I Refused To Be Reincarnated

With her decision, Cordelia's intentions were obvious. She aimed to keep his talentled disciples for herself by forbidding his intervention.

"You'll regret today's decision dearly, arrogant brat," Shepard spat, his veins throbbing in anger.

Most rulers' behavior infuriated him. That's why he stayed away from politics. Yet, if lowly adepts thought they could play with his nerve safely thanks to the archmages' rules, he would show them how wrong they were.

"Do your worst, puppet," snorted Cordelia, unafraid of his threats. The arcanist couldn't do anything alone, and even searching for his disciples wasn't enough of a reason for him to kill her soldiers.

Without a word, Shepard spat on the ground to show how disgusting he found her before returning to his college. Then, he set the coordinates of the empire he wanted to visit the least on the planet through gritted teeth.

Who was Cordelia kidding? Those fools bent the rules daily to achieve their political agendas. Thus, why wouldn't he? Especially now that he had an indirect connection with that terrifying man.

An hour later, he stood before the regal Beast emperor in his glorious temple. Magical beasts of all tiers intricately carved adorned the sumptuous columns and walls.

Basking in the warm sunlight, the archmage's eyes lit up with curiosity upon seeing his guest as he asked, "To what miracle do I owe your visit, Shepard? You didn't dare to show yourself even when that interesting duo came to negotiate."

The arcanist solemnly replied with a respectful bow and lightly trembling hands, "Because of the duo. They went missing in a mountainous area. I wanted to investigate the place, but Cordelia revoked my rights to stay in the kingdom for a year. Worse, she stationed a sizable army led by various noble family heads."

"Hmm. That's problematic," scowled the Emperor, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. How dared a mere queen spoil his deal with Adam? Especially after a ghost king requested an alliance. Thanks to Adam's naïve participation, his century-long project could be achieved in a few years.

"Give me a week to inform the other archmages. From sunrise to sunset, I'll revoke any rules restraining your actions. Do what must be to save the ghost," he added, his eyes narrowed into slits. Adam dying before he got his ritual was out of the question.

Thus, primal mana flared from his eyes as he concluded, "If you abuse the authority I granted you or let those small fishes enslave him, you are dead."

"You have my words," Shepard declared solemnly, his right fist clenched over his heart. Despite the threat, the Emperor was no fool, giving him a path to retreat if he failed to find them. After all, he just had to prevent Cordelia from enslaving his disciple.

"You may leave."

The Beast Emperor's voice echoed in the temple, his absolute tone causing Shepard to tremble before taking hurried steps towards the Gate.

Then, the frowning archmage's mana billowed as antennas sprouted from his forehead.

"Vivian, Marina, I have a personal matter to discuss. Join me in the Franca Empire in a week, or I'll consider you agreed to it!" He suddenly said, using his new limbs to transmit his thoughts thousands of kilometers away.

With the meeting set, he rested on his magnificent throne, his eyes peering in the Aurora kingdom's direction. "If anything happens, you'll be the first kingdom to fall!" He said, retrieving an ethereal orb from his robe before adding. "I'll build a Gate for you!"

***

Simultaneously, Shepard stood before his college's staff. His voice filled with anger, he declared, "Expel any student coming from the Aurora kingdom and double the enrolment fees for those coming from Belloria."

But his retribution wasn't over yet, as he continued, "Issue a notice to any alchemist in those kingdoms to offer them jobs in your respective countries. I want to see how well they'll fare without potions and magic items."

'Humph. Who can't do anything outside college? Let me show you the power of an arcanist,' he thought, his eyes glinting with disdain as he left the room.

***

A solemn voice reverberated in the world's every corner, astonishing nations and empires a week later.

"From this moment, any restrictions binding arcanist Shepard are canceled until sunset per the three archmages' decision."

"What?! Increase our security in every city!"

"I want to have reports every ten minutes on his location. Don't let him close to our cities!"

"Prepare our mythical artifact to repel him!"

Fear gripped most sovereigns' hearts as they hurriedly mobilised their country's forces to protect themselves.

Among the few unbothered by the archmages' decree, the grey eyes of an old king pierced the sky as he recognised the voice.

"What is that petty emperor plotting?" asked King Leon, a pensive frown etched on his forehead. The prophesied war was still seventeen years away, yet unrest, political alliance, and skirmishes rapidly escalated.

Green lights flashed in his eyes as he gazed in the distance briefly until they locked on Shepard's rapidly moving figure. Then, on the panicked Cordelia.

"Recall our stationed troops immediately!" Her command echoed an octave higher as icy sweat covered their faces.

"Lord Thornwood, return to the capital this instant!" Yelled a general in terror through their communication device. Unfortunately, the other side remained silent.

A bad feeling gripping the meeting participants, as he hurriedly tried to contact the others in vain.

"We lost them..." He said, paling under his queen's furious eyes.

Realising everything was organised, Cordelia's nails pierced her palms through her clenched fists. She had been gloating at the foolish king after learning he squandered his royal mages in the canyon. Yet, her situation was far worse now. In less than five minutes, her royal mages, border army and many influential nobles, including rich counts, died with their houses' troops.

"Shepard," she hissed hatefully, her teeth cracking under the pressure as mana billowed around her body in a wild dance.

A brief silence engulfed the room while her red eyes screamed vengeance. "Declare him an enemy of the crown. Tempt the other arcanists with tier-five legendary artefacts or tier-six materials. I want his head impaled above my castle!" She screeched, her rage palpable as sweat dripped from her counsellors' foreheads.