A day has gone by. The hotel room looked haunted, filled with dead silence after an eerie echo of Kai's breathing. Sitting cross-legged, the boy remained still in the silence, mouth shut, his mental focus intently on one point.

  BOOM!

  Suddenly, an energetic shock blasted from his body, sending a very medium shock wave against all walls.

  The lamps began flickering while static was in the air. Leaving him dizzy with excitement, sparks blinked on and off from his fingertips. Kai felt that a bright new flow of power surged through his veins with the constant thrill.

  His eyes snapped open, faintly glowing with electric blue for a moment before returning to their normal state.

  "Finally! Level 3!" he exclaimed, flexing his fingers to see tiny arcs of lightning flicker between them.

  It was weak: a short-range electric discharge somewhat stronger than a taser. But for an up-close and personal fighter like him, it wasn't a disadvantage.

  In Through the door crashed Lucas Ciphera, worry varnishing his face. "Kai! Are you alright?"

  Kai turned to his father, who was very close to smirking. "Yeah, Dad. I'm fine."

  Lucas relaxed a little but was not relieved. "You better not be tearing your body apart doing this leveling crap."

  As Kai stood up and rolled his shoulders, he replied, "I know my limits."

  Lucas was not convinced, and before he could reconsider, Kai picked up his jacket and headed out the door.

  "Where are you going?"

  "Ice Clan HQ. I'm going to end this."

  Lucas blocked his path. "Kai, wait."

  Kai loured. "What now?"

  Lucas hesitated for a moment before saying, "You don't have to do this."

  Kai's expression grew dark; "What do you mean?"

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  After yet another sigh, Lucas opted for a gentler tone. "I mean… you're not obligated to fight for them."

  "So you want me to just sit back and do nothing?"

  "I want you to think about yourself for once, Kai." Lucas took a step closer. "You're a mercenary, not a hero. You don't owe them anything."

  For a moment, silence took over their vicinity.

  Then Kai exhaled harshly and ran a hand through his hair. "Dad…I finally found people who needed my help. People other than you."

  Lucas blinked in surprise.

  Kai clenched his fists. "For once… someone actually relies on me. And when I look at them, I see myself," His voice softened. "Helpless. Powerless before the strong."

  He raised his gaze, and his eyes burned with resolve. "I can't turn away from that."

  Lucas remained silent as he stared at his son.

  Kai did not bother waiting for a reply. He shoved his way past his father and exited the door, disappearing into the night.

  Lucas stood there and exhaled a tired sigh before speaking without looking. "I know you two are listening. Come on out."

  The door connecting the two hotel rooms creaked open, and Pyrus and Celine stepped out as if dragged forward with heavy shame.

  They were eavesdropping the whole time.

  Lucas turned to them. "You two heard everything, huh?"

  Celine looked down. "Mr. Ciphera... I really apologize. It was never our intention to involve you and Kai in this mess."

  Lucas sighed. "Well, this isn't an issue anymore."

  He gave them a serious look. "My son's out there, putting his life on the line for people he's barely met. So...I have a favor to ask."

  Pyrus straightened, saying, "Anything, sir."

  Lucas's demeanor softened. "Be his friends."

  Celine and Pyrus exchanged surprised glances.

  "Kai's...not exactly good with people. Even when he was a kid. He got bullied all the time before getting his powers."

  Lucas rubbed the back of his neck. "But... he's a good kid. He just doesn't know how to connect."

  Celine's expression brightened suddenly with her smile, laden with gratitude. "Don't worry about it, Mr. Ciphera." She stepped up. "Kai is not just a friend. He is our biggest benefactor."

  Pyrus bobbed his head vigorously. "We'll always have his back, whenever, wherever."

  Lucas chuckled softly. "You better be. He's a pain in the ass when he gets moody."