I Refused To Be Reincarnated
Chapter 684: Beyond the Eighth Tier

Chapter 684: Beyond the Eighth Tier

Misha laughed at the centipede’s antiques before she winked at Adam and gestured toward the trembling William meaningfully. Then, she giggled as she moved toward the exit with the beast, chatting him up in a lighthearted tone.

Adam nodded. Though unsure of what she wanted, a plan of his own had already formed in his mind. After all, the old archmage had braved his fears for a noble reason he respected yet hated.

’The fool wanted to sacrifice his life like a hero.’

Rolling his eyes, he placed his palms on William’s shoulders. A subtle wave of mana infiltrated his archmage’s circuits, expelling the excess poison.

William’s face softened, not his trembling hands on the scepter he used as support. He understood why and decided to address that first.

"Don’t stretch your brain over Misha’s and my capabilities. We don’t quite fit in any box, but you can see us as pioneers trying to tread a new path. In any case, that’s not what matters right now. Do you know what does?"

William seemed to grapple with his words, but he noticed the hint of fear that crossed his emerald eyes.

"Do you believe I’ll silence you because of what you witnessed? I’m sorry to disappoint you, then." He clapped his hands, a broad grin curving his lips. "The order has no use for an old man anymore, even less now that I have ensured it monopolises the poisonous mana source. Join us with the centipede instead of rotting in this place."

William closed his eyes, the soft pulses of the new formation casting dancing shadows on his conflicted face. This was the home of his ancestors—his home. Could he leave it?

He reopened his eyes, sighing. "I’d be lying if I said I’m not tempted after the... surreal things you’ve done. But this is the place I belong to. I can’t abandon my family."

"You won’t. Rather, they’ll need you somewhere else." Adam shook his head, his voice soft. "I’ll take the poor and wretched kids with me, but I can’t ensure they’ll know their origins. You, on the other hand, can guide them. Leave your worries behind, like you passed down your leader’s mantle to Noah."

Of course, some things were better left unsaid. Raising kids? He would have looked for someone to do it in his place. And who would fit better than their former leader? Magical education, history lessons—William would care for them better than any stranger.

After a brief silence, William let out a long exhale. "You know where to strike, right? I..."

His lips quivered as if to stop him from continuing. But he did, nonetheless. "I’ll join for the kids. We mistreated them for far too long. Lack of resources, poor talent? They didn’t choose either." His eyes sharpened. "Thank you for allowing me to rectify this old regret of mine with the few years I have left."

"Don’t mention it." Adam pushed his back toward the tunnel, chuckling. "Now that you’re onboard, you have more than a few years to live."

He saw William’s raised brow but didn’t explain further. After all, he would miss the man’s youthful grimace after he drank the life-extending potion. But this was for later. Now, it was time to leave.

After reuniting with Misha, they climbed the deserted temple back to the exit.

On the way, Misha barraged the centipede with questions about his past, forcing him to share a few surprising bits.

Intrigued by a beast’s evolution, Adam listened to the story, too.

Far from a noble creature, he had started his journey as a thoughtless insect. Qi never answered his call. Instead, he was born with mana circuits. He didn’t know if it was by providence, misfortune, or because his parents were different, but he considered it an advantage.

While the other beasts vied for life force-rich territories, he had claimed this mana-rich mountain without facing much competition. He had absorbed mana in peace for years, becoming a seventh-tier magical beast, until Pablo appeared one day to upturn his safe world.

Venoms had drowned the mountain, and its walls trembled as they fought without mercy. The exiled archmage’s mastery over energy had dazzled him, and his ferocity left marks that were still fresh in his memories. To his dismay, he lost and prepared to die. Yet, Pablo had other plans.

He taught him about venoms and the importance of promises in exchange for a place to stay and a supply of refined mana.

A longing expression flashed across his face as he spoke fondly of the order’s founder, as if he missed their long conversations. But the crux was that he felt indebted to him. After all, the knowledge he had gained had allowed him to rise to the early level of the eighth tier before stagnation struck him.

He came up with a few theories as to why, but nothing certain. If he had to bet on the most significant factor, though, it would be the quantity of elemental mana. There was only so much the mountain produced, and he needed... an outrageous amount.

Adam tucked his fingers around his chin, reflecting the centipede’s words. ’He agreed to talk with us because Pablo had set a precedent. But that doesn’t matter as much as his insight on the eight tier. Quantity? That’s Nothing I can’t fix with a few formations and enchanted gems. But would it be enough to become a supreme sorcerer?’

He shook his head. ’The magus searched the method for fifteen thousand years. Unlike the centipede, he destroyed orders, stole knowledge, and manipulated the world from the shadows. Quantity can’t be the only factor. What then?’

A furrow creased his brows as the sound of his steps on the polished stones echoed. Yet, he failed to find a definitive answer... for now.

’I need more knowledge.’ His eyes sharpened. ’The other orders or the archipelago should have answers.’

He only had to gather the scattered pieces of the puzzle.

A grin split his face as they emerged from the temple and searched for Noah and the other kids by the mountain foot.

William explained what had happened to Noah and the teachers, who couldn’t stop glancing at the centipede. A trembling frenzy, barely hidden by his fluttering robes, overtook him before he gazed at the veritable monsters: Adam and Misha.