I Refused To Be Reincarnated

As much as a wave of warmth spread around his chest, a bitter taste filled Julius' mouth. His brother's words were genuine. He remembered he had said something similar last year, too. Still, hearing from him that they wouldn't explore together because it would endanger him struck a chord.

'Did I become too weak to match you after your grand ritual?'

The thought struck him, forcing a sad sigh out of his lowered face.

But with a finger, Adam raised it, peering into his hazel eyes with a gentle smile.

"Without my puppet, you can beat me nine times out of ten. I'll only win by deceiving you once, so raise your head. You are the little brother I taught and trained for years!"

A spark ignited in his eyes. Then, he felt his brother's wooden hand meet his shoulder and saw him turn.

"Let's get you some tasty food to cheer you up."

Accompanied by his brother's hearty chuckles, they left the arena. Yet, he bit his lips, feeling terrible.

He knew his brother hated nothing more than to see others eat... because he couldn't. Once, he even explained in great detail how he felt tortured.

But he also knew how bad Adam was with his emotions. Therefore, under the cover of boasting or arrogant declarations, he pushed everyone surrounding him forward. He rarely said thank you but always showed his generosity without asking anything in return.

Then, he remembered something they had spoken about with Shepard. With rapid steps, he caught back with him.

"Didn't you say you had a clue about recovering a body last year? How did it develop?"
Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire

"Oh, that? Well..."

He saw him scratch his head and lower his eyes as his voice trailed off. After all, he indeed had a clue. It was just... the one given by the system.

Then, his brother grinned and raised his thumb.

"I found something better last month. I just need to get some mythical materials, starting with this tournament's first-place reward."

"M-mythical?!"

A stutter escaped the walking by Arun. With trembling eyes, he gazed at the ghost who dared speak about the rarest materials in their world in a casual tone.

Adam explained his plan on the way and around dinner, shaking their worldviews until they cracked and shattered.

Of course, he didn't tell them what he possessed already.

He also asked them to gather information on potential creatures or individuals exceptional enough to be labelled as mythical existences.

"I know of one!"

Arun's yelp broke the discussion, his head turning towards his fiancé.

Meanwhile, Asha rolled up her sleeves, a dangerous glint flashing in her eyes.

"Say it if you want to live as a ghost!"

Lighthearted chuckles reverberated as the boy's face reddened, and he coughed in distress.

Accompanied by Nova, Adam left the group after a moment of banter and bonding. Then, he returned to his soul sea to delve into Durgrim's teachings.

With the Dreg'nar's ores and a lot of practice, he almost mastered the ghost's tier-four knowledge. Yet, the celebratory occasion caused a knot of anxiety to appear in his soul instead.

'I'll need tier five materials or break the materials' natural limitations through instinct.'

His fingers tucked around his chin, he frowned.

Now, he understood why high-tiered professionals were so valued. Just the mana control requirements blocked the vast majority. But even when they reached the proper standard, they needed unobtainable materials to further their progress.

He scratched his head, feeling a headache approaching.

With Picket's core, he would have a free craft but be subjected to the pressure of failure.

Engulfed in a sea of problems, a sudden idea brightened the tumultuous currents.

Since Yngrid inherited a genius legacy, her tier couldn't be low considering her age. She even commented on his puppet and said she could repair it for him.

A spark ignited in his eyes.

'I'll pay her to train me after the qualification matches.'

Thinking about them, from the initial nine hundred competitors, only two hundred and twenty-five should remain.

Icy dread gripped his heart. He sweated and gave his all in today's duel. Even if Lena could have been an exceptional duelist, he preferred not to underestimate the others.

'Things will become harder, and I still didn't draw the bastard.'

He gritted his teeth, retrieving a particular card. Just seeing it caused his jaws to clench and a red glint to flash in his eyes. Yet, he needed it.

As he sighed, an enticing whisper reverberated across his soul sea, breaking the peaceful sound of rustling leaves.

"I know of a mythical material. But I doubt you can get it with your lacking strength."

Aamon's cleaver spoke for the first time in a month, forcing his eyes to narrow into slits.

"Tell me. I'll judge if it's too dangerous for myself."

However, the cleaver's mocking laughter echoed in his ears.

"You'll have to pay a price for this information."

"Tsk. I should have guessed nothing came for free from a tempter like you."

He clicked his tongue, knowing nothing positive would come from a cursed weapon.

Yet, the cleaver stated its demand, anyway.

"I want you to find a method to return a petrified being to its normal state. Easy, right? Information for information."

An icy shiver rocked his body as a realisation struck him.

'The statue! It was once a real person!"

A deep frown creased his brow. Could he give up on the information because of an obscure shattered statue that might return to normal?

After a moment of pondering, he shrugged. Why did he have to break his head over the problem?

'The Beast Emperor or the magus will handle the individual if it is a threatening existence.'

He coughed to fix his voice and chase away the negative thoughts.

"I can agree. But I'll attach a condition. Once I find the method and share it with you, you'll have to leave my soul sea."

"Kekeke. I would have left without you asking."

The cleaver laughter rocked the soul sea, causing the temperature to increase as flames reached for the sky in a green pillar in the distance.

Then, its whispers turn solemn.

"We have a deal."