I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Chapter 159: The Forgotten Tome

As they stepped onto the second floor, the duo couldn't help but open their eyes in astonishment before the impressive personal library of the college's dean.

Then, they noticed a short red-haired girl seated at a desk, reading a complicated grimoire about souls as Shepard's voice echoed gently.

"What a diligent young girl. Contrary to the others, she had been reading books here ever since I became her mentor." He said, looking proudly at the immersed girl before adding, "She is Morgane Belloria. I believe she is in your class."

Julius gazed at the girl with intrigue. She left quite a deep impression on him. Not only could she see his big brother thanks to her soul affinity, but she always ate peculiar dishes at the canteen, like raw fish slices placed on rice and rolled bread covered in honey.

Simultaneously, Adam gazed at her, his eyes narrowed into thin slits as he thought in frustration, 'Why do I keep feeling I know her?'

As he pondered, searching for a logical explanation for this recurring feeling, Morgan raised her head and gazed at him in annoyance.

"I told you not to fix me." She said, her voice flat and devoid of emotions, causing Shepard to chuckle.

"I see you already are acquainted." He said with enthusiasm, gesturing towards the ghost. "Adam is my new disciple. I hope you'll get along and support each other's journey towards progress."

Morgan acquiesced before lowering her gaze, immersing herself in her tome under the frowning gaze of the trio.

'What's wrong with her? I've never seen her interact with anyone, and she always has that taciturn look plastered on her face,' Adam thought, wondering if the girl was an extreme introvert as Shepard's brows twitched. Enjoy stories on m_v lem|p-yr

"Don't mind her attitude. She is like that even with me. At most, I can make her speak three sentences before she returns to her reading." Shepard sighed, shaking his head in defeat. He was initially happy to mentor her, as she was the most talented among the new students and had a rare affinity with souls. Yet her lack of emotions and dynamism in her interactions caused him to feel lost.

Then, he extended his right arm, pointing at a shelf protected by a thick veil of smoke. With a word spoken in an ancient, forgotten language, the smoke parted, revealing old grimoires.

"You won't find anything below tier four in this library." He explained, smiling smugly before adding, "This shelf contains my most precious books. Usually, I only open it to my disciples after they gather a hundred golden tickets. Take advantage of this opportunity."

Adam nodded, understanding the correct use of the golden tickets. After all, the college's library only had a few books at the fourth tier, and they were reserved for the teacher's use, as Jean explained.

Then, he floated to the shelf, his eyes glowing a golden color. If he didn't pick the best and most expensive grimoire, he might as well change his name.

He read the grimoire's titles excitedly and noticed a familiar name in their midst: Thunder Spells and their applications in combat by Arcanist Vivian Zestra.

Noticing his gaze, Shepard laughed mischievously and said, "You have no idea how hard it was to get hold of this." His eyes twinkled with pride as he continued, "It is one of my most prized possessions." After all, how many arcanists could boast about owning a book written by an archmage in her younger days?

As Shepard's boasting resounded in the library, Adam thought, smiling wryly, 'I have two grimoires written by archmages. I wonder how he would react if he knew.'

With a shake of his head, he refocused on the shelf and read the titles, his frown deepening gradually.

'Lava, ice, dark, soul, nature, smoke, shadow, sand... Such a variety of grimoire about rare elements, but not a single one on neutral spells,' he thought in displeasure, turning his head and asking why.

"Few neutral spells exist, mostly in the first tier, with rare exceptions, such as your mage's hand. Think about it. Why conjure a mana hand when I can make one out of fire, for example?" Shepard explained patiently as he pondered why Adam was so obsessed with neutral spells and materials.

Then, he clapped his hands and said with a caring tone, "I can help you choose if you feel conflicted. What's your affinity and talent?"

Upon hearing the question, Adam turned abruptly and looked at the dean in confusion.

"I'm a ghost. I don't have any affinity... I didn't unlock any talent either." He answered under Shepard's stunned expression.

"Are you kidding me?" He asked, his voice trembling with incredulity. He always thought he had a talent related to mana, justifying his absurd control. What kind of monster would he become if he obtained one? Particularly one like his.

Before he could think about his absence of affinity, Adam spoke again, resolving his doubts. "Ghosts have no elemental affinities. That's why I need neutral spells."

Realisation dawned on him. How did he not think about it? In an instant, he drafted a theory. Without a body, affinities couldn't exist. Without lungs to breathe, blood flowing, organs to regulate temperature, and skin, how could the basic elements manifest?

It was as if the very essence of wind, water, fire, and earth were woven into the fabric of his being, each element tied to a vital aspect of his existence.

As he pondered silently, his eyes glowing at the ingenious theory, Adam returned to his search. Even if he couldn't use the spells, he could analyse them and expand his understanding of mana through them.

Then, a thin booklet, tucked away horizontally above the grimoires, drew his attention, its presence nearly forgotten amidst the stacks of larger tomes.

He materialised a mage's hand, using it to retrieve the booklet for a closer look, finally able to read the calligraphy-like title: Qingming Sutra of Serenity.

'What's that?' He questioned, raising his brow in puzzlement and wondering why it was placed and forgotten on this shelf.

Unlike the classic leather covers of other tomes, this one resembled an ink painting depicting a serene natural scene.

He curiously opened it, his fingers trembling as he read the first page. However, his expression quickly shifted from curiosity to shock as he discovered its contents.