I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Chapter 117: Mysteries of Transmutation

As the group listened to Julius' story, they couldn't help but be drawn by the intense narrative.

At times, they stood at the edge of their seats, eager to know what happened next, while at others, they covered their mouths, their eyes widened at the terrible experiences they were confronted with.

As Julius ended his story with Marco's incident, the trio rose from their seats and surprised him with a tight hug.

"I'm sorry for doubting you, Julius. You went through and lost so much." Arun said, saddened by this terrible story. His earlier disappointment was completely replaced by compassion.

"So, you really have no plans of becoming a mage?" Louise asked, astonished to learn that, contrary to the rest of the world, Julius willingly chose to become a body cultivator. This path was a renowned dead end in which reaching tier three in one's later years was an achievement.

"It's alright, Arun. Thank you for your kind words." Julius smiled at his friend before addressing Louise. "I unlocked a peculiar talent related to body cultivation instead of mana. My brother convinced me to give up on the path of magic for this reason."

"Is he here right now?" Asha asked, eager to meet Adam after hearing their story.

In response, Adam used his mana to manifest his answer before her yes. "Yes. How do you like the bags?"

After reading Adam's words, she quickly bowed in the text's direction. "Thank you for saving us. Me and my mom love the bags. We are going all out to advertise it." She reassured him about the sales while thanking him with respect in her voice.

Louise and Arun followed her action, embarrassing Adam. "Tell them to stop. I don't want to be a hero or something!"

The group laughed after Julius transmitted the message. They spent the rest of their free time annoying Adam by asking him many questions about his condition or his plans for the future.

Then, they finally headed to their classroom for the afternoon lesson about transmutation.

This time, their teacher was an old man wearing an elegant suit. A monocle rested before his right eye, and his grey hair was neatly tied by a red ribbon in a ponytail.

"Hello, students. I'll be your transmutation teacher, Mister Thaddeus Hawthorne." He said, waving his hand and making his name appear behind him in a stylish metallic font using mana.

"Now that the introductions are done, who can explain what transmutation is?" He asked with a smile, starting his lesson straightforwardly.

However, no one raised his hand to answer the question. After all, transmutation was one of the oldest and most mysterious arts. In fact, it was so old and intricate that it should have had an independent academy focused on that subject.

Unfortunately, due to its complexity, this branch of magic was extremely unpopular. If not for the alchemy college deciding to teach it to their students, this art might have become a relic of the past.

Thaddeus shook his head in disappointment. Then, he distributed his lesson's notebook, placing two on Julius' desk, startling Adam and him.

"I'll give you all ten minutes to read the introduction. Afterwards, I'll demonstrate practical uses of transmutation." He said before sitting behind his desk.

Everyone looked at each other, unsure why Thaddeus' teaching method was that different from Elysia's.

Simultaneously, Adam urged Julius to turn the pages, impatient to learn this new discipline.

Transmutation in a magical realm involves the intricate manipulation of matter through mystical means. Guided by principles of equivalence, conservation, and transformation, practitioners alter substances, rearrange molecular structures, and change object forms.

Techniques include elemental transmutation and molecular reconstruction, allowing for the creation of new compounds or materials. Mastery requires deep understanding, concentration, and abundant magical energy.

Despite its vast potential, transmutation has limitations. Complex alterations demand significant skill and concentration, while certain substances may resist manipulation. Nonetheless, transmutation has lots of applications.

Alchemists use it to create potions and magical artefacts, craftsmen forge enchanted weapons, and architects construct buildings with magical properties. In warfare, transmutation is employed to set up defensive barriers or create offensive weapons.

Transmutation is an indispensable art in the magical realm, with endless possibilities.

"What an incredible discipline!" Adam exclaimed after reading, attracting Thaddeus' attention. The old teacher smiled at him while repositioning his monocle with a wide smile.

'I guess he can see me as well... Don't tell me every teacher knows about me?' Adam thought with a frown. Was this situation because of Shepard? After all, he and Morgane were the only two who could see him initially. He doubted the taciturn red-haired girl said anything.

He gazed back at the standing Thaddeus with a nod, trying to convey his eagerness to learn.

The old man's smile widened in response, and his brown eyes sparkled with delight. He had taught transmutation for years in this very class.

Few students showed eagerness to learn his lessons, as it was, by far, the most boring magic discipline in history. Noticing a student eager to learn filled his old heart with warmth despite his ghostly condition.

He took a pebble from his pocket, holding it in the palm of his hand before saying in a loud and enthusiastic voice. "Through transmutation, I'll transform this stone into a piece of quartz."

Then, he retrieved another pebble from his pocket before adding, "I'll demonstrate the advanced version of transmutation since I'm in a good mood. Watch carefully!"

Thaddeus closed his eyes for thirty seconds, focusing all his attention on the piece of rock. After analysing its structure, he used his mana control to alter the stone's properties, slowly turning it into something different. After two minutes of work, the pebble gave way to a beautiful quartz.

The students gawked in amazement at the transformation, eager to try to do the same. However, Thaddeus spoke again. "It's too early for you to use this method. You'll need years of practice and deep knowledge if you want to use it."

Then, he used a chalk to draw a circle containing many symbols and placed the second pebble in the middle.

"Before mastering this art, we use magic circles as conduits for mana and to help shape the transformation." He explained as he transformed the pebble into another quartz in less than a minute.

"Come take pebbles and give it a try. You'll find the basic composition of rocks and quartz inside your book. Use your mana to change one into the other." Thaddeus said before sitting back behind his desk.

What made transmutation interesting but boring at the same time was the constant need for practical training. Thus, he would watch the kids try to transform the rock until the end of the lesson.