I Refused To Be Reincarnated

After unending hours, he finally heard Julius' voice.

"Big bro, it's morning."

He felt the boy's gentle nudge, closing his eyes to leave his soul sea with a smile.

*****

When he reopened them, he stretched his stiff limbs and sat up.

Facing Julius, he offered a warm smile.

"Good morning, boy."

"Good morning, big bro! Did you rest well?"

Julius' eyes lit up, his arms trembling with joy as he prepared breakfast for the group.

With Asha taking care of Louise and monitoring her condition, Arun could finally indulge in procrastination, sleeping as long as he wanted. That's why they were the only two standing by the crackling campfire.

Understanding the situation with a glance, he nodded.

"I had a wonderful night, and you? Oh! By the way, are we still far from the college?"

Julius tucked his finger around his chin, the enticing smell from the pot permeating the air.

"Same! We should reach the city in three days if no more beasts attack us."

"Well, I don't want to sound arrogant, but I'd like to see them try."

Julius' light chuckles filled his ears for a moment. Then, the boy's expression darkened as if a weight burdened his mind.

"If it's not too bothersome, could you tell me what happened during the fight four years ago?"

This question haunted his nights to this day. He needed an answer to quench his curiosity, or he would never move on.

However, black lines dripping ink covered his forehead as he shook his head.

"I won, end of the story."

How would Julius feel after learning their souls had almost been devoured and that Gaston had planned to possess his body?

No, he wouldn't burden the boy with unnecessary worries or guilt. Furthermore, the nightmarish devil was dead, anyway.

"I understand..."

Before an awkward silence could settle, he broke the tension in a playful tone.

"Catch."

He used his mage's hand spell to throw a round object glistening under the morning sun at Julius.

He smiled as the boy observed the rough item covered in horrifying red spots for a moment before his eyes lit up.

"Don't tell me..."

"While you were transporting the wounded girl, I extracted that core from the half-beast we killed."

He raised his thumbs, a snarky smirk stretching his lips. It was his number one rule: never forget about the spoils!

Meanwhile, Julius fidgeted with his fingers, his eyes slipping between the core and him in hesitation.

"Can I use it?"

Seeing his brother's questioning gaze, Julius continued.

"I can use beast cores to cultivate faster."

A wave of realisation crashed over him as some memories he never considered resurfaced. In some stories he used to read, cultivators could use external resources to hasten their progress.

However, he shook his head, caution and worry filling his voice.

"We need to find a cultivation technique to help you progress safely. Don't put yourself in danger by absorbing things without the proper method."

Even if he knew the boy needed a cultivation technique, he doubted they would find a complete one in a world focusing on magic.

However, they could slowly derive or develop a technique by finding a few scattered parts.

Eyes sparkling, Julius nodded, wondering if the technique was the missing piece in his cultivation journey.

"Alright, big bro. I'll ask Arun and Asha to sell it. We can fund our school admission with the money."

As one of the only nine magic academies, the admission fee for the first year was a daunting two hundred gold coins. A sum neither of them ever dreamt of possessing.

A pensive frown etched itself on Adam's spectral brows as he learned of the price.

It may sound like a fortune, but he knew only nobles could enrol in the first place. To them, this amount was mere pocket change. As long as their children were well-taught and given the chance to reach a high tier, they would even double or triple it.

Before he could form a plan to earn the required coins, the carriage's door cracked open, causing him to fall silent and observe as Arun stepped out, yawning and rubbing his growling belly.

"Morning, Julius. Who are you speaking to?"

"I was just thinking aloud."

Julius scratched his head, a pang of guilt prickling his heart as he lied through his teeth. Then he outstretched his palm, revealing the core to his friend.

"Could you please help me sell this beast core? I'm unfamiliar with the prices and need the money to pay the college admission fees."

As he waited for an answer, he stirred the fuming pot with his scoop, making the soup's delicious smell tickle their nostrils and then served Arun's breakfast.

"Sure. Let me handle it! I'll get you the best possible price."

Arun offered him a kind smile, grabbing the bowl and nodding reassuringly.

They sat by the campfire, eating while appreciating the morning vista, the calm breeze and the gentle sun's rays as Adam listened to their spirited conversations with an approving smile.

Arun seemed to be a fine and dependable young man worth befriending.

Without hesitation, he offered a valuable potion to save Louise, showcasing his rightful character yesterday. Even now, he watched Arun go to Asha's carriage with two portions of food, hoping the wounded girl would wake up.

Simultaneously, he noticed Julius check on the horses before sitting on the carriage's driving bench, eager to resume their journey.

The sun rose and fell as three days passed in the blink of an eye. Slowly, the scenery changed.

The Verdant landscapes turned into a fiery expanse of sand. Colossal dunes rose and fell in every direction, giving birth to a spectacular and awe-inspiring panorama for the group.

In the distance, they could already see a beautiful city built along a large oasis.

Intricate roads, filled with tall and flat-roofed houses, covered the land. From their position, they could already see the bustling streets and animated citizens wandering the vast market.

Further, in the city's heart, they saw an immense building covering an indecently large plot of land.

The stone wall pulsing with magic engravings surrounding it hinted at the building's rich history. Clearly, the rest had been constructed later to encircle this colossal structure enveloped in a blue barrier, adding a mystical layer of protection.

Excitation burning in their heart and desire in their eyes, they couldn't help but be shocked by the college's extravagance. Gold and intricate engraving littered every wall in a grand display of riches and power.

In a hurry to enrol and simmer himself into a world of magical knowledge, Julius urged the horses towards the gate at maximum speed.

At the gate, two guards raised their armored gauntlet, the sun reflecting on their surface, in a silent command to stop the carriages.

As the carriage halted, Arun emerged, his face beaming with a broad grin and his green eyes sparkling with relief.

"Welcome to Alkemia Al-Nur, the city of alchemy!"