I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Accompanied by the ocean's salty wind, two healthy youths and an ethereal beauty disembarked under Flintwaters' affectionate gaze. While journeying, he gathered the required amount to buy all the magic wands before selling them on a shady island filled with pirates and outlaws.

His heart filled with joy and pouch with gold, he declared, "It was a pleasure escorting you! If you need help in the future, the Crimson Tempest will always welcome you." Then, he rubbed his thumb and index, adding, "In exchange for a few coins, of course."

"If we have other goods to sell, we'll contact you in Skullcove," with a smile Julius replied before guiding everyone towards the familiar city gates.

After two months of grappling against nature's wrath, everyone wished nothing but to return to the college to rest. Fortunately, they had money. Thus, they hired a carriage driver to transport them to their destination.
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After paying five silver coins for their one-week journey, the group eagerly awaited to see Alkemia Al-Nur's oasis again as they sat in the carriage.

***

Seven days later, Adam and Julius balled their fists before the city gate, simultaneously roaring, "WE ARE BACK!"

Startled by the sudden disruption, civilians, merchants, and guards alike gazed in their direction with deep frowns.

"Shut up if you don't want me to tear your tongue out!" Yelled a mediocre tier-two guard, his right hand clutching his sword's pommel.

"Sorry, I'm just happy to return after so long," answered Julius, scratching his head under his big brother's mockery.

"Hahaha. Guess who can scream all he wants without being heard?" said Adam, a snarky smile tugging at his lips.

Sticking his tongue in response, Julius turned and asked the guard, "I'm a student at the college. Can you let us skip the queue?"

"Oh! What a coincidence. I'm a student, too," snorted the guard. "Wait for your turn like everyone else, liar!" He added, annoyance filling his voice.

"Who is this fool?" Asked Nova, her eyes narrowed. After their lengthy journey, she felt like the kid's big sister and wouldn't tolerate someone so disrespectful. Thus, she returned the man's threat, "Let's cut his tongue to teach him not to mess with us."

A tense silence descended as her words lingered. Everyone's eyes were glued on her figure, wondering how she dared spout such nonsense before a city state's guard.

"Nova?" Adam said, his lips twitching as she turned to look at him. "Don't speak anymore, please," he added, his voice low. How could he blame her considering her origins and lack of knowledge? However, he couldn't let her aggravate the situation. After all, guards weren't pirates.

Simultaneously, Julius fished his student's card from his pouch, showing it to the guard. "Let us pass, or I'll tell Director Shepard about you!" He threatened, trying to fix the situation. Showing weakness here wouldn't help, as the insulted man would try to punish them. So, he chose an authoritative approach instead.

After noticing the card, the guard's reply finished stuck in his throat. His body tensed as he stood as straight as a pole. Palling, his voice cracked as he pleaded, "Please, enter the city and don't mention me."

With a snort, the group walked in, reaching the college's luminous mana barrier an hour later.

However, the situation escalated rapidely upon showing their cards to the mage supervising the entrance.

Clutching a talisman with trembling hands, the man exclaimed, "Director Shepard, the kids are here!"

Then, without a moment's delay, he grabbed the kids by the shoulder before dragging them inside the college's protective dome, heading to the Gate's towering construct.

Billowing smoke closed in on their position before taking Shepard's form a minute later.

"Hahaha! I knew you would make it alive!" he roared in laughter, the burden pressing on his heart and the Damocles sword above his head dissipating.

"We suffered a bit on the road but lost our pursuers midway somehow," answered Adam, his head held high.

"In Elderglade peaks?" Shepard asked before seeing Adam nod in response. "That's because I killed everyone in the area. Where were you hiding? I searched for an entire day but missed you!" He added, frowning. He really investigated, using spells and entering caves in vain.

"..."

The group of four looked at each other, their brows twitching. Didn't Shepard's declaration mean they could have returned with him more than two months ago?!

Facing the infuriating revelation, the trio dropped to the ground, disgusted expressions covering their features as Nova tilted her head in confusion. She learned and discovered so many things despite their hardships, feeling it was a worthwhile journey. Fortunately, she didn't voice her opinion.

After a minute, Adam answered, his eyes vacant, "I drilled a five kilometers long tunnel through a mountain. You missed us because we were hiding inside."

"What?!" Shepard's head jerked back as his eyes widened. "It must have taken you months! How did the kids survive?" He asked, bombarding them with questions for the next hour.

After half-heartedly responding, causing Shepard's eyes to widen, Adam introduced Nova and said, "Let her stay in the girl's dorm."

"But she is not a student. She didn't pay the enrolment fees either!" Shepard answered strictly, following the procedures.

"Since when do you follow the rules? Liar! Let her stay in Arun's empty room then," Adam said, his brows twitching. 'Don't act with me after you took that teleportation circle design,' he snorted inwardly.

After a brief moment of thinking, Shepard's eyes lit up as he remembered the tournament he registered Adam in. "I'll accept and even let you stay for the next two years for free, but I have a condition," he said, a playful smile tugging at his lips.

"You must remain an apprentice until the tournament's end," he added. After all, why would other arcanists bet against him if his disciple was a tier higher? He never mentioned it before because he doubted Adam could increase his tier so fast. Yet, after witnessing Arun's rapid improvements, including his recent breakthrough, he had to protect his benefits!

"What kind of condition is that? I want something in return, like a mythical material!" Adam responded, smiling innocently. Not becoming a mage for the next two years? It's not like he could, even if he preferred. He could only increase his intelligence by ten points after levelling up.

If his assumptions were correct, he would need two potions to reach the minimum requirement to form his fourth circle, meaning two years.

Alerted by the outrageous demand, Shepard yelled, "Do you think you can find them lying on the ground like grass?" Then, after recovering his bearings, he offered, "Instead, I'll teach you alchemy personally and provide the materials to train you. What do you say?"

'Isn't that what you are supposed to do as my mentor in the first place?' Adam thought, chuckling as he recognised Shepard's potential as a scammer. "I want to brew tier four potions and above. Don't waste my time with anything lower," he answered, interest flashing in his eyes.

"Tsk. You are hard to deal with," Shepard clicked his tongue before smiling. "Anything lower would indeed waste our time. Rest for the day. We'll start tomorrow!" He added, eager to teach his two disciples after their prolonged misadventures.