I Refused To Be Reincarnated

Stepping on the bar's upper floor, Julius looked at a black-bearded man holding two women under his right arm while he sipped from a glass of alcohol with his left. A burning cigar lay on an ashtray as he recounted his voyage's stories spiritedly.

On an adjacent table, his crew played mysterious games with focused expressions, betting bronze coins with smirks.

Unfazed by their scares or bulging muscles, Julius walked decisively, stopping before the captain's table with a smile.

"I heard you'll set sail soon. I want to embark on your ship to reach a port city close to Alkemia Al-Nur," he said, his voice firm and eyes determined.

Upon hearing his voice, a frown etched itself on Flintwaters as he diverted his eyes from the women and gazed at the kid. "Since when poor kids are authorised to enter this bar?" He said disdainfully before adding menacingly, "Leave if you don't want your mother to bury your stiff corpse this evening."

Echoing his threat, one of his crewmen rose from his seat, ready to kindly escort the boy outside.

"Sigh. I had a juicy deal for you, but you don't seem interested in fifty gold coins. What a pity!" Julius smirked, shaking his head disappointedly.

The captain's eyes shone in greed in response as he raised his hand to halt his sailor. "Do you realise we are pirates? We steal and kill for profit," Flintwaters said, taking a heavy puff from his cigar and blowing the smoke on Julius.

"I know. But what if I told you I'm an apprentice? Would you try to steal or kill me?" Julius answered with an innocent smile, adding weight to his words.

"What bullshit are you spewing, kid? No apprentice is as young as you!" Exclaimed the man with a smirk, resuming his approach under his captain's interested eyes.

Even if the kid lied about being a mage, Flintwaters believed he might be a body cultivator of the first tier trying to intimidate them.

However, the sound of displaced air caused his pupils to enlarge as spinning arrowheads drilled holes into his sofa, missing him by a hair's breadth. Shocked and pale, he hurriedly commanded, "Pete, come back!"

Then, his brows twitching in concern, he forced a smile, saying, "Don't misunderstand me, good sir. I thought you were usurping an apprentice's identity and wanted to show you how unlawful it was. I swear upon my ship, my intentions were pure!"

"I believe you," Julius snorted, causing his group to laugh. "If we depart today, we can continue with our deal," he added, placing one of the magic wands on the alcohol-filled table.

Intrigued, the captain's trembling hand grabbed the item, his eyes widening. "It comes from the Belloria royal apprentices!" He exclaimed, realising he could earn a fortune selling it. Scratch fifty gold coins. With Belloria's seal stamped on it guaranteeing its quality, selling it for eighty gold was easy for him.

In a flash, he yelled, "Ready the ship, morons! We return to the sea's embrace in an hour!" Then, he gazed at Julius, adding, "We'll reach a port city in two months. Are my arrangements to your satisfaction?"

"Actually, they aren't," replied Julius. Who was the captain kidding? He could travel twelve times for the price of the wand. Thankfully, his big brother's advice prevented him from committing a mistake.

"Show him the other wands. We'll sell the nine to him for forty-nine gold each, and before you ask, we won't find a legal buyer. So, let's choose the simplest solution even if we lose a little," said Adam, impatient to refill his empty wallet.

Julius relayed Adam's words to Flintwaters, causing his eyes to roll in happiness as the sound of easy profit entered his ears. 'That's a free two hundred and seventy-nine gold coins,' he thought, holding in a moan of pleasure threatening to escape his mouth.

"Deal!" He yelled, licking his lips before adding, "You can wait in the cave ten kilometers east. I'll go collect the money first!" After all, he didn't have four hundred and forty-one coins. However, he had a few debtors and friends he could borrow from at every port.

Then, his elegant clothes fluttered as he rose from his hole-ridden sofa and swiftly jumped above the floor's rail before vanishing in the somber alleys.

"Is it fine for you? I think he can get well over fifty gold by selling a wand," asked Julius, frowning as he knew his big brother hated to lose on a deal.

"It is. If he earns more, it'll be thanks to his network and knowledge," Adam responded, shrugging. He doubted he could sell them in the first place, much less for fifty. So, why would he bother keeping them if they were useless to him?

His friend's eyes lit up as they nodded, understanding they would lose time and energy to earn the same amount. Next, they left the bar, returning to the port to sell their embarkation.

After a short negotiation, they earned an additional gold coin they used to eat in a restaurant before leaving the city.

An hour later, they stepped on the pirate ship moored in a hidden cave with wide eyes. Spanning thirty meters, the vessel was on the longer side. Crewmates ran about, arranging the sails, ropes and barrels filled with fresh vegetables and smoked meat. Menacing mana cannons connected to intriguing devices lined each side of the deck, promising doom to hostile ships.

Seeing them, Flintwaters said, "Welcome aboard the Crimson Tempest, an old reconnaissance ship from the emerald kingdom we repaired and tuned." Then, he added, pointing his finger at the door, "You'll sleep in the captain's cabin with me as honored guests."

"Can't we have our own rooms?" Julius asked, confused by the offer.

The captain approached him in response, whispering with a knowing nod, "You are on a pirate ship. Leaving women alone will only threaten their purity if you know what I mean."

Perplexed by the mysterious purity, Julius gazed at his big brother, waiting for an explanation.

"He is right. Ask Arun about it, or wait until you turn eighteen for my explanation!" Answered Adam, unwilling to darken Julius' worldview.

"I'll wait," Julius said, trusting his big brother's judgement and nodding at the captain to show his agreement.

With everything fixed, Flintwaters jumped behind the helm, roaring commands, "Retrieve the anchor and pray the Tidecaller for protection, bilge rats! If I see anyone slack for the next two months, I'll feed your bodies to the Kraken myself!"

Heading his commands, the crew came to life, jumping on the cordage and mats to manipulate the sails.

A few minutes later, the ship gradually cleaved the water under the evening sun, bringing the group of four relief as they reached the last part of their journey.