I Refused To Be Reincarnated

However, Elysia's answer contrasted with his expectations. "Today, I challenge you to a magic duel for the family's head position. Do you dare to accept," she said, gritting her teeth and pointing her finger at Eldarion. She had no chance to win. Everyone knew it, including her. But she promised to buy the duo at least five hours to find the grimoire.

Thus, with resolve hardened, she bit the bullet, stunning everyone with her sudden challenge.

Hushed whispers followed her request as her family members' sad glances landed on her.

"Not considering the tier difference, Eldarion is older and has much more experience in fighting. What is her purpose?" Asked an old mage, his green eyes squinted and face veiled in worries.

"You were right. Our poor niece went crazy," said the uncle, who liked to develop new tea varieties. How would he explain this morning's fiasco if she wasn't? Well... Only one possibility remained. She betrayed their family.

Echoing his terrifying suspicion, Eldarion's voice resounded solemnly. "I don't believe that's your goal," he said, his mana flaring around the girl, firmness filling his eyes. "The time for leniency has passed. You owe us an honest answer," he added, gradually applying pressure on her.

Faced with the annoying questioning method used by most authoritative figures to save time, Elysia's composure briefly faltered. Things would only worsen starting now. 'Why isn't he like humans?!' she thought, grimacing under the rising pressure. Unfortunately, her brother wasn't an arrogant leader, susceptible to provocations.

"I knew you wouldn't take me seriously. So, I drew everyone's attention to add weight to my challenge!" She exclaimed, her trembling legs menacing to buckle at any moment. Despite mobilising her own mana to resist, Eldarion was an adept, playing in another league.

Sweat rapidly covered her forehead under her family members' disappointed eyes. They would have believed her if she hadn't annoyed them for months to retrieve the forbidden item. Thus, despite the suffering she would go through, most approved of Eldarion's questioning.

"Nature blessed our parents, giving them two healthy descendants. I speak for everyone by saying no one wants to see the youngest suffer," Eldarion said, his heart gradually bleeding while the pressure rose in intensity. "Please, tell us why you deactivated so many traps and if you found allies to attack us," he added, voicing everyone's suspicions.

Using her status to create chaos before gathering the family's essential figures for this meeting, they left many critical areas unguarded, including the underground complex.

If an opposing family attacked them now with a mage's battalion, they could sow devastation on the city, leaving fuming ruins behind them.

Of course, it was only their conjectures, but the consequences were terrible. Distracted by their enemies, the gap in their security would allow a few to plunder the underground, possibly finding Selene's grimoire.

Even if the operation ended in failure, for a family advocating harmony, respect, and the importance of liberty of action, the death of so many innocent elves would ruin their credibility.

Prompted by public outrage, the royals would retract their support and revoke their titles, forcing them to restart from scratch for the third time.

"I-I have no allies," Elysia stuttered, her legs giving in under the pressure. "I'll never betray our family," she added, despair's icy finger menacing to clutch her heart as tears welled in her eyes.

Relieved by her words, Eldarion closed his eyes, his biggest worry exiting his body with his forceful breath. He knew her. Her pitch, the position of her lips and eyes. Everything suggested she spoke the truth.

"We are almost done, little sister. I trust you," Eldarion said, his voice filled with care and sibling love. "Tell us the reason to convince our uncles and cousins," he added, patting her trembling shoulder.

Unfortunately, Elysia remained silent, using her arms and knees to support her body. 'I must hold,' she encouraged herself inwardly, fighting the cruel reality. The reality that she almost reached her tolerance's limits.

Seconds turned into minutes before half an hour passed in the throne room. Despite Eldarion's convincing, she used mana to shut her mouth forcefully. Sprawled on the ground, feeling her insides crushed by an invisible mountain, tears of misery rolled down her cheeks.

Despite her sufferings, she couldn't even scream, too afraid to retract her mana and blurt out the truth after so little time.

At this point, everyone diverted their eyes from her convulsing body, their fists balled and their veins bulging in guilt. Watching the previous family head's daughter like that proved too much for them.

Memories of the playful girl's childhood filled their minds until one of them couldn't endure this regrettable situation anymore.

"Stop!" The tea-loving uncle screamed, his feet colliding with the ground as his figure moved before Elysia. "She is no body cultivator. You'll leave severe sequels in her body and mind if you continue," he pleaded, fearing for her.

"Believe me. I'm the one suffering the most seeing Elysia like that. But we have duties to uphold," Eldarion answered, his emotionless face betrayed by the abundant blood dripping from his pierced palms.

Her refusal to speak proved she hid something critical, motivating him to continue.

"I've seen you both grow up, Eldarion. I know you. Don't force me to take drastic measures," the uncle said, glaring at the handsome elf, his words stunning everyone.

"And what will you do, Tealeaf Ted? Steal cookies for her like you did when we were children?" Eldarion sneered, his green eyes momentarily flashing with glee.

"I'll renounce my name, recovering the noble Sunfire one and rebel against you!" Answered the uncle, determined to go against this sadist with all his might.

A rebellious spark ignited in the hearts of the other. Their family head's actions couldn't be associated with duty anymore. Since he always upheld their ancestral laws, acting like a proper ruler on the outside, they accepted his flaws and nodded at his lies.

However, they couldn't keep enduring as the man tortured his own sister, taking pleasure in it with a righteous face.