My Soul card is a Reaper

Back at the dungeon, Serestia was consumed by the newly awakened spatial energy and the space around her started misbehaving due to her lack of control.

Space is getting torn randomly around her, revealing a pitch-black world on the other side and then disappearing swiftly.

As soon as the experts saw it, everyone mumbled at the same time, "Spatial Tears." Their expressions weren't good at the moment.

Spatial tears are different from portals. In theory, Portals operates on the principles of advanced quantum entanglement and multi-dimensional geometry. They harness the extraordinary properties of quantum physics to create a network of interconnected gateways, allowing for instantaneous travel across vast distances.

On the other hand, a spatial tear is a mysterious and unpredictable rupture in the fabric of spacetime. It is something beyond the understanding of humans of the present.

According to the ancients, it is described as something like a curse from the deities.

However, what they know is that if one gets caught in a spatial tear, then, it is an end as there is no one yet to return home.

So far, it has been observed that spatial tears are temporary as the world's healing power will remove them in a jiffy.

The reason why spatial tears are known to mankind is because of their occurrence during the creation of long-distance teleportation cards by a 1 in 100 chance.

Everyone was worried about the potential casualties by Serestia's lack of control and even Azzy was the same.

He didn't waste a second and flew to the site where Serestia was seen struggling with the chains that captured her tightly. Navi was still under spatial paralysis and Raydon was unconscious on the ground.

"Missy, come to your senses, or else, I will be forced to destroy your soul orb," warned Archie in a determined tone.

"Raarrrr…" As a beastly roar escaped from Serestia while destroying a few energy chains and creating spatial tears around Archie, the latter jumped away from them and motioned his arm, "It is indeed a pity to destroy one's potential but you are one of the gifted individuals who are selected by the universe.

Destroying your soul realm right now probably won't have a high impact on your future anyway."

"Soul skill: Descend of the Styx."

Using the remaining amount of soul energy left in his soul orb, Archie unleashed his most powerful skill. The flames generated by this skill can penetrate through the target's body and directly attack the soul orb/ spirit core.

As long as the target has nothing to defend against this attack, it will surely destroy the soul orb. However, he also has to be careful with it as it could potentially damage the soul as well. That is why it was named after the River Styx.

An orb of flames, in the size of a fist, formed in front of his palm.

Just as he was about to release it, his view was blocked by the appearance of Azzy. The latter landed right in front of Serestia and raised his hand, "Stop it, student Archie."

"Hmm?" Archie's eyes fell on Azzy. He remembered the teenage-looking teacher who was said to be the host of this dungeon and the master of all the undead creatures present here. He saw him first when Azzy was explaining the rules.

Azzy then raised his hand, creating an energy blade with his hand as the hilt. He cut down the energy chains and freed her before applying the Decarune seal to her to forcefully remove the influence of the uncontrolled spatial energy.

Serestia's senses returned to her and she appeared to be in shock. "What happened? Hmm? Uncle?"

Dismissing the soul skill, Archie put down his hand and said in a disapproving tone, "The host should be fair, Mr. Gary. You cannot side with the student from your school just because she was in trouble."

Azzy shrugged his shoulders, "I merely doing what I had to do as a host, student Archie." After a brief pause, he continued, "This is not a battle zone. Here, fighting between participants is prohibited. Student Serestia launched an attack against you and broke the rules. She was already out of the competition."

"Eh?" Serestia was taken aback this time. "But, uncle… Sir… he attacked Laura." She raised her objection as soon as she the words that she had failed, momentarily ignoring the things that happened in that half a minute earlier.

"I was not attacking your friend. I was helping her," replied Archie right away. His usual lazy tone was replaced by a slightly intensive but firm one as if he was making a statement against an enemy.

Azzy nodded in agreement, "We saw everything. No need to argue with the ousted participant. Go and continue the race. You can explain yourself after this is over if you want to."

Azzy then turned to Serestia, "It is a pity but we can't write off the rules for anyone. All of you will be teleported outside of this place. Take your friends to the healing ward."

Soon, apart from Navi, everyone else is cleared from the field. After a few minutes, the paralyzing effect on her also disappeared. Luckily for her, no student went through this place and it let her continue with her examination.

Meanwhile, outside of the dungeon in the world of Arcana, with the help of a staff member readily available for help, Serestia took Raydon, Bill, and Laura to the medical ward and admitted them.

Raydon was healed there and he was currently in an unconscious state. Serestia stayed by his side, feeling a little bit of guilt because of how she treated him all day. His action of taking the dagger to his chest impressed her a lot and she decided to forgive him, probably become proper friends if he was willing to do so.

To pass the time, the 16-year-old took out a bunch of comic books from her storage card and started reading them one after another.

She spread them on the floor and chose one after taking some time, "Okay, let's go with this. The virtuous Demon and the wicked High Priestess."

30 minutes into the reading, she reached the last few pages of the first volume. Tears filled up in her eyes and she was sniffing continuously as she was reading. "Selena shouldn't have sacrificed her love as well as her life for the sake of her best friend. If only Alex knew that his crush has a…"

"Uhh… Serestia?" The familiar voice from the side disturbed her reading time. She turned her head to look at the entrance of the tent. Her eyes fell on Bill.

"May we come in?" he asked.

"We?" Serestia looked at him in a bit of confusion before she saw Laura also enter the tent and stand beside him. "Oh, Laura, you are also up. Come in."

"Are you crying?" Laura was surprised.

Wiping off her tears, Serestia spoke, "Nothing. The story was too good…"

"Ah, you are reading that book huh," Laura nodded in realization and then said, "Actually, we came here to say…"

Before she finished her sentence, Serestia interrupted her, "No need to thank me. I'm not the one who saved both of you. It was…"

This time, it was her turn to get interrupted by Bill, "Serestia, we heard it from the staff. It's not about that. We came here to reveal something you deserve to know. After almost facing death, I realized that I should be completely honest with you and myself."

"Hmm? Honesty? A secret? What are you saying?" Serestia couldn't understand what he was talking about.

Bill and Laura took a glance at each other and took a deep breath before they said at the same time, "We are in love with each other."

*tap*

Closing the book in force, she stared at both of them in silence for atleast ten seconds. Her facial expression was quite serious.

"Serestia, it is not her fault. It is…" Bill was trying to say something but Laura caught his hand firmly. He became silent.

After another few seconds of silence, she finally spoke in a calm tone, "Fine. I don't need any other explanation. However, my mother owes your family and our marriage is the one that fulfills that debt. Admit it to your family and cancel our engagement from your side. I won't report to my mom that you cheated on me.

Now, if you excuse me, I need both of you to leave me alone for a while." She then closed her eyes.

"Thank you for your understanding. Sorry once again. I…" Bill apologized again and again but couldn't hide his happiness as he left the tent.

After a few seconds, Serestia shyly opened one of her eyes. "They were gone."

In an instant, her expression brightened. With a big smile on her face, she started jumping with joy like a little girl, "Is this my lucky day or what… All of that bitter feeling of failing the exams disappeared in an instant. I'm now free to date anyone that I li…. aaa…"

Too much excitement caused her left leg to twist a bit and she lost her balance, falling on top of Raydon.

"Ugh…" As a painful groan escaped his face, she turned her head to look at Raydon's face, which was as close as a few centimeters.

His eyes were still closed but Serestia went into a daze for a couple of seconds and mumbled, "Now that I look at him closely, Raydon indeed has a handsome face. I wonder whether that white hair is natural like Vice Principal Aaron or dyed it…"

"It's natural," a small whisper escaped Raydon's mouth, taking her by surprise.

She immediately got up in embarrassment as Raydon slowly opened his eyes with a smile. He teasingly spoke, "I know that I'm handsome but don't fall for me okay? Raydon's fandom club already has too many members."

"Hmpf, dream on…" Serestia let out a snort and looked away with a reddened face.