I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Faced with Aurora's accusation, Shepard's face darkened.

Squinting, his gray eyes met hers, smoke wafting from them as his jaws bulged.

"Didn't the current queen tell you what she did?"

"I don't care what she did. She is only a substitute. Those mages are mine."

Aurora's voice thundered, astonishing the unaware audience.

Then, Maya rose to her feet. Excitement flashing in her eyes, she waved her hand.

Mana danced at her fingertips, condensing and covering their group in a lifelike illusion.

To the students, they were sitting and discussing, but inside, she enjoyed the drama.

"You are telling me she can chase my disciples for hundreds of kilometres, almost causing their death by starvation. She can ban me from entering the kingdom for a year, disregarding my authority and prestige. And she can arrange to enslave the kids, all without me retaliating?"

With each word spoken, his voice grew icier until the surrounding air cracked and smoke billowed in a wild dance.

Just remembering Cordelia's smugness caused a tsunami of anger to crash through his mind. She got what she deserved. He had been merciful enough not to target her economic hubs or resource production centers after annihilating the pursuing mages.

Yet, Aurora begged to differ. Dark mana wisps condensed in her eyes, too.

"She can because I'm backing her! Your disciples? Are they worth more than your relationship with me?"

"Let's skip those word games, Aurora."

Shepard started, his eyes narrowing into slits.

"What do you want?"

Faced with his blunt question, Aurora's face relaxed slightly.

She adjusted her bony crown and dark dress before sitting on her luxurious chair.

"As many tier-four potions as the number of royal mages you killed. Some were noble family heads of the fifth tier. You'll have to compensate for their demise, too."

"Fine. Why not add a tier-seven potion and the secret to becoming an archmage while you're at it?"

He rolled his eyes at her ludicrous demands, his anger somewhat alleviating.

Despite his sarcastic answer, Aurora's eyes sparkled with desire and determination.

"I'll give you the materials. You only have to brew them for me."

"Hmm."

A deep frown creased his brow as he tugged his fingers around his chin.

If she handed the materials, he would still have to waste a lot of time to brew them. Yet, the offer didn't only have demerits.

'I can make him concoct them. I'll say it's to further his training.'

The idea blossomed in his mind. With Adam's proficiency as a tier four alchemist, he could do everything himself. Better. He could teach him about the tier five potion and see if his mana control was up to standard to brew them, making him learn new things.

His lips curled into a smile as the smoke dissipated into thin air.

"Send the materials. I'll agree not to strain our relationship."

He noticed how her lips reached her eyes, yet a dangerous glint still flashed in them, presaging nothing but trouble... not for him, but for Adam.

A pang of worry struck his heart as he gazed at Adam's departing figure and how careless he seemed.

As he pondered how to keep him safe from her petty revenge, a dark bastion buzzed with activity far in the west.

Students wearing the same dark robes Thom had pushed and shoved their fellows before an announcement board.

Like them, a teacher's eyes sparkled with greed as he read the poster that drew such a commotion.

"Tier three sane ghost spotted in Durazmarn. Useful for dark rituals, servant creations, or enslavement. Reward for its capture: a tier-five dark potion."

Below the text, fists trembling, the teacher engraved Adam's puppet depiction in his mind, determined to catch him. After all, not only could he keep the ghost, but could also get a reward from their esteemed dean.

"Want to team up with me, Zack?"

A firm hand gripped his shoulder, and a friendly voice resounded. He turned slowly at their owners, his raven ponytail fluttering with the movement.

Then, his eyes brightened.

"Sure, Cormac. With the two of us, he'll have no chance. I can let you have the potion, but I want the ghost." Read exclusive chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

He offered, his instincts prickling his skin. Aurora wouldn't put a bounty on random individuals. He felt it in his guts.

Meanwhile, he saw Cormac's eyes enlarge and excitement dance in them.

"No problem. Let's move now!"

The two teachers' light steps resounded as they headed to the Gate, confirming Shepard's bad feeling.

As they disappeared into the thick veil of mana, Adam squinted at the card he took after beating Carl.

Although the arrogant teenager based his deck on defense, he found one worth his attention.

Yet, his brows creased into a frown, and he scratched his head as he gazed at the menacing painting.

'Its effect isn't compatible with my other cards.'

He shrugged the next second.

'It's still a tier four monster. Its raw power should do the trick.'

The diversity of duelists and archetypes they played wouldn't allow him to find ideal cards after each victory. He would be a fool to think otherwise.

'I can only hope to have better luck in the last three days.'

He sighed, stepping to leave the venue.

However, Beatrix stepped into his path, her blue eyes sparkling with pride and relief catching him off guard.

'What's wrong with her today?'

"Congratulations! Three more wins, and you'll enter the final phase!"

Her cheerful voice filled his ears as her trembling fists registered in his eyes.

Curiosity gnawing at his soul, he couldn't refrain from asking.

"Why are you so excited about my victories?"

"Sorry, did I make it too obvious?"

Her hand rose to hide her mouth as she offered him a slight chuckle.

"Truth to be told, our last competing student lost today. You are officially the college's last hope."

"What?! How did they all lose already?"

His voice cracked in disbelief.

They were still twelve yesterday, but today, he stood alone.

Beatrix's voice resounded again, answering his question.

"Some were unlucky, others just lacking. Don't mind it too much. It was the same five years ago. Instead, know that we are all cheering for you. Do your best to reach the final pool!"

His lips stretched into a wry smile.

"I need to swap a few cards, but I'm confident."

As his words lingered, he stepped away, waving at her.