I Refused To Be Reincarnated

When Adam stepped out, Shepard and the other teachers rushed to him, bright smiles stretching their lips as Nova walked to the arena.

"Last match, my boy! Don't pressure yourself too much, and do your best to win. Just know that we are all proud of you!"

His mentor placed his hand on his shoulder, continuing as greed flashed in his eyes.

"Of course, it's better if you win. Make Edgar spite his riches and honor as an arcanist. Hahaha!"

He giggled at the man's shenanigan before noticing a frown creep on his brows.

"Incredible. You're not shaking at all."

Shepard gazed at his hand, feeling he gripped an immovable mountain instead of a puppet.

Smoke overtook his gray eyes as he scanned his disciple, his heart rate increasing for each second.

"W-what did you build?!"

Unlike the enchanters, his observation spell allowed him to feel the number of enchantments without detail. But its primary use was to detect alchemical use. And what he saw sent his mind spinning.

Meanwhile, Adam shrugged, a satisfied smile stretching his lips.

"Nothing much. It's just a sturdy vessel for a year, anyway."

"Hmm. Half a year away from me, and you're already keeping secrets, brat?"

Shepard chuckled, slapping his back amicably, only to grimace at his reddening hand.

"Cough. I have a mission for you. It'll help you return to your roots and improve your alchemical skills... Well, learn to brew new potions, at least."

He coughed, eying the purified materials. Truthfully? he doubted he could do better despite his higher rank. After all, the sheer elemental attunement variety composing his puppet would require several individuals to work together.

Still, he outstretched his hand, offering him a heavy bag of materials and four recipes.

"Sharing them is a crime. So burn them after mastering the steps. You have enough to brew sixty tier-four potions and two tier-five."

"How many can I keep for myself?"

'Like hell, I'll work for free.'

However, Shepard shattered his expectations.

"None. It's a commission from Aurora. Be wary, though."

Shepard's eyes narrowed, sending a chill through his soul.

"I'm sure she'll target you one way or another."

A pensive frown creased his brows as his mentor's words hung heavy in the air.

'Is she the reason for my terrible feeling? Why did it manifest by the dwarven castle then? It makes no sense for the royals to help her and even less for Moira to allow another arcanist to do what she pleases on her territory.'

He scratched his hair, lips twisting before shrugging.

'As long as she doesn't act in person, I don't need to fear her goons.'

He didn't bother to ask why she would target him and just gripped the bag. After all, since she was a dark mage and they enjoyed tormenting ghosts, her motivations seemed unmistakable to him.

"I want one of Edgar's items if I win. If I lose, I'll brew them for free."

"Ha! You do realise that tier-six materials don't grow on trees? I'd rather concoct them myself."

Shepard planted his hand on his hips, making his stance clear. He had already given him the starmetal ore, something no one would have done.

"I won't work for free. Last offer: I want hints on a tier-six, seven, or eight mythical material."

He outstretched his hand, returning the bag and locking eyes with him to match his mentor's firmness.

Shepard sighed in response. Those materials were as rare as dragon scales, no matter the tier. Yet, this foolish disciple asked for a tier-eight?

Despite the ridiculous demand, he shook his head and answered.

"I shouldn't tell you, but King Leon and Orion went all out to make next year's inter-academy tournament the most memorable one. Legendary items, mysterious medicines and beast eggs, they planned everything."

His voice trailed off as yearning sparkled in his eyes before they narrowed.

"Including a complete mythical skeleton of the sixth-tier."

Meanwhile, Adam's fists clenched, fires burning in his eyes and menacing to scorch anything entering his vision.

'I only need ther tier-seven and eight materials!'

Including the hands, bones, and tendons he would retrieve before the year's end, he could finally see the finish line.

"Alright. I'll be a bit busy after the match, so give me a month or two to deliver the potions."

Voice cracking with excitement, he answered before taking determined steps inside the gothic castle.

In the arena, he heard his friends' encouragements. A surge of adrenaline coursed through him as he raised his thumb above his head, showing them his confidence. Continue your adventure with My Virtual Library Empire

The audience exploded into cheers, eager to assist at this three-month journey's final and see the duel monster champion receive its crown from the arcanists.

Amidst the cacophony, he noticed Elisabeth greet her peers with a gentle nod before clapping her hands, returning silence to the venue.

"Welcome to this battle monster's tournament's grand final. Without delay, let me introduce the tournament's dark horse from the College of Alchemy and Transmutation, the man who subdued evil ghosts and chimaeras alike to take on the impossible challenge of rising from the bottom to the top against all our expectations: Adam!"

Face red with excitement, the crows whistled, clapped and stomped the ground, causing it to reverberate under his feet as he offered them a triumphant pose.

'A shame I can't materialise by mana cape. I'm sure they'd gawk at my style and start a new fashion.'

As he nodded in pride, Elisabeth continued.

"Opposing him, the master of chea... cough... The master of tier-five creatures, the strongest duelist to ever compete and playing on home ground to bring his academy glory: Geoffrey!"

Mocking laughter echoed as Elisabeth's intentional slip of the tongue and brief introduction registered.

A few acclamations resounded from Geoffrey's academy's side, only to be overwhelmed by boos and curses. Clearly, no one wanted to encourage someone who relied on his mentor.

They even resented him for shattering the game's underlying meaning. After all, this entire tournament set up aimed to encourage them to explore the wilds, hone their skills and defeat magical creatures in groups, something Geoffrey didn't do.

Despite the harsh words, Edgar's disciple walked to his duel desk. Arm crossed and smirking, he gestured with his head for him to climb up.

'Oh? Feeling cocky, aren't ya?'

Without wasting a second, he blurred behind his deck, making the crowd gulp in anticipation.

Simultaneously, Elisabeth raised her hand as her severe voice echoed.

"Let the duel start!"

"I chose heads. Is it alright with you?" Geoffrey fished a shiny gold coin from his pouch and threw it into the air.

'What a fool. I can see you rigged the coin!'

He laughed sinisterly.

"I want the staff to check the coin."

Why would he act mercifully? He was here to win the hands, not play mind games.

'Hope they'll disqualify him. Serves you right for adding layers of cheating.'

A tense silence engulfed the arena as everyone wondered why.

However, Maya jumped from the balcony and snatched the coin without warning, stunning them.

"Ayaya. It's enchanted with illusion magic. Once thrown, it'll only show heads."

As Geoffrey's face decomposed, Elisabeth's voice reverberated again, filling his heart with dread and hope.

"Adam will start as a penalty. One more cheating attempt will lead to your disqualification."