Hadal's response left me baffled.
I wanted to press him—ask more, dig deeper into what he meant.
But something about his expression…
It wasn't just serious.
It was uncomfortable.
Like I had brushed against something I wasn't supposed to.
So I dropped it.
Changing the subject felt like the smarter move.
"Hey, Hadal… you had some questions, right?" I said with a light chuckle. "I can answer them—if you're still up for it."
Hadal blinked, then suddenly lifted his head, eyes widening.
"Ah! Yes—my questions!" He scratched his head. "Wait… what were they again?"
I watched him carefully.
Every time he scratched his head like that, it made me uneasy.
I just hoped whatever he was about to ask… wouldn't be embarrassing.
"Alright—first question," he said, snapping his fingers. "What is the Greenland?"
I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Easy.
"The Greenland is an island… separate from what we call the main world," I began. "We're practically disconnected from everything—especially anything involving flow users."
Hadal stroked his chin, intrigued.
"So when you say disconnected… you mean you're basically a standalone nation?"
"Ding ding—ten points," I shot back. "Want a cookie?"
He smirked. "You cheeky prick."
Then his expression shifted slightly.
"But if that's the case…" he continued, "…why come here at all? If you knew nothing about the main world?"
That question…
It hit deeper than I expected.
I hesitated.
But I'd come this far.
"Something happened on the Greenland," I said quietly. "I don't remember it clearly… my memory's still hazy."
Even now, it frustrated me.
"I came here hoping… I could piece things back together."
Hadal's expression softened.
"I hope you find what you're looking for, man," he said, patting my shoulder.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
It wasn't empty—it was loud in its own way.
And I knew why.
His reaction earlier.
To dual blessings.
"Hadal… if you don't mind me asking—why did you—"
"Why did I freak out?"
He cut me off, staring upward.
Like he already knew.
"Yeah."
He exhaled slowly.
"Sorry about that," he said. "It's just… people like that aren't to be messed with. I was trying to warn you."
"Warn me?" I scoffed. "You looked like you were about to cry."
He frowned slightly, clearly annoyed.
"You don't get it," he muttered.
Then he looked straight at me.
"The power of a dual-blessing user…"
His voice dropped.
"…is said to be enough to destroy an entire city in a single day."
My stomach tightened.
"They're rare," he continued. "One in ten million."
Each word landed heavier than the last.
"There are ten in New Africa."
A pause.
"And two… attend Shalu Academy."
My chest felt tight.
People who could flatten cities…
Could I even call them human?
If I wanted to survive here…
I needed to know.
"Hadal," I said firmly, "who are they? What blessings do they have?"
Before he could answer—
A booming voice echoed through the halls.
"ALL RISE! ALL RISE! CAPTAIN KINGA DEMANDS YOUR SALUTE! STEP OUT OF YOUR ROOMS AND SALUTE HIM!"
I winced, irritation flaring instantly.
"Who the hell is that?" I muttered. "Does he have no sense of—"
Before I could finish, Hadal grabbed my arm.
Hard.
"Come on!"
He dragged me toward the door.
"You wanted to know who they are, right?"
His grip tightened.
"Well…"
We stepped outside.
"…today's your lucky day."
He glanced at me.
Or maybe…
Unlucky.
"You're about to see one of them."