I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Shadows danced on Alexander's face as his eyes narrowed in focus. He had a few hidden tier-four ingredients he could use to appease the ghost's anger, yet doubts gnawed at him.

After noticing Adam move inside the puppet like in an actual body, he somehow understood that ingredients and materials wouldn't sway him anymore.

'But I have nothing else to offer...'

Gritting his teeth, he recalled the tier-five staff he ordered a few months ago. Experience more on empire

'Do I really have to give that?'

An unbearable ache seized his heart like a vice as he thought about the weapon he was so excited to receive. Tier four items were already challenging enough to get. Therefore, losing a tier-five one before he could use it felt like receiving a devastating blow to his gut.

'If it can resolve the dispute and build a future for the country...'

A bitter taste filled his mouth as he offered his staff to apologise.

Before Adam could answer, Nathan interfered, his voice cutting through his hope like a fiery blade.

"Do you really think he needs items? Think more while I buy my life."

Nathan's snort resounded through the room, breaking the silence and drawing Adam's attention. Gazing into his odd eyes, he continued, his voice fearless and gaze firm.

"My mother is taking care of Alina as we speak. If you kill me, she'll die, too."

Despite her uselessness, that's why he had kept her alive for so many years. Alina was nothing more than a bargaining chip he planned on using to defuse the escalating tension if his plan failed.

With a confident grin, he gestured to Adam's trembling frame, awaiting his answer.

Simultaneously, Adam's bony teeth cracked after hearing the hateful offer. He also recognised the bastard's familiar eyes: Jean Castle's. Like a parasite nestled comfortably in the college's library, he had been spying on them for a year unbeknownst to him.

'He is the mastermind.'

The thought boomed in his head as his face contorted into an unwilling grimace. Sure, he could forgive Alexander after ripping him off because he stood on the sidelines and merely obeyed orders. But Nathan? Never. And his mother even less!

'But I can't risk Alina's life either...'

Stuck in a moral dilemma, his thoughts wandered to find the best answer.

However, noticing his hesitation, Nathan hammered the nail deeper with an additional bid.

"I'll release two thousand five hundred summoned, too."

The words were plain yet struck Adam like a hammer.

'So many?!' He thought, his eyes enlarging. They were all reincarnated earthlings, possessing a talent and, more importantly, Luna's interface!

As much as he wanted to see the snake mother and son pair dead, he felt a moral obligation to help them if he could. After all, his roots came from earth, too.

Clicking his tongue, he said, "What stops me from killing you after you deliver on your promise?"

With a shrug, Nathan answered, "I observed you for a year. I know you never lie."

A tense silence lingered as they glared at each other. After a moment, Adam spoke again.

"Swear not to target us ever again."

He didn't know if Eleanor lingered by the summoned, ready to end their lives with Alina's. Even without that threat, the offer was objectively too good to refuse.

Nathan's eyes sparkled as his lips stretched into a vicious grin.

"I can do better. Let me pledge allegiance to Julius if he accepts Alexander's idea. With my sharp mind, conquering a few kingdoms will be a piece of cake."

"As much as I hate that brat's methods, I can confirm his intelligence."

Alexander chimed in, his even tone betrayed by his trembling eyes. If a few words could save his nephew, why would he remain silent? They were sincere, after all.

"Hum..."

With a thoughtful sound, Adam tucked his fingers around his chin.

Despite his aversion to Alexander's idea, Nathan could be a great addition to Shepard's kingdom-building project. He could also ask the snake to find more summoned or help improve Julius' team strategies.

'He is a hateful enemy, but can be a useful ally...'

A grin stretched his lips a second later. He was convinced.

"Ok. You are in. But I don't want to see Eleanor, so leave her somewhere far from my sight."

Not expecting his mother to be included in the deal, Nathan's emerald eyes sparkled as he nodded in response. Then, he stepped back, falling silent again.

Adam refocused on Alexander now and refused his offer. Weapons were not the answer he sought to rise in strength, making the staff useless. Instead, it was mastery.

Stunned by the refusal, Alexander's composure faltered as a jolt ran through him. However, a sigh of relief escaped his lips as he heard Adam's demand.

"I want two things. First, what's yours is mine. Second, you'll teach mana control to all the summoned. Easy, right?"

Like a black-hearted merchant, Adam's lips curled into an innocent, even warm smile as he extorted the adept mercilessly.

'Why do I feel he got more than just the staff,' Alexander thought, his arms trembling as he stifled the outraging words he wanted to say. Then he nodded, squinting and biting his quivering lips in pain. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth, and his heart bled. Yet, despite the bitterness, he still answered with a defeated voice.

"Take everything..."

"Great! Give the items to Shepard once we return." Adam clapped his hands, a satisfied smile stretching his lips. Then, pointing at Reynards, he asked, "What do we do with him?"

"He won't jump ship for the time being. Let me try to convince him in private," Alexander answered, looking his cousin in the eyes. A moment later, he dragged him through the collapsed wall before entering a luxuriously decorated room.

Meanwhile, Nathan outstretched his closed fist before Adam, letting a key glisten under the bright light.

Without asking questions, Adam grabbed it, turned and crouched to open the lock binding Julius.

Next, he approached the boy's ear and whispered playfully, "Wakey wakey, sleeping beauty."