CHAPTER 1-MORNING NEWS

(What is reincarnation?)

A handsome man is walking in a lavender savannah. He doesn't remember how he died last.

(I indeed died. But I died to save my beloved.)

Stretching both his hands, he tries to enjoy the warmth of the weather by closing his eyes. His eyes widen when a man who has become an inspector at a police station realizes he has an important task that day.

(It took 20 years to not shoot someone...)

The handsome man then proceeds to the bathroom.

He turns on the water from the shower and begins to show off the muscles he has developed from his training.

(Becoming a police inspector has been my childhood dream.)

The sound of rushing water from the shower hits every psychological burden he carries. His mind keeps thinking that today he can crack a case involving important people.

His eyes wander to the wall, and he exhales with hope. Water droplets wet every strand of his brownish hair. His white skin is as smooth as porcelain.

"Hhhhhhh..."

He closes his eyes and cleanses his hair to his whole body with the water he hopes will provide answers for him.

(I'm not a religious person. I don't believe in reincarnation because I always use my logic to find those answers.)

The man takes his towel and wraps it around the lower part of his body. He takes a hairdryer and dries his wet hair.

(I don't know why I always have recurring patterns in my dreams.)

The sound of the hairdryer breaks the morning silence. After putting on his uniform, he immediately walks to his car parked in the parking lot.

"Good morning, Mr. Damien. I hope you have a wonderful day." greets one of his neighbors.

"Ah, good morning, madam. May your morning always be pleasant."

(I'm not married, and I don't know how to pamper a wife. But today, I'm sure I will solve that big case.)

He arrives at the office on time. A media journalist is crowding in front of the office lobby.

"Excuse me, sir. Can we know the progress of the case you're currently handling?" asks reporter A.

"So far, I'm still investigating. Wait for the results," says the man politely.

He enters his investigation office and closes the door quietly so as not to make any noise. A man realizes that the person he has been waiting for is now behind him, "You've come, huh? Read this," he says, handing over the latest news report.

The man who just arrived then grabs the morning newspaper shown by the hefty man. His eyes search for more accurate information. He follows the news flow, hoping to handle the significant case he is dealing with.

"I heard there's a thief who entered the grand Diagon Alley museum. And you know that the same report was found at the Diagon Alley Cemetery," says the hefty man, now rising.

"And you give this as my 'morning coffee,' Grissham?" says the man named Lucius.

"Ah, perhaps your coffee dose is too low, so you think I'm a cruel boss. But this time, I really want you to dive into those two points."

Lucius is startled by his boss's sarcastic joke. Yes, Grissham is not the boss he wants as a partner because his behavior contrasts with Lucius, who tends to be calm and cautious in seeking information.

"What's the matter?" asks Grissham Bell. Lucius shakes his head softly. He can hardly believe that he was served with 'morning coffee' from Mr. Bell, who is a senior commander.

"Don't forget, here you are my subordinate. Orders are still orders, Mr. Damien," Grissham says without preamble.

Lucius seems cornered by his boss's arrogant attitude, but he still tries to work professionally, "So, do you want me to start with the museum or the cemetery?"

"Do you believe in Transylvanian myths, Mr. Damien?"

Lucius furrows his eyebrows. He then asks his boss, "What do you mean? Is that also a 'morning joke'?" he asks with surprise.

"Mr. Damien, we have a significant case. The Mayor has repeatedly contacted me to ensure that the item he will auction remains in the museum." Tuan Bell interrupts sharply.

"Yes, Mr. Bell, I understand, but what does it have to do with Diagon Alley Cemetery? Is there a murder case there involving a motive related to wealth? Because I won't believe any myth unless there is strong evidence that the culprit has special abilities to deceive us, unless... he's a madman."

"Hhhh... it seems I have to meet someone more competent if you can't solve these two cases, Mr. Damien!" says Tuan Grissham Bell, exhaling softly. He looks at the media personnel of Diagon Alley with hopeful eyes.

Lucius tries to read the morning news again carefully. He finds something interesting when the news discusses the theft of a pendant.

(Vampire pendant?)

-Morning News-

"The Mayor said that an artifact was missing from the museum scheduled for auction last night. The perpetrator's motive is still unknown, but the police will continue to investigate who stole the pendant.

That's all the news we can report."

(I'm thinking hard about how to solve everything quickly.)

"So... what's the chronology of the event, Mr. Bell?" Lucius asks.

Mr. Bell looks at him with hope, "I'm sure you know what I expect in this case. Moreover, our client is the Mayor himself. I can't waste time for our golden opportunity to catch the culprit."

(I look at my arrogant boss. I know he's not someone who's genuinely open to opportunities.)

"I need an investigation team, then." Lucius offers spontaneously. Tuan Bell is surprised to see Lucien's courage in negotiating.

"How many people do you need, Mr. Damien?"

"Not many, Mr. Bell. I just want you to be patient because investigating this case and finding that information takes time and a long process," Lucius says shortly.

"Is three people enough?" asks Tuan Bell. Lucius feels that's better since he's not the type of person who can work with many staff other than those he trusts.

"I think that's more than enough, Mr. Bell. So, should I start from the cemetery? Are there any witnesses?"

Tuan Bell wanted to say that the first perpetrator had already been caught. "Actually, I want to invite you, Mr. Damien."