I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Under the silver veil of the night sky, Julius and his classmates assembled once more in the courtyard, their anticipation rekindled after the supper they had in the cafeteria.

Just hours ago, they had chosen their mana-gathering technique with their teacher's help in the towering library. Now, their attention shifted to another crucial aspect of their academy life: dormitory assignments.

Beatrix, with her characteristic warmth, stood before them, holding a stack of scrolls containing the keys to their dorms. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she addressed the eager crowd.

"Good evening, students," Beatrix's voice carried through the courtyard, a gentle breeze playing with her robes. "It's time for the dormitory assignments. Please form a line and await your turn."

Julius fell into place in the queue, his mind still buzzing with the wonders he had uncovered in the library. The green tome, filled with secrets and spells, seemed to call to him, promising endless possibilities. But now, his focus shifted to the dormitory attribution.

As the line slowly reduced, Julius glanced at his fellow classmates. Some chattered excitedly, while others jumped in anticipation.

Finally, it was his turn. With bated breath, he approached Beatrix, his heart pounding in his chest. With a warm smile, she handed him a scroll, her eyes filled with encouragement.

"Congratulations, Julius," Beatrix said, her voice gentle yet firm. "You've been assigned to Dormitory Three, Room 207. I'm sure you'll find it to your liking."

Relief washed over Julius as he accepted the scroll. Room 207. It would be his home for the foreseeable future, a place where friendships would be forged and memories made.

Under the starry night sky, Julius made his way to dormitory Three, his heart still racing from the excitement of the day.

The room embraced him with its warmth, the soft glow of the magic candle on the desk casting dancing shadows across the walls.

Julius took a moment to take his surroundings in, the familiarity of the space already beginning to settle.

His eyes wandered to the neatly made bed and the uniform folded on top of it. A surge of pride swelled in his heart at the sight of the college's emblem, a symbol of his journey into the world of magic.

With eager anticipation, he approached the desk standing by the window, his fingers caressing the smooth surface of the polished wood. A parchment with his class schedule rested on the side. Each subject promised to be a world of discoveries and new knowledge.

As Julius prepared to sleep after such an eventful day, a sudden gust of wind forced the window open, causing the candle's flame to flicker chaotically.

Alerted by the unusual phenomenon, Julius stood from his bed, a bad premonition prickling at the back of his neck. Before he could make sense of it, the room was engulfed in a swirl of magical smoke, obscuring his vision.

Julius stumbled backwards, his heart pounding in anguish as the smoke began to dissipate.

In the middle of the room, a tall and imposing silhouette clad in colorful robes that shimmered with otherworldly light was now standing.

It was Shepard, the revered director of the academy, his presence commanding attention and respect.

Julius's pulse quickened, and his eyes widened in shock as he gazed at the unexpected visitor. Why did Shepard suddenly appear before him in such a dramatic fashion?

Fear and curiosity mixed in his mind as he awaited for the most authoritative figure of the college to explain his sudden visit.

However, realisation soon struck him as Shepard gazed at him for a few seconds before shifting his focus to his still unresponsive big brother.

'He can see him!' Julius thought, alarm ringing in his mind.

Then, Shepard's piercing gaze locked onto Julius, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, well, well," he said in a playful tone, his voice echoing in the room. "What do we have here? A boy accompanied by a ghost? And why does the ghost seem unresponsive?"

Julius felt the panic rising within him, his palms wet with sweat as he struggled to find words. "N-nothing, Director Shepard," he stuttered, his voice trembling. "It's just... a misunderstanding."

But Shepard's playful attitude persisted as he disappeared from his spot to reappear before Adamt. With a mischievous grin, he extended his hand and pinched Adam's ethereal cheek.

Adam's face, startled by the sudden pain, contorted in anger. "Who dares to pinch me?" he bellowed, his voice echoing with menace.

Upon hearing his brother's words, Julius' pale face became as white as a sheet, mirroring the fear that gripped him. Provoking such a powerhouse was far from a good idea, and his brother's words threatened to seal their fate.

'I need to defuse the situation before it blows up.' He thought, desperately racking his brain for a solution.

But before Julius could utter a single word, Adam's eyes, burning with a fierce intensity, landed on Shepard.

Shepard, however, seemed unfazed by Adam's menacing glare. Instead, he gazed back at the spectral figure with an amused twinkle in his eyes and a smirk.

"Ah, finally awake?" Shepard said casually, his voice laced with amusement. "Are you planning to attack me?"

Julius's breath caught in his throat. Knowing his brother's temper, he couldn't help but acknowledge Shepard's words' possibility.

However, as Adam realised it was Shepard who pinched him, fear filled his eyes. His ethereal form trembled, and his anger dissolved into apprehension.

Julius watched in disbelief as Adam's demeanor shifted, his once menacing presence now replaced by uncertainty and fear. It was the first time he saw his dependable big brother like that. Even against Vikram, he had been fearless and kept attacking despite the disparity in strength.

So why was he so scared now? What was so different?

As Shepard's smirk widened, his eyes emanated wisps of colorful mana. Julius and Adam felt a chill, understanding that their lives were not in their hands anymore. They were at the mercy of the college's director.

Fear gripped them as they braced for the unknown, uncertain of what fate awaited them.