My Soul card was a Reaper: The Founder's Tale

Eight years later;

The sun hung low in the sky over the Duchy of Freyles, casting long shadows over the palace grounds. Inside, the halls were filled with life and the quiet hum of activity as servants went about their tasks. Among them, a bright little boy skipped through the corridors, his eyes alight with a curiosity that matched his radiant energy. His name was Raphael Garcia, and at the age of eight, he was already a sight to behold. His pale skin glowed with health, and his dark eyes sparkled with mischief. His hair, dark and tousled, seemed to match the untamed energy that flowed through him.

As he walked, the maids greeted him with smiles. "Young Master Raphael looks like shining brighter than ever," one of them remarked.

Another maid chuckled, "He's like a little sunbeam, always lighting up the place."

"Thanks," Raphael simply beamed in return, not one for modesty, though his smile was warm. He carried a stack of books clutched tightly in his hands, heading toward his father's study.

He reached the large oak door with mystical rune carvings, knocking lightly before entering. Inside, his father, Duke Aurelius Garcia, sat at a grand desk, busied with several thick scrolls and accounts. His presence was commanding, not just because of his broad shoulders, muscular frame, and sternness, but also due to his bloodline—a powerful demigod born from a Nephilim and the goddess Hecate herself. In a way, he carried the blood of a titaness, an angel, and a human.

Raphael entered without hesitation. "Mom told me to give you these," he said, holding out the stack of books.

Aurelius looked up at the boy. His stern expression softened as he reached out to pat his son's head. "Good job, Raphael." His voice was filled with affection. "Are you causing trouble today, or just delivering books?" He asked.

Raphael paused, his brow furrowing in thought. "I think I deserve some compensation for all the hard work." His tone was playful but his expression looked serious. It is tough to understand which one is it.

Aurelius chuckled, amused by his son's boldness. He picked up a scroll from his desk and handed it to Raphael. "Here, take this. It's a small reward for your efforts."

Raphael snatched it eagerly and his smile widened as he prepared to run off. But just as he was about to exit the door, Aurelius called out to him. "Wait, Raphael. How are your siblings? Have they been giving you trouble again?"

Raphael paused, glancing back at his father with a mischievous grin. "They're probably busy fighting again. I mean, bullying some kids." He let out a small laugh before adding, "I'm the only one who seems to get things done around here."

Aurelius sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I don't know how to deal with those two. All they know is violence to solve everything." His eyes lingered on his son, a mix of pride and frustration in his gaze. "Be careful, Raphael. You're the only one who seems to be able to keep your head on straight."

Raphael shrugged his shoulders. "I try."

With that, he dashed out of the study, the scroll clutched tightly in his hands, leaving Aurelius to wonder how long his rebellious children would continue their behavior.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the city, another scene was unfolding. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the fields and streets. A boy, looking almost identical to Raphael, stood at the center of a small skirmish. This was Azrael Orkney Garcia, in short—Rael, the youngest of the triplets. Beside him stood a young girl, her movements swift and fluid, as they faced down a group of unruly teenagers.

Rael's eyes were cold, and calculating, as he engaged the leader of the gang.

A swift kick to the man's abdomen cracked ribs, sending him sprawling to the ground. But just as Rael was about to finish the fight, a sudden attack came from a distance—an arrow shot through the air, aimed straight at him.

Before Rael could react, the girl beside him moved with a speed that defied logic. It was as if she teleported.

But, in reality, she didn't.

Eon, the middle sibling, paused time around them, her movements frozen in the world's stillness.

She stepped forward, taking the arrow to her chest without hesitation. The moment the time resumed, Eon stumbled back, coughing up blood, but her face remained steely.

"Eon…"

All of a sudden, Rael's eyes flared with fury, and his aura suddenly changed. "You dare to hurt Eon?" A roar escaped from him.

A dark energy rippled from him, filling the air with a suffocating presence. His death energy was so potent that even the Arcana Masters nearby found it difficult to breathe. The temperature seemed to drop, the very air thickening with the weight of his power.

Before Rael could strike back, a figure appeared out of nowhere. With a swift motion, the newcomer knocked out Rael with a chop to his neck. The man, a tall and broad-shouldered figure, carried an adult on his shoulder as if they weighed nothing. He tossed the unconscious archer to the ground and glared at the gang.

The man said in a deep commanding voice, "I suggest you stop before things get worse."

