I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Back in his room, he searched for Nova.

However, he found no trace of the ethereal beauty or her cat.

'She probably slept at her friend's place.'

Not minding it and understanding she couldn't stay indoors twenty-four-seven when he trained, he retrieved a piece of chalk from his pouch. With it, he drew symbols on the table to inform her about his absence.

With a last glance at the empty room, he pushed the door and blurred under the rising sunlight. The misty wind howled in his ears as he crossed the clean village streets, a hand securing his hat. Then, dust rose in his wake on the road. Finally, he reached the mage guarding the academy's portal.

They locked eyes for a second, tension palpable in the air before a snort resounded.

"Student card and reason for leaving."

A smirk stretched his lips. Besides the teachers, the rest of the staff seemed to hate him.

'Probably Moira's doing,' he thought, retrieving his golden card.

"To gather forging materials. I'll be back before you or Moira can miss me."

He noticed the guard's fists tighten and his lips curl into a cold grimace.

In a flash, he snatched the student card, scanned it and moved aside.

"I hope you'll die on your expedition."

Taking his card, he shot back, his tone dripping sarcasm.

"Thank you for the encouragement. If you like death so much, I can help you meet her. It's a sweet person I sent many arrogant pricks to."

Then, leaving the fuming mage and the academy behind, he charged to the Gate.

A black and red blur registered in the early waker's eyes as wind blasted their hair. The noise of forceful steps reverberating against the paved floor filled Durazmarn until he reached his destination in a short ten minutes.

However, besides the annoying mage he had zapped on his first day, he saw no one.

'Does she need more time to arrive?'

As the thought flashed in his mind, an excited voice resounded from... below?

"I can't believe I'm meeting you in person! Let's go to Ute Peak!"

Brows creasing into a frown, he scanned his surroundings but only saw his shadow beneath him.

"Are you hiding in my shadow?"

His voice cut through the silence as his fist glowed an ominous dark color.

"Wait, wait! Don't pull me out!"

A high-pitched, panicked voice echoed from somewhere near his feet.

"That's the only method I have to move undetected and preserved from the slave spell's effects!"

Upon hearing her words, he closed his hand, the dark glow exploding into light particles.

"Alright. I guess you want me to remove it at Ute Peak. I also guess you didn't choose this place only to fill my requirements. Correct?"

"Exactly! There is a mining village there. Several months ago, a mine mysteriously collapsed. Wild beasts reclaimed it later, and the best part about it? Passive spells are blocked by... a mana field?

I'm not sure, but they are blocked."

Anya answered, pride dripping from her tone.

Meanwhile, Adam tucked his fingers around his chin, a pensive frown creasing his brows.

"How do you know that?"

"Easy! When we awakened, I picked the shadow scout class and escaped from Cassia. I wandered the kingdom as a shadow until I found this place."

Her tone sounded genuine this time, but before he could answer, she continued.

"It's the only place I could use my body. Despite the danger, I lingered there. When I saw your message, I almost knocked myself out cold with the ceiling, you know? Anyway, I'm sure you'll remove the slave mark easily since it's branded on my body."

"Alright, alright. Calm down, miss. We'll go now."

He answered, a snuffed chuckle escaping his wry smile.

Convinced by her explanation, he moved to his best friend guarding the Gate.

"Hello. It's me again! I need to go to Ute Peak."

His eyes took a crescent shape, yet his voice turned icy.

"So don't create trouble for me again, or I won't just zap you."

A tremor ran through the dwarf's body. Eyes bulging and sweat matting his forehead, he gazed at the hateful kid who knocked him out. Then, he remembered how Moira cancelled his warrant and scolded him.

Fists trembling in rage, he activated the Gate, muttering, "I hope you'll die there."

Without waiting, he threw himself into the Gate's thick veil of mana, emerging on the other side.

Instantly, he scanned his surroundings.

In the distance, a colossal mountain range reached for the sky. Like spears challenging the heavens, its snowy peaks pierced the clouds, disappearing atop a white blanket.

As he did, a wary pair of eyes landed on him as a human mage approached.

"Your noble identification, please."

He retrieved his student card and placed it in the man's hand.

'They won't get me twice with that stupid identification.' He thought, a smirk splitting his face.

Since he had to be noble to enrol, the student card would have the same effect.

After a few questions, the mage nodded and let him leave.

Like a gale, his frame cleaved through the air. The wind whipped his clothes in a cacophony of howls and fabric as he used Anya's instruction to charge to their destination.

The soft morning sun's rays gave way to its brighter version. Yet, the village's burly miners wore thick coats, attempting to resist November's chilly wind.

Focused on his goal, he ignored the scenery and inhabitants in his relentless charge until he reached the mine's mouth.

Ironically, he passed by the supervisors like a ghost, followed by a cloud of dust, and engulfed himself in the tunnel.

After a few hundred meters away from the bright torches illuminating the restricted mining area, he gazed at his shadow.

"You can get out now."

Snuggled in his shadow, Anya's voice echoed with reluctance.

"I don't want to. Your shadow is comfortable. I don't think I'll find another one as warm, powerful, and... hard."

His eyes enlarged, a flicker of doubt flashing, soon replaced by dread, then anger.

"The heck you are doing inside? Get out!"

His palm glinted a formless dark mist as it pierced the ground and grabbed at something.

"Ah!"

As a surprised yelp filled his ears, he pulled back.

Hair as dark as a starless night cascading down a trembling pair of eyes of the same color emerged from his shadow.

He noticed the girl's red face, a brow raised in confusion before the rest of the body followed.
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"Ah!"

He yelped this time, icy fingers caressing his back as his heart shook because... she was naked, and he grabbed her by the waist!

Before he could recover from his blunder, Anya's playful voice, tinged with a touch of allure, filled his ears.

"Oof. You must take responsibility after touching a lady."

Removing his hand as if he had touched blazing embers, he turned instantly and grumbled.

"Wear something, demoness!"

"Hahaha. Who would have thought you were shy? I don't dislike it, though."

Her laughter reverberated, a grating noise making him tremble in anger at her shameless behavior.

"Do I need to take responsibility after your mysterious disappearance?"

His words, as cold as ice, cut through her laughter, freezing the amused expression on her face.

A tense silence lingered for a second.

Then, he continued.

"I don't care how old you were on Earth. But you are thirteen here. Have some self-respect, and wear your damn clothes!"

"S-Sure. It was just a poor joke. I won't do it again."

She stuttered, controlling her shadow to wrap around her body in a tight suit.