as he sat down, he waved his hand again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I need to see every record of what this man has done since entering the mountain.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he think he could understand the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man sat back in a relaxed posture, watching the scenes projected before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He became a meticulous observer, watching the young mage climb the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At times, he paused the scenes, rewinding to rewatch moments that intrigued him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Hah, he’s quick to assess situations. The moment he sensed a doll approaching, he pretended to be dead.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even the details—controlling his heartbeat and mimicking convulsions—are flawless. It's almost obsessive.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It seems he’s been in the mountain for 15 hours now... yet he hasn’t let up on his acceleration and temperature-maintenance spells. His mana reserves must be enormous, and there’s no sign of waste.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What impressed the old man the most was his mental fortitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Even the most well-trained soldiers falter before the relentless cold and the terror of constant attacks.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the young man remained steadfast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In every situation, he adhered to his beliefs without compromise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps that was why the old man thought he resembled a shining star at times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brilliance that could only be felt from a newly born star.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could such radiance come from a mere human climbing from the depths?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Driven by curiosity, the old man retreated to his darkroom to read the young man’s constellation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, his expression hardened, and his gaze faltered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had spent centuries reading the stars, this was the first time he had encountered such a case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘This... this is impossible.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the stars, he understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew who the young man was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Oscar Crucian.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a star the old man once held high hopes for, a man who radiated brilliance like no other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why he remembered him so vividly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Oscar’s star burned to ash and faded into a dull, lifeless light, the old man had mourned deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘But how? How could this be?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That star was shining again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It burned fiercely, brighter than ever before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It raged as if to say it had never faded, outshining every other star around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘If his star was shining so brightly, why didn’t I notice until now?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much thought, the answer was obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had stopped paying attention to faded stars, never looking their way again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His interest and hope had been reserved solely for newly born, glittering stars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sage of Stars continued to stare at Oscar Crucian’s star for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>* * *\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huff, huff.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar sprinted across the snowy mountain from dawn like a snow leopard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As proof of his speed, without even using 『Acceleration』, he snatched a zigzagging hare in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>-Squeak, squeak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar glanced at the struggling rabbit in his grasp and chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sorry about that.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He released the rabbit without hesitation; he had only caught it for training purposes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the rabbit quickly disappeared, Oscar took a light sip from a potion bottle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ahhh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had already been fifteen days since he entered the snowy mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During that time, he had undergone significant changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Training in a place rich with mana really is effective.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, his mana reserves had increased significantly, thanks to absorbing dense mana 24\u002F7.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Additionally, battling frequent attackers had greatly enhanced the quality of his muscles and mana circuits in a short time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he trained here for just two more months—or even one more month—he was confident he could reach Level 4.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he didn’t have that luxury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had spent five days reaching the mountain, and with fifteen days already gone, his remaining time was limited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most importantly, there had been no attackers since yesterday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So, it’s time to climb higher, huh?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Oscar looked up at the peak towering above and lightly stretched his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His condition today was optimal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, let’s do this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bidding farewell to the cabin he had grown fond of, Oscar resumed his ascent of the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Translator - Night]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Proofreader - Gun]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>w\u003C\u002Fp>",1989,"2026-06-05T20:00:10.789Z",1,"novelbin.me","6935f442a50ecc51aef980f1c53a68e279925143750172b111c06a16b96fbcc8","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-100","the-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-chapter-98",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-problematic-child-of-the-magic-tower-cover.jpg"]