I Refused To Be Reincarnated
Chapter 510: Friendship

Chapter 510: Friendship

"Ah! Adam. I almost thought you tried to avoid us when I visited Orion a few months ago."

The corner of Elisabeth’s lips curled slightly as she spoke, causing icy dread to permeate his soul like a slow-acting poison threatening to consume him.

Fortunately, water splashed between them as Marina flashed before him.

She sized the elegant arcanist up and down, her lip raising in disdain and a red light flashing in her eyes.

"What do you want bi... Ah! I mean, wonderful princess of the mighty Franca empire?"

He almost lost consciousness before Marina corrected herself. Yet, he felt grateful for her interference.

As he sighed in relief, the archmage snickered and rolled her eyes at him.

"Aren’t you competing? What are you still doing here after carrying my bag? Shoo, shoo. Go out."

Despite the harsh words, a warm sensation spread around his soul.

He knew she was trying to hide their relationship and offering him an opportunity to leave before Elisabeth could oppress him with her presence. After all, he had explained it to her once.

However, when he asked why she hated the princess, Marina only shrugged and told him that her existence annoyed her. Well, he couldn’t blame the answer since he disliked her because of his instinct.

With a wink to Shepard and mouthing thank you to Marina, he bolted out of the room, noticing the old king’s gray eyes linger on him.

’Strange. Did Orion talk about me with him?’

He pondered as he rushed through the corridors until he met a guard.

After showing him his student card as proof of identity and confirming his participation, the guard accompanied him to the college’s waiting room and left after opening the door.

A grin split his face when he saw the teenagers waiting inside.

"Hee! Look who’s here."

Asha planted her fists on her hips, casting him a reproachful glance as the others stood up.

Khalid, Najat, and Aurelius surrounded him while Morgane bit her lips on the side.

"Hahaha. Calm down, guys. Why can’t I see Julius and Arun?"

He patted his friend’s shoulders to appease them as he asked Asha.

"Those two? They both reached the fourth tier a few months ago. They’re too powerful to compete with students according to the rules."

Asha’s lips curled into a taunting smile, and her voice, as sharp as a cutter, dripped with mockery and vengeance.

"Look at you! The pupils overtook the master in under two years. Even I am on your level now!"

"..."

Reproachful glares landed on her, but she didn’t care. It was just retribution for what Adam did two years ago.

An awkward silence wrapped the room for five seconds before he swallod his sharp retort and ignored the matter to focus on the two boys’ achievements.

A warm smile etched on his face, he raised his thumb.

"I’m glad they’re progressing well. I’m on the right track, too."

Aurelius’s soft punch echoed on his shoulder as the muscular boy chuckled.

"I’m sure you brought us memories from the archmage’s place. Tell us! What does she look like? Is she like Tethys, Demeter, and Mnemosyne?"

A deep furrow creased his brows, and he scratched his head at Earth heroes’ mention.

’How should I know? I only saw Prometheus’ memories, and he skipped everything. Heck, I don’t even know how strong Atlas was!’

Lips quivering in hesitation, he nodded.

"Marina should be stronger than them but weaker than Prometheus. Anyway, Sorry to disappoint. Marina didn’t give me anything. But she taught me a lot."

Then, he patted Khalid’s and Najat’s head and smirked.

"Who would have thought that you’d compete? I’m proud of your progress."

The brother and sister duo chuckled at his praises and crossed their arms over their chest in sync.

"Nothing easier with our memories unlocked. I was a staff sergeant in the army tasked with protecting her during her research. We were already like a brother and sister back there. I also had to devise battle strategies to repel the ant swarms. By the way, do you remember those pipes connected to the sun-like orb in our underground city?"

Khalid pointed a finger at his sister, puffing his chest in pride and continued.

"She developed them."

His eyes enlarged at the blushing girl as a halo of mathematical formula encased her body in his vision.

"Wow! So you were a strategist and a scientist on earth!"

He nodded at them, remembering their mother’s praises when he fetched them in Alkemia Al-Nur’s poor outskirts.

’They worked hard.’

His soul warmed at the thought, a realisation nudging his mind like a gentle stream of fresh water.

’I didn’t only create chaos in this world. I also helped a few people and earthlings.’

As a relieved smile tugged at the corner of his lips, Asha stepped up and flicked his forehead.

"I’m warning you, this tournament’s first prize is mine. I’ll show you the result of our hard training and that you can’t belittle us because we’re women!"

Despite her friendly rivalry, his brow couldn’t help but rise in confusion.

"When did I do that? I said you can’t accompany us on adventures because you were too weak."

’And because your sister had romantic views on Julius!’

Even if he didn’t speak the last part, he knew the boy had probably spilt the beans a long time ago. Still, he enjoyed the banter, feeling he had returned two years back when they prepared their first expedition with Shiro.

Noticing his wistful smile, Asha clasped her hands over her chest and sighed, assuming her business expert demeanor.

"We learned about the bones awarded to the winner and remembered you were searching for mythical materials. With Louise specialising in defense magic, our two best fighters unable to compete, and your absence, we registered to get them for you. So, no matter who wins, we’ll give you the first-place reward."

Her words thundered in his mind as he saw the other nod with genuine appreciation and kindness.

While his wooden lips curled to reach his eyes, he shed a tear of gratitude and joy inside the puppet.

’I don’t know if I deserve such good friends. But you’re the best.’

He thought, hiding his emotions the best he could and vowing to protect them no matter what happened in the future.