I Refused To Be Reincarnated

The question rumbled louder than a thunderstorm in the peaceful soul sea. Materials dwarfing their counterparts with their hair-bristling effects, all assembled in the same body.

Tremors jolted his limbs, making his hat slide to the ground. But he didn't care. After thirteen years, he discovered the solution he longed for with all his soul. And what a solution!

"I don't mind waiting an additional year or two. I just need to gather six materials to witness the answer!" He declared, eyes ablaze with desire and his lips stretching to reach his ears.

Then, another realisation struck him harder than any blow he endured as he eyed another grimoire he possessed. He couldn't use its content without a body or before becoming an archmage. Yet, it was a part of the answer, too. He could see it now.

"Hahaha. Selene's request! He can help me if I bring his creatures back!"

Boisterous laughter resounded, deafening nature's harmony for a second.

Then, a steely glint flashed in his eyes. He clenched his fists, stopping the tremors rocking his limbs, and his smile vanished.

'Those vampires and werewolves will obliterate me if I charge in like a madman.'

A deep frown creased his brows.

He could use his sun affinity to weaken them, but they outclassed him, both physically and magically. The effects wouldn't be enough, especially against their leaders.

His lips twisted, and he clicked his tongue as frustration bubbled in him. The only solution to even the odds was the one he had discarded.

"I didn't want to rely on external items, but I'll need equipment."

He tucked his fingers around his chin, a calculative glint flashing in his eyes.

'Before the Battle Monster tournament ends, I must craft an armor and a blade to counter them. The fifth tier is the minimum.' Find more chapters on empire

Of course, he didn't entertain the foolish idea of buying them. If random tier-four materials reached staggering prices of several dozen thousand gold coins, how much would a complet product's be? That is, when the stars aligned once in a blue moon, and they appear on the market.

A sigh of relief escaped from his lips as he gazed at the wood lying in his material box. The silvery fruit tree branches gave him something to work with.

'I can't squander them on failed attempts, though. I guess we are back to the eternal training loop.'

A wry smile broadened as he grabbed the first book Elara brought him. The thick leather cover glinted, and the old pages absorbed lights.

"Three months. I'll master their contents, including Durgrim's theories up to the fourth-tier, in that time frame."

Without another word, he burrowed his mind into the book. The old dwarven symbols danced in his eyes as time passed in a flash.

After a moment, Nova's shaking forced him out of his trance. He closed his eyes and reopened them, returning to his room, only to frown at her.

"Why did you wake me up? The sun didn't move much."

Placing her index finger on her cheek and rolling her eyes, she answered.

"I guess you can see it like that... after twenty-five hours."

Then, a worried frown creased her brows.

"I told you to take time to rest."

"I did. I spent an hour thinking before starting. Is Elara here?"

His eyes sparkled, scanning the room to find the teacher.

She sighed, shaking her head. An hour of rest for twenty-four of learning? The balance seemed off to her.

"I told her you would join in the nearby forge. She also said the tournament's reward list is out. She brought it."

"Ok. Thanks for warning me."

With a nod, he stepped out of the room.

The evening sunlight and hot breeze grazed his wooden frame as he gazed at the students filling the streets.

After a brief walk, he pushed the smithy's heavy doors. A wave of heat blasted his clothes, making them flutter as the crackling of coal and the rhythmic clang of hammers resounded.

Upon noticing his arrival, the receptionist offered a practised smile.

"Welcome, student. You can borrow a room for a silver coin per hour."

"Elara is waiting for me. Show me her room."

He shrugged, going straight to business without wasting time.

A flash of understanding sparkled in the receptionist's eyes. With a nod, he guided him to the grandest room before leaving.

In it, he saw the blue-haired teacher organising materials on the workbench. Her focused and determined eyes struck him.

'She plans to teach me wholeheartedly.'

Hearing the noise of his leather boots against the slabs, she turned and smiled, an excited glint sparkling in her eyes.

"Ah! You are here. You won't believe the rewards the academies pooled this year!"

"Oh? Tell me."

His greedy smile split his lips, revealing his pearly white teeth as the crackling fire cast shadows on his face.

"I'll skip on the uninteresting ones," she started, retrieving a folded piece of paper from her pocket. Then she placed it on the bench and continued.

"Moira will craft a tier three legendary weapon for the fifth place. Shepard offered a tier four potion for the fourth!"

She huffed, her palm meeting her cheek as a dreamy smile stretched her lips.

Yet, her expression froze like an ice sculpture as he answered.

"What's so great? I have a tier four legendary blade and can brew these potions myself."

An awkward silence filled the room for a moment, disturbed by the soft coal burning.

Then, her eyes enlarged, and she yelled, resisting the urge to lunge at him as if he were a golden goose.

"You can?! Can you make one for me if I provide the ingredients?"

"Sure."

He shrugged, pointing at the list to ask her to continue.

"Aurora offered an undead servant of the fourth tier for third place..." She lingered, her lips pursing and nose scrounging in disgust. "A female specialised in protection and caring for its master. Anyway, don't win third place."

After a sigh, she smacked her palm on the list as excitement reignited in her chest.

"Second place will get you a wyvern's egg from Edgar! If you can hatch it, you'll have a terrifying mount after a few years."

Again, he saw her imagination paint her face in vibrant colors. With a sigh, he interjected.

"I already have a mysterious egg. Go on with the last reward."

"Sorry."

She coughed, her ears burning.

"If the previous prizes didn't impress you, wait for this one."

He rolled his eyes at the mysterious silence and the smile reaching her eyes.

"For the last reward. The one for the grand champion of the Battle Monster tournament. The Beast Emperor, substituting Zane, offers a tier-one mythical material!"

The words crashed on him like a tsunami. His fists trembled, and his eyes narrowed, fires burning brighter in their depths than in the forge.

Instantly, the wind howled and whipped against his clothes. His hand blurred, snatching the list and surprising Elara.

There, he saw it.

"First place: A pair of mythical tier-one hands that belonged to a mysterious dwarf."

Like an erupting volcano, his excitement and determination burst in him. The surrounding mana responded, wafting in multicolored lights from his eyes and enveloping his frame in a sky-blue mantle.

"No matter what. I'll get them!"