I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Adam gazed at the girl, his brow raised in a silent question.

"I want to explore," Morgane answered shortly, making him wonder if making longer sentences would cost her money or something.

"Maybe after you become an apprentice," he responded before focusing on Zenobia and asking, "Tell me more about those combinations you mentioned."

However, before she could answer, Morgan spoke again.

"I know a place filled with tier three and four ghosts," she said, causing an icy shiver to run down everyone's spine.

Ghosts weren't the strongest when it came to brute strength. To compensate, they usually had terrifying mystical abilities and could even use some spells.

Adam remembered when he fought one twelve years ago to obtain her essence. The scrawny red-haired ghost almost scared him silly when she materialised a whip and uprooted tombstone after tombstone in the village's cemetery.

He pondered shortly, curiosity filling his eyes before answering, "You can join Julius' party and explore with them. They still have a spot open."

Morgane nodded, a hint of relief flashing on her usually emotionless features. She wanted to explore the world and search for a ghost. Yet, something forced her to distance herself from others and bury her emotions deep inside her heart.

With that sorted, Adam finally resumed his conversation about battle monsters, changing his question slightly. "Are ghost monsters strong?"

"They are more than strong! common players can't dream of possessing one, and even the richest only have one or two in their deck!" Zenobia said, her hands trembling as she remembered they were priced the highest alongside otherworldly beings and dragonlings.

She never heard of anyone possessing an entire deck filled with them as these creatures were exceedingly rare and hard to defeat.

As she wondered how he would beat them and why he didn't seem bothered to attack creatures of the same species, Adam's eyes lit up and he said, looking at Morgane, "Prepare to depart Saturday." Then he turned to the others and said, "I'm happy to have met you, but I must prepare for our expedition. See you next time!"

He swiftly departed with the angry Julius under their sceptical gaze as the purple-haired disciple asked, "Why are our new juniors so weird? He doesn't even know the rules but aims for the champion title..."

"Don't call him weird!" Zenobia answered reproachfully before adding, "He is just a little special... I think?"

********

As they arrived in their room, Julius angrily asked, "Why didn't you introduce me?"

"Because I don't really care about them? I wouldn't even introduce myself if I could," Adam answered, shrugging as he understood the boy's feelings.

After twelve years of isolation, he didn't enjoy human interactions much, causing his form of speech to be blunt and disrespectful. But Julius wasn't the same. After all, he was still a kid who liked to make new, passionate friends.

"Sigh. I'll introduce you next time." He said to calm the boy before adding, "Don't try to wake me up before Saturday. I'll be unavailable."

Julius, who planned to retort about how cruel it was to let him stand there alone, suddenly turned serious as he thought, 'Again?'

He knew his big brother could somehow train during his sleep, but couldn't understand why he prioritised training there.

As he opened his mouth to ask the reason directly, Adam's luminous eyes turned dim as he fell asleep, leaving him alone and scratching his head in frustration.

********

Adam reopened his eyes, inhaling deeply as the familiar sensation of possessing a living body returned.

Then, he stood up from his bed and left his apartment, his face somber.

He walked with determined steps on the dimly lit plaza illuminated by the red glow of the dreamscape's eerie moon, his eyes locked on the gigantic yet magnificent tower and his mind racing.

He hated this place as much as he loved it, even if he always felt reluctant to come. After all, the light guardian and the bear almost ended his life the last time he visited. Yet, the rewards were just too enticing. However, this time, his focus was mainly the Xp.

He could progress to the third tier whenever he wanted but felt it would be a waste since he'd lose five free attribute points.

"I'm much stronger now and can even fight creatures of the third tier. I refuse to believe I'll almost die again in this trial!" He exclaimed, drawing courage from his words as his voice echoed in the empty plaza. Yet, unbeknownst to him, his determined steps slowed, reflecting his reluctance.

The five-minute walk turned into ten as he reached the giant gates of the tower and slowly touched them.

Upon contact, the cold marble glowed as a white magic circle appeared under his palm, its blinding light seemingly alive, expanded to devour his body whole.

When he reopened his eyes, he scanned the familiar boundless room, realising nothing had changed since his last visit, as the same notifications promptly appeared before his eyes.

[Welcome to the tower of trials. Prove your skills and mastery by conquering its floors.]

[A reward tailored for the challenger will be awarded after each successful conquest.]

[Warning: Half the damage sustained during the trials will be carried to your body outside the Dream place. Be careful, challengers.]

Upon reading them, he gave up all his apprehensions and doubts, determination replacing them as the last one appeared.

[The tower's third trial will begin in thirty seconds. Prepare yourself, challenger.]

"Here we go again," He said, his lips curling into a defiant smirk as he added, "See if I don't break the ratings again and get an SSS++ this time, stupid tower!"

As if to echo his provocative words, the room rumbled to life. The fine marble slabs covering the ground transformed into rough rocks crawling upwards until they formed walls and a ceiling.
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Covered by the rocky ceiling, the room's bright light vanished, replaced by ominous darkness as the scent of decaying bodies assaulted his nose, forcing him to cover it.

"What's this place?" He exclaimed in disgust as he cast his illuminate spell.