I Refused To Be Reincarnated

As some jumped with joy upon seeing Selene's return, others doubted his intentions or despaired. The elf in question appeared inside Julius' soul sea.

With his tight leather-styled ethereal clothes revealing his manly frame, he took determined steps towards the library, ignoring the familiar place.

"You know why I'm here," Selene said, gazing straight into the short-haired man's eyes.

"I know," the man looking like Adam answered, dismissing the mana patterns he had been weaving before rising to his feet. Standing a head shorter than the elf, he added, "Kneel."

Astounded by the demand, Selene's eyes narrowed into slits. Menacing bright light rapidly filled them as he solemnly answered, "You don't have to make things hard."

"I don't. But I must say I didn't appreciate your creature's coercion and forcing him to kneel," the mysterious man answered, his lips curling into an ugly smirk. "After Ossian's slap, you do this. It seems I've been too lenient in dealing with people like you," he added, his body exuding a terrifying mass of pure white mana billowing around the two men like a tornado.

Standing in its eye, the man reiterated his demand, "Kneel or fight for your life. But be warned, with your circuits, your chances of surviving are zero."

Feeling the situation spiralling out of his control, Selene dropped all pretence, refusing to back down before the unreasonable man. "I fought and survived the joint assault of six archmages. Even the magus had to strike a deal with me, in vain since I escaped his clutches. I have created vampires, werewolves, and new plant species.

Yet, you, a divided soul stuck in a boy, dare to threaten me?" He said, his voice dripping with arrogance as he released his fiery mana to scorch the tornado.
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"I'm the strongest elf in history. I'm the man who made a kingdom kneel before him all alone. I'm the sun," he added, his voice echoing his pride and self-confidence.

"Yes, yes. And I'm the only human who made a tier-six ghost king scream on a table for ten minutes. I'll also be the only human to wipe the floor with the strongest elf in history. All while being in the fourth tier," Adam's copy replied, his voice filled with sarcasm and his smirk broadening to reach his ears.

"By the way, I don't like the little warmth you release either," He added, manipulating his mana to absorb the heat in the air, causing the soul sea's temperature to plummet.

A soul-chilling cold assaulted Selene's ethereal frame, making him shiver and widen his eyes in doubt. The human's energy potency and quantity clearly surpassed the arcanist tier. Yet he claimed to be a mere mage? What was he trying to achieve with such a blatant lie?

"You know, I'm a kind and respectful man. I rarely like to face-slap people. But you, I'll take pleasure in breaking your confidence," the man said, a sinister light flashing in his eyes. Selene heard everything happening during the challenges. He knew Adam hated to be forced. Yet, not only did he go against his will once, but twice.

"Let's see how you like your own medicine. I hope you won't find it too bitter," he added, retrieving an intricate gem pulsating with terrifying mana.

Recognising the item, Selene's hands shook, his face turning serious. "We can still avoid a direct confrontation. Think about the boy's soul," he said, dreading to fight someone possessing a Manacore Heartgem.

"Sure. After I make you kneel, we'll negotiate like civilised people. Do your best not to die against the best human," Adam's copy said, his cheerful voice sarcastically resounding as he cast his first spell.

"Ebon's Bastion," he said, raising his arms towards the ceiling.

Theodor's shop shook in response as towering ethereal constructs filled the place. Somber ramparts and towers reached for the sky, forcefully modifying the landscape. The medicines-filled shelves disappeared, replaced by a titanic gate, while armored figures materialised one after another. After ten seconds, a magnificent bastion rose behind the man, its peak veiled in a mysterious mist.

Shocked by the spell's magnitude, Selene's pupils constricted. However, he rapidly saw the copy's weakness. 'He needs to voice his spell while I can cast them instantaneously,' he thought, his lips curling into a victorious smile. With his strength and casting time advantage, victory would be his. But that wasn't all. He checked the fake outside.

Thus, he knew the copy didn't possess any affinity, making his attacks infinitely weaker in comparison.

Terrifying heat flared from his body, dissipating the soul-chilling cold instantaneously. The dark ground under his feet reddened, showing signs of melting as he extended his palm.

Without a word, a raging torrent of white flames burst out, distorting and burning the air in its wake.

However, a surreal scene greeted his eyes. Nine mana hands suddenly appeared before his target. Then, spinning in a wide circle, old natural symbols took form in the center.

"I only voice my spells for the style points. If you don't want to abide by the rule, I'll just name them after," Adam's copy smirked before adding. "Mage's shield."

Simultaneously, the flames collided with the symbols, weakening upon impact before being absorbed by the hands.

'What are those weird combinations?' Selene thought, gazing at the hands illuminating the citadel like nine mini suns.

"Already confused? I'll give you a hint. These hands carry you affinity now," the man revealed, his white teeth in full display. What if you have a broken affinity? I'll use it to shame you like a kid.

Annoyed by the talkative brat, the elf turned severe. A bright white sword flickering with his movements appeared in his right hand. With his left, he hurled hundreds of burning balls into the dark sky.

Then, he launched himself towards the man, controlling the burning balls to fall down on his position. With this combination, he overwhelmed his enemies, using his superior physique while slowly burning them under the falling projectiles' heat.

"I already told you I didn't like your warmth," Adam's copy said, dissatisfaction veiling his face.