Miss Carmen motioned for the kids to take their seats on the sofas in her office. Lamair attempted to sit beside the girls but was unceremoniously kicked into another seat by Clara's white fox. It all happened so quickly, he could barely register the blur of fur.
"We'll be going on a birthday tour at the Beast Research Centre," Miss Carmen said as they settled down.
"B.R.C? The big boss B.R.C?"
"Is it your birthday, Miss Carmen?"
The questions flew at Miss Carmen from all sides, with expressions ranging from excitement to confusion.
"Yes, it's my birthday," Miss Carmen answered with a smile that could charm even the most stoic individuals. "But it's also Ethan's birthday and Trevor's 53rd Awakening day."
"Trevor's 53rd Awakening?"
The disbelief was palpable, but Miss Carmen silenced any further inquiries. "No more questions! Just prepare yourselves. Tomorrow is the day, and we leave at noon. Meet me in my office at that time. You may go now. Little Rosy doesn't like noise." She glanced at her black cat, now curled up lazily on her desk. Ethan and Trevor both thought to themselves, That nightmare is considered little? And it hates noise?
12:00 noon arrived swiftly. Ethan, Trevor, Clara, Emily, Lamair, and Miss Carmen made their way toward a sleek, black floating car parked in front of the Administration block. While it looked modest from the outside, the inside was spacious enough for ten passengers, including the driver. As they piled into the vehicle, Ethan and Trevor couldn't help but gawk at the ladies. Even Lamair, normally calm and noble, wasn't immune to the beauty in the car.
Clara wore a blue jumper paired with a dark blue skirt and matching sandals. Emily had on a black jumper, tight jeans, and brown boots, while Miss Carmen was dressed in an all-black ensemble, from her long-sleeved shirt to her trousers and shoes. The girls looked effortlessly stunning, and the boys were entranced by the sight.
Ethan and Trevor weren't looking too shabby either. Ethan wore a grey sweater with brown trousers and black boots, Trevor had opted for a white baggy turtleneck sweater with black trousers and boots, and Lamair donned a dark purple turtleneck paired with black trousers and shoes.
Without warning, Miss Carmen floored the gas pedal, sending the car flying down the road at breakneck speed.
"That was the best ride ever!!!" Trevor shouted, his face full of excitement.
"I didn't know she could ri... drive like that. That was incredible," Ethan added, practically bouncing in his seat.
"You guys are insane!" Lamair groaned, still looking as pale as a ghost. "You call that driving? That was a death sentence! We were seconds away from dying!"
Clara and Emily shared a glance of agreement, their expressions mirroring Lamair's horror. How could the two "common" boys be so thrilled about a ride that had made even the awakened ones feel like their lives were flashing before their eyes? The Treacherous Duo, however, were grinning from ear to ear, ready for another round.
"We're here!" Miss Carmen announced as she steered the car towards a large, castle-like building. A towering billboard loomed overhead with the words "BEAST RESEARCH CENTRE (B.R.C)" emblazoned in bold letters. The complex was massive, as tall as a large hill and wide enough to accommodate countless workers, some of whom bustled around in grey or red working gear.
The team exited the car and followed Miss Carmen towards the entrance. Every worker they passed bowed or offered a respectful greeting to Miss Carmen, though the kids were still reeling from learning she was the "big boss" of the B.R.C. The doors slid open automatically as they approached, and a white, mist-like substance briefly engulfed them before dispersing.
The interior of the B.R.C resembled a luxurious hotel lobby more than a research center. The kids were awestruck by the grandeur, their heads spinning as they realized they were standing in the world-famous center responsible for pioneering the Beast Awakening method, known for its near-perfect success rate.
A female worker dressed in a sharp white suit hurriedly approached Miss Carmen, her demeanor brimming with respect. "Boss, everything is ready. The presents are set, and the area has been tested," she reported.
"Thank you, Mirabel. And the new test subject?"
"It's secured in the Pondius Box."
"Excellent. Let's proceed," Miss Carmen said, turning to beckon the kids, who were still standing in awe of her, to follow her. They boarded an elevator that took them to the top floor, where the workers were all dressed in purple uniforms.
When they arrived, they stepped into a room with glass doors, much like the entrance. Inside, a large banner hung on the far wall, reading, "Happy Birthday Carmen and Ethan," the letters gleaming in gold. The room was spacious, with a large central table surrounded by individual sofas. On the table was a feast of various dishes: turkey, chicken wings, steak, pastries, fruit juices, and more.
It didn't take long for the group to dive into the food.
Stuffed and barely able to move, Ethan and Trevor waddled after Miss Carmen and the others as they crossed into the room opposite the dining hall. Clara and Emily had to help support the overstuffed boys, who had learned the hard way that "eating like it's your last meal" wasn't always a good idea.
The new room turned out to be a laboratory. In the center stood two podiums, each holding a crystal. One was a skull-shaped crystal with a glowing blue gem embedded within it, while the other was a transparent, glowing crystal—the unmistakable form of an Awakening Stone.