I Refused To Be Reincarnated

"You can keep your ace monster. I'm more interested in Lala," he said, a calculative glint flashing in his eyes.

Another tier-four monster would break his deck balance. What if he drew two or even all three on his first turn? It would be a devastating blow, preventing him from playing. Instead, he had to replace a few ant chimaeras with strong-effect monsters. And Lala's ability interested him. After all, she summoned a plant without cost and from nowhere.

Meanwhile, Lena fidgeted with her fingers, her pointed ears burning.

"Are you sure? The carnation is much stronger, and I don't know if Grandpa will accept."

He shrugged her worries away with a friendly pat on the shoulder and a wink.

"Tell him I'll return it after the tournament if he wants it back."

She placed a finger under her lips, brows furrowed in a pensive frown before nodding after a few seconds.

"Aunty Elysia said you are an honest ghost."

She returned the Carnivorous Carnation to her deck and extended a brilliant card depicting the beautiful flower.

"Promise to take care of her. Lily said she was her big sister, who died at a young age."

"I promise."

He offered a solemn nod as he received the card. Then, he placed it into his deck with utmost care.

"Mhh. Now, promise to win the tournament. So I can tell the others I lost against the champion."

She grinned, a mischievous spark flashing in her eyes.

Amused by the demand, his frame trembled as he chuckled.

"Sure. I compete to take that number one crown. I'll accept nothing less!"

Reassured by his confidence, she wiped the tears staining her cheeks, curtsied with elegance, and turned to leave.

Once hidden from everyone's gaze, she leaned against a wall and exploded into tears. Sportsmanship was one thing, but the deception of losing weighed on her heart much more than what she wanted to admit.

Yet, only the champion would escape this horrible feeling and she hoped it would be him.

Simultaneously, Adam waved at the crowd cheering under Shepard's watchful eye.

Then, the extravagant dean turned to Moira, his lips curling into an annoying smirk of extreme proportions.

"Guess who won? Isn't it my disciple over there? Oh! I thought his defeat would serve as a humbling lesson."

The playful glint in his eyes turned into a smoky spark, threatening to burst out and engulf the arrogant dwarf.

"Or is it your mouth that needs some humbling?"

"Humph. Just wait for him to face my disciple."

She snorted, her usual pride and faked elegance grating at his and Aurora's nerves.

Even after they subdued the evil ghost king in her own territory, she answered in kind when they asked why she did not help.

Honestly? They both believed she would be the first to die among the ten arcanists if the archmages' rules didn't forbid infighting. It was just that unpleasant to interact with her.

He shook his head, knowing discussing with her would only rise a wave of annoyance in his heart.

Fortunately, Maya's sleepy eyes focused on him, sparkling with fierce determination despite her usual calm demeanor. Discover stories at My Virtual Library Empire

"Your disciple defeated an advanced tier four Dullahan! Let him study at my academy. I'll take good care of him."

Her forceful demand made his smile creep back into his face. After all, he understood how she thought about it.

Since he had already transferred to Moira's school and would go to Orion's next, she wanted to teach him, too.

However, Elisabeth beat him in answering.

She glared at Maya, her tone icy.

"He'll end his studies at my school. Find someone else, sleepyhead."

"Wah! Zeph! Elisabeth bullies me again."

Maya instantly jumped to her feet and rushed to the solemn Elemental Arts dean, making him sigh.

As Zeph patted her to appease her child-like attention-seeking, a steely glint flashed in Edgar's eyes, mixed with a hint of worry.

A tier four monster in a finalist's desk was standard. Some even had two. But a Dullahan? The headless harbinger of doom still sent a shiver down his spine each time he thought about his effects.

"I'll warn my disciples," he muttered, his brows creasing into intricate black lines as countermeasures flashed in his mind already.

Then he glanced at Adam, noticing how he joined a group of teens.

"I can't believe the qualifications are so hard!"

He complained, his lips twisting into a pout.

Zenobia nodded, tucking a silver lock of hair behind her ear.

"The one from yesterday was weak, though. But I agree about Lena. She had the potential to reach the sixteen finalists."

Asha slipped into the discussion, her green eyes sparkling with awe.

"Did you defeat that terrifying Dullahan? I still can't believe it!"

"Me? No."

He pointed at the smiling Julius, then ruffled the boy's brown hair.

"He did. I only acted as a support. Morgane helped, too."

"No, no. Big Brother depleted his energy and found his weakness. Morgane weakened him with her magic circle, too. I just finished him at best."

A bitter taste filled Julius' mouth as he remembered the terrible battle. His brother almost died but used his last strength to offer him a chance to win with his dark blade.

He shook his head, unwilling to take all the credit.

"Bah! Next time you fight creatures like this, you must invite me!"

Arun interjected, his smile exuding confidence.

"I'll show you how strong I became. Dullahan, magical beasts or demons. Just bring them to me!"

"Sure."

He nodded at the boy, his lips curling into a dangerous grin.

"I just fought and almost died against a tier-five beast last month and plan to visit the werewolf territory soon. Want to come?"

Audible gulps resounded as they eyed him, jaws open.

After a moment of stunned silence, Louise's worried voice reverberated.

"They taught us never to mess with werewolves. They are a strong species. I even heard that their leader reached the sixth tier a century ago. Please, renounce this folly."

She didn't know if he boasted about the tier-five beast. After all, defeating one was already an incredible achievement. But the werewolves? They were something else entirely.

However, Nova grabbed her shoulder and shook her head.

"Forget about it. He knows what he is doing."

Despite his apparent recklessness, she knew no one trained more than him. If he believed he could face the werewolves, it must mean he was prepared and confident in his survival chances.

"Don't worry too much about it. I'll just say hello, free a few friends, capture the creatures and return in one piece. Easy, right?"

He chuckled, raising his thumbs.

However, only worry veiled his friends' faces. Even Nova doubted her earlier beliefs.

"I'll come with you," Julius said, a firm glint flashing in his eyes.

They had braved dangers together for as long as he could remember. No way he would sit on the sidelines when his brother could die at the slightest mistake.

Despite his good intentions and resolve, Adam's eyes firmed.

"No, this has nothing to do with you."

He noticed how the boy opened his mouth to retort, but he cut him off before he could start.

"Listen, Julius. I never wanted you to face all these dangerous situations, but we had no choice because we were linked. Now that I'm free to move as I please, why would I consciously endanger you?"

He lightly punched the boy's chest, making his point clear.

"What I want for you is to live with Mom in happiness. Forget about adventuring and learn under Alexander. Make your own choices and fight for what you think is right."

After three months apart, he realised he couldn't drag Julius with him. They weren't the same. The boy had his own path, and his risky lifestyle would only threaten his life.