I Refused To Be Reincarnated

As he gazed at his new sanctuary with relief and excitement, his copy's eyes lit brightly in Julius' soul sea.

"You want to defy me?" He said, an amused smirk broadening on his cracked face. "I'm waiting for you, boy."

His scorn-filled, yet eager voice thundered, breaking the warm shop's peaceful atmosphere. His glinting eyes then landed on his masterpiece.

With a swift movement, he compressed the shimmering circuits into a solid golden ball, its glow brightening the room's dark corners before a system notification appeared before his eyes.

[Material detected in Soul Sea. Soul binding available. Proceed? Yes/No]

His heart pounded against his chest as he tapped on yes.

[Material bound: ???'s ??? mana circuits]

A triumphant smile spread across his lips. Mere hours separated him from the event he'd been waiting for. Yet, a dark storm brewed at the college, threatening to engulf them all in a raging tempest of blood and despair.

****

Jean pushed himself out of a luxurious chair in the dimly lit library. His green eyes shone like jewels and his black hair cascaded over his shoulders. A subtle hint of excitement wrapped around his heart despite his uncle's twitching brows.

"How much longer are we going to wait?" Raynard asked, grimacing in anguish as their operation's deadline approached with cruel momentum.

They had to bring the kid back or face Thorian's and Gabriel's unbridled wrath. His tier didn't matter against the two most powerful factions of a country. Their ruthless network would sniff them out like bloodhounds, exposing their locations to lethal killers.

An icy shiver ran down his spine as he imagined the potential dark days in which he wouldn't have a moment of respite.

"We move now," Jean answered, raising his brow at the silent Alexander. "Anything wrong with you?"

"No."

The man's curt answer echoed in his ear, causing him to frown. He remembered he had spent the most time observing the boy, almost as if obsessed with him. Not that he cared. After today, nothing would matter anymore, and he would shake the world's foundations.

He shrugged, then suddenly gripped his face. His fingers dug a few millimeters into the skin before he pulled, peeling away the flesh in a blood-freezing spectacle. Strands of hair shifted, turning blond, and his facial features morphed, revealing the delicate traits... the traits of Nathan Riverwood, son of Lucius and Eleanor Ashford.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"Feels better to wear my original face."

His smile broadened as he threw the ragged skin, unbothered by the ruined artefact. Then, he walked to the door.

"Don't mess up. I'll wait for you by the Gate."

With those words, he left his uncles, his light steps carrying him under the darkening sky as a mysterious glint flashed in his eyes.

"He is as arrogant as his grandfather," Reynard spat, his lips raised in displeasure as he remembered his nephew's stupid plan.

They could have acted months before, yet the stubborn cripple refused, insisting to wait for the last moment to perfect his arrangements.

"Pah! What preparations can he make? He can't cast spells or use rituals," he said, his hands trembling in irritation. Why did he have to obey a manaless kid? He, a mighty adept?

With a grimace of disgust, he nodded at his silent cousin before they both left to kidnap Julius. It was a simple mission, really. Knock out his roommate, grab the boy and escape using the Gate. So, what was wrong with Gabriel and Nathan's overly cautious approach?

He smirked as he walked towards dormitory three. 'The ghost? An irrelevant concern against two adepts.'

Five minutes later, the few students who hadn't returned to their families for the holidays greeted them respectfully as they strolled towards room 207.

As they stood before the door, the silent Alexander suddenly spoke, his expression somber and complex.

"Remember the question I asked you in the carriage?" He asked, his voice firm, yet his eyes trembling with the weight of hesitation. "Did you change your mind?"

Reynard paused for a moment, recalling the conversation with a frown. "No. The Bellor bloodline must flow in the King's veins," he said, puzzled by the repeated question.

However, Alexander remained silent, his face a mask of conflicting emotions.

He shrugged, uninterested in his cousin's strange demeanor. With only three hours to return to the Ashford mansion and proceed with the soul transfer ritual, they couldn't afford to squander precious minutes wantonly.

His hand moved to the handle as his mana flowed in his circuits. "Quies," he muttered, his low incantation causing the air to distort for a moment as a translucent barrier encased the room.

His preparations complete, he swung his right leg, aiming a powerful kick at the door.

Splinters flew everywhere as the hinges shattered. The wooden door tipped before collapsing on the ground, raising a cloud of dust. Yet, strangely, no sounds erupted despite the commotion.

However, Julius was a cultivator. He didn't need to rely on hearing. He felt it first, a soft gust of wind blasting his direction, caressing his skin, and disturbing his inner harmony. Alarmed, his eyes snapped open as he halted his cultivation.

"...?"

A deep furrow creased his brows the next second as, contrary to his expectations, his voice didn't produce any sound when he asked why two esteemed teachers barged into his room with so much violence.

His hair bristled, and his heart hammered against his chest as he felt their hostile gaze linger on his figure. Without hesitation, he grabbed his big brother's shoulder with his right hand, shaking with urgency, and his gladius with his left, ready to defend himself despite the unfair odds.

Feeling the pressing call from his soul sea, Adam's dim eyes came to life with a radiant light as he gazed at the boy with concern. Then, he narrowed his eyes at the two teachers, opening his mouth to question their intentions.

"... ... ...?"

Julius gestured to his throat before making a cross with his fingers, showing a mysterious spell or artefact forbade any sound from resonating in the air.

However, before Adam could make sense of the situation, he felt a sudden pull tug at his soul. Initially weak, it became more powerful after each passing second, as if someone used his invisible yet unbreakable link to Julius to reel him in like a fish.

'Stop!' His thought boomed like a thunder strike in his mind as terror gripped his soul. He should still have time before midnight. At least three hours. So why?

Unfortunately, the pull became irresistible, drawing his ethereal frame inside the boy's body before everyone's bewildered eyes.