My Soul card is a Reaper-Chapter 1034: Dreams of the Past: The Trial (Part-1)

The sun rose over Heavenly Academy with golden light, but the mood was subdued.

The three brothers—Arjuna, Yudhisthira, and Bheema—stood at the central courtyard, their bags packed, dressed not in academic robes but traveler’s cloaks. They were about to leave, not as students, but as disciples of a demigod.

Before them stood Rael, arms crossed, his face unreadable.

"I’m sorry I couldn’t prove myself," Arjuna said, his voice quieter than usual. "But I will. Next time you see me, I won’t lose again."

Rael didn’t smirk, didn’t scoff. He just extended his hand.

"You better not," he said. "Next time, we’re finishing what we started."

They clasped wrists, not hands. It was a warrior’s farewell.

Yudhisthira gave one last nod to Instructor Catherine, who merely placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "Lead well."

And with that, the three departed from the academy.

Everyone thought the matter was over here, and they should now focus on next year.

But, three Days Later...

The Junior World Tournament concluded with a major surprise.

Of course, the winner isn’t the one surprised.

It is still one of the favorites. Camelot Academy—led by the prodigies Raphael, Prince Modred, and Luholt—had taken the crown.

As for the Senior Tournament, the Roman Republic emerged as champion as expected.

Ruled not by kings, but a Senate of Eternal Patricians, the Roman Republic was older than empires, older than many continents—founded by a reincarnated Julius Caesar himself, but currently ruled by his distant heir, Romulus Augustulus.

And yet, despite the world’s technological and magical leaps, the Roman Republic still lived in ancient structure—practicing iron discipline, ancient warfare, and strict dueling codes.

So, then, what was the major surprise?

Back at the Academy, Rael sat under the night sky, eyes half-closed, listening to Eon ramble about new soul skills she wanted to master.

Suddenly—

A deep, official voice broke the stillness.

"Azrael Croney Garcia. You are summoned to the headmaster’s office."

Both turned to exchange a glance at each other before Rael started moving.

He reached the headmaster’s office only to see several men in obsidian robes standing there in the presence of Achilles.

At the front, a woman with silver hair and red eyes stepped forward. "Student Azrael?"

As he nodded, she spoke. "We come with warrant and cause. You are not under arrest. But you must come with us for questioning."

Rael didn’t move from the spot and just stood at the entrance of the office. "What cause?"

"The death of Prince Dushassana of the Kuru Dynasty. You were overheard predicting his death. As there is now confirmed evidence of assassination and political tampering, your statement is now part of a formal investigation."

The air turned cold all of a sudden.

But another voice cut in from behind them, "Azrael, you don’t need to be afraid. I’ll come with you. The news was also sent to your father. So, just accept the summons."

As they turned, the woman having a frown as if to tell him that this isn’t what they discussed earlier, Achilles disappeared from his seat and reappeared beside Rael, placing his hand on the kid’s shoulder. "He’s still my student and a minor. If you’re taking him for questioning, I will be tagging along, of course."

The lead investigator narrowed her eyes, but in the end, she nodded.

Rael was filled with confusion. "Just because of my words, I became an accused? This adult world is filled with too much trash."

The next morning;

The sun was still rising when the gates of Hastinapura City came into view.

Massive, towering walls of white stone loomed overhead, etched with golden runes and lion insignias.

Rael walked through its streets flanked by guards, dressed in formal white robes with silver hems—the clothing of a summoned witness.

Beside him walked Achilles, his expression filling with calmness.

As they crossed through the outer courts of the Royal Palace, whispers followed their footsteps like shadows.

"That’s him. The one who predicted Dushassana’s death..."

"Isn’t he just a kid?"

"Even kids can be assassins in this age."

But Rael’s eyes didn’t flicker. Not once.

They passed through the Hall of Pillars and finally entered the Royal Court—a towering circular chamber lined with high balconies, thrones, guards, and rows of nobles and courtiers.

At the very center sat King Dhritarashtra, blind but robed in ceremonial crimson, his crown embedded with the Eye of Truth stone—an ancient artifact that allowed him to ’see’ souls, not faces.

To his left stood the Queen, her expression masked behind a golden veil. Just like him, she also couldn’t see as she had a black cloth over her eyes.

To his right... was Duryodhana.

The prince stood tall in polished armor, hands clenched into fists, pure fury in his eyes.

"He shouldn’t be here as a witness," he growled, loud enough for everyone to hear. "He should be dead already. I want his head!"

Several courtiers gasped. The guards stepped forward slightly.

But before anyone could react, a soft laugh echoed from behind the throne.

Shakuni, robed in his signature serpent-green cloak, leaned forward from the shadows. "Now, now, my dear nephew. Rage makes poor decisions. Let us hear what the boy has to say, yes?"

Duryodhana didn’t reply, but he sat back, jaw tight.

The King raised a single hand. The court fell silent.

"Azrael of Heavenly Academy," he said, voice deep and gravel-edged. "You are summoned here not as a criminal, but as a witness and person of interest. You were heard foretelling the death of my son, Dushassana, days before it occurred. Many here see that as a coincidence. Others... do not."

He leaned slightly forward, even though he could not see Rael with mortal eyes. "Now, for the second time... do you swear, under divine witness, that you will say the truth and nothing but the truth?"

Rael took one step forward and nodded. "I swear."

Just as Rael was about to leave the central circle, a glowing truth sigil appeared beneath his feet. The air pulsed with divine magic.

A priest stepped forward, raising a staff. "By royal mandate, we invoke the Truth Inquiry Ritual. You shall answer under oath, and any lie will be revealed by divine law."

Rael did not resist. The golden circle flared, and the questions began.

"State your full name."

"Azrael of House Garcia. Son of Aurelius Garcia."