I Refused To Be Reincarnated

A frustrating week passed rapidly as the two monarchs invested more and more troops and resources in their hunt. Yet, they ended up empty-handed under Adam's careful decision-making process and Julius' guidance.

"RAHHH," roared Thorian, smashing his fist on his golden throne noisily. "I can't believe we failed to catch two kids and an insignificant woman for a full week! And that wench's soldiers are following them too, protecting their borders from our troops," he continued, his rage-filled voice engulfing the room as ominous dark red wisps of mana swirled from his eyes.

The few loyal nobles supporting him gazed at their king in a muted stupor, unable to find words to explain how they lost their tracks four days ago.

Understanding their movement patterns, they positioned their mages along the borders in advance, waiting for them to return from the Aurora kingdom. However, despite their clever move, the fugitives never resurfaced. Worse, their scouting familiars found no traces of them on the other side.

Either their neighboring country's mages were incredible actors willing to waste days to mislead them, or they also lost the kids' tracks.

The situation was extremely bizarre and novel to them. Never had they imagined something similar would happen to their forces. Yet, they had to face the truth. Their targets disappeared into thin air, not leaving the slightest trail behind after killing their birds.

"Call our troops back. I want the area they disappeared in to be combed. Leave no stones unturned until I learn how they did it!" Ordered Thorian, swinging his arm and stomping his right foot in anger.

***

Simultaneously, Queen Cordelia asked the same questions in a diametrally opposed mood.

Her eyes glowing in desire, she rose from her seat, gazing attentively at her nobles before saying, "After a week, you've seen how unusual these kids are. I suspect they are the geniuses summoned of the Belloria kingdom who escaped Thorian's tyranny."

After seeing them all nod in recognition, she continued, raising her voice and moving her hands theatrically to inspire them. "They are too precious to let that fool recover them. With their assistance, our kingdom's chances of surviving the great war will increase by a large margin. So, will you lend me your strength and mages to make their capture a reality?"

Soon, the first nobles voiced their agreement.

"The noble house of Thornwood will join the search!"

"The noble house of Brightwater will respond to its lord's call."

"Count the noble house of Frostvale in, Your Majesty."

Then, more and more nobles joined in, promising to lead their soldiers to hunt the kids without reserve. Even if each summoned was valuable in its own right, possessing the potential to become apprentices at the very least, geniuses were still a rare breed.

After calming the general excitation by clapping her hands, Cordelia continued, "Thank you for your support. From our scouts' reports, our targets disappeared in the mountainous region of Elderglade Peaks. I want our troops to uncover how and where they disappeared."

With a playful smile, she concluded, "You can play with the foolish king's battalion in passing. I heard he lost all his royal mages in a recent expedition."

Understanding the clue, her loyal retainers rose from their seats, ready to clear any Bellorian soldier encroaching on their borders.

With a curt bow, they left the room, impatient to engage in some action.

***

Unaware of the intensifying menace looming above their heads, Adam breathed with difficulty in a deep tunnel. The noise of rubbles crashing on the ground echoed as he held his arms in pain. Since he entered the cave, he had been abusing his circuit, digging without pause. At this point, time became an ethereal concept he failed to grasp, it's only indicator being the complaining kids.

'Why aren't they complaining?' he suddenly thought, turning in alarm only to see them lying on the ground. With their pale faces and dry lips, they looked on the verge of dying at any moment.

"Shit," he muttered, his mind descending into chaos. Despite his decent plan, he didn't expect the thin mountain to be this hard to pierce. But the real problem came from the lack of alimentation once more. After the horses died, they carried their carcasses to the tunnel before cutting a few pieces of meat, saving them from starvation. Yet, they had nothing to quench their thirst.

A tense silence ensued for a moment before Nova broke it. "They won't hold for much longer," she said, holding the kids' hands, tears in her eyes. It pained her to see them in this state. If she could, she would do anything to help them. Yet, the joy she brought with her innate abilities was of little aid in their desperate situation.

"But you can't do anything to help them. So, focus on what you can achieve. Keep digging," she added, urgency in her voice.

Upon hearing her words, Adam clenched his teeth, turned back and roared, "Hold on! I'll eviscerate this mountain and find water soon!"

Without wasting a second, he ignored his pain, channeling his remaining mana to condense his spinning spearhead. A second later, he focused on keeping it materialised and sent it crashing on the mountain walls, a soft, painful grumble escaping his lips.

Loud crashing noises engulfed the tunnel again as he persevered, icy sweat dripping from his forehead. His ethereal body screamed to stop, yet his gaze remained firm for the next dozen minutes until...

CRACK BOOM

His mana spearhead suddenly passed through the wall, revealing a circular cavern. With weary steps, he pressed forward, his mind focused on drilling the opposite wall, no matter what.

However, his vision suddenly shifted, forcing him to look below as his body powerlessly collided with the ground.

'I need... to... dig,' he thought, these few words requiring his entire focus as he tried to stand up. Yet, the mental and magical tolls he endured proved too much for his soul to handle.

His eyes gradually closed as he heard Nova's distant screams, unable to understand them. Then, his brain forcefully controlling him, he fell unconscious after one last thought. 'Sorry, Julius.'