I Refused To Be Reincarnated

The moment he appeared before them, the youths' eyes enlarged. Like kids seeing their idol live for the first time and about to shake their hands, they trembled, sweated, and smiled in anticipation.

However, Adam's words made them freeze for a moment, restoring the night's silence.

"First rule: I'm not Prometheus. I'll return you to your cells if you call me by that name! Second rule: I'm not Prometheus. I'll return you to your cells if you call me by that name! Third rule... who can guess it?"

His solemn tone, narrowed eyes, and frustrated grimace twisting his face. Everything hinted that he was dead serious about his threat. He even repeated it. Emphasizing it was the only rule.

Meanwhile, Nathan's steps echoed as he approached, his emerald eyes sparkling. "I brought them, filling half our agreement. Now, I'll follow Julius and wait for him to conquer Belloria," he said, his voice even and a fearless grin stretching his lips.

"Alright."

He nodded, his facial expression complex as he glared at his former enemy. Then, a sudden idea dawned on him, making a pensive frown replace his tense expression.

Since Nathan's lack of empathy was problematic, couldn't he fix it?

"Help Shepard manage Alkemia Al-Nur for now. I'll ask him to take you to the School of Astral Projection soon."

He added, wondering if the mages there could heal his mind. Even if they couldn't, it was worth a try.

Nathan shrugged the idea off and stepped away to find his uncle.

As he did, the two thousand youths slowly recovered from their stupor, theories swirling in their minds. Had Prometheus refused to regain his memories?

They all reached the same conclusion after a silent minute. He wouldn't be the Prometheus they knew if he truly rejected.

One of them stepped out, breaking the silence.

"Listen, everyone! He suffered the most back on Earth. Let's respect his decision if he wants to forget."

Everyone's determined nods registered in Adam's eyes as his tensed fists relaxed... for a second. The next moment, the cheerful yells of two thousand individuals reverberated around the Gate, making the air tremble and the ground shake.

"Adam! Adam! Adam!"

"STOP!"

Boosted by mana, his voice boomed like a thunderclap, forcing them to cover their ears and close their mouth.

However, the same youth stepped up again.

"You saved us all. Even if you are not Prometheus, and we accept it, you are still our hero."

"I'm not! Don't call me a hero, and move to help Julius! I don't want to see your faces ever again!"

He roared, his eyes trembling. An icy shiver ran down his spine, and the wind whipped against his coat as he raced back to Shepard's room.

"Ah. Look who's back. We were negotiating your transfer."

Elisabeth's gentle voice resounded the moment the door creaked open. She tucked her fingers around her chin before piercing him with her blue eyes. The dreadful tingles biting into his soul returned instantly, making him regret returning.

"I didn't know you already struck a deal with Orion. You got me good there," she said, a smile not reaching her narrowed eyes stretching her lips as she focused back on Shepard. "I guess next year is a no-go, too, since he'll have to prepare for the inter-academy tournament."

"Even without the tournament, I planned to send him to the Arcane Academy of Enchantment. You'll have to wait two years. That's the best I can do," Shepard answered, a gloating smile stretching his lips.

After all, it was her fault for not specifying when the transfer should take place during her initial offer.

"I can agree." She leaned towards the table he was sitting on, her face drawing dangerously close.

The atmosphere suddenly shifted. The air became sticky, and the tranquil mana grew chaotic. A tense silence suddenly enveloped everyone, making the two teachers and Zenobia shudder in fear.

"Never forget that even if you are not a strict rule follower, you can't escape them."

Icy sweat formed on Shepard's freshly healed skin as the words crashed into his mind like a tsunami threatening to ravage everything. Wild tremors rocked his body, and his pupils constricted in dread. Her words could only mean one thing: she had seen his minor transgressions.

Like an academy, the atmosphere returned to calm, making it even drearier for the participant as she continued.

"He'll stay in my academy until he completes his study two years from now."

Then, she grabbed the fist-sized gem hovering over her staff and placed it inside Shepard's hand, ignoring the terror painted on his face.

"An academy must have a Manacore Heartgem. Lose this one, and he'll come in person next time."

"I-I won't lose it. Until he ends his study. For seven years, then. N-No problem," Shepard stuttered in response.

He didn't need to hear who "he" was. He knew it already! The most terrible existence in the world! His fear of archmages was an utter joke compared to what he felt for this individual!

The magus!

Meanwhile, Adam's face darkened. Why were they deciding for him?

'No way I'll spend seven years there. I won't even go for a day!"

She felt way too dangerous, and somehow, he knew she had terrible hidden motives. No, determination burned in his eyes as he planned to escape after the tournament. He could already survive on his own and was not a classic mage.

'I'll train in the wilderness whenever I'm free!'

He would make the best of the time he had to learn before dropping out. Anyway, it's not like he assisted classes in the first place.

With this idea in mind, he gazed back at the smiling Elisabeth as she bid his shaking mentor goodbye.
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Once she left, Shepard Jumped to his feet, clutching and shaking his head vehemently.

"She saw everything I've done! I hate seers!"

Smoke billowed and danced under the moonlight as the dean slammed his fist on the table, losing his cool before his staff and disciples.

Well, he knew how unsettling having someone scrutinize your every move with mysterious means could be. Anyway, he shrugged and left, too annoyed by the deal they struck without his consent to stay, even if he understood Shepard had little choice by now.

The starlight reflecting in his troubled eyes, he searched for Alina and Julius. With how the situation developed, he wanted to spend as much time with them as possible before leaving for Orion's academy.

'At least that dangerous arcanist helped me accept his choice faster.'

The sarcastic idea resounded in his mind, making him smirk and shake his head.

Soon, he noticed them locked in a heated argument with Thurin by the main building's gate. The teacher's reddened face and frustrated expression made for a comic show easing his tension for a moment.

After clarifying where the youths came from, he took the duo out of the ravaged college and into Alkemia Al-Nur's boisterous streets. Despite the late hours, restaurants, bars, and questionable businesses drawing attention with their fluorescent red light continued their activities.

Entering a restaurant, he let his apprehensions and worries go, smiling gently as he watched his family share a hearty meal, just as Julius had dreamed.

Their happy chatting and laughter illuminated the night as they recounted past events to the wide-eyed Alina. Then, they discussed their plans, organising a house for her and promising to visit her every day after classes.

Finally, he gave Julius the new sutra, wishing him a happy birthday.

And soon, in this heartwarming atmosphere, a month passed by.