I Refused To Be Reincarnated

After a hearty breakfast with everyone, Adam turned, gazing at everyone's elegant clothes replacing their usual uniforms for a moment. Then, he said to Arun, "Any auctions coming up soon?"

Within two weeks, he had to get his hands on everything he needed to build the best puppet and bind his soul to it. As always, he didn't want to take any risks and believed that by proceeding like that, the system couldn't force him to take Julius' body.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I kept an eye on them," the boy answered, a proud grin stretching his lips. "If we move now, we can attend one happening in the Franca Empire today."

"Alright. Let's leave!" Answered Adam, pointing his finger towards the horizon. Even if he had never visited that nation and had no interest in geography, its renown preceded it. Known as the world's center, the empire dominated in military prowess, economic strength, and magical technology, far surpassing other nations.

As they stood from their seats to leave, Asha raced to halt them. Grimacing, she said, "I hope you're not planning to leave us behind!"

"Are you in the third tier?" Adam smirked in response.

Despite their rapid improvement over the past three months and Najet's advice, the girls only reached the middle of the second tier, causing Arun's fiancé to grind her teeth.

"We trained without pause for three months! Even if we didn't reach it, at least acknowledge our hard work!"

However, Adam shook his head, refusing to give in. 'I'm not a school monitor!' He thought, feeling a headache coming. After all, counting everyone, they would be ten if he accepted her demand. No. He wanted a peaceful day, one where he could focus on his task without being distracted every two minutes by excited kids.

"Tsk. Annoying old ghost!" She said, stomping her way out in anger.

Her friends followed her, casting apologetic looks towards him. Unlike her, they knew he would feel responsible for their safety. Morgane, in particular, understood Adam didn't require them to reach the third tier to be difficult; it was the minimum to ensure their survival in this dangerous world.

"Sorry, kids. The rule applies to you, too," Adam said, gazing at Aurelius and Khalid before gesturing for the two boys to leave.

However, unbeknownst to him, their favorite intruder had slipped in once more.

"Let's go!" Nova exclaimed, raising her fist above her head.

"..."

'Should have told them to reach the fourth tier,' he thought, a wry smile tugging at his lips.

Then, the group made their way to the Gate. With the academic year having ended a few days ago, they didn't need to request permission to use it, not that they would have been denied, anyway.

After stating their destination to the teacher supervising the towering structure, they crossed it, opening their eyes to the unbelievable city of Rose.

Colossal walls rose on the horizon as fully armored mages maintained threatening canons mounted on the top part. Adam gazed at the luxurious, immaculate pavement and spotless streets, nodding in approval. Then, he noticed the inhabitants. Unlike in Alkemia Al-Nur, they all wore decent clothes, and their skin glowed a healthy hue under the gentle sun's rays.

Street lamps adorned with magic crystals lined the streets as carriages pulled by sturdy horses passed by on the road. Yet, the most noteworthy point was the architecture. Every house and every shop appeared as art pieces in his eyes, prompting him to question this place.

'Am I still in that medieval world, or did the Gate malfunction and send me to a Renaissance one?'

However, his shock was far from over as his eyes landed on the indecent size of the royal palace, reaching for the sky behind the Gate. His mind blanked for a moment before he closed his eyes, unwilling to waste his time gawking at the architectural marvel.

"Arun, lead the way to the auction house," he said, awakening the dazed boys and Nova.

Following the instructions, they asked the Gate's manager for directions while paying their entry tax of ten silver.

With a raised brow, the mage answered, astonished to see kids ask for such a place.

"It's not far." He raised his finger to point at a large circular building close by. "But I don't think they'll let you enter. Today's auction is a bit special."

"How so?" Asked Julius, intrigued by the mage's mysterious air.

"Well, it's no secret. They caught a rogue adept hiding like a rat in the mountains," said the mage before approaching, whispering. "I heard part of the mountain ended in ruin as many nobles banded to kill him. Fortunately, they got the bastard."

He lingered momentarily, his mind venturing into forbidden lands and his fist shook. It wasn't a first occurrence. Every gossip he picked up about rogue mages depicted them as incredible adversaries, much more impressive than their classic graduates. Why?

Upon reaching this dangerous idea, he shook his head and bite his tongue, using the pain to stop considering those ideas. Then, he concluded, "They seized his possessions and are planning to sell them. That's why the auction is different."

"Thank you, mister," Julius answered, bowing his head in respect before leaving for the auction house.

After a short walk, they stood before a large building supported by exquisitely carved columns. Before them, a line of richly dressed aristocrats gossiping met their eyes. Despite arriving half an hour earlier, they filled the streets already, eager to get their hands on rare articles.

Adam realised why. Even if the memory was distant, Lucius had told them once that materials of the fourth tier and higher couldn't be bought with money, only traded against serviced or other valuable items.

As he reminisced about the deceased baron, feeling he might have gone overboard with his midnight slapping sessions, Nova innocently approached a group of ladies.

"Hello, girls. I'm Nova!" She said, her enchanting voice exuding joy.

Upon hearing the uninvited guest, they unanimously frowned, whispering among themselves.

"Who is this impolite woman?"

"I don't know. She doesn't look like a noble,"

"I agree. But she has an impressive voice. Maybe a singer?"

As they drew theories, Adam's face sank.

"Nova! Come back here!" He roared, his face distorting into an anxious grimace. The thing he wanted to avoid by not bringing the kids still happened despite his precautions. And it arose because of the group's oldest individual, no less...