I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Adam spent two weeks in this atmosphere of deep immersion. Each day became a new challenge, bringing its portion of discoveries and improvements.

The sole tier-four forging and engraving methods taught by Elara multiplied under Yngrid's guidance and the noise of rhythmical hammering. Each one proved more intricate and complicated than the last, forcing him to pay closer attention to details, something he used to skip.

Fire danced in the forge, and his heart as his confidence in the crafting field soared. And now, he felt he could tackle the tall task of enchanting tier-five items from scratch in a rudimentary manner. But it didn't faze his determination.

Mastery was a slow process, but he knew he would soon hone his own techniques and proficiency to push open the world of tier-six items.

He clenched his wooden fist, realising his strange condition might have been a curse but proved advantageous in learning. He didn't sleep, eat or get tired, making him a human-machine gulping knowledge faster than anyone.

Yet, he observed his hand yearning dancing in the two gems serving as his eyes. He still longed for his own body.

"I'm sure they'll offer another mythical material in the inter-academy tournament."

Hope filled his solemn mutter. Even after two weeks of inquiring, he found no trail, the only one being the tier-five tendons offered by the demonic cleaver.

Before he could delve deeper into the subject, a tired, feminine voice resounded behind the piece of metal shining before him.

"I can't believe you went at it the entire night right before your match. Haaa. I hope you have prepared yourself enough. No matter the tournament's edition, there has never been a weak duelist who reached the sixteen finalists."

Despite the bird's chirping accompanying the sun's rise and the dark circles extending under her eyes, Yngrid's lips twisted in concern.

He nodded, a warm sensation spreading across his soul.

"Don't worry, teacher Yngrid. I worked on my spells and how to use them during your sleep."

"You brat, I told you not to call me teacher! Do you want the royal mages to knock on my door and drag me to the palace to behead me for a misunderstanding?"

He gazed at her twitching brows, stifling the laughter itching in his throat.

Of course, they forbade her from sharing her inheritance knowledge, and she never did. She only helped him understand the engravings he worked with, whistling at them.

Once, she even said they shared some similarities with the ones she inherited.

However, she pointed out apparent differences in the results and effects, making him realise Durgrim must have lived right after the genius inventor and probably worked hard to improve his techniques.

'I need to find time to return to Ossian's soul society and ask Durgrim if he knows about him.'

As silence descended, he felt his feet move against his will. He turned his head, noticing Yngrid pushing him out of the forge.

"Move now, or you'll be late. There are strict rules for this, you know? Even if your match starts in the afternoon, fifteen minutes after the first match begins, they'll disqualify you if you aren't around!"

"Thank you. I'll return as soon as I win so we can continue!"

"Give this old lady some rest, you monster! I can't even walk straight with how exhausted I'm."

He glared at her pale face, pinching the bridge of his nose as his lips curled into a wry smile.

'Why does it sound wrong even if it's true?'

After she shoved him out of her shop and he bid her farewell, the wind whipped against his red coat as he blurred into motion.

In a few brief minutes, he reached the activated Gate, noticing Moira and the other teachers guiding the chanting students.

"You can do it, Dorn! Bring the medal home!"

"Yeah! Don't lose your means because they are taller. Our hearts are much bigger than theirs!"

Though he disliked Moira's character, he could only bow his head regarding her managing skills. Each of her students demonstrated a powerful sense of camaraderie.

'As the saying goes, no one is perfect."

He couldn't help but find her arrogance a pity.

Still, recognising her skills didn't mean he would enjoy her company. Therefore, he flashed, raising a gust of wind that sent the students' hair dancing, as he snatched Nova and threw himself into the mana veil surrounding the Gate.

The moment he stepped out, his friend's melodious voice echoed in his ears, feeling the teasing hiding underneath prickle his soul.

"I wonder if you remember I existed before or after seeing me."

"Hahaha. Before, of course. I planned to return to the academy to fetch you if you weren't there."

He forced a chuckle out as a pang of guilt struck him.

"I know you would. Tell me, did you improve a lot?"

Concern and solemness veiled her beautiful features and voice as her trembling hand struck his wooden torso.

"I'm still not good enough, but on the right track. I believe I'll edge on Moira's level in a month."

Even if it could sound surreal to others, Durgrim's soul orb and Yngrid's mastery made it possible. After all, the straightforward dwarf had been an adept all along! Find more chapters on My Virtual Library Empire

"Great! I'll order something from you first, then!"

Her face lit up as she jumped down his arms. Her slender palm met his forehead, shining a mix of blue mana and gray soul energy, confusing him.

His brows furrowed and rose in confusion before she spoke again, her contagious cheerfulness forcing his lips to curl into an unwilling smile.

"Your payment!"

She grinned as an intricate magic circle shining a golden halo around her emerged.

Unlike the last time, this one exuded a sense of grandeur with its intricate symbols pulsing with incredible power and a unique affinity outside mortals' reach.

After ten seconds, a notification rang in his ear, forcing his eyes to his interface.

[Nova's lucky blessing increased to tier four.]

"Hahaha! That's exactly what I needed. Congratulations on your breakthrough, too. I'm genuinely happy for you!"

He smiled at her, his smile reaching his sparkling eyes. In six months, she climbed her way to the powerhouse starting line without showing her training or asking for anything.

'What a powerful lady.'

"That's nothing. I'll reach the fifth tier before you catch up with my shadow!"

She grinned, showing Stella and continuing.

"I want a tier-six house for Stalla. Even if she's a cat, she deserves her own accommodation!"

His eyes bulged, the gems almost falling down their sockets at her crazy demand.

'People would kill for a weapon of this tier! If she asked for a castle or something, why not in the future, but a cat's house?!'

Yet, her excited and hopeful smile forced his baffled words down. He begrudgingly agreed to do his best to complete her order as excited youths stepped out of the Gate one after another.

Soon, Shepard emerged, followed by his students and teachers.

After walking to him, the arcanist started.

"I admit I had some reservations, but I trust you now. Get that first place and make us proud. If you succeed, I'll lend you Vivian's grimoire for another week."

"You just multiplied my determination by six. Hahaha."

Laughing, they stepped into the Gothic castle, ready to tackle today's challenge and surprise the glaring competitors with his new spells.