I Refused To Be Reincarnated

As his rage-filled voice reverberated in the chamber, his anger climaxing, Lily nodded, brightly smiling while the symbols composing the question shifted. However, this time, they didn't take the form of a text.

"Everyone, kneel!" she exclaimed, jumping in excitement. The noise of her clapping hands stifled Adam's voice as the symbols condensed in a mystical dance behind him.

Shocked by the suddenness of her action, the ghost eyed the girl warily. Fueled by anger, he readied his mana, prepared to unleash it the instant he felt threatened. Unfortunately, Lily's strength surpassed his by two entire tiers, making resistance futile.

"Kneel for my master's grand return!" Lily continued as vines snaked out from the ground, entangling everyone's legs.

Forced on his knees against his will, Adam's ethereal teeth cracked under his anger. 'Once I reach your level, you're dead!' He thought hatefully, his nose scrounged and his lips raised.

Simultaneously, an ethereal elf condensed behind him, his long hair fluttering as his sun-like eyes took his surroundings in.

Then, the ground fissured under him, revealing a metallic altar adorned with refined mana stones of all colors. In its middle, a seven thousand-year-old grimoire silently rested. Its immaculate white cover emanated a subtle, soothing heat, showing it continuously accumulate mana for all those years.

"W-what is happening?" Elysia stuttered, her mind descending into chaos at the bizarre yet terrifying situation. Even the elders gazed at each other in trepidation.

As everyone anticipated what would follow, their beating hearts hammering against their chest, the handsome ghostly figure finally moved.

"How long have I been asleep?" He asked, grabbing Adam's shoulder with his right hand.

"Too long to count. But you were right! This era is much less chaotic, and the old dog isn't as active!" Lily replied before running to the man and lowering her head as if asking for something.

"You did well, child," he replied, affectionately patting the girl's head. Then, his eyes scrutinised Adam's soul. A deep frown covered his face briefly before he turned his head, following an invisible yet powerful link until he noticed the kneeling boy.

"Your resolve is commendable. But calm down," he said, releasing the trembling shoulder with a sad expression. "I learned this lesson too late..." He added before gracefully floating towards Julius, finally entering Adam's vision.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Afraid for the boy's safety, Adam immediately broke his silence, yelling, "Don't touch him. No matter what you plan, I'm here!" Discover exclusive tales on empire

Upon hearing the man's first words, he sensed impending disaster. Thus, he breathed deeply, gradually calming down to analyse the situation. But he couldn't allow the ghostly elf to harm Julius in front of him.

"I wasted enough time with a fake," the elf answered, ignoring Adam's words as he grabbed Julius' shoulder, making the boy lose consciousness.

Elysia trembled in guilt upon seeing her student lifeless eyes, imagining the worst. Meanwhile, Adam's heart ached. Once again, he failed to protect his friend. Except this time, it was the one he cared the most for.

"Don't!" He shrieked, his tone a desperate mix of pleading and resentment echoing through the chamber. Throwing caution out the window, mana began to lace itself into a massive spearhead, crackling with raw energy, while his dark blade of adaptation formed in his mouth, a manifestation of his fierce determination to protect Julius at any cost.

However, the short girl following the elf moved with inhuman speed, blurring in his vision momentarily. With an effortless movement, she slapped the materialising spearhead before it could even condense entirely.

"Don't disrespect Lily's master!" She yelled, eying the ethereal blade warily. Yet, her anger swiftly turned into worry as she witnessed the weapon transform into a small dart.

"PTUI!" Adam spat, propelling the transformed blade out of his mouth with mana before simultaneously detonating the air behind it twenty-five times. Fierce flames engulfed everyone's visions, distorting the air under the rising temperature as a deafening roar engulfed and rocked the room.

Amidst the explosion, the dart disappeared from everyone's vision, silently closing on the elf, its speed breaking the sound barrier.

SNAP

A second later, Adam's eyes widened at the elf's back. No, at his extended index finger and his weapon lodged on the ground. 'Did he flick my fastest strike without turning?!' He thought, his pupils constricted in disbelief as his mana circuits burned his soul.

Not even Ignatius or the dullahan could have followed the weapon's speed, not to mention repelling it effortlessly.

"Who are you?" He asked, fear gripping his heart. Despite emptying his mana, he had failed, leaving him nothing else to try.

"Selene Sunfire," the elf answered. Despite his calm voice, his words rumbled in everyone's ears louder than the sound wall's breaking from a second ago.

However, before the spectators could react, he plunged into Julius' body, his ethereal frame shockingly disappearing.

"It's over..." Adam muttered, his face pale and eyes listless. He didn't know the details, but according to Elysia, Selene was a legendary figure who created abominations. Would he turn Julius into something unrecognisable? Or was he trying to steal his body like Gaston did? Anyway, he couldn't do anything anymore. He was at the man's mercy, and he hated it.

"I'll make you suffer if you move again," Lily said, angrily gritting her teeth. If not for her master's orders, she would have shredded the insolent ghost without hesitation.

Simultaneously, warm tears rolled down Elysia's eyes. "I'm sorry. It's my fault for insisting so much," she said, her cracking voice conveying her emotions. She truthfully didn't know her ancestor arranged this situation seven millennia ago. 'I should have let them search for another grimoire,' she thought, biting her lips regretfully, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth.

"Everyone underestimated him, even the magus," sighed the granduncle, torn between joy and worry. Selene's return would mark a turning point for their family. However, he didn't know if it would be for the best or the worst. After all, truths and lies melded together in his old legend.

Sharing his thoughts, one of the elders said, "We can only hope he won't do something crazy after awakening."