I Refused To Be Reincarnated

"Time's up. You can return to college or wait for Elysia. That little girl kept bugging me about recruiting you as a royal mage after you graduate. Think about it and ask her for the details if you're interested."

He almost rolled his eyes at the elf's condescending tone. But deep down, he knew Selene didn't need anyone. He was a one-man army seven thousand years ago, and now that he has become an archmage? He could probably melt a continent in a matter of days...

'It's not like I'm interested or will ever graduate.'

His lips curled into a determined smile before he bid Selene goodbye and retraced his steps out of the mansion.

When he stepped out, his lips curled down, and solemnness replaced his amiable facial expression.

'It's the moment of truth.'

With determined steps, he went to the werewolves and vampires' temporary lodging.

With the many guards posted before it, he found it in the blink of an eye. Since he had brought them here in the first place, they didn't deny him access despite their confusion.

The moment he stepped inside the several-story tree house assigned to them, Carmilla lunged at him, worry and hints of despair flashing in her eyes.

He offered her a resolute nod and gestured to move away from the door.

Like a silent shadow, she gripped his hand and guided him into an isolated room on the second floor.

"..."

'Why the toilet?! It has no windows, ok. But still! My reputation will dive if anyone learns I locked myself in it with a woman!'

His face crisped into a wronged grimace as he imagined how the misunderstanding would spread.

With a head shake and a sigh, he focused on the expectant Carmilla.

"Hecate and Soma are safe. He sent them to work until midday. You'll probably join them by tomorrow."

He saw her clasp her hand and exhale all her pent-up stress and frustration as he explained his meeting with Selene.

Once done, he fished a chalk from his belt and frowned at the room.

'It lacks space, and the hole in the ground is annoying. But I'll manage.'

Now that he thought about it... the only thing he wouldn't regret after forging his body would be the lack of need to use this room.

He chuckled at the idea and started drawing the teleportation circle's symbols on the ground.

He felt Camilla's hopeful gaze weight on his back during the process.

Then, she patted his shoulder and whispered.

"I can't speak for the vampire community, but I'll be eternally grateful to you. If you need help in the future, find me."

"You're not safe yet."

He shook his head, unwilling to relieve her gratitude before they were out of danger.

"Listen well and repeat my words to your leaders. The circle is connected to my room."

He pointed his finger at the completed circle. Biting his lips in worry, he continued.

"They'll have to power it themselves. I'll leave now, so tell them to endure and use it three or four days later."

He paused, a deep furrow creasing his brows.

'I hope Selene will think they just hated working for him.'

He knew he couldn't escape suspicion, but delaying their escape would still blur the trail.

"I'll tell them."

Carmilla clenched her fist before her face, taking the pause as the end of his explanation and showing her determination to ensure both sides were safe.

He massaged his forehead, a sting piercing his soul for a second before a steely glint flashed in his eyes.

"I'll wipe my circle if you don't escape in seven days."

He saw her facial expression decompose, but what could he do?

Anyone could teleport using it, and the last thing he wanted was for Selene to barge into the college and vaporise him.

The thought alone sent a shiver through his frame and caused his soul to hunch up in the puppet.

"I-I understand the reason. I'll let them know and suggest we cooperate to avoid raising suspicion."

She held her lowered forehead with a hand and clenched her beautiful dress with the other, crumpling it in her distress.

He patted her trembling shoulder to comfort her and left one last sentence on his way out.

"I hope you'll escape as planned with all my heart. And before I forget, cast a spell to burn or corrode the room after teleporting."

Without a glance back, he passed the hopeful citizens by and left.

'I did my best to help.'

He thought as the towering frame of the Gate and the bustling streets entered his eyes.

Despite his powerful puppet, he was still only an apprentice, stumbling to master his affinities on the path of magic. Yet, he knew he would have to do more to take responsibility for his mistake in recommending the beast emperor as an ally to Ossian and the copy's madness in providing them with improved mana circuits.

'This bastard didn't even offer to improve mine! See if I won't let you wait even after finding a method to bring you back.'

He exhaled, his shoulders slumping as an invisible weight pressed down on his soul. A bitter taste filled his mouth, and his lips twisted into a grimace as he requested the mages guarding the Gate to activate it. Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire

After a moment, he jumped through the humming mana, journeyed through the college's flower-smelling gardens, and returned to his room.

Amidst the familiar environment, he gritted his teeth, pushing his anguish and trepidation for Soma and Hecate down.

'I can't waste time.'

Without wasting a second, he retrieved the solar stone bulging in his pocket, then Elena's grimoire from his soul sea and opened it on the ritual's page.

Truthfully? He didn't understand the archmage's complicated calculations and explanations. After all, she had spent centuries dabbling in transmutation and decades developing this ritual when he was still a novice. Therefore, he followed the instructions blindly and drew the intricate symbols on the ground.

This process alone took him an hour of focus and another to check for mistakes. But with the complete version and all the advice left behind by the archmage, he got a perfect ritual star.

With a satisfied nod, he placed the solar stone in the power nexus slot in the center.

Finally, he closed his eyes to return to his soul sea.