One of the gang members, the leader, stood up shakily, still trying to appear defiant. "You're a fool if you think you can stop us. I'm the nephew of the King! Even if he's the son of a duke, he'll pay for this."

Eon, still injured, charged forward once more, her time-manipulating abilities flaring as she paused the world again. Without hesitation, she closed the distance and delivered a punch to the gang leader's nose, "This is for threatening my brother." She said as the leader crumpled to the ground, clutching his nose to stop the bleeding. The bodyguard of these two kids, who had intervened earlier, sighed and motioned for the siblings to leave. "Let's go. The Duke will listen to your explanation."

Eon's face hardened for a moment but as she glanced at her unconscious brother on the guard's shoulder, she nodded. "Alright."

A while later, Rael and Eon were standing in front of their dad, Duke Aurelius, whose eyes narrowed and filled with frustration.

"Do you realize what you've done, Azrael?" Aurelius thundered at once, his voice booming through the room. He stood up from his chair, towering over them, trying his best to contain his anger. "You not only took matters into your own hands, but you also involved your sister in this reckless mess. I've been through countless battles, but I've never seen such a lack of restraint in my own children!"

Eon crossed her arms, her stance stubborn as she defended her brother. "They were bullying a farmer," she argued, her voice turned sharp against her father. "The poor farmer just wanted to go to the market and make a living! They had no right to snatch off the vegetables and beat him up when he raised his voice. We were justified in beating them."

Rael chimed in, his voice low but filled with fury. "Regardless, we beat them fair and square, father. We didn't use any underhanded techniques. It was a formal challenge. However, Baek shouldn't have gotten involved. The next time I see them, I'll break their bones. How dare they launch a sneak attack on us and hurt Eon…"

Aurelius's eyes flickered with rage. He slammed his fist on the desk. "You should've known when to stop, Rael!" he shouted. "You're not invincible. And involving your sister—look at her!" He gestured to Eon, who was still trying to keep her composure despite her injury. "She's hurt because of your reckless behavior! You are grounded for a month, Rael. You will not leave your room."

Eon stepped forward, her voice challenging. "I participated too, Father. If Rael is punished, then I should be punished as well. I want to stay with him." She raised her chin, refusing to back down. "We share the same room, and I'm not going to be separated from him for a month."

Aurelius's eyes softened for a moment, but his words remained firm. "Fine, your punishment is that you will stay separately in another room for the next month. During this month, you will not pursue Rael and you will also not talk with your brother even if you see him accidentally. That's final. I don't want to hear anything else." He passed the judgment.

Eon's eyes widened, her heart sinking at the thought of being apart from Rael for that long. She opened her mouth to protest, but Aurelius raised his hand, silencing her.

Rael stormed out of the room, his footsteps heavy with fury, his expression dark. Eon hesitated, then quickly followed after him. The door slammed shut behind them.

Aurelius collapsed back into his chair, rubbing his forehead with both hands. "Every parent wants their children to stay together, to bond, to protect each other," he muttered under his breath, his voice laced with exhaustion. "But with these two... I wish they would just stay apart for once."

His thoughts turned inward, and a twinge of guilt gnawed at him. He glanced at the family portrait on his desk, his eyes lingering on Cathy's image. "Emily is too passive with them. She doesn't care about them like she does with Raphael." He shook his head, blaming her for not stepping up as a mother to the twins after Cathy's death. "She never took responsibility for these twins as she blamed them for her death and showered her love for only Raphael. I too never took time to spend time with them either. I can't blame them for what they've become."

His thoughts drifted to his own neglect. For the past few years, he had been consumed by the wars to the east, fighting against the Jotnar race of Jotunheimr and their alliance with the ice elves. The constant conflict with these fierce enemies had kept him away from home for long stretches of time, and his children, especially Rael and Eon, had only grown more unruly in his absence.

Aurelius clenched his fists. "What will happen when they awaken their powers?" he thought grimly. What if they become Arcana Masters before they've learned to control their impulses?

A sense of unease settled in his chest. The twins' abilities were dangerous enough without their violent tendencies. Rael, especially, showed potential for destruction. He needed direction—someone who could teach him discipline, someone strong enough to harness his abilities.

Aurelius took a deep breath and activated the communication scroll on his desk. His hands moved with purpose, knowing this would be the only way to ensure that Rael's reckless nature would be contained.

He wrote the message with a decisive hand, his thoughts clear.

"Grand Master, I think Rael is ready for some serious training."

As he sealed the scroll, Aurelius let out a heavy sigh.