"Where am I?" he whispered. His voice felt unfamiliar and weak.

He wandered through the unfamiliar streets until a mirror in a nearby shop caught his attention. Staring at his reflection, panic surged through him.

"This... this isn't me."

He touched his face. His skin was smooth, childlike. His body is smaller, weaker. He looked no older than eleven. His clothes were nothing but ragged cloth. 

The people around him wore strange, old-fashioned garments.

"W—what... is happening?

Before he could gather his thoughts, a huge man suddenly grabbed his arm and yanked him back.

"You think I'll let you go? You need to work if you want to live! "

Jaeboem struggled, panic rising in his chest. His heart pounded wildly as he twisted against the man's grip.

Think... think...

He stomped hard on the man's foot and broke free, running as fast as his small legs could carry him.

For a moment— just a moment — he thought he might escape. But hope didn't last. 

A strong force yanked him back.

"You can never escape me," the man sneered, stepping closer.

Jaeboem's body trembled. Fear crept in, suffocating him. But he didn't cry. Instead, he clenched his fists and glared up at the man— his eyes shaking, yet burning with something stronger than fear.

I won't die here.

Even knowing he would be caught again, He still tried to push himself up, still trying to escape.

Not far from the chaos, a carriage stood quietly along the road, 

Inside, a man watched in silence. 

He sat with composed ease, his presence calm yet commanding, as though the world outside had no power to disturb him. 

A retired knight... once among the strongest in the nation. A man who had stood beside the late emperor.

His gaze remained fixed on the boy.

"Bring me that child," he said at last, his voice low and steady.

Henry Covas, standing nearby, hesitated. "My lord, he's just a boy—"

"Look at him," the man interrupted calmly.

Henry followed his gaze.

Jaeboem was still struggling, still trying to rise despite being thrown down again and again.

"He wants to live," the Duke said quietly.

There was a brief pause before he continued.

"That kind of will... is rare."

Henry approached the merchant, a lean man with sharp eyes and a calculating smile. He oversaw the sale of children and servants in the region, and greed dripped from every gesture.

"Our Lord wants the child," Henry said. "Name your price."

The merchant's eyes gleamed. "Ten thousand gold coins." A boy like this... he can be molded in any way you wish."

Henry's eyes narrowed. Too high, but my lord commanded it.

He handed over the coins. The merchant nodded and signaled his assistant to bring Jaeboem forward, still under the watchful eyes of the Duke and Henry.

Jaeboem, exhausted and confused, had no strength to resist.

The carriage began to move.

Jaeboem sat in silence, staring out the window as unfamiliar streets passed by. His reflection faintly stared back at him in the glass.

This isn't my world...

His chest tightened.

And I can't go back.

" I don't know what they want from me..." he thought.

"... but I have a feeling my life will never be the same."

Silence filled the carriage. Then—

"Boy. What is your name?"

Jaeboem hesitated before answering him softly, "Jaeboem..."

The man studied him briefly. "A peculiar name."

Jaeboem lowered his gaze.

Because I don't belong here.

"Listen carefully," the Duke continued. "From now on, your duty is to protect Amabilia."

Jaeboem's brows furrowed slightly.

Protect...?

I can't even protect myself...

"Don't forget," the Duke said, his tone firm, "you are here because I brought you. Do as I say, your only task is to protect her."

He paused, then added—

"Starting tomorrow. You will be trained to become a knight."

Jaeboem's stomach sank.

Better not make him angry...

In the distance, a massive mansion slowly came into view.

Jaeboem stared at it, unease settling deep in his chest.

What kind of place... am I being taken to?