I Refused To Be Reincarnated

"Remaining time: one minute, thirty-six seconds. One participant completed the challenge of strength. Complete the last to find what you seek," Adam read, a satisfied smile tugging at his lips. With over four hours and only one challenge left, confidence filled his heart.

"Alright. Let's end this and return to college for launch," he said, praying not to meet any tier four creatures on their way.

Yet, amidst his satisfaction, he couldn't help but ponder the symbols repeated mistakes. 'Why are we considered a single entity?' He questioned, his mood worsening. Theories collided in his mind as he bent down to let Julius climb on his back.

'Is it because the boy is occupying my body? But what about his own soul?' He thought, a deep frown covering his features. He had always wondered where Julius came from and how he ended up inside his body. Was he its original soul, a summoned like him, or something more terrifying?"

His hands trembled as he swiftly shook his head to dismiss the harmful ideas. 'I won't suspect him,' he thought, unwilling to let paranoia or fear sully their relationship. 'If he truly comes from a dreadful place, I'll make him a good person!' He added, his eyes blazing with determination. After everything they went through, more than a receptacle he didn't get, Julius was his genuine brother.

The time when he dreamed of reclaiming his body was long gone. Now, he only wished to see the boy grow and lead a happy life, perhaps even marry someday. 'If we can have fun exploring the world together, I don't mind possessing a puppet,' he concluded, reaffirming his resolve.

With a gentle nudge on the boy's head, his ethereal form glided silently into the dimly lit corridor, navigating the dangerous area without activating the deadly traps.

Simultaneously, ragged breaths filled the entrance of the underground complex as five old figures leaned against the rough brown walls, their chests heaving with exhaustion.

"Sorry for the bumpy ride," the grand uncle said, forcing a smile despite his flushed cheeks. "Did you recover enough strength to walk?" He added, feeling his old bones groan after the effort while he cursed his old age inwardly.

"Thank you," Elysia responded, stabilising her emotions the best she could. Then, she gradually moved, leaving the caring embrace of the old elf, stumbling on her weak feet.

"Do you know where the traps are or how to avoid them without alerting brother?" She asked, causing the five elders to grit their teeth.

'Despite everything she endured, she still calls this beast brother.' They thought, lamenting their blind eyes and imagining how bright the family's future could have been with such a forgiving soul leading it.

Oblivious to their thoughts, Elysia tilted her head in worry, believing their tense expressions meant they were stuck.

"Ahem. Don't worry, Duchess. We are this place's managers. However, I recommend leaving the traps intact to hide our passage," the grand uncle said, coughing elegantly to recover his bearings. "Instead, we can tread a secret corridor only known by the five of us. It'll lead us directly to the treasury," he added, smirking and his old eyes glistening with mockery.

Since they were here already, they would plunder their lineage's possessions, leaving nothing behind for Eldarion!

After all, they carried this obligation as the family's regulators to prevent such abuse. Even if they differed from humans, elves weren't immune to greed, prompting their wise founder to create countermeasures like the secret passage.

Stunned by the information, Elysia's eyes widened as her aunt chanted an ancient Elvish incantation before the sturdy wall. Green mana swirled for two long minutes before turning a bright orange color.

Upon noticing their miss' shocked face, the grand uncle explained, "Our family name doesn't come from nowhere. Selene was one of the rare elves who didn't share our affinity for nature. Instead, he possessed one of the most potent and fearsome ones."

His pride-filled voice echoed briefly, captivating the teacher. With glistening eyes, she awaited to learn more about the revered ancestor she idolised.

"He had a never seen before or even after affinity to sun, making him the most dreaded elf on the planet. With a snap of his finger, forests would finish carbonised, and mountains melted," he continued, his broad smile revealing his teeth.

"You can't recount what I'm about to say to anyone," he warned before narrating a part of Selene's true story.

"Living alone in the forest, he stumbled on an ancient legacy, most likely a path long lost to time. With it, he reached the arcanist rank in record time before facing his limitations.

With nothing more to learn or do and solitude weighing on him, he looked for his brethren, hoping to share his knowledge with them," The old elf closed his eyes momentarily, his brows twitching in anger before he continued.

"After learning he established a school in a modest village, the royals sent their army to force him to stop, going as far as to kill every villager, women, kids, old and sick without distinction! During the assault, he explored the forest to study botany with a few students, unaware of the catastrophe.

Something broke in him when he returned to the fuming ruins of the once lovely village," everyone's eyes turned bloodshot at the terrible action of the royals.

"I knew their side of the story was a web of lies!" Elysia exclaimed, clenching her fists until her palms turned white. Simultaneously, the earth shifted and rumbled, revealing a kilometer and a half damp corridor.

"Even after centuries, we are as enraged as you are when we think about that story," the grand uncle said before gently holding her hand and guiding her inside the secret passage.

As the noise of their steps echoed in the dimly lit corridor, he continued the story.

Continue your journey on empire

"I'll burn their city to let my friends rest in peace," the elder narrated, his shoulders trembling. "That's what Selene said, leaving scorched, infertile lands on his way to the capital. Menaced by a single elf, the royals fortified Silvamir's defenses, mobilising every able mage to repel the threat Selene was. In their fear, they even contacted the archmages.

However, the rules weren't as strict seven thousand years ago."