I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Before Arun could enter the house, Asha rushed to him and grabbed his arm.

"My turn now," Asha said, happily dragging the pitiful-looking Arun. "Let's see what jewellery they have in this city!"

Julius didn't even have time to react before he found himself alone in front of the house's door.

'I guess she was as eager as we were to explore the city.' Julius thought with a smile before walking to Louise's room.

As Julius sat down to meditate next to the unconscious woman's bed, Adam suddenly spoke. "Be ready to leave tonight."

"Eh? Why?" Julius asked with widened eyes.

Didn't his big brother say he liked the couple, though?

"To use the chains you bought earlier," Adam answered with a mysterious smile, his mind already formulating a plan.

After a short pause, Adam added, "Take the snake's skin and eyes with you."

"Hmm, can I say goodbye before?" Julius asked, his voice low and his shoulders slumped.

He had truly come to enjoy the couple's company and didn't want to leave.

"Why? We'll return before dawn. I just don't want them to suspect anything." Adam answered, gazing at the boy weirdly.

When did he say they would leave for good? And why would they do so?

"Ha? Understood!" Julius raised his hand in the air with a bright and relieved smile.

He understood that his brother was about to do something weird once more. However, it somehow excited him to discover what it was.

As Julius closed his eyes to focus on meditation, Adam began shaping various objects using his mana. The quiet hum of magic filled the room, contrasting with the bustling activity outside.

******

Meanwhile, the couple reached a huge and magnificent building. It was surrounded by tall walls and a blue dome made out of mana.

In addition to the main building, many smaller ones could be seen around its large garden. Moreover, two tall towers released mana, increasing its density within the dome.

From where she stood, Asha failed to see any students. However, she quickly understood that it was normal. The enrollment period wasn't over yet. Moreover, the students in older years had a month of vacation during this time, justifying their absence.

Recovering from the grandiose sight, she turned to look at Arun and asked, "Tell me you didn't mess up and brought the box with you."

"Who do you take me for? I have it," Arun said, taking a small, intricately carved wooden box out of his pocket.

Asha nodded before heading to the inscription building to register for the upcoming school year.

There was no queue; only nobles could enrol. Moreover, the six magic academies focusing on battle spells were much more popular than the three others.

After entering the building, a young man wearing the school's uniform welcomed them. He had long black hair tied in a ponytail and gemme-like green eyes. He seemed a little over twenty-two years old and looked really handsome.

"Hello, are you here to enrol for this academic year?" The man asked with a bright smile while gesturing to the two seats in front of his desk.

"Yes, we came to register three people," Arun answered, sitting next to Asha and preparing their identifications.

"I need your identifications and six hundred gold coins. In addition, I need a sealed letter signed by the missing person specifying he allows you to enrol him." The man answered, noticing the missing person.

"I have a letter from my father," Arun answered while putting Julius's identity paper and his father's letter on the desk.

Recognising the emblem on the seal, the young man nodded in acknowledgement. Then, he proceeded with the three registrations, filling the forms with their information.

Simultaneously, Arun and Asha placed two heavy pouches on the desk, each clinking with three hundred gold coins.

Subsequently, the man used a magic device to scan the three documents. It beeped with a green light as it passed over the royal family's magic crest, ascertaining their authenticity.

Then, he used a magic scale familiar to Asha to weigh the pouches. Soon, the number six hundred floated above them.

"Everything is in order. School starts in a month, on the fifteenth day of the eighth month. I'll have your student cards ready in a week. Welcome to the College of Alchemy and Transmutation." The man declared, signalling that his job was done.

With their enrollment secured, the duo left the registration office and made their way to the shopping district.

Left alone in his office, the registrar watched as the eager young lady and the grumbling man walked in the distance. His amiable expression vanished, replaced by one full of seriousness. Then, he examined their registration documents with interest.

*******

As night fell on the city, Arun, feeling completely spent, wearily entered his father's house.

Despite Asha's promise of a brief visit to five shops, they ended up exploring the entire street due to the girl's enthusiasm.

To make matters worse, he had to provide his opinion on every piece of clothing or jewellery she tried on, even though he didn't care about such things.

Yet, that wasn't the most terrifying part of the experience. He had to listen to her bargain for hours with the merchants, making him almost lose his mind.

"Asha. I swear I won't annoy you anymore. In exchange, leave me out of your shopping spree. I beg you." Arun said with the last bit of mental strength he had left before walking to his room to rest. He didn't even wait for her to answer.

As Julius exited Louise's room in response to the door opening, he was taken aback by the sight of his pale-faced and tired friend.

What did happen for him to end up in such a state?

"I warned you. Don't ever follow her if you don't want to end like Arun." Adam said, laughing at the poor boy's misfortune.

"I understand. I swear I won't accept her invitation." Julius answered, starting to share Arun's shop phobia.

"I brought back food. Today's dish is roasted chicken stuffed with vermicelli. Come and try it." Asha said, looking at Julius with an innocent and satisfied smile.

Julius shivered slightly before making his way to the dining room.

*******

After Julius had eaten another delicious dish under Adam's envious gaze, he headed to his room.

After an hour of relaxation and cleaning, he opened the window and jumped out.

"We'll have to spend the night out because the house is magically locked. Only Arun can open it with his family's emblem." Adam reminded Julius.

"No problem, I'll just mention I wanted to take an early walk without disturbing anyone," Julius replied, finding a decent excuse.

Adam nodded approvingly. He was pleased to see the boy growing more resourceful with each passing day.

After this short exchange, Julius walked through the illuminated streets with a sense of anticipation.