Opening up the bag, Thames took out a weird looking circular orb then examined it thoroughly. It was white with black lines running through it and a red button on the top.
After examining it for a while (completely upset about his parents decision and weirded out by the haphazard arrangement on the black lines) he than pressed the button.
WHIRRR
The device started up then displayed a hologram of a chubby squirrel with mouth cheeks filled with acorns dancing around and started playing an audio with upbeat pop music in the background
"This presentation is brought to by Emerald Industries. If you're in a-"
"Skip ad for God's sake" Thames said exasperated. 'Fucking Emerald Industries why do they always put ad's on everything'
WHIRRR
The holographic squirrel was thankfully taken away with the pop music turning down then a feminine voice came from the device
"Scanning Fingerprint- Welcome esteemed Thames.
As one of the many candidates who are most likely to awaken this year, the World Government congratulates you.
As you are about to awaken, this device will help you to regulate your body in the real world why your consciousness undergoes the trial to become awakened."
'That tracks' Thames thought. Information about Awakened was strictly regulated with most people only knowing that every year, the World Government would release a list of the most likely to awaken candidates among the populace, with the selected candidates awakening between their 16th and 18th birthday.
As for how the World Government got that information, no one knew but it did serve as a reminder of how powerful and far reaching the World Government was.
"As for further information about Awakened, it would be relayed to you if you pass the trial, Would you like to undergo the trial now?" The machine asked.
"Not now, I'll do it in a couple of hours, gotta psych myself up first" Thames replied.
He then got up and walked around the small cell, recalling all he had learnt and prepared and it wasn't much.
All his current skills were Sick Graffiti Skills (His Own Words), Lockpicking, Parkour, Hoverboarding and Rudimentary hand to hand combat. Awakened candidates weren't allowed to learn weapon combat because there was a chance that they could awaken abilities that were tied to a specific weapon that was different from what they were taught and it could hinder them.
Thames walked around the cell, doing some stretches and calming his nerves down, he also rummaged through the bag, bringing out the food his mom brought for him and the awakening inducing potion that was also present.
Contrary to the name, all the potion did was make it easier for one to calm down and allow the trial to happen to them. The trial itself was not deadly but they was no information on what goes on in the trial, at least publicly, even if there was, the general consensus was that each trial was different for anyone and upon failing or passing, the candidate's consciousness would return to their body and continue about their day.
"Heya brat, got the nerves". The hoarse voice of Sheriff Douglas came from the cell door.
Thames turned around with an irritated look on his face(Severely exaggerated may I add) and sneered "What's it to you old man?"
"Come On Kid, you're gonna try better than that to rattle me"
"Obviously, the "gifts" my mom gave you had probably pacified you"
"Cough,Cough. Forget about that Boy" Douglas turned his face away
"Anyway" his voice came back more firm " I couldn't help but overhear your convo with your mom"
"Please stop using Slang and what does my conversation have to do with you"
Douglas then spoke, his voice gravelly and firm exuding the pressure of an awakened human and the dignity of a sheriff stunning Thames. He hadn't seen the Sheriff act like that in a long time.
"Hah, you are one arrogant boy, while others see the awakening process as something to make their lives better and give them a chance to claw their way to the top." He adjusted his voice reducing his aura allowing Thames to relax his tensed nerves that the boy didn't even know he had.
"You see it as a burden, something that you couldn't care for less because you're scared it would change you?," He asked, not really expecting an answer "Please, who doesn't change, instead of worrying, you better embrace it so that even if you do, you don't change in a way you don't recognize"
Thames calmed his nerves then asked tentatively "Why are you telling me that?"
"HAHAHA, it's cos you're an interesting one boy" Douglas laughed, his hoarse voice echoing throughout the Hallway "That level of arrogance is something I've only seen on a few higher level awakeners"
Thames furrowed his brow and spoke tentatively "Higher level Awakeners?" He asked
Douglas stopped laughing and cleared his throat "Fucking hell, why are those biscuits so dry- Yes, higher level awakened, I can't tell you the terms since you haven't awakened yet but yes that level of arrogance is something you'll need when climbing to the top"
Thames wanted to ask more questions but decided against it, since he couldn't know until he awakened, he would put it at the back of his mind.
Having said his piece, the Sheriff left, his voice echoing in the hallway "Jennie I beg you, get me some water dammit"
Thames, after breathing a sigh of relief and relaxing his nerves, continued preparing himself, stretching and moving his body.
After a couple of minutes, he sat down, aching all over and decided to rest for a while. When he finally recovered, it was midnight
'Damn, I spent 3 hours resting, guess I can't delay it anymore'. With that thought, he sat upright and pulled the bag closer to him, then took out the weird orb and the potion.
He took one more look at it and while still lamenting its discordant design, he pushed the red button.
"Scanning Fingerprint - Candidate Thames confirmed.
Would you like to begin the process now?" The machine chimed, it's synthetic voice sounding as cheery as it possible could.
"Well, here goes nothing" Thales muttered under his breath.
"Begin the Process"
After saying that, he uncorked the potion drank and released the orb
It hovered over him, creating a transparent film to cover his body.
With that done,He relaxed and let his mind slip away.