There was nothing.

Only darkness.

He couldn’t see, couldn’t move, couldn’t even feel his own body.

'The last thing I remember… I was walking home…'

His chest tightened.

'That man… he kidnapped me.'

A terrifying thought crossed his mind.

'Did that bastard kill me? Is that why everything is dark?'

Before the panic could grow further, footsteps echoed nearby.

Someone approached.

A cloth was suddenly pulled from Jay’s face, and light assaulted his eyes. He blinked repeatedly, gasping for air.

A woman stood in front of him.

She had blue hair, sharp features, and eyes filled with a disturbing excitement. She smiled—wide and genuine, as if she were truly happy.

"Hello," she said cheerfully. "How are you feeling?"

Jay swallowed hard.

"Where… where am I?" he asked, his voice shaking.

"You’re in my house."

His heart raced.

"What do you want with me?"

The woman tilted her head.

"What do I want?" She laughed softly, her smile twisting into something darker. "I want to sell you, obviously."

Jay froze.

"You’re the son of a hero," she continued calmly. "And on top of that, you’re an elemental. That makes you very valuable."

Jay’s blood ran cold.

She stepped closer and gently placed her hand on his face.

"We’ll send a letter to your family soon. They must be so worried… how sad."

Her fingers pressed lightly against his cheek.

"I almost feel sorry for them. Especially your father. A great hero who couldn’t even save his own son."

That was enough.

Jay tried to move, to attack her, but chains restrained his body. The sudden movement only made the chair creak loudly.

The woman burst into laughter.

"How pathetic," she mocked. "Being trapped in a child’s body and unable to do anything."

Jay went pale.

'How does she know?'

'She knows I’m reincarnated?'

His mind raced.

'Is she… like me?'

The woman smiled knowingly.

"You’re wondering how I know you’re reincarnated, aren’t you?"

Jay’s breath caught.

"It’s simple," she said. "The way you act gave you away a long time ago."

'So… I’ve been watched this whole time?'

She turned her back to him.

"Of course," she added casually, "there’s also the possibility that I’m just a genius."

Jay said nothing.

She glanced over her shoulder.

"Either way, your luck is impressively terrible."

Then she looked at the man standing beside her.

"Make him talk," she ordered calmly. "We need to know how much he’s worth."

She smiled.

"I’ll give you three days. My dear Hombi."

The man hesitated.

"Very well, ma’am," Hombi replied quietly. "I’ll make the boy talk."

The woman left the room.

Hombi remained.

He picked up a metal toolbox and approached Jay slowly.

'No…'

'They wouldn’t go that far… right?'

Hombi placed the box on the floor and looked at Jay with a conflicted expression.

"Listen," he said gently. "Just tell the truth from now on, alright?"

Jay stayed silent.

Hombi opened the toolbox.

"You’re an elemental, aren’t you?"

"I… don’t know."

'I can’t tell them everything. They want to sell me.'

Hombi sighed.

"I warned you."

Jay screamed.

The only thing he revealed was the confirmation that he was an elemental — but not which element, and not his full name.