“I remember fighting the boy and then what? There were also those strange people I saw but I remember being injured.” His mind was foggy when he tried to recall anything that happened after that fight. Likely a result of whatever drug his captor used to sedate him.

He slowly exited the bed and headed towards the door.

“For the time let's see what is outside. If they put me in a bed, they can't be all that bad.” The young man thought as he opened the door.

He was greeted with a hallway. It had four doors, three that seemed to lead to other rooms similar in size to his, based on the spacing and another that seemed to go somewhere else.

He had no interest in disturbing any possible neighbours and went ahead to the unique door.

He tried to open it but…

Chig chig chigchigchig

It was locked. No matter, he'd just use his magic on it. But before he was able to, he was greeted by a man with black hair, who opened the door. Something about his face unnerved him but he wasn't sure what. It was a normal face, it didn't even have scarring or any tattoos yet something in him was screaming at him to run away.

“You're finally awake.” The man stated.

“And who might you be, young man?” He placed his hand on his head and the moment he stopped looking at him, he felt better. Was this some magic the man was using on him? “And what is that nasty trick of yours?” He said as he summoned a fireball.

The man then produced a blue flame of his that immediately began to darken the area around them. The walls, the carpet and even the roof all became a few shades darker.

Bentley immediately fell to his feet in an unbearable sweat. His mind was jogged back to the person who forced him to join with that animalistic monster wearing human skin he fought against.

His heart showed no restraint in what might have been their final beats as he waited for the inevitable to happen.

“You're finally awake, Mr. Bentley. Or Ash Bentley. Whichever you prefer.” The man stated. He killed his flame and patted a part of the wall that caught fire from the heat.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“They must have used a rather flammable paint on these walls.” He outed the flame with a single slap. “But at the temperatures we operate at, most things would be flammable, wouldn't you agree?” He asked the man on the ground.

“What do you want!?” Ash shouted at him.

“Simple, I observed your battle with that boy and I can't say I'm disappointed.”

Ash slowly got back to his feet and looked around the room. There was no chance he could push past the man and there was no chance any of the rooms in here led to an exit. Hell, there was no chance he could take more than two steps without the bastard in front of him ripping his head off.

“With your old body it’d be laughable to recruit you, however with the body of a late teen, I'm more than interested in your potential. Even now, your skills would easily make you a priest. Granted you would not be a notable one, but you'd earn the rank regardless.”

The man walked closer and patted Ash's shoulder. Ash's eyes slowly twitched as he looked at him. And he couldn't help but grit his teeth as he heard the words that left his mouth.

“Are you asking me to be your slave?” Ash snarled at the man. His face was filled with disdain but his trembling body couldn't hide his fear.

“Haha, I don't need to. Unless there is someone you can run back to, this is the only place you'll be able to live normally.” The man stated. “It's not hard to imagine that boy's sentiments would echo for the rest of your former colleagues. And I can imagine the government would take great measures not to let a man like you roam the country or any of their allies. But if you wish to take your chances, I'm more than happy to dump you back in that town.”

The man was now right in his face. So close he worried he might hear his thoughts. But if this was what it was going to be, he didn't care if he heard them.

He tried to throw a punch but Bishop caught it with ease.

“Screw off!” He shouted. “I got this body through a god-given miracle! I could finally right the errors of my past and achieve my dreams! I could finally redeem myself and make use of the potential I once had! There is no chance on any earth I would make myself a slave of yours!” He bellowed before throwing his head forward. After his head collided with the Bishop's he fell to the floor worse for wear. His head began bleeding but he was sure to wear a defiant glare. He knew he couldn't win but he'd make sure he went down with fire in his eyes instead of tears.

“Then achieve it.”

Did his ears deceive him?

“What was that, you little bastard!?” Ash asked.

“I said, achieve your dreams. It's of no concern what they are. I simply want you as a subordinate.”

“How the hell would I do that shackled to you?”

“You're not shackled to me. You'll work for me every now and again but you're free to go wherever in this country you please. And anywhere outside this country if you're working with me.”

“Hmph, I'm not interested, stop the negotiations and kill me already.” The orange-haired man stubbornly demanded. “I would have died to that brat anyway, just finish the job.” He said as he rubbed the wound on his head. The Bishop's head was perfectly fine in comparison.