I Refused To Be Reincarnated

"YAHOOOOO! I see Brineheart!"

A youthful voice cut through the ship's hull, reaching every cabin. Like every day for the past week, disgruntled passengers almost jumped out of bed, their faces distorted, dark circles contrasting with their fair skin, and their eyes bloodshot from sleep deprivation.

"Shut up!"

"I hope you fall from the mizen, annoying punk!"

As they roared their anger, Quintella leapt out of her bed. Her blond hair cascaded down, partially covering her narrowed pink eyes, and the cute rabbits embroidered on her blue pyjamas fluttered as she raised her fist. "Don't stop me, big brother. I'm killing that sleep wrecker today!"

Adam sat at his bed's edge, massaging his brows. Though he didn't need to, he glanced at the sky through the window. Still dark, like the seven previous days.

He sighed, hearing doors flung open with such rage that they slammed against the walls. Stomps echoed through the corridor.

However, he was more intrigued by Quintella's reaction.

"That fool managed to make the calmest and sweetest girl want to kill him. That's a feat in itself." He pointed at the girl's pyjamas, sneering. "You can't go out dressed like that. And what's the point? He said he could see Brineheart, so we won't have the displeasure of hearing his voice ever again after disembarking."

Quintella let out a growl and shook her head. "That fool would have been beaten up until he can't tell up from down if he did that in a sect. Mages are way too lenient with their nobles."

Adam chuckled. "What do you know about sects?"

"Only what I saw: you destroying the Verdant Peak Sect with those bright spears." Quintella swung her arm down, mimicking the spears crashing against buildings and sect elders. "See? They were bad people, so you punished them!"

Adam froze, his chest tightening as he shook his head. "And I'm still regretting being separated from Misha, just like you were from your father. I'm not even talking about how many resources I lost... Don't mention it as if it were an example when you know of the consequences." He walked to the door and spoke over his shoulder as he closed it behind him. "Wash your face and dress up. I'll wait for you in the buffet hall."

To his despair, he saw the spark in her eyes each time she spoke about him. She saw him as a heroic knight, out to save the unfortunate from unjust fates.

"What a joke." He pushed the buffet's doors open, hoping to see a familiar face to distract him from expectations he had no desire to assume.

The first thing he heard was deafening "YAHOOO!" then the angry shouts of the passengers. Even the sailors were running after the smug teenager, turning what was a luxurious hall into a battlefield.

"You'll never catch me, oldies!" The teenager, coated in a robe of sizzling lightning, screamed as he rushed toward the door. Non-lethal fireballs, blunt icicles, and wind blasts chased closely behind him, upturning tables and making the two broad crystal chandeliers sway from the ceiling.

"Move aside, friend," the teenager warned, but Adam's eyes only narrowed into slits.

He slid his right leg forward, lowering his center of gravity. His left hand shot forward—right as the teenager entered his range and gasped.

"What?!"

Adam gripped him by the collar. Guiding his forward momentum, he raised the annoying kid, sending him flying overhead, then slamming him to the ground.

"ARGH!" The teenager clutched the back of his head, rolling on the ground, lightning dissipating. "Why did you do that?" He asked, tears in his violet eyes.

Before Adam could answer, a hand met his shoulder, then another, followed by grateful voices.

"Well done, lad."

"I wish every kid was as well-mannered as you."

One by one, adults passed him by. Eyes flashing with revenge, they tapped their wands against their palms, smirking.

"What did you say about catching you?"

"Don't worry, punk. I know healing spells."

Adam rolled his eyes and moved to the galley to serve himself breakfast. He didn't care about the kid. Sleep was more of a habit to reset his mind than a physical need, at least for a few weeks.

"Blame it on annoying my little sister... or my bad mood."

Ignoring the pained whimpers, he greeted the cooks before loading two trays with rustic bread fresh from the oven, magical beasts' eggs, delicatessen meat, and two cups of tea.

Then, he returned to the hall, where people were righting toppled tables with relaxed grins.

Quintella, now wearing a bright red dress with a dark neckline that stretched to her shoulders, instantly rushed at him. "You caught him!"

She pointed at the teenager. Seated in a corner, his coat smeared with blood, he glared at Adam through swollen eyes.

"I came just before they were done pummeling him." She planted her fists on her hips, grinning. "I hope he learned his lesson."

"I doubt he did." Adam placed the trays on a table and pulled a chair for Quintella. "Don't let someone so irrelevant sour our breakfast."

However, the teenager trembled upon hearing him. "Irrelevant?!" He stumbled to his feet, groaning with each step toward Adam. "I won't forget what you did today." He retrieved a white glove from his coat and threw it at Adam's chest. "House Drevrant won't forgive you either. From today, we're enemies."

"Want to settle it now?" Adam cracked his knuckles, his lips curling like a knife.

The teenager took a step back, gulping before he stomped on the ground. "I'm wounded now, but we're the same age! You must be heading to college too. That's where we'll settle this."

"Hahaha." An adult nearby chuckled. "Settle it during the annual competition."

"I'd gladly pay for the best seats to watch a tycoon from the Drevrant's house get humbled," another snarled.

At that moment, Robert stepped into the room. His eyes darted between Adam, the adults, and the teenager, quickly understanding the situation through their remarks.

"Please, everyone." He raised his hand, his merchant's amiable smile tugging at his lips. "The lack of sleep made us irritable. It's just a kid's shenanigans."

As the others snorted, he leaned toward Adam, whispering, "A newly promoted magus leads the Drevrant County. They're not among the most influential, but still not enemies you want to have." He patted Adam's shoulder. "Try to make peace if possible."

Unafazed, Adam raised a brow. "Look at you. You introduced your house but not yourself as if you'd rely on it for such a petty matter." He picked up the teenager's glove and threw it back at him. "Come back once you've grown a spine. Until then, let us eat in peace."

Laughter echoed through the room as the teenager clenched his fists. Face burning, he turned and scrambled, screaming. "I'm Desmond Drevrant, and I'll make you pay today's humiliation!"

Watching him leave the hall, Robert sighed. "I hope he won't make your college life a nightmare by abusing his family name."

"He would have a really low self-esteem if he does after so many people heard us." Adam shrugged. "Forget about him." He glanced at the eager Quintella. "Both of you."

"Humph." Quintella crossed her arms over her chest. "Only because you ask me to."

Adam rolled his eyes, then focused on Robert, his voice turning solemn. "I want the land and the auction to be settled before next month."

Robert nodded. "That's tight, especially gathering twenty million Prestige for the fees, but if you sell your land, you'd definitely have enough to cover both your courses until graduation."

Adam pursed his lips, snarling. "As if I'd sell my land."

Robert frowned. "Impossible, then."

"Didn't we agree I had to provide one item to auction per month?"

Robert's frown deepened. "I don't see your point there."

Adam smirked. "Prepare for a gigantic auction and cross the next twenty months."

Robert's pupils constricted. Twenty magus-level artifacts all at once! Just thinking about his thirty-percent share sent a jolt down his spine. And with the quantity, the noble district would rush to the auction house, driving up the prices.

He licked his lips. "You have my respect if you can pull that off. No, I know you will. Hahaha! I'm rich!"

----

AN: Long chapter because... Well, why not?