"Alright then, let's begin the procedure."
The doctor drew the table closer and opened his briefcase, revealing compartments filled with pills of various colors.
"Here's how this works, children. Each of you will take one of these pills. Afterward, you may experience dizziness and mild nausea, but those symptoms will pass quickly." He rotated the briefcase so they could view the pills they'd be consuming.
"If you happen to receive a dual pill, consider yourself fortunate. If not, you'll simply need to accept whatever ability you're granted," the doctor said with an encouraging smile.
"Mom, Mom! I want the dual pill! Can I have the dual pill?" the twins began clamoring.
Their mother and father exchanged a meaningful look with the doctor, one that clearly conveyed 'give it to them.'
The doctor shook his head firmly. "I'm afraid I cannot. First, because I have no way of identifying which is the dual pill, and second, because it wouldn't be fair among siblings."
The parents glanced at the twins, then back at the doctor.
"Are you certain there's nothing you can do?" they pressed again.
The doctor nodded. "I cannot interfere. Their destinies must choose for them."
Understanding his position, the parents relented and left the fate of their unruly twins to chance.
"Who would like to go first? Please step forward and take your pill. Note that the effects may begin immediately, but I won't be able to identify what ability or abilities you've received.
You'll need to have it assessed at the academy, where you'll also select your course of study and proceed with your education or chosen field." The doctor made certain everyone understood him clearly.
'So I won't discover my ability until I'm tested at the academy? Not what I was hoping for, but acceptable as long as I receive something useful.'
Predictably, the twins were the first to step forward. Each took a pill and looked back at their parents.
"Don't worry, you can hold my hand while you take it," their mother offered, drawing them both close.
Gripping her hands firmly, they swallowed the pills simultaneously in one gulp, without needing water.
"How do you feel?" their mother asked, holding their faces to confirm they'd actually swallowed.
"Nothing, Mom! I feel amazing!" the first twin shouted, his body beginning to tremble.
"Me too!" the second responded, suddenly growing restless and vibrating as well.
For a brief moment, everything stilled then the twins exploded into motion. Their small feet pounded against the floor as they zigzagged wildly across the living room, their laughter erupting in rapid bursts.
They tore around the space with frenzied energy, as if they'd just consumed an entire vial of raw sugar.
'Is this a side effect of the pill? Will I behave like this too?' Cheryl grimaced, watching them race frantically throughout the house.
'I sincerely hope not,' he thought, clasping his hands together in silent plea.
The doctor observed them carefully for several moments, then chuckled softly and beckoned Cheryl forward.
"Please come forward, young one, and take yours," he gestured for Cheryl to approach.
Cheryl glanced at his parents, who showed no objection to the doctor's instruction, then looked back at the twins still tearing around the living room.
With no opposition forthcoming, he stepped forward and examined the pill he would be taking.
It was wrapped in aluminum foil, so he couldn't see it directly, but the foil conformed to the pill's shape, allowing him to imagine its form.
He reached into the briefcase, selected a foil-wrapped pill, peeled away the wrapping, and studied the gold and midnight blue colored pill at length.
He swallowed nervously and looked up at the doctor. With a reassuring smile, the doctor encouraged him to proceed.
"Go ahead, you can do this. Just place the pill in your mouth and swallow, nothing out of the ordinary."
He nodded, then placed the pill in his mouth with a grimace, but surprisingly, it wasn't bitter as he'd anticipated. It wasn't sweet either, somewhere in between, like an oral supplement, and Cheryl actually enjoyed those sorts of things.
'Not bad at all, and nothing unusual.' He flexed his arm, checking for any immediate changes, but found none.
"You mentioned we'd need to go to the academy if we want to discover our abilities early, correct?" Cheryl asked.
"Yes, indeed. I cannot determine that unless it's something common, which I doubt, given what we've already seen with your older siblings," the doctor explained.
His reasoning made perfect sense, as it was standard for nobility—kings, barons, and other prominent figures to awaken tier-A abilities, with tier-D awakenings being exceptionally rare among them.
Like his older brothers, Joe and Harper, who had both awakened tier-A abilities. The firstborn had awakened two abilities—Hurricane/Tsunami while the second had awakened Crimson Blaze.
Both were essentially S-tier abilities in capable hands, and thus far, they'd been advancing at an impressive rate.
"I understand. Thank you, Doctor," Cheryl said gratefully before returning to his position behind the couch where his parents sat.
"Very well then. Since no one is experiencing any complications, I should be on my way." The doctor rose from his seat with a heavy sigh.
"Please visit the academy soon so you can begin preparing for classes promