I Refused To Be Reincarnated
Chapter 509: A Long Awaited Reunion

Chapter 509: A Long Awaited Reunion

The harmonious city of Saphir Springs bustled with more activity than ever.

Citizens rushed around, accompanied by flushed-faced children, unable to contain their excitement.

"Quick, Papa! We’re going to miss the starting ceremony!"

"Don’t worry, my baby girl. If you climb on my shoulders, we’ll reach the place in time."

On their way, the loving pair stopped for a second before the humongous Gate humming with energy.

"You know what, Papa? I’ll gather enough money for us to take it and heal your back when I become big like you."

The father’s heart almost melted, and tears pooled in his eyes as he patted his six-year-old daughter lovingly.

"Hahaha. I’m waiting for this day with impatience, Gwen! But for now, let’s rush to the venue and see our world’s future pillars."

With a shared mischievous nod, they ran to the freshly built arena, missing the arrival of a disgruntled boy and an elegant yet dangerous-looking woman.

"Hahaha! I’m back to the surface. Tremble before me, land dwellers, and sing my name, for I’m the sea calamity. I am Marina!"

Adam’s eyes rolled in their socket as he clenched his teeth at her hand covering half her face and dramatic posture.

"If you didn’t exist, I swear no one would even think about inventing someone like you! You’re over two thousand years old. ARGH!"

"I’m still eighteen in my heart, you boor. And why are you acting shy all of a sudden? I know you love my unique personality, hehehe."

Marina’s new cape, thin enough to be transparent, fluttered as she passed her arm over his shoulders. The golden embroideries he had designed sparkled under the morning sun as stylish engravings from a long-forgotten language pulsed in and out of existence on her sleeves, collar, and back.

"Look, you’re still a bit young, but I can wait two or three years for you to grow up. Then, we can live together forever and explore the deep world of artefact fashion as lovers!"

His shoulders crisped, and an icy shiver ran down his spine as he trembled for a second.

"Leave me alone, witch! I crafted the best staff and clothes for you because I love my job, not because I love you! Now, leave me alone and don’t talk about me with your colleagues!"

As he thought she couldn’t say anything to infuriate him more, Marina whispered in his ears languidly.

"I know you’re just shy. Remember all those moments spent together, our proximity and beautiful complicity?"

"In studying! Complicity in the magic field! I’ll become as mad as you soon at this rate."

He pulled his hair in frustration as Marina held her sides and exploded into laughter.

Then, she recovered the bearing befitting an archmage, retrieving a blue staff engraved with so many symbols that not a single morsel of the broad sea beast bone remained untouched. Crowning it, a gem crafted using Selene energy absorption enchantment and drawing in the air moisture to empower its wielder.

"You need to fix that weakness of yours, little brother. Any woman can take advantage of you right now."

A smirk tugged at her lips as she stepped towards the arena.

"You shattered all my expectations this year and created this incredible staff. Know that even if the world wants you dead, I’ll welcome you to my city. Now, carry the potion bag and help me give them to that fake king."

With a sigh, he strapped the heavy bag on his back.

The clinking noise of flasks hitting each other echoed with each determined step he took as he observed the verdant city on the way.

Healthy trees pierced the ground at regular intervals, and the sweet fragrance of spring wafted from beautiful parks arranged for picnics and children’s activities.

He passed under the empty houses masterfully built out of wood and soon caught up with the eager citizens lining before a circular arena.

The second the bulky guards surveilling the crowd noticed Marina’s clothes, blood drained from their faces and their legs trembled in their greaves.

Scrambling to them, they bowed in respect and spoke with cracking voices.

"Follow us, esteemed arcanist. We’ll guide you to your peers."

"Move aside to let the arcanist pass!"

"Arcanist? Humph! If they knew."

Her snicker resounded as she followed behind the guards, unbothered by the mistake.

A moment later, they entered a room overlooking the square stage.

Inside, he saw Shepards and the other arcanists but also a blue-haired mage and a huge knight wearing enchanted plate armor. Together, they surrounded a sitting aged man he had never seen.

’Is he Zane or the mysterious tenth arcanist?’

He mused, scrutinising the man’s soft wrinkles, gray hair, eyes and beard.

Then his eyes trailed down to his magnificent Asian-styled blue and red robes.

Meanwhile, the man pushed himself off his seat and bowed his head in reverence.

"Welcome to Jadevale, archmage Marina. I’m honored by your surprise attendance."

"Yes, yes, Leon. I’m not that bastard emperor, so drop the formalities and stop acting like a king in front of me."

Marina smirked at the man as he unstrapped the bag and rushed to his worried mentor.

"You rascal! One year! No news but two lines on a parchment!"

Shepard’s voice cracked with emotion as he saw Adam in good health.

"Well. Long story short: the Kraken cursed me, and Marina forced me to become her disciple and craft her some goodies. Oh! I can now brew tier-seven potions and have tier-six mana control, so don’t forget to change my room number to zero."

His lips curled into a provocative smirk as Shepard slammed his shoulders in amusement, unbothered by the usual shenanigans.

"Hahaha! You’re the only person who can recount things like that. Seriously? How did you survive one year with this madwoman?"

He shrugged at the question and answered flatly.

"Don’t let her step over your head, even if she’s stronger. The moment she gets bored with you, you die. Easy, no?"

Even if he made it sound trivial, his patience ran thin more than once and he almost slipped up several times.

The memories of her annoying joke and how he could never tell if she was serious resurfaced, forcing his jaws to clench and his teeth to crack.

He jerked his head to seal those memories in a dark corner of his mind and focused on the tournament.

"I hope you brought enough items to bleed the others dry because the first place is mine."

"Don’t worry."

A smirk split Shepard’s face, and his eyes sparkled with intense greed.

"Ayaya! The boy who won last year’s battle monster tournament! When will you join my Institute of Illusions?"

Maya leapt from her seat and interrupted their conversation with a kid’s enthusiasm as he rolled his eyes at the demand.

Upon hearing her, the other arcanists turned as one to gaze at him, forgetting their worries about Marina’s presence.

’Shit! Don’t look at me!’

Instead of the prickling sensation, his soul shuddered in full force, and alarm bells deafened his mind as Elisabeth’s blue eyes pierced his puppet to gaze at his soul.

’I shouldn’t have upgraded my intuition to the third tier. But how does it make sense?!"

Dread’s icy finger wrapped around his heart even more than when he faced Marina’s anger.

Was Elisabeth stronger than Marina? Or could she kill him in insidious ways surpassing the archmage’s knowledge?

He didn’t know, but one thing was sure: Elisabeth posed a terrible threat to him from the first day they had met.