We were all in awe at how high my stats were.
I already knew Paul from the Muscle Head Hightop Gang used to boast about being at 25% in the Third Blessing.
But now… Hadal was stronger than him—by a whole 10%.
"So, Hadal," I said with a grin, "what does it feel like to be stronger than the first-years' top bullies?"
He snapped out of his shock and looked at me.
"HO HO… I feel amazing. Knowing I won't get pushed around anymore…" he said, his grin widening. "I might've thought you were crazy before for wanting to beat people up… but now? Let's go kill those idiots."
We both laughed maniacally, already imagining the many ways we'd punish them for what they did.
Rose watched us, clearly unimpressed.
"Yeah, sorry to interrupt your little revenge fantasies," she said, rolling her eyes, "but that plan isn't happening."
I froze.
"So… I can't beat the shit out of the Muscle Head Hightop Gang?"
"Yup."
"…Professor, we'd like to return our powers now. We don't need them anymore," Hadal and I said solemnly.
Rose looked at us with something close to pity.
"G-Guys, I promise it's for a good reason," she said, waving her hands nervously. "It doesn't make sense for people over the age of ten to suddenly awaken."
Hadal and I exchanged looks.
"What are you trying to say?"
"You two are clearly older than that. If you suddenly become Flow users, it'll draw attention. People will start thinking one of you is the Challenger of Fate."
My stomach tightened.
"They're probably already monitoring late awakeners across the world," she continued. "Watching for any sign."
I couldn't argue with that.
"But Miss Rose… what about those muscle-headed idiots working for Captain Kinga? They already know what happened."
Rose smiled—cold and dangerous.
"Don't worry about them."
"They won't talk. I made sure of it."
…Yeah. She definitely handled that.
"But Joseph," she continued, her tone shifting, "you need to understand why we were shocked."
She paused.
"I don't think something like you should even exist. Two Blessings at the same percentage… and one that surpasses them both."
Hadal nodded.
"The only person who even comes close is Sanjay Patel."
Rose continued.
"And what makes it even crazier… is that a Blessing isn't just affinity for power."
She hesitated—
"It's h—"
"It's how we understand Flow—and the universe."
We all turned.
A man had entered the room.
"I forgot to introduce myself," he said calmly. "David Okafor. Head of the private research team."
He extended his hand. Rose shook it, though her forced smile made her irritation obvious.
"Please," she said tightly, "continue the explanation I rudely interrupted."
Oblivious, he went on.
"Blessings represent your aptitude for understanding Flow itself. The percentage reflects your potential to deepen that understanding."
"For example," he continued, "a Third Blessing user perceives Flow differently than a First Blessing user."
"And that applies to people with multiple Blessings," I added. "Like Captain Kinga."
"Exactly," David said. "Kinga understands Flow in terms of enhancing strength through his Third Blessing—and supporting others through his First."
"So even with low affinity, you can still grow… just slowly?"
"Yes. It may take years. You're forcing your mind to grasp concepts it isn't naturally suited for."
I sighed.
"And that's where I come in. The anomaly."
"Correct," he said. "Your Blessings percentages starts at 0%, like everyone else. But with training… it will rise to match your Blessing potential ."
He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"I can only hope for the best."
"Thank you."
Suddenly, the receptionist burst in.
"Mr. Okafor—the officer is here! What do we do?!"
Without hesitation, David inserted a memory shard into the Flow Stone.
"Take this," he said quickly. "It has your information. Hide in the vents—now."
"Rose, aren't you coming?" Hadal asked.
"No," she said calmly. "The SRF won't touch me. I'll handle this."
We didn't argue.
We slipped into the vent just as—
The door opened.
A man stepped in.
Even without seeing his face clearly, I knew.
Captain Kinga.
"Hello, David," he said coldly, before glancing at Rose with visible irritation.
"Don't annoy me, woman. I already have enough problems with my superiors."
Rose didn't respond—but I knew she was holding back laughter.
"So, Captain," she said smoothly, "what brings you here?"
"That's between me and this human," he replied. "You may listen if you wish."
Typical.
Kinga handed David a file.
"Annual SRF meeting."
David frowned.
"And why would I care?"
"Open it," Kinga said. "You'll come."
Then he left.
Silence.
David opened the file—
"…What the hell?"
His expression twisted with shock.
"ARE THEY SERIOUS?!"
He slammed the document to the ground.
We jumped out of the vent immediately.
Rose picked up the file, her expression darkening.
"Joseph," she said quietly, "remember what you were told?"
"That everything would change once you awakened?"
My chest tightened.
"Well… it's happening."
She pointed to the top of the page.
I read it.
And froze.
The name felt… familiar.
Agenda:
Topic One: The Vassal of Time has begun to make her move.