In the anti, Adam glared at Protheus and the spectral window hovering before him, fists clenched and teeth gritted.
[Congratulations on surviving thirteen years away from Earth!]
[mory recovery protocol available.]
[Do you wish to rember your life on Earth? Yes/No]
"I'm before you. You don't have to use the system to ask," he sneered, pressing no without thinking. He had already said it; he was not Protheus but himself, a different and unique individual. "You can continue calling yourself Protheus because I'm the real Adam now!"
Despite his brave front, he knew Protheus could obliterate him in a breath if things went south. Yet, he refused to be assimilated.
"I know. I gave you my na already," Protheus answered, raising his hand feebly towards him.
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Following the movent, the screen's text shifted, and more notifications appeared.
[Individual successfully reached the age of thirteen.]
[Erase and take the intended body's consciousness space.]
[Accept: Yes/No]
His eye twitched as the hateful notification appeared. But this ti, before he could smash his finger on no, Protheus broke the silence again, his voice solemn and heavy with underlying anings.
"Luna initially chose this body for , you know? It has enough potential to reach the magus rank without drinking a single potion... and has two talents."
The revelation caused his hand to freeze for a second. It was just too shocking to learn about soone having dual talents. No, it was unheard of! As for the body's potential? He had trained Julius himself. Of course, he knew how strong his little brother could beco.
But he didn't care. Even if he died, he would not betray the boy.
As his hand moved to press on no, Protheus disturbed him once more, his voice enticing.
"With his body, you'll be both a mage and a cultivator. After a few years of secluded training, even the magus would have no choice but to flee before you."
His jaw muscles tensed as he felt his teeth sink into his gums. Why was he trying to tempt him? Despite the boy's distinct personality, Julius was still his friend's reincarnation.
"Shut up!" He lashed out, his tone spiteful and as sharp as thorns. "If you want to reincarnate, do it! Why are you wasting my ti?"
As his words echoed, he noticed Protheus' eyes narrow into threatening slits, causing an icy shiver to run down his spine.
"Give your answer clearly if you are a man. Did you see hesitate because Luna said I shouldn't do it?"
Astounded by the sudden shift in tone and the hostility he sensed from humanity's hero, he... flared, too.
Face distorted by a grimace and a vulgar finger extended towards Protheus, he yelled, "And what do you want to say, you fool?! I answered this question several tis already! I won't reincarnate into Julius' body! And if you try to, I'll blow myself up!"
Under his boiling anger, he swung his arm fast enough to make the wind howl as he smashed [No].
Unable and unwilling to hold back anymore, he continued. He had done his best to analyse the situation calmly. Yet, Protheus made him walk in a circle like an idiot by asking the sa questions several tis.
"I refuse to be reincarnated! And you should, too! Or did you value your brotherhood with Atlas only when he was useful, like a hypocrite? I knew you were a crazy bastard, but not to that point!"
After his tirade, he closed his eyes, a satisfied smile stretching his lips. He had said what he wanted, and even after disappearing, he could puff his chest and raise his head, saying he defied a magus head-on.
Seconds crawled by, a deafening silence lingering as he waited for Protheus to end him. However, an annoyed snort reached his ear instead.
"Are you happy now that he said it? Stop wasting my ti, you shitty original!" The copy snapped as well, shocking them both.
"I never thought both halves of my own soul would insult together one day..." Protheus muttered, stifling his laughter before answering.
"I'm not satisfied. I want you to roar it with your soul! Make believe you'll always care for your brother!" He exclaid, coughing as his voice cracked.
Stunned by the demand, Adam tilted his head to the side, confused at first. Then, his eyes lit up, his heart hamred against his chest, and a grin stretched his lips. He knew what Protheus wanted. After all, his life had been spectacular, and he wouldn't want to go off without style.
Taking a deep breath, he opened his mouth and roared.
"I refuse to be reincarnated! I'll explore this world with my brother and discover its hidden history! Together, we'll beco the strongest and surpass the hateful magus!"
"And I accept your refusal! Take everything! You are the one and only Adam!" Protheus roared back, tightening his grip on the copy's shoulder and stumbling to him.
anwhile, the copy's eyes widened in disbelief as it understood what would happen next. Without wasting ti, voice cracking and eyes trembling, he threatened, "Save Alina! I'll devour you from the inside if you let her die. You hear !"
"W-What?" Adam answered, his eyes enlarging as he gazed at the copy with disdain. With his last sentence, sparkling eyes, and desperate tone, his sunshine's identity beca as clear as water. That crazy man fell in love with Julius' mother!
Despite his disapproval of the copy's bizarre tastes, he promised. Anyway, he had planned to save Alina in the first place.
As the copy sighed in relief, the trio stood face to face.
Then, he saw Protheus' warm smile before his mouth opened.
"Don't worry about us. Luna will never let truly disappear and probably knew I would choose to refuse again. But if you are not convinced, you can find your own thod to help us."
He winked before adding. "After all, this beautiful world is full of possibilities, correct? Even your problem has an alternative solution. You just failed to notice it despite its simplicity."
Unfortunately, before Adam could ponder the cryptic hint, Protheus grabbed him by the right shoulder while the glaring copy took his left.
With a grin, he declared loud and clear, "I acknowledge and am proud of your existence. Today, all the bindings holding you back shall be shattered. I hope you'll succeed in your ambitions!"
As his words echoed, Adam's eyes bulged, his hair bristled, and his soul shuddered. He felt a familiar stream jolt through his body. A sensation of bliss assaulted him, causing him to stifle a moan of pleasure. He could feel it: the empty void in his soul filled up for the first ti since his birth. With each passing second, he beca more complete.
Gradually, the copy and Protheus disappeared, lding into him as his fra changed. The gray smoke billowing in an ominous dance around him condensed and turned golden. Multi-colored hues waved with it as a sensation of fullness filled his heart.
Upon observing the changes, his smile stretched to reach his ears. Gone was the ti when he had to care for the looming threat of his damaged soul.
However, unbeknownst to him, more surprises awaited.
"Status!"
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