I Refused To Be Reincarnated-Chapter 677: An Offer of Children

After leaving the underground corridor, Noah urged Bill to gather the oldest outskirt children without mentioning the awakening ritual. Even if Adam hadn’t asked him to keep it a secret, he would have remained silent as a grave.

News of this power couldn’t reach cultivators. The other orders? Even less. Just imagining the consequences made him shudder. Either side would launch lethal assaults to steal the method or eradicate a future threat.

With a steely glint flashing in his eyes yet smiling warmly, he offered Adam and Misha a tour of the venomous temple while waiting for the kids.

Without hesitation, Adam nodded while Misha raised her fists. Knowledge had never been their only goal. The six thousand year old temple’s culture, their lives surrounded by cultivators who hated them, and what they pursued intrigued them.

Of course, there was something more—a touch darker. The cultivator’s hate came for reasons. Therefore, Adam leaned toward Noah as they left his office and raised his palm. "It came to my attention that many mages went rogue. I’ve seen one raze villages and eviscerate innocents to plunder their life forces. Tell me, Noah. Your order doesn’t indulge in these kinds of... disgraceful acts, right?"

The torches cast dancing shadows on Noah’s hardening face. His voice grew solemn, and his fist tightened. "Would I have warned you about the dangers of venom if we supported depraved behaviors? No, of course we don’t. We just want our families and friends to survive."

He paused, then sighed. The mage Adam had described was a scum, but they weren’t white, either. "It’s useless to hide it. Sometimes, we take on... confidential assignments."

"They have nothing to do with reconnaissance or spying, right?" Adam smirked, already knowing where this was going.

Noah nodded. "Where would venom be better used than in assassination? They don’t happen often, but I try to prioritise those targeting corrupt officials or sect elders. Understand me... We need materials, but cultivators attack us on sight."

Adam raised his hands. "To be fair, your clients would find someone else either way. Relax, I’m not judging you."

"You would have if they created chaos like Baldur." Misha swung her fist with a meaningful chuckle. "Just like that, boom. No more order, only rubble."

Colors drained from Noah’s face, while Adam face-palmed. "Why do you tell him? Look at the poor man! Even a ghost isn’t as pale, and I know a lot about them!"

"Why not, since it won’t happen?" Misha shrugged. "They don’t seem like bad people, and it so happens that I have a city I need to fill."

"You want to take them?" Adam pinched the bridge of his nose.

After eight years, Misha’s city took a decent shape. But to populate it with any random passerby didn’t sound good to him, especially if it implied sharing the surrounding forest resources. More than that, why would they take Noah’s order when they met less than an hour ago?

He shook his head. "I can almost accept everything you ask for, but this..."

"This what?" She frowned, then raised a finger. "Aren’t you the one who said to help others if possible? Look, Adam. We don’t have to take them all, but at least the youngest ones—those whose parents struggle to raise."

As Adam massaged his brow and pondered, Noah watched the surreal youths wide-eyed. His heart pounded in his chest, a melody of confusion and hope spreading through his bones. He couldn’t let this opportunity slip by.

He bowed with utmost respect, his fingers trembling on his chest. "We have many orphans and even more families who can’t support their children. You know how hard it is to procure resources, and it is my shame to admit the order can’t provide for them. So, please, I ask you not as a leader but as a human being, offer these unlucky children a better future."

"You..." Adam hissed, gripping his forehead to hide the throbbing veins.

After his power display, it was natural to want to join him. But he couldn’t take care of the world’s misery. Ah! He would be hailed as a divinity if he could—the heroic kind that made his nose scrunch just by thinking about it.

No, he didn’t like this idea one bit. But Noah’s genuine plea struck a chord, even if he was probably seizing the opportunity to alleviate the order’s burden. Between Julius’ education and the sad sight of the famished summoned he had witnessed in the Ashford mansion, he had developed a sweet spot for kids.

’What do I do?’ He already knew what his heart wanted, but his reason spoke of less pleasant things... that melted when he glanced at Misha’s eager smile.

He sighed and raised his hands in defeat. "You win, Misha. But I have my conditions."

Misha kissed his lips, grinning. "And I agree with them. Thank you."

Intrigued but unbothered by their affection, Noah nodded. "How can I refuse when you’re saving us? Please state them."

"Send me the weakest, those with little to no prospect of survival. No adults, no talented mages." Adam’s eyes narrowed. "This is a temporary solution. Promise you’ll spend resources on getting mana gathering techniques for other elements, or at the very least, find a place to settle those who can’t practice magic in the future."

He shrugged. "Cultivators hate mages, but what about common people? Many among them wish for children, but nature decided otherwise."

A pensive frown creased Noah’s brow before a delighted grin spread across his face. "I will strive to find durable solutions. Hahaha! Thank you so much."

"But I can’t let you search for the children. Let me do it while you explore the temple!" His steps hastened, and his boisterous voice drew the students’ attention. "Say hello to our esteemed guests."

Intrigued youths moved to them before Noah noticed James, one of his favorite students and a talent he had high hopes for. "Come here, James."

"Yes?" Surprised, the purple-haired youth pushed through the crowd to stand before Noah, who leaned to whisper in his ear.

"Tour them the temple and explain our cultural specialties. I warn you, James. No matter what, you can’t provoke these two even if you’re around the same age."

James’ face turned somber. He nodded nonetheless, his voice worried yet firm. "You can count on me, leader."

With determined steps, he walked to Adam before a gasp escaped his lips.

Now that they were face to face, he couldn’t help but compare their physique. Was Noah pranking him about their age? That visitor was at least a head taller than him, around a hundred and eighty-five centimeters.

But the most shocking were those sky-blue hair and eyes in that handsome face. Why did they look so stylish? What affinity could bring out such a color? And the golden-haired girl beside him! She was the most beautiful person he had ever seen, and her graceful yet almost feral bearing added a savage charm.

He couldn’t let them notice he was fascinated—perhaps even love-struck. So, he lowered his burning face, the simple gesture made with so much reluctance that he subconsciously bit his lip. "P-Please, follow me. I’m James, and I’ll guide you through the temple’s historical sites."

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