I Refused To Be Reincarnated

"I want you to become my assistant and disciple!" She revealed. However, despite her kind smile and beautiful face, Julius and Adam's eyes instinctively slipped to the side, hints of annoyance in them at the familiar offer.

"Why is it that bullshit apprenticeship proposal again?" Adam said with a frown. He didn't really want to be anyone's disciple. But if he ever had to choose, he would pick Shepard as the man had much more authority and seemed more powerful.

"Refuse," Adam instructed, waving his hands left and right, showing his strong disapproval.

As Julius conveyed Adam's words, Elysia's eyes narrowed into thin slits, wisps of green mana emanating from them.

"Oh? But the offer wasn't directed at you, boy. You are mediocre at best. It's such a shame that someone like you shares our natural affinity with nature." She disdainfully addressed Julius before continuing, locking her gaze to the side. "I'm speaking to your invisible friend."

Upon hearing her belittle Julius, Adam's lips twitched, his annoyance reaching new peaks.

"I agree he is mediocre." He stared, making Julius lower his head in shame once more. "But that's only when you compare him to me! Who are you to bully him?" He snorted angrily before using his mana to write his response directly.

Elysia clenched her fists tightly, holding herself back after reading the message. "I don't want to be your disciple. Search for someone else, dandelion eater!"

Since when did ghosts dare insult elves? Green mana swirled around her body due to her sudden anger, scaring the duo.

"Run, Julius! Run! She is going to blow up." Adam yelled at the stunned boy. Why did his big brother always have to overdo things? Couldn't he just refuse politely despite her harsh words?

However, as he ran out of the room, followed by the floating Adam, he couldn't help but feel a warm sensation in his heart. He felt his brother trusted his potential even if he didn't himself, clueless about his bleak future.

Left alone in the room, Elysia exhaled before turning her head back. "I wouldn't have done anything. You can stop glaring at me." She said after recovering her bearings and smiling as if nothing had happened.

"Sure, you definitely didn't look like a ravenous beast, ready to shred its prey after he called you dandelion eater." The familiar figure of Vikram appeared behind Julius' desk.

He had been here the whole time, using a spell to hide himself behind a mirage. This prowess showed his incredible mastery over mana as he combined his fire affinity with his control to manipulate air currents, altering the temperature and humidity to hide behind a mirage.

Elysia's smile froze on her exotic face. "I was just scaring them." She said with a dismissive movement of her hand. "More importantly, what are you doing, hiding in the class during my lesson?" her eyes narrowed menacingly.

Vikram's mastery may be exceptional, but in truth, it was the base standard for every teacher in the college. Thus, Elysia wasn't scared of him in the slightest.

"Just checking if my son is taking his studies seriously." He lied through his teeth, remembering the short but shocking letter he received this morning.

"Student Julius is accompanied by a ghost. I checked it myself and plan to take him as my disciple. Give the boy double the teaching materials and count him as two people." It was signed and stamped by Shepard himself, awakening curiosity in the heart of every teacher.

After his initial shock, Vikram connected the dots with widened eyes. Be it their confrontation, Asha's bag venture or the couple's rescue from Marco, the ghost was behind everything.

His reignited suspicions died down like melting snow under the blazing sun as he understood that if Adam had evil intentions, he could have killed the kids and disappeared without leaving a trace. Moreover, if he wanted to extort money from them, he wouldn't have shown the bag to Asha.

Upon hearing his answer, Elysia smirked mockingly. "Of course. Why didn't I think about that? Or are you, perhaps, planning to join the competition and try to recruit him before Shepard does?"

As an arcanist, Shepard was a lofty existence really few people could compare to in the whole world. His standards were naturally extremely high. He would only offer an apprenticeship to individuals possessing heaven-defying talents.

However, as stated in the letter, nothing has been done yet. The ghost was still free to choose his mentor, and the teachers wanted to take the spot before Shepard could.

Vikram anticipated their reaction, deciding to repay the ghost's favors by silently watching over him and intervening against any forceful recruitment attempts.

"I'm not as stupid as you. Taking him as my apprentice? I can't even see or hear him without using an artefact!" He answered Elysia's question before sarcastically adding, "I want to see Shepard's reaction after he learns about your shenanigans. After all, you don't see mages trying to steal an arcanist every day."

With nothing more to say to the pointed-eared teacher, flames enveloped Vikram's form, leaving his final words lingering in the room as he vanished within the fiery embrace.

Elysia paled slightly at the thought of having to face Shepard's wrath. But she quickly shook her head. What was the worst he could do? Make them suffer a bit? or reduce their salary?

He obviously wouldn't kill them anyway. So, it was worth trying. After all, as someone selected by an arcanist, the ghost should, at least, have the potential to reach tier five in both magic and alchemy.

If she could create a bond with him while he was still weak and help him progress, the future rewards promised to be bountiful.

She might have started her relationship with the ghost on the wrong foot, but she was determined to convince him. She pondered how in the silent room...

"I know! If I can get that book from my brother, I'm sure he'll beg me to become my disciple." She exclaimed before leaving the college and walking through the Gate.