I Refused To Be Reincarnated

In this atmosphere, the gem completed its transformation.

It shimmered a faint hue of inexhaustible mana, and a sky-blue, misty veil surrounded it.

His hand itched towards it, trembling with emotions.

'The fifth material, four left to go.'

He grinned when he touched it, exhilaration raising his lips in an uncontrollable smile as the familiar notification appeared.

[Tier-nine mythical heart detected. Soul binding available. Proceed? Yes/No]

Before Elena could recover from the incredible sensation of admiration broadening her lips, he smashed the yes button with full force.

The heart vanished without a sound or disturbance, and the bright symbols, now in full display, dimmed.

"Where is it?"

Elena rushed to him. Urgency fueling her hand, she touched the spot where the heart had been.

Meanwhile, multi-colored sparks danced around his hand as the beating heart appeared in all its grandeur.

Yet, a powerful collision reverberating through the ground alarmed him as Elena lunged at him. Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire

"Don't move! I want to check it for a bit."

He shrugged, letting her inspect it since soul-bound items couldn't be stolen. Instead, he narrowed his eyes.

A rush of excitation shook his soul as a spectral window wafting golden mist appeared to describe the incredible heart's stats.

Name: Heart of Mana

Rank: T9 Mythical Ingredient

Description:

Transformed from the rarest gem by Adam through Elena's ritual, this heart edges on the limits of the mythical rank and almost surpasses it.

Properties:

Nature's Resonance: In sync with mana in all its forms, the heart harmonises with the world, boosting its possessor's intuition and natural recovery.

Arcane Reservoir: The heart holds an inexhaustible mana reserve.

Enhanced Spellcraft: The Manacore Heartgem enhances spells, increasing their potency and precision to unequalled levels. Spellcasters can weave intricate enchantments with unparalleled finesse, unlocking new levels of mastery in the arcane arts.

The world in a heart: The heart imbues any spell cast by its possessor, raising its potency and casting speed beyond common sense.

Spellbinding Aegis: The heart constantly protects its possessor, forming protective shields against hostile spells and malevolent forces. Curses, hexes, and dark enchantments under the eighth tier are ineffective against this bastion of defense.

He closed his eyes, a sharp breath of fresh air filling his nostrils as silence filled the room.

However, his mind and soul were anything but silent.

'That's too much! Why is it stronger than before? Or were the abilities adjusted because it became an actual body part?'

A flood of questions and joyous emotions raged in his mind as he pondered, smiling like a child.

After a moment, he calmed down and reopened his eyes, noticing Elena's bent frame and her sparkling eyes.

With a thought, he dismissed the heart, making her yelp in surprise and annoyance.

"Let's meet my brother now. I'm sure you'll find him much better than Selene and his gang of world-enders."

"I'm not done studying this marvel. I want to see if I can transmute something similar."

She planted her hands on her hips, the red ribbon decorating her belt fluttering as she leaned closer. Her deep blue eyes met his in a silent clash, sending an invisible pressure crash into the room.

He remained firm, the reason simple and the same as previously.

'It does matter if she can or not. I won't let potential enemies benefit from me.'

Despite his strong facade, his legs trembled under her colossal mana. Forget about Vikram's forceful interrogatory. Her method felt a thousand times more painful. The worst part? It wasn't even intentional!

BAM

As icy dread filled his soul and his breath caught in his throat, the room's door exploded in a hail of splinters. A gust of wind sent his hat flying and hair swirling next as a threatening growl reverberated.

"Move away from him, or you'll taste an arcanist's power!"

He would have facepalmed and roared at his mentor if he could move. What was he trying to do in his smokey form before her? Get them both killed?

'What arcanist? She is an archmage!'

Fortunately, Elena calmed down and observed the man's silver hair and eyes before nodding.

"I got a little carried away by the refusal."

She bit her lips, remorse flashing in her dimming eyes and slumping shoulders as her mana dissolved.

"I'm sorry. I'll try to control myself..."

As her words lingered, Gaston stepped into the room, his vile smile stretching his lips and the sound of his clapping hands filling his ears.

"That's her flaw. She is selfish beyond reason and won't accept refusal."

Before Shepard could speak, he walked to them and peered into Elena's eyes.

"Someone passed you his mythical trait, right? You should be the lovers."

'Again with his grotesque cards or whatnot. No one believes your story! No better, I don't care about it.'

His freedom of movement restored, his hand met his forehead once at Gaston's obsession, then a second time after Shepard admonished her.

"I know he is an attractive ghost, young miss, but refrain from forcing yourself so hard on him even if you want to be lovers."

"Young miss?"

She trembled, her hand holding her stomach before uncontrollable chuckles echoed in the room.

"I stopped counting after I reached three hundred years old. I should have died at around four hundred and fifty, though."

Her lips stretched into a mischievous grin as he saw Shapard's face decompose with each amused word she spoke.

'And here it will start.'

"How?! I'll pay you for your secret. I have tier-six materials. I can also offer you an arcanist's staff. No, no. For the secret to longevity, I can even trade my grimoire's collection!"

Face flushed, breathing ragged, and hands trembling, Shepard jumped in excitement while he passed his arm around his mentor's shoulders and whispered into his ear.

"She's an archmage who died what? Four hundred years ago, I think. Anyway, stop annoying her and show her the best you can offer to make her stay! And don't listen to that fool. He is obsessed with some random knowledge he found in our village."

Remembering a detail, he added at his now sweating and pale mentor.

"Before I forget, she's a rogue archmage. The teleportation circle I traded with you last year came from the ruins she had lived in."