The big room was on the middle of the second floor. It was fully Japanese style, but with a caveat, a glass ceiling that let one see the skies. Luke could also see a cover of the same paper-like materials the sliding doors were made of on the corner; they could cover the glass if the sunlight got too strong.

His grandad was sitting with his legs crossed on one side of the low table in the center of the room. Contrary Luke's expectation, the table was only big enough for four people to eat comfortably. Food was already on it. Mr. Akira and his niece were also there, though they were sitting on their knees. Luke joined them quickly, sitting cross legged.

Mr. Akira and Sakura had been wearing a kimono the last time he saw them. Well, kind of. He had seen Sakura earlier today, but he hadn't paid attention to her clothes. Now, Mr. Akira was wearing a Western-style suit, and Sakura the school uniform. His grandad was still in the white T-shirt and sweatpants he usually wore.

They had all eaten already, but there was still a lot of food there. Luke was surprised to see a traditional Japanese breakfast—steamed rice, grilled cheese, sashimi, sliced vegetables— besides a proper American one—toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, peanut butter. Mr. Akira seemed to really want to make his good friend feel at home. Likewise, cutlery had been set for the guests besides the chopsticks.

"Good morning," his grandad said.

"Did you sleep well?" Mr. Akira asked.

"Good morning. Yes," Luke replied and started filling his plate. He completely ignored the bowl and chopsticks, as he had never learned to eat with neither. He got some of the toasted fish to have a taste, but his main breakfast would be a large serving of eggs and bacon. "The bed was amazing." Talking made his head hurt a little too, but he wouldn't be rude to the man who had his grandad's life in his hands.

The food tasted marvelous. Just like the bed, it was top tier. No, the bed had been great, but he had barely noticed it, yet the food...

"Oh my god, is this heaven?" he asked, his mouth full.

Mr. Akira smiled with his lips, Luke's grandpa laughed, and Sakura looked surprised.

"About your grandfather's health," Mr. Akira said, and Luke paid full attention to his next words. "As I told you, we have to travel to have the best doctors check on him. We'll go to Houston first; the University of Texas has one the best cancer hospitals in the country. From there we'll go to New York, where we can find another of the best. We'll cross-reference their diagnosis and determine the best course of action from there. One of my family's doctors specialized in cancer is also coming from Japan as we speak. He'll lead the medical staff that will stay by Arthur's side the entire time."

Luke was impressed to say the least, and the incoming doctor gave everything a special touch. He wanted to say that that was too much, that they didn't deserve that much. But that would be a lie, wouldn't it?

His grandad deserved only the best.

"Thank you, Mr. Akira," he said and bowed his head low white sitting. He almost hit his face on the plate. If he was going to go around bowing to Asian people, he should probably practice a little where no one could see. "I owe you for that."

"I'm not doing this for you, Mr. Kells," the old man said. "You should always take care not to incur debt in other people's stead. There are a lot of people in this world who would be quick to collect, and many of them would make things hard for you."

Luke laughed self-deprecatingly. "I don't need to worry about that, Mr. Akira. I have nothing anyone would want."

"An envelope," Mr. Akira said. "I'll give you a single envelope and you only have to put it in a public bench without looking at its contents. I'm saving your grandfather, so his life is certainly worth such a simple task, correct?" Before Luke could reply, Mr. Akira continued, "What if the envelope has money and a photo to have someone killed? To have a child kidnapped? Even a nobody could deliver it, and a nobody could be easily disposed of later to erase the trail. Could you live your life knowing you assisted on something like that? Would you like to die because you became indebted without need? Do you think that's what Arthur would want you to do as thanks for his life?"

Luke's fork stopped midway to his open mouth when he listened to the very unexpected words.

"Elder..." Sakura said with a pleading voice.

"Yes, of course, the family's teachings are not for outsiders," Mr. Akira replied and looked back at Luke. "Arthur will be in the best medical hands of the world."

"Thank you?" Luke replied tentatively.

Could he even thank people? Or was it also incurring debt? He wasn't sure what to think about the sudden "lesson." It had been way too extreme and fantastical. And that was a family teaching? Did Sakura usually learn those things?

'What the actual hell?!' he thought.

Mr. Akira just nodded in silence.

"Eat quickly..." Luke's grandad said. "You'll be late... for school."

Luke considered lying about having decided to leave school, but he had learned better. "I'm not going."

His grandpa didn't seem surprised at his declaration. "Why not?"

"Because..." Luke started but realized he didn't have a good reason. Not unless he revealed he was using mana, but should he? What would his grandpa think? He would sound crazy at the very least.

Or would he?

Didn't Sakura use mana? What if she told his grandad the truth?

Luke looked at her, and she looked back with obvious confusion, as none of them were psychics.

"I'm doing something to save you," Luke explained. "Something... special. I need peace and calm for a couple months at least."

"Out of... question. You sacrificed so much... for your studies."

"Your life is more important," Luke replied firmly.

"I wasn't... asking. You promised... you would do... whatever I want. I want you... to go to school."

"Promises are dangerous too," Mr. Akira said. Sakura opened her mouth to say something, but the man stood up at once. Luke noticed he hadn't used his cane for that. The beautifully crafted wooden object was resting by the wall, and he walked there without trouble. "Niece, Arthur has spoken. Please take Mr. Kells to school."

Luke clenched his jaw and fists. He wanted to discuss, but Mr. Akira was right. He had made a promise, and his grandad wasn't one to change his opinion after he gave a direct order.

Going to school would mess with his plans, but he supposed he could build his mana channels during classes and in the breaks. Without Jackson there to make his life hell, he would succeed.

He moved on all fours to his grandad and hugged him. "Don't die," he whispered. "I'll save you, I promise this too."

"I don't know why... but I believe you," his grandad whispered back.

They kept hugging until Mr. Akira cleared his throat. Then Luke stood up, wished them a safe trip, and left with his niece.

"Be right back," she said after leaving him by the entrance. She returned a few minutes later with a backpack. "Let's go." She led him to a limousine. A man wearing a suit and a driver cap was waiting for them while holding the back door open. Two black SUVs surrounded the vehicle, probably bodyguards.

Sakura entered the limo without a second thought. Luke awkwardly nodded to the driver and said, "Thanks," before following. The man ignored him.

The car's interior was pure luxury. The seats were made of leather and there was even a minibar there. Sakura was sitting like she owned the thing.

Which she damn well might. Now that Luke thought about it, he knew next to nothing about her. She was Mr. Akira's niece, and it seemed the Akira were very powerful besides being rich. More importantly, she could use mana, which she called ki.

Luke took a deep breath and finally got enough courage to ask, "How can you use ki?" He used her word for mana.