I Refused To Be Reincarnated

After polishing his skills the entire night, a sudden idea struck his mind, deafening it like a thunderbolt.

He didn't know how he or anyone failed to think about it. Or maybe some did but were long dead, their knowledge turning into a lost page in this world's long history.

Yet, its application was undeniable.

A tremor jolted him, the idea resonating with everything he had learned until now.

'I can use alchemy to increase the materials' magical properties! Transmutation can also remove the impurities, making forging a breeze!'

Amidst his excitement, he understood that was the method Vikram used to forge Julius' gladius with his enchanter friend. Unlike him, he aimed to master those three crafts, becoming capable of doing everything alone.

Determination burned in his eyes for a moment, but he forcefully shoved it down.

'I must focus on the tournament for now.'

Without wasting time, he awoke from his soul sea, ready to compete in the fourth qualification's day.

After a short stroll inside the Gothic castle's corridors, he reached the arena and searched for Beatrix.

However, he found no trace of the enthusiastic teacher. Instead, Thadeus stood before the drawing box.

The man's wrinkly cheeks trembled and rose with his lips, forming a warm smile as he adjusted his monocle on his right eye.

He observed the teacher wave his hand and how his neck reddened in anticipation.

"Adam, my boy! I never thought you would reach this stage of the competition. As teachers, we're all proud of you!"

Thadeus' voice resounded as he drew closer, full of approbation. Yet, he could swear he heard a hint of playfulness in it.

"Even if you didn't bother to attend our classes."

He almost choked after the old teacher added the last part.

In a swift shot to justify himself, he blurted out.

"To tell you the truth, I found your lesson really interesting! It's just that I've got too many things on my plate, and I'm struggling to juggle between everything."

"Hahaha. I'm teasing you. I know you learned alchemy with Shepard, not to mention the ritual you had to conduct."

Thadeus offered a soft chuckle before curiosity veiled his face, making his wrinkles smooth and his smile appear younger.

"Tell me, did you succeed?"

"Ay. I did. But please, do not ask about the effects. I didn't reveal them to Shepard either and don't want to lie to any of you."

He shook his head, feeling his elemental affinity's secret weigh on him.

Kwame's ritual could never see the light of day. It was too dangerous to conduct and too forbidden.

Then, a spark of amusement flashed in his eyes. He would do something even more forbidden with his plan to forge a mythical body.

His eyes narrowed, fixed on the drawing box.
Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire

First, he had to win the tier-one material from this competition.

"Alright, my boy. I won't inquire further."

Thadeus' voice resounded as a number suddenly appeared before his eyes.

"Two hundred and sixty-nine."

With a grateful nod to the teacher, he stepped to the desks.

Already waiting for him behind hers, her adversary frowned at him.

"I know you," she said, her pink hair raising like a corona of snakes around her skull. A bright light waved on her untarnished, white uniform as she pointed an accusing finger and continued.

"You are the scoundrel my mentor wants to recruit!"

As baffled as him by her confrontation, Elisabeth's hand met her forehead on the balcony.

Then, she covered her mouth and raised her shoulders at Shepard.

"Don't mind her. She has too much energy at her age."

Meanwhile, Shepard shrugged. Eyes flashing with greed, he met her gaze.

"I only mind what you're going to bet. What about continuing like Zeph? Two tier-five items."

"Why not? She is the one I designed as my champion, anyway."

Her lips curled into an insidious smile as she focused on the duel.

Simultaneously, the girl introduced herself, snorting at Adam.

"I'm Esi, Elisabeth's second disciple. Let me tell you something."

She lingered, leaning over the desk as if to tell a secret.

"I won't accept any male disciple for our mentor! Begone you, your red coat and stupid hat!"

"..."

His soul throbbed, and his mouth opened and closed a few times before he clenched his jaws.

'My clothes are stylish, ok?! And how dares she criticize me with her lollipop-colored hair?'

An inner scream pierced the steaming anger threatening to burst into his mind. Then, he glanced at the seated Elisabeth, a frown as deep as a crevice forming on his forehead.

Before he could feel the dread accompanying her presence, Esi broke the settling silence.

"Since you prefer to waste time, I chose heads."

She revealed the coin she had tossed while he was distracted, a regal figure facing her.

"I start!" She exclaimed, drawing three cards.

A moment later, he noticed her lips curl into a vicious, almost predatory smile, contrasting with her outfit.

"I summon Harold, the gatekeeper!"

Loud gasps reverberated from the spectators' seats as gray fog engulfed the vast plain.

Two bright lights burning like torches pierced it. The smoke gathered, swirling in a mad dance to form a frame no one expected to see.

But Esi didn't give anyone time to recover.

"I activate Harold's effect. After successfully appearing, I can summon Zoe, the garden keeper, if she is in my hand."

Another creature appeared amidst the smoke, making a cold shiver run down his spine.

Yet, she continued again, stunning everyone into mutism.

"Zoe's effect: when she appears on the field using Harold's effect, I can summon Draco, the castle lord, from my deck."

After retrieving the card, she slammed it into the slot, the soft sound resounding louder than a blast in his ears.

"What the heck is happening?!"

He yelled, watching the three creatures emanating bravery cross their arms over their chest.

Clinking noises reverberated as their gauntlets knocked at their ethereal breastplate, making his eyes tremble at the lineup.

"How do you have three ghosts?!"