I Refused To Be Reincarnated

A vision of pure chaos. That's what they witnessed after rushing out through Julius' window.

The deafening cacophony of collapsing facilities filled the air. Raging fires engulfed the rubble, the temperature soared, and the sky took a deep shade of red.

Billowing black smoke carried the putrid stench of carbonisation with the wind, and desperate cries echoed in the vicinity.

But they understood everything was only the outer reaches of the veritable disaster as they gazed further. A monstrous cloud of dust rose to the sky, threatening to pierce its vastness and spread its toxic fumes on the earth.

Anxiety gripped the duo's hearts as they recognised where the explosion occurred: Shepard's tower!

"Who is crazy enough to attack this lunatic's living quarters?!" Exclaimed Raynard, icy sweat dripping from his forehead.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Even if the situation benefitted them, the arcanist now had a mobile to chase and eradicate the culprit. And since it happened during their mission... He didn't want to think about the consequences.

"He is crazier than what I thought," Alexander answered, his cold eyes scanning the burning remains of innocent students and teachers. His arms trembled, and he clenched his teeth, revealing the culprit's name.

"Nathan!"

Unfortunately, they had no time to linger in the chaotic field that once was the harmonious college of alchemy and transmutation. After all, they didn't believe Shepard died with his bizarre abilities to shift into smoke.

As they augmented their speed using spells, racing towards the Gate, their eyes lingered on the devastation. The nature-filled gardens were burning everywhere.

Crackling tongues of flames licked the immense main building, charring its outer walls black, and the potent defensive barrier surrounding the college hummed in anger.

A few minutes later, they noticed Nathan's blonde hair fluttering in the wind and the satisfied smile stretching his lips.

"Why did you do that?!" Raynard roared, grabbing his nephew by the shoulder. His trembling fingers dug into his soft flesh as he awaited for an explanation.

Nathan's green eyes glinted, and his smile broadened.

"Because I knew you would mess up? Come on, everyone heard the boy's roar when you were supposed to act unnoticed. Or did your rotten minds believe Shepard wouldn't catch up with you?"

He snorted, his eyes narrowing before adding.

"You compromised the mission like amateurs. Release your grip and thank me for buying enough time for you to escape with the boy instead!"

Meanwhile, Alexander frowned. 'That's the man Gabriel wants to crown king?'

The seed of doubt plaguing his heart spread a little more. Unlike Thorian, Nathan was smart. Maybe even more than him. But, between his foolish fearlessness and absence of empathy, he found it troublesome to accept the man. After all, he didn't hesitate to burn the entire place down, killing dozens of innocent young nobles to buy them a few minutes.

He shook his turmoil away. Then, he grabbed the duo locked in a silent confrontation and jumped through the thick mana veil covering the Gate.

****

Meanwhile, Adam's luminous eyes snapped open inside Julius' soul sea. Theodore's comforting shop greeted his eyes. Unfortunately, he had no time to linger on his memories.

"I heard you wanted to see me. So, here I am."

The mysterious man sitting by the library pushed himself up, his movements slow, purposeful, and ominous.

Distracted by the voice, Adam turned, narrowing his eyes at its source. Upon noticing the man's appearance, a perfect copy of his when he once was human, a torrent of questions filled his mind.

A moment later, unable to hold his curiosity, his solemn voice filled the shop.

"Why have you been lingering in Julius' soul sea for years? And why do you look like me?"

"I don't have a name... rather, I threw it away five years ago. As for the reason? Simple. I've been waiting for this day!" The copy exclaimed, his cracked face distorting as a horrible smile graced his lips.

Alarmed by the answer, Adam's fingers trembled as a terrible premonition flooded his soul. He had to leave and help Julius but doubted the man would let him escape after forcefully summoning him.

"Humph. Focus on what's before you, fool!" The man said, snapping his fingers and causing Adam's luminous eyes to burn brighter.

Before him, his ethereal interface manifested without his command.

[Individual successfully reached the age of thirteen.]

[Protocol to unseal memories initiated.]

[Error: No memories sealed. Unsealing process interrupted.]

[Error: No body detected.]

[Searching for fix...]

[Fix found: Erase and take the intended body's consciousness space.]

[Accept: Yes/No]

"So, it was you! You are behind the system!" He roared, feeling his ethereal teeth sink into his gums after reading the familiar notifications.

However, his copy's reaction shocked him despite his boiling anger. The figure's form seemed to distort and popping noises echoed around him as he barked, "Shut up and choose!"

Fury burned within Adam, but the horrifying consequences of the decision settled like a lead weight in his gut. Time slowed down for a moment as the warm sun's rays illuminated his spectral frame. Echoes of his past jealousy, madness, greediness, and quick temper flooded his mind. However, he had changed. No. He had grown up.

"No! I won't kill Julius!"

His voice thundered, and his eyes sparkled with determination. He had already made his decision and would rather sacrifice himself than kill the person he cared the most for!

As his answer lingered, the system's messages shifted, echoing his copy's words.

"Stubborn fool."

[Erase and take the intended body's consciousness space.]

"You have no say in this."

[Accept: Yes]

The yes option pulsed menacingly before Adam's eyes as if defying him to refuse again with no other available options.

Somehow, with the system's insistence over the past few months, he had expected to be forced into accepting.

He moved his right arm, causing the man's smile to broaden despite the slow movements.

"Do it! Reclaim your lost destiny and complete your failed reincarnation!" His voice thundered, encouraging, almost pressing him into action.

His hand hovers over the interface, only a few centimeters above the ghastly button.