On the way to Yu-Han’s residence, the group spotted what looked like a huge gated estate.

  —Mr. Yu-Han, do you live in this luxurious place? —Sarah widened her eyes, impressed.

  —Heh, yes —the old man replied—. This is my home.

  His property’s size left them astonished.

  Once inside, Yu-Han laid Damien on a cot and removed the blood-stained shirt.

  —Alright, I want everyone to watch closely… and please, don’t be frightened —he warned.

  He placed his hands over the young man’s wounded body.

  —Blessing of Imhotep.

  The wounds began to close. The air seemed to hum with a low vibration, as if an invisible metal were resonating. Damien arched for an instant as warmth ran through his chest. In a matter of seconds his wounds healed, although it still hurt and he had scars.

  —Incredible… he just put his hands on him and made him whole —murmured Albert.

  —It wasn’t just that —Yulian replied, eyes fixed on the old man—. There was… something around him when he said those words.

  —What? I didn’t see anything —Edward mumbled.

  —Neither did I.

  —Me neither.

  Yu-Han reflected silently: This boy can see the Koa…

  —Well, it seems your friend will be fine. Tell me, girl, why did the fight happen?

  Sarah lowered her gaze, ashamed, and told them how Jonatan had attacked them without warning.

  —That son of a bitch… I should’ve gone with D —Albert clenched his fists, furious.

  —Sarah, why are you with a guy like that? —asked Yulian.

  She looked down, embarrassed.

  —I felt alone… I thought no one would ever care about me again… you know, for having a daughter. Then he showed up…

  —Well, in that bed there’s someone who doesn’t care about that... —Mason interjected.

  The others stared at him, surprised by his frankness.

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  —What do you mean? —Sarah asked, bewildered.

  —Look, Damien’s waking up —Edward the divert attention.

  —Where the hell am I? Is Sarah ok? —Damien growled, still dazed.

  —You’re in my home, kid. —Yu-Han said calmly.

  —Oh wow, you’re the old man the one who saved me from that freakish ape. But why am I here?

  They recounted everything that had happened since he lost consciousness.

  —I can use this thing called Koa? —Damien frowned, intrigued.

  —At least unconsciously, you’ve already used it —Yu-Han confirmed.

  —Mr. Yu-Han… what exactly is Koa? —Yulian leaned forward.

  —So Damien’s giant monkey story wasn’t made up? —Edward laughed.

  —I told you I wasn’t inventing it, you bastard! —Damien shot back.

  Yu-Han took a breath and settled into his chair.

  —I won’t sermonize —he said—. Just the essentials: Koa is energy. All living beings possess it. But not everyone learns to use it consciously

  —And does learning to use it make us thaumaturgs? —asked Yulian.

  —Exactly. Thaumaturgy is the gift of creating miracles.

  He took a small vial from a shelf and blew over his palm. A faint blue glow flared, no bigger than a fingernail.

  —This is Koa. It feels like a tug in the chest, a metallic taste in the mouth, or a buzzing in the forehead. When you channel it properly, it can heal… or destroy.

  The boys watched, fascinated.

  —Anyone can learn it? —Damien couldn’t hide his excitement.

  —In theory, yes. Our ancestors were born with that gift more awakened. Over the centuries it faded, partly because of how it was misused.

  Yulian clenched his jaw. —I want to learn more.

  —Me too —Damien added, determined.

  Yu-Han smiled. — I want you to be my students… even the girl who had to stay behind.

  —Looks like the old man liked your girlfriend, Mason, hehe —Albert joked.

  Edward flicked him. —Don’t say stupid things, little brother.

  At the other end of the city, the strange shadow presented Jonatan to his boss.

  —Look, Boss, the kid the old man knocked out woke up. I brought him here.

  A silhouette remained in the office’s dimness.

  —Hello, boy. Would you like to work with me?

  Jonatan raised an eyebrow. —Bah, what do I get? What do you want from me?

  —Wouldn’t you like to experience a power others only dream about?

  —Nice words, old man… But I insist: what the hell do I gain if I work with you?

  —You’ll get a gift. You’ll be able to use it however you want, as long as you don’t interfere with my goal. Transcendence, ceasing to be a damn insect... or perhaps you are driven by revenge.

  Jonatan’s eyes shone with rage.

  —That old man humiliated me. That bastard threw his knife at me. And that bitch… she mocked me. Yeah, I want to ruin their lives. What do I have to do?

  The man slid a document across the desk. —Just sign this contract. Then my subordinate Xalgo will get you a suit, a room, food… and the necessary training.

  Jonatan hesitated for a moment. But the sting of the blow and his anger outweighed any caution. He signed without even reading.

  —Good. Xalgo, take the boy. You know what to do.

  The dark-skinned man with unruly hair nodded silently and led him away.

  The silhouette in the shadows leaned back in his chair.

  —Very well, Yu-Han. You’ve given me the perfect excuse to start. I hope you’re prepared…