* Warning: This chapter contains some scenes which might not be suitable for some readers.*
"Take a seat, Mr. Skylark," Miss Angelica said, motioning to the sofa across the room with her beautiful slender hand.
Her office was sleek and modern, with a desk piled up high with papers and a comfortable-looking seating area with a small table surrounded by sofas.
The walls are not visible, as it was covered by racks of books, and charts.
I sat down at the sofa as instructed, feeling more nervous than I had all day.
Million questions, raced through my brain.
"So, do you know why you were called here?" Miss Angelica asked, her piercing azure blue eyes fixed on me.
I quickly bowed my head. "I'm really sorry for sleeping in your class, Professor!"
"…"
"…"
To my surprise, both professors exchanged a look of amused glances, and a brief chuckle escaped their lips.
"Hehe. It's not about that, Zane," Professor Whitlock said, her tone was much gentler.
Miss Angelica nodded. "Although you should work on that habit."
"Yes professor, I am sorry." Rubbing the back of my head I apologized.
Professor Whitlock leaned forward slightly. "We called you here to discuss something important. We'd like you to join the Research Club."
"The Research Club?" I repeated, blinking in surprise.
"Yes," she continued. "It's a group that focuses on advanced studies and projects related to both the elemental science and monster analysis. There will be a mix of seniors and a few selected first-years, like yourself."
I sat back, trying to process the information. "Why me?"
Miss Angelica answered this time. "Because we see potential in you, Mr. Skylark. You ranked first in the written test, answering the most difficult question, which hasn't been discovered yet. That's quite a feat you have achieved."
'Ugh..'
I frowned slightly but didn't dare argue.
'Well… It's not my fault, I just have a shitty luck.'
Oh, my dear Lady Luck, hast thou finally abandoned thy child?
"Can I ask what kind of projects the club works on?" I asked cautiously.
Miss Angelica smiled faintly, she was clearly expecting the question. "The Research Club focuses on unraveling mysteries of higher-ranked monsters, developing new elemental techniques, and occasionally assisting Nova's research departments on… confidential experiments."
Confidential experiments? That sounded really intriguing.
'Ok, they got my attention.'
Professor Whitlock added, "Of course, we don't expect you to make groundbreaking discoveries right away."
"As a first-year, you'll mostly observe and assist in experiments helping out seniors and providing your own theories. But over time, you'll have chances to lead your own projects."
"No worries, they are good people, we personally hand picked them." Miss Angelica said winking her eyes at my direction.
'God, she is so cute.'
The club sounded like an amazing opportunity, but I'd already been feeling so drained lately. Joining a club would mean even more responsibilities, I already had my hands filled with the Nightmare thing.
Noticing my hesitation, Professor Whitlock spoke. "You don't have to decide right now, Zane. Take your time to think it over. But don't take too long—the club starts selecting members next week."
"Alright," I said. "I'll think about it."
Miss Angelica nodded. "Good. Now, if that's settled, you're free to go home."
I stood up, relieved that the conversation was over. "Thank you, professors."
As I headed for the door, Professor Whitlock called out, "Oh, and Zane?"
"Yes, Professor?"
Her expression softened. "Make sure you rest properly. You looked like you haven't slept for a whole week."
I gave her a nod. "Thank you professor, I'll try."
Leaving the room, I headed straight to the train station.
Professor Whitlock was right, I'm tired.
I feel like my head is going to burst any moment.
'What's happening to me?'
As I boarded down the train to the Honeyford, my vision blurred.
'Just a bit longer.'
I hurriedly made my way to my home.
Jingle!
Opening the café's door, I tried rushing toward my room.
"Welcome back! Zan—"
It looked like, my mother was saying something, but I couldn't hear her.
Millions drums rolled in the head, making me feel nauseating.
Entering my room, I fell hard on my bed.
Poof!
My vision darkened.
…
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
In a dark underground facility, faint hum of machinery resonated, accompanied by the sharp beeping of monitors.
The white ceiling lights flickered, casting a glow over the metallic walls. The room was big like a stadium, filled with towering glass tubes, each containing a human child.
The children appeared lifeless, but they are alive, their fragile bodies submerged in a thick greenish fluid.
Their eyes were wide open, but they weren't emitting any light, they are staring blankly ahead.
Their skulls were partially opened, with brain wobbling out, connected to an web of wires and tubes that glowed brightly with an unnatural energy.
There were over a hundred such tubes, arranged in neat rows. Each containing a child, in the same horrifying condition.
The air has a thick smell of chemicals.
The scene shifted.
A group of individuals in white aprons stood around an operating table, their faces obscured by surgery masks.
On the table lay another child, his frail body trembling as if sensing the horror.
Beside the table, the split open forms of monsters rested. Some were clearly dead, while others were still alive, their eyes also filled with fear. Wires extended from the monsters' skulls, leading directly into the exposed brain of a child on the table.
Some kind of experiment was in progress.
"Proceed."
One of the scientists order, and a machine beside them started, pumping an unidentifiable substance through the tunes. The child's body trembled violently, his screams piercing through the silence of the room.
Golden blood began to seep from his eyes, ears, and mouth.
The scientists watched with a detached curiosity, but their expressions were hidden behind their masks.
Suddenly, the child's body quivered uncontrollably. His golden blood flowed faster, pooling on the operating table. The monitors around them echoing warning sounds.
Beeeep! Beeeeeep! Beeeep! Bee–
"Vital signs are unstable!" one of the scientists shouted.
Before anyone could react, the child let out an ear-splitting scream.
"AAAAAGHHHHHHHH"
His body began to swell, his veins glowing gold, and then—
BOOM!
The child's body exploded like a fragile bubble, sending chunks of flesh and golden color blood spraying across the room.
The scientists aprons were drenched in shimmering gold blood.
"Another failure," one of them muttered coldly.
…
I jolted awake, gasping for air as if I had been drowning for eternity.
Badump! Badump!
My chest heaved, my heart pounding like a war drum. Sweat drenched my body, sticking to my shirt.
"What... was that?" I whispered.
The vivid images of the nightmare still clear in my mind—the lifeless eyes of the children, the experiments, and the golden blood.
It all felt so real, too real to be just a dream.
My hands trembled, as I ran them through my hair, trying to calm myself.
'Lets calm down.'
I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was just past 3 a.m.
"What's happening to me?"
"Again with the dream…"
I can't ignore it now.
I needed answers.
"I have to figure this out," I muttered.
End of Chapter.