I Refused To Be Reincarnated

As the house's doors creaked open, the subtle sound alerted Julius. He quickly stood up and warned his big brother. "Big bro, stop playing around. They are back!"

Adam, who was experimenting with the effects of his new passive skill, instantly let the various mana structures he had built dissipate.

Julius watched in awe as the strange items, never seen before, disappeared.

"It seems like your mana control has improved again! Congratulations, big bro." Julius said, smiling while sitting next to Louise's bed.

"I'm still far from my objectives. Though, it's true I made good progress compared to when I could barely manifest a few sentences using mana." Adam answered with a hint of pride in his voice. Then, he fell silent as someone opened the door.

"Julius! We are back. Did you miss me?" Arun asked jokingly while entering.

"Is he your wife to miss you after such a short time?" Asha answered, rolling her eyes at her fiancé's antics.

"If he was a woman, why not?" Arun answered with a taunting grin.

Asha gritted her teeth and answered, her voice filled with annoyance. "Two hundred!"

Arun stumbled after hearing the terrifying number. He almost had a heart attack after imagining such a torturous day. He gazed at Asha with pleading eyes, thinking, 'I knew she was a devil.'

Adam and Julius laughed, watching the bickering couple.

"Learn from your friend, Julius. Don't ever provoke your wife, or your life will be miserable. Mark my words!" Adam said seriously.

In the meantime, the healer walked towards Louise's bed and gestured to Asha, signaling for her to escort the boys out. After all, how could she examine a young maiden in front of two young men?

"Did you eat yet, Julius?" Asha asked while walking outside. "I brought some food with me. Let's eat while she heals Louise."

Julius nodded and followed Asha, understanding her hint.

However, not everyone did...

"I already ate. You two can go. I want to see her cast healing magic!" Arun said, causing Asha to widen her eyes.

Why was he so dense sometimes? She face-palmed before dragging him out of the room by the ear.

"Hahaha, I'm starting to like your friends more and more. I feel I won't get bored with them around." Adam said, laughing like a kid under Julius's stunned gaze.

The trio walked to the dining room, accompanied by Arun's pained screams.

"I knew this heartless fiancé of mine wouldn't bring back anything. So, I bought some dishes on my way back." Asha declared, gazing disapprovingly at Arun.

"Well... I trusted you would think about food. That's why I didn't bring anything back!" Arun said while holding his reddened ear.

He decided not to annoy Asha anymore that day. He was unwilling to hear her increase the number of shops he would be dragged into the next day.

"Oh? When did you learn to make compliments? One hundred!" Asha declared with a pleased smile while Arun clenched his fists in victory.

Adam chuckled, his laughter infectious. "You might want to take notes, Julius. Arun's mastering the art of survival.

However, Julius didn't understand why his friend was so afraid each time Asha mentioned shops. He looked at Adam in confusion, awaiting an explanation.

"If he proposes you to accompany them, find an excuse to refuse. You understand? No matter what, don't accept! You'll understand everything when Arun comes back in the evening." Adam said, unwilling to be dragged into this mess.

The last thing he wanted to do in this world filled with magic was to be forced to waste a day in this manner.

He shivered, remembering his own past experiences, and added ominously. "I won't forgive you if you go."

Despite not understanding why even his dependable big brother was somehow scarred, Julius nodded, silently promising to refuse any invitation.

Subsequently, Julius sat down to eat. However, he felt a little lost about how to eat this food.

The bread was flat and covered with a red sauce, and the plate was filled with a yellowish mash.

Noticing his confusion, Arun said, "Eat the mash together with the bread."

Following his friend's advice, Julius dipped the sauce-covered bread in the mash and put it in his mouth.

Contrary to his expectations, the dish tasted quite good. "What is this dish? I like it!" He said, wolfing down the plate in a minute.

"It's chickpea-mash. It's a really nourishing dish popular in hot regions." Asha revealed, happy to see Julius appreciate the food she chose.

"Humph... I'm sure I can do it better. I know the recipe, too!" Adam said in annoyance.

If he had to choose the most annoying thing about his condition, it would be to watch others eat delicious foods while he couldn't even taste them.

"I also brought some skewered magical beast meat. It is a bit expensive but beneficial to body cultivators." Asha said while putting three kebabs on Julius' plate.

'Fuck... see if I don't cook tier nine magical beast meat and eat everything.' Adam thought, averting his eyes from the happily eating Julius.

****

Meanwhile, in Louise's room, the healer spoke in an ancient and mystic language.

Then, she extended her hands towards Louise as she finished her incantation.

Subsequently, a radiant white light emanated from her hands, enveloping the wounded girl entirely and casting a serene glow in the dimly lit room.

Although unconscious, Louise moaned in relief as her wounded muscles and internal organs slowly healed under the gentle touch of the healer's magic. The spell lasted for less than a minute, but its effects were profound, evident in the gradual easing of Louise's pain and the softening of her features.

As the healer concluded her work, she staggered slightly, her face glistening with sweat, a testament to the exertion required to channel such powerful magic.

After a few minutes, she recovered her composure and left the room to join Asha.

****

As Julius thanked Asha for the delicious food, the healer entered the dining room.

"Her life is out of danger, and her body is almost completely healed. She should wake up in the next few days." She declared, looking at Asha.

"Thank you. Thank you so much for your help." Asha said, tears welling in her eyes.

"She would have slowly recovered. I only accelerated the process. You should thank your fiancé instead. Louise would have died without his potion." The healer said, nodding in approval at Arun's quick decision.

Asha looked at Arun with a smile and said, "I guess we are back to five shops."

Arun's happy screams accompanied the group's laughter as they slowly headed to their rooms to sleep.