The Extra Who Shouldn't Exist

James clicked his tongue as he stared down at the silver-haired boy lying still on the dirt. With a scoff, he lifted his foot and gave the boy a light kick to the ribs.

Thud.

Then another, this time harder.

Thump.

Then another. Harder. Again. And again.

Thud. Thud. Crack.

Over and over.

Charlotte’s eyes widened in horror. "ALEX!" she screamed.

Ava’s voice cracked. "STOP IT!"

Seraphina tried to raise her hand, her body trembling. "LEAVE HIM... ALONE!"

But none of them could take a step forward. The crushing pressure of three Master-ranked auras—James, Daniel, and Sephira—held them like insects pinned beneath a boulder. Their knees were pressed to the ground. Their limbs trembled. Breathing itself was a struggle.

And James... just kept kicking.