look at the first page, the world is set with owners and “merchandise”
the adoption process is probably where they’re officially bought by owners with a good record
The universe is set in a dystopian world where slavery and human trade is normalized. The legal way to do things is through "adoption" basically tbey make sure the ppl they auction go to normal stable homes to be kids/spouses/etcc
What the mc hunts down are the ones that do things the illegal way, man that do black market trading of ppl that are often way too young and end up in the hands of messed up individuals
also I’m confused chapter 6 page 15 they’re talking about the kids getting good owners?? first they said adoption even so wtf is owners??