I Refused To Be Reincarnated

"Don't worry about affinities. I'm sure I'll be able to use your method in the future," answered Adam, a sly grin tugging at his lips. He believed mana wouldn't be weaker than solar affinity. And even if it was, he could adjust its properties according to Kwame's teachings.

"Mhh. I guarantee you won't be able to use it with your affinity," Selene replied, remembering the damage he sustained during his battle against the copy. Since their origin was the same, he believed Adam's was identical. However, the ghost's answer caused him to frown.

"I don't have any affinity... Yet," Adam revealed, smiling impishly. With Selene's ancestral grimoire, he only had to wait for the Beast Emperor to lend him his sigil in two months.

"Well. You'll find the method in my grimoire," Selene said, shrugging in dismissal. After all, before sealing his soul, he dreaded waking up with unclear memories or, worse, amnesia. That's why he penned down all his knowledge in it before his millennia's slumber.

'Yes! After becoming an archmage, I'll build an aerial fortress and rule the skies!' Adam thought, his smile broadening until it reached his ears as his eyes burned with ambition.

As he revelled in his fantasies, the somber reality around him brought him back. Julius walked over to Elysia and patted her shoulder comfortingly. "We should restore their bodies and bury them to honor their memories tomorrow," he said, smiling bitterly at the middle-aged elves' poor states.

Elysia nodded in response, her eyes reflecting her grief. Then, she noticed the family's younger generation standing by the entrance, crying about their parents' deaths and the granduncle supervising them. "We'll hold a grand banquet tomorrow night to wish them goodbye," she said, trying to hide her emotions behind a strong facade. However, her reddened eyes betrayed her sadness.

Following her words, she rose to her feet before following Julius' suggestion. As she busied herself with the elders and the grumbling Lily, the flying island drew many mages' attention after its ascension. The information rapidly travelled around Sylvaria, reaching Elaris's ears in Silvamir's palace.

Seated on his regal throne, he listened attentively to his minister's report. A deep frown distorted his elegant, almost feminine face, betraying his inner concern. His long flowing hair, like vibrant leaves, occasionally moved on its own, adding mystery to his presence as sunlight filtered through an opening in the ceiling, casting dancing shadows on the polished marble floors.

"The Lorienwyn Duchy most likely betrayed the crown," the minister said, his grave voice signalling the gravity of the situation as the tension in the air grew palpable.

Upon hearing his words, a light shiver shook Elaris's body as another minister shared his opinion. "We must bring the territory back to its place! Our scouts spotted rows of magic cannons accumulating energy and pointing downwards. We can't let such a threat fly above our heads!" He said, his determined voice finding nods of approval from many officials.

The throne hall erupted into a noisy clamor as everyone spoke impatiently. Some advocated for war, while others sought more information, preferring negotiation. As the chaos gradually increased, Elaris raised his hand. This simple, inconspicuous gesture silenced everyone instantly, showing the man's glistening crown wasn't just for show.

"It is named the Sunfire bastion," he started, his green eyes narrowed into slits after he realised the bleak documents he read in the past were more than legends. "From my information, it is a dreadful flying fortress that appeared only once in history. When it did, the royal family knelt for the second and last time," he continued, his face gradually distorting into a grimace.

"It draws water from its mountain, food from the forest, and is powered by the sun. Despite its size, it is self-sufficient. Its cannons' fire condensed blasts of solar flames, dealing damages equivalent to an arcanist spell," he added, biting his soft lips in trepidation as he remembered the old forbidden records. Find exclusive stories on empire

That was how Selene falsified history and forced the royals into silence seven thousand years ago until his legend disappeared in the meander of time. If not for this bastion threatening to awaken, his ancestors would have obliterated the rebellious elf lineage the moment he disappeared.

As his words lingered, a pin-drop silence settled in the hall, and a single thought echoed in the officials' mind, 'We are doomed.'

However, Elaris stood up, the intricate floral patterns of his robes fluttering with his sudden movement. "I'll contact the archmages to deal with the situation. This island goes against all rules established through the ages," he said, swinging his right palm before him commandingly. "Ready the Gate and prepare presents to offer," he added, sure to find help by contacting the sky guardian.

****

Five minutes later, Vivian's motionless body shook briefly as an electric current tingled her skin. Her shining purples eyes snapped open in the next second while chopped sentences reached her ears. "Elaris... Requests... Gate... Urgent."

"Granted," she briefly answered, a slight tinge of annoyance flashing in her eyes. Between Shepard's, the Beast Emperor's, and Elaris's requests, she had been interrupted in her mana gathering in the past four months more than in the past forty years.

Soon, an elegant procession of elves stepped on her floating island and entered her magnificent yet sober tower.

Taking the lead, the elf king bowed in respect briefly before his face turned solemn. With his fists clenched and voice filled with righteousness, he said, "Archmage Vivan, Illustrious guardian of the sky, I came today to seek your help, for my kingdom is in grave peril. An elven ducal family dared to encroach on your territory, building a floating island grander than yours.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Worse, they armed it with cannons menacing to sow death and misery in their wake."

"I felt the disturbance," responded Vivian, her disinterested tone causing an icy shiver to run down Elaris's spine. "Same rules. As long as he doesn't steal mana from me or threaten your royal lineage, I won't interfere," she added, not planning to help. After all, no rules forbade an island from floating in the sky.