I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Indubitably...

He took a deep breath to calm his pounding heart before pondering the nature of the rewards. Somehow, he felt they were connected to his actions and the creature he defeated.

On his first trial, he relied on the bear's fang to carve spears and end the last wolf. As a reward, he got a dagger crafted out of it and glinting with its primal violence.

He received a spear crafted from the essence of the Light Guardian, who manifested his spells as spears. Its ability to unleash explosive bursts of light most likely stemmed from the method used to destroy the goblins' village.

He pondered in stunned silence for a moment before pushing these boring thoughts into an isolated drawer of his mind.

"YEEEES! Epic items never disappoint! With such a powerful weapon, I want to see who will dare to provoke me. Hahaha."

He laughed like a kid enlivening his apartment as his bright smile illuminated the room.

In a good mood, he checked his other reward, feeling much less depressed about it than before.

The Manacore Heartgem Mana manifested as a small, multifaceted crystal imbued with brilliant, pulsating energy at its core. Its exterior shimmered with iridescent hues, ranging from deep blues and purples to vibrant greens and golds, as if reflecting the entire spectrum of magical affinities.

Within its crystalline structure, wisps of mana swirled and danced, creating an enchanting display of luminous patterns. They seemed to shift and evolve with each passing moment in a mysterious waltz. Despite its diminutive size, the Heartgem exuded a potent aura, emanating a palpable sense of mystical power that captivated all who beheld it.

After a moment of shock, he scrutinised it, a bizarre sense of anticipation wrapping around his guts.

Name: Manacore Heartgem

Rank: T9 Mythical Ingredient

Description:

The Manacore Heartgem is an extremely rare and precious gemstone forged from the raw essence of mana itself, crystallised in the heart of the world's most potent magical nexuses.

Properties:

Nature's Resonance: The Manacore Heartgem harmonises with the natural world, amplifying the wielder's connection to the environment and empowering them with heightened intuition and awareness.

Arcane Reservoir: The Manacore Heartgem holds an inexhaustible mana reserve. Those attuned to it can replenish their own mana, ensuring a constant font of mystical power.

Enhanced Spellcraft: The Manacore Heartgem enhances spells, increasing their potency and precision to unmatched levels. Spellcasters can weave intricate enchantments with unparalleled finesse, unlocking new levels of mastery in the arcane arts.

Mana Infusion: When infused with mana, the gem radiates a soothing aura of magical energy that enhances the senses, sharpens the mind, and hastens the casting of spells, granting those within its presence a temporary boost to their magical abilities.

Spellbinding Aegis: The Manacore Heartgem can be attuned to create powerful magical wards and barriers, forming a protective shield against hostile magic and malevolent forces.

It repels curses, hexes, and dark enchantments with ease, acting as a bastion of defense.

Uses:

Arcane Artifacts: Craftsmen and enchanters use the Manacore Heartgem to create mythical artifacts and relics imbued with the essence of mana.

From enchanted weapons and armors to mystical talismans and charms, these artifacts harness the raw power of mana to bestow extraordinary abilities upon their wielders.

Mage's Focus: Archmages and magi lucky enough to obtain a Manacore Heartgem use it in their spellcasting tools, employing it as a central focus for channeling and controlling magical energies with precision. Staves, wands, and scepters enhanced with this crystal augment the caster's capabilities, allowing them to cast exceptionally powerful and intricate spells.

Leyline Nexus: The Manacore Heartgem can be used to create powerful leyline nexuses, focal points of magical energy that serve as conduits for mana across vast distances.

Mana Wellspring: In places where mana is scarce or depleted, the Manacore Heartgem can be used to create enchanted wellsprings that replenish the land with mystical energy.

Mage's Sanctuary: Sanctuaries and magic academies often integrate the Manacore Heartgem into their architecture, imbuing their halls with the essence of mana. These places become havens for mages and scholars, nurturing the pursuit of arcane knowledge and mastery.

"Ha?"

He looked at the gem resting in his trembling palm, then scratched his head, a little confused. Why did its explanation need more words than a novel's chapter?

Jokes aside, he gathered his scattered thoughts back, a deep frown creasing on his forehead. He was happy about the spear, but the gem was on another level entirely, eclipsing its radiance and requiring his entire attention.

"Did I just unlock the infinite mana and no-cast cheat codes?"

His eyes widened, his breathing hastened, and his body temperature rose as the complex description crashed into his mind like a tidal wave.

In a split second, he rocketed to his feet, feeling the booming sounds of his heart echo like drums in his ears.

He closed his fist around the gem, tremors shaking his arm as he tried to infuse his mana inside. His pupils fluttered as he closed his eyes. Forming sweat dampened his forehead and trickled down his face for two tense minutes before he felt... nothing.

Undeterred by the disappointing result, he tried to use the gem's other properties... in vain. He couldn't feel the energies dancing inside the gem at all, as if they operated on a level beyond the mana he could access.

'Is it not working because my comprehension and control over mana are lacking?'

Dark shadow twirled around his deepening frown.

If he could craft a weapon or armor with this item, he did not doubt that he would become one of the strongest mages in this world. However, would it be easy to transform such a terrifying material?

"In theory, I got an insane material. Practically, I can't use it... Great..."

His feelings entwined in a bizarre knot, making him doubt how he should feel. Happy? About to cry? He didn't know...

Accepting his defeat, he sighed, retrieved an empty box from his kitchen, and placed the gem inside.

"I can't do anything with it for now. I should distribute my attribute points and return."

He slid the box under his bed, hiding the gem's radiance until he found a way to use it.

"Status"

Name: Adam

Talent: Unlocked at thirteen

Job: Tier one alchemist

Class: N/A

LVL: 8

Exp: 2200/2560

HP: 121/121

Vitality: 11.6

Strength: 11.9

Agility: 12.1

Intelligence: 16

Free attribute points: 5

Items: Grimoire Lingua, Beastbane Dagger, Manacore Heartgem, Ethereal Radiance

Skills: Active: T1 spells: Illuminate LV1, Mana shield LV2, Magical Perception LV1.

Other: Mage's hands, Mana bullet LVMAX.

Passive: Mana Control T2, Enhanced Intuition T1, Dagger mastery T1.

Note: Soul is damaged. One minute of silence for the goblin villagers, who died for no reason at the hands of a greedy ghost.

The goblin's village he blew up contributed 3500 XP, almost making him level up twice, and bringing him five free points. Following his ideas, he distributed them evenly.

Vitality: 11.6-> 12.1

Strength: 11.9-> 12.9

Agility: 12.1-> 13.1

"Time to return. I wonder what Julius is doing?"

A satisfied smile stretched his lips. He would soon strike a perfect balance, then boast about how versatile he was to the boy. However, a sudden realisation smacked him like a hammer.

"AH! I forgot to inform him I would be challenging the trial. Thankfully, it only took me around eighteen hours instead of two days," he said, scratching his head as he understood where his feeling of forgetfulness had come from.

Not that it mattered that much, anyway. Julius was probably training or following Eleanor's lessons, as usual.

With nothing more to do in the dream place, he closed his eyes and fell asleep, unsuspecting of everything Julius went through and the dangers he would face in the real world.