I Refused To Be Reincarnated

However, the next instant, the red magic crystal embedded in Julius' necklace buzzed to life with vigor, tickling his chest.

Astounded by the sudden reaction, he stared at the famished child and his mother, confusion etched on his face before realising Khalid had stood a distance away, just outside the device's detection range the entire time.

"Well, we found one faster than I thought." A mutter escaped his lip. Then, he turned to the mother and spoke of her son's bright future as a college student.

As her eyes widened in a mix of disbelief, confusion and joy, the little girl peeking behind the door raced to them. Warm tears flowed down her cheeks, and panic overwhelmed her heart. "D-Don't steal my brother, bad guys!" She yelled, hiding her fears behind a strong facade despite her shaking legs.

However, the angry shouts she expected to hear for disrespecting a noble didn't reach her ears. Instead, Julius focused on her, squinting intensely as the necklace nearly leapt out of his clothes.

"She has good potential, too. She can enroll in college as well," he said to the mother, almost causing her to melt with happiness as tears of relief plopped to the decaying ground.

Then, she turned towards her children, her warm smile soothing their confusion. "My dream has come true. Khalid, Najet, follow him and build a wonderful future for you and your children," she said, slight tremors shaking her stretched lips.

Stunned by her words, the kids gazed at each other before jumping into their mother's arms, crying about how reluctant they were to leave her behind. However, she calmed them down, skilfully offering sound solutions to their distress. "I won't die. You can always return when you have free time and treat me to good food once you become recognised mages!"

Upon seeing the heartfelt scene, a sad smile found its way to Julius' lips. He missed Alina. But he knew it wasn't time to rescue her yet.

As his gaze lingered for a moment, Adam said, "Pay her ten gold coins with my money and ask her to guide us." He felt a bit sour about separating the loving family. The mother's mentioning that the boy was the man of the house didn't escape his attention, either. With him gone, she would have trouble feeding herself, motivating his decision to help a fellow earthling keep his mother safe.

Julius' eyes softened at his brother's gesture. With so much money, the woman could move to a better place and wouldn't worry about food for a long time. After following his instructions, they left together to continue their mission.

With the mother's help, everyone welcomed them with bright smiles. Smoothly, they visited dozens of families before finding a third summoned.

Unfortunately, things didn't proceed as smoothly as with Khalid and Najet.

"I know noble kids like you. You sell flowery dreams to wretches like us, only to shatter them with mocking smirks plastered on your faces," a one-legged middle-aged man said, squinting at Julius and Nova. With his clenched jaws letting the muscles bulge, his fury was evident to everyone present.

"I don't care anymore. Well-dressed pigs like you stole my wife and right leg. We won't survive long, so I'll leave this world with my head raised high!" He added, unafraid of the consequences. Yet, amidst his determination, guilt wrapped around his heart.

"Sorry, Aurelius. But I don't want you to suffer like I did."

His eyes moistened as he gazed at his trembling son. Life was just too cruel for people like them, and he had already given up a while ago, enduring the shame of begging, all for his sake. Sadly, his efforts proved insufficient. Slowly, his heart died, and he unknowingly yearned for a deserved rest.

Affected by the man, Julius failed to find words to answer his distress. However, Adam's eyes narrowed as he clenched his teeth. "Repeat after me," he said, feeling his soul throb in a chaotic mix of emotions.

"Do you think you are unique? The only one who suffered injustice? What bullshit! You are not determined but a scarred, wounded animal who consciously decided to fix his gaze on the darkness and ignore anything bright. You are not a man!"

His words echoed in the silent room, breaking the stand-off as Julius' face drained from any colors as he repeated them.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The wind blew against the broken window, its howl adding to the tense scene as Adam continued.

"Don't doom your son because of your prejudices. Life is hard for everyone... but giving up is unpardonable!"

Despite the harsh word choice, he knew the man needed to be jolted out of his despair before it was too late and a gentle approach wouldn't work. Anyway, his words reflected his own beliefs and emotions. He trusted them wholeheartedly and would never bow his head in the face of adversity or hardships. After all, what was a missing leg when he didn't have a body at all?

Unheard and unseen by anyone but the boy for twelve long years.

The man's eyes wavered, and his arms trembled as a hesitant expression covered his face. Yet, a spark tingled the extinguished embers of his heart. "I-I..."

He failed to find words to retort. After all, everything was true. He had given up like a coward his past self would have scorned.

Gradually, the spark ignited a raging fire in his chest. His eyes recovered their long-lost sharp glint as he realised he had spent the last years pitying himself. Then, he raised his hand, shocking everyone with his next action.

SLAP

A resounding noise echoed as he cemented his regained determination. "I still don't trust you. Come back with an official document signed by the college if you want me to accept."

"Humph. That's more like it," Adam said, his lips curling into a smile as he gazed at the man's changed demeanor. Then, he asked for Julius to repeat his words again.

"We will. It is only a possibility. But in a few years of learning, your son might be able to heal your leg."

Then, they exited the man's house, leaving his trembling silhouette behind to continue their mission.