My Soul card is a Reaper

*Slash*

Gideon finishes off a mutated gold-grade Galarian and sat on the ground while absorbing its soul orb.

Rank-3 to Rank-4, Rank-6 to Rank-7, and Rank-9 to Rank-10; these three advancements are special for an Arcana Master.

When one reaches peak stage at such soul ranks, they would need to kill either a similar attribute beast of the same level or any other beast of a higher rank to advance to the next rank.

Usually, the former method is more preferred as it would raise the ability of one's Arcana. However, the most sought out is still the one with both of them, like a rank higher with the same attribute.

At a lower advancement like rank-3 to rank-4, finding such a compatible beast is pretty much doable for any person as most of the Arcana Masters will be in their schools. They have a lot of seniors and teachers to guide them.

However, for the next special advancement, it will be a very difficult challenge. Even if one finds a rank-7 beast with the same attribute and of higher grade, they won't be able to defeat it like in previous advancements.

To face such beasts, they would be needing the help of rank-6 or rank-7 experts which are not impossible but rare to find.

As for Rank-9 to rank-10… 99% of Arcana Masters don't even dream about it. 

That's why people don't wish to miss the opportunity in the early stages and will make sure they kill a compatible beast of higher grade and rank.

30 minutes later;

Gideon stood up on his feet with a smile on his face.

"Congratulations, Junior Gideon." Ranier was the first one to congratulate him, followed by the disguised Galarian.

However, Azzy didn't congratulate him as he doesn't have such a habit. Instead, he asked, "Did your Arcana improved?"

From the start, Azzy was observing the changes inside of him. As Gideon made a breakthrough, he saw his aura improved tremendously, far more than he can imagine.

Right now, his aura was thicker than even Ranier's. Not to mention, he is taking too much time for someone who possessed a gold-grade Arcana.

It would only make sense if his Arcana spirit went through some changes. That's what Azzy concluded without the help of the Reaper.

On the other hand, the Galarian king also sensed the changes in Gideon's body.

However, unlike Azzy, it cannot see the aura of him. So, it thought the changes were because of gaining life force. At least, that was what it understood from Leo's memories.

"Come out, Shirayuri…" He summons his soul card and then, pulled out a sword with purple-colored lightning sparks over the edges of its blade. "My Shirayuri mutated."

"Congratulations, Gideon." Now, Azzy felt that he needs to congratulate his friend.

"Thanks…" Gideon smiled widely. He was very happy. He felt like going back home and brag about it, especially to those from the main branch.

*Clap* "Now that we are finished here, let's return." The Galarian King spoke in Leo's casual tone before setting out towards the entrance. While it has a calm expression outside, however, it was excited to escape this time because of Leo's identity as a prince.

Two hours later;

*Gasp* "What happened, Your Highness?" Hermon asked Leo as he saw he was wearing a loose t-shirt that was torn and baggy pants instead of his school uniform.

The rest of the students in the same batch also looked at him weirdly.

Galarian King who already came up with an excuse, answered with a sigh, "I fought against the Galarian King…"

He stopped in the middle and then, asked to do something about his badge and the other stuff.

He purposely left the rest of the story to their imagination to make himself appear more genuine.

Based on Leo's memories, the Galarian King also judged Azzy's character and believed that he isn't the type to take initiative and point at someone.

It was also the reason why he never apologized for the ambush Leo did it.

Just like he expected, although for a different reason, Azzy kept his mouth shut and behaved like the matter doesn't have anything to do with him either.

Meanwhile, Bay Passel got enraged as he saw Azzy. After becoming rank-5, he proposed to Claire and asked her to go out with him but the girl rejected him again, telling him that he isn't his type actually.

When he probed further, she admitted that she likes handsome but cold and distant guys like Azrael more.

What can he do? Force himself on her? He got that idea as well, a year ago, but back then, Leo reminded him that she's a foreign noble. If anything happens to her, it will disturb the relations with both the nations and ultimately, the government will make the Passel family pay for his deed. 

Right now, he was also angry at Leo. This Prince promised him that he will teach an unforgivable lesson to both Azzy and Gideon.

But, not only Azzy's behavior didn't change a bit, Gideon, on the other hand, made a breakthrough and was smiling big.

On the other hand, Leo made a mistake and offended the Galarian king and probably got beaten up.

However, Bay didn't lash out at Leo, remembering the latter is still a prince and more powerful than him. Offending him is the same as sealing his fate. So, he had no choice but to compress everything in his heart.

Right now, he decided to take revenge with his own hands. Maybe, making a breakthrough made him confident. Bay swore that he will beat up Azzy in the upcoming tournament in front of Claire's eyes.

Phoenix Academy, Central city, Arcana World;

The five girls returned to the academy by evening with two carcasses of gold-grade rank-4 beasts. Two of the girls also became a rank-4 while the other three reached peak-rank-3.

By the time they entered the gate, the sun already set and the moon rose in the sky.

"Well, well, well… if isn't the princess who proclaimed to finish the mission so quickly that she'll make a record. Forget about the afternoon, it's already dark… You lost the challenge, Iphi."

The group is encountered by a group of girls who are nothing but an eyesore to them.

Despite being in a higher grade, they keep compete with these geniuses and try to step on them whenever the possibility arises.

"Ixis…" Iphi growled as she looked at this arch-rival who never stops annoying her. "When you are at our age, you and your team provoked one gold-grade rank-4 beast and beaten up… On the other hand, we killed two of them…

You lot don't even have a qualification to challenge us, much less win… Now, disappear from our sight, now."

Iphi's words made Ixis angry. She felt like this little brat is not only rubbing the salt on her wounds but also humiliating her. Clenching her fist, she spoke, "You are really asking for some beatings…"

"Hmpf, who is afraid of you… When I'm rank-3, we won by a close margin. Now that I'm rank-4, I want to check how much stronger did I get…" Iphi challenged her to battle, on the spot.

"What is going on here…" A teacher who was nearby called them.