I Refused To Be Reincarnated

"Are you sure you're not from Asha's family?" Vikram said, cold sweat dripping down his back. He had the feeling he was being led by the nose by the Kaur's family head.

Julius couldn't help but burst into laughter at the question. He understood where Vikram got that assumption, as when it came to benefits, his big brother would fight tooth and nail to get the lion's share.

Adam gazed at him briefly before continuing his discussion with a smile. "How do we contact Shepard?"

Vikram then explained that he could contact him thanks to his teacher's card before spending half an hour discussing what they could offer to obtain the arcanist's help.

After deepening his understanding of the man, Adam nodded, ready to step into the lion's maw.

"If things go south, I'll do my best to help convince him," Vikram assured before retrieving his card and injecting mana into it.

The sleek golden card came to life with a soft hum and a bright light as he said, "Adam has an offer and requests a meeting."

After thirty seconds, a mass of smoke filtered through the window and gathered in the middle of the empty classroom. After condensing itself, the smiling figure of Shepard appeared before them.

"Haa. My ghostly friend. Are you finally ready to become my apprentice? With your potential, I can easily help you become an adept!" He said, his voice filled with eagerness and enthusiasm as his colorful robes fluttered.

Julius couldn't help but laugh at his wording. Wasn't that what his big brother said to the other teachers?

Meanwhile, Adam locked his gaze with the man's piercing grey eyes and asked, "What drives your desire for an apprentice?"

The arcanist's smile widened as he swiftly answered, "To help me conduct research and pierce the secret to reach the archmage rank." He took a stylish pose before continuing, "You see, despite my dazzling appearance and out-of-this-world style, I'm already fifty-two."

Everyone's eyes widened at the revelation for different reasons. Adam and Julius had always thought he was no older than thirty. On the other hand, Vikram's expression contorted, a testament to his deep inner turmoil. Shepard was less than ten years older than him but two tiers above!

"Hahaha. I pride myself on being the youngest arcanist of our age." He said, pride accompanying his words before turning serious. "Sadly, I'm not immortal. Alchemy can't renew my aging organs. That's why I need to become an archmage and further my research on immortality."

BAM

Vikram fell from his chair after immortality was mentioned. Was it even possible? He slowly stood up under the director's playful gaze.

"I like this world too much to die. Moreover, wouldn't it be a shame to lose a talent like me because of old age?" Then he continued his explanation. "If immortality was unattainable, how are those three old fogies occupying the archmage rank still alive? Not to mention our dear, elusive magus?"

These mighty figures were way out of his league, so he rarely thought about them. But the question raised by Shepard forced him to consider immortality as possible.

"So? Will you join me on my quest, my dear Adam? Under me, you'll have access to a plethora of spells, academic documents covering various fields, and resources." Shepard extended his hand, his eyes burning with ambition.

Even he, the acclaimed genius of their time, had been stuck at his rank for twenty years! He kept gathering mana painstakingly, day after day. Sadly, the seventh magic circle refused to form, frustrating him to no end as his once youthful body struggled against the passing of time.

Adam pondered briefly, still reluctant to recognise anyone as his mentor, before stating his condition. "I need an archmage sigil. If you can get hold of one, I'll become your apprentice."

"A what?" Shepard's voice squeaked, his pitch rising two octaves in response to the unexpected request.

"Ahem. Do you know what you're asking for? An archmage sigil is an official item granted to them by the magus in person! It is a recognition of their achievements and mastery over mana by the strongest. So, tell me, how do you want me to find one?" He asked, a deep frown covering his face.

Simultaneously, Adam's eyes widened as he understood the depth of Kwame's intelligence, thinking in shock. 'Kwame realised elemental affinities were baits and needed elemental neutral materials of the eighth tier. That's how he got the idea of using his own enemy's creations!'

He had always wondered about the sigil's placement in the eighth tier rather than the seventh, but now everything made much more sense! He also understood the sigil was the missing piece causing Kwame's inability to unlock mana affinity. After all, it made no sense for him not to write about it if he had.

As his understanding deepened, Shepard's voice echoed gravely in the room, forcing him out of his thoughts. "Forget about obtaining a sigil. It's hopeless."

However, Adam was determined. He couldn't give up. "I only need it for a day. I'll return it in pristine condition. Help me borrow one." He asked, his voice echoing his firm state of mind.

Faced with his resolve, Shepard fell into deep thought, swiftly assessing the risks and potential outcomes if he involved himself.

"I can help organise a meeting with two archmages. You'll be on your own for the request. I'm sorry, but I can't take any more risks." He said, shaking his head in fear. After all, archmages were for him what mages were for apprentices: unreachable existences.

"Thank you. I can't promise you anything concerning immortality, but I can give you a magic circle design for your trouble." Adam said, genuinely thankful for the help.

Then, remembering Elena's legacy, he used his mana to draw the teleportation circle recorded in her grimoire before Shepard, forcing the man's eyes to widen in dismay.

He swiftly retrieved a magic device from his pocket, using it to register the drawing before forcing it to dissipate using smoke.

"Never show this to anyone!" He screamed, a mix of trepidation and dread lacing his voice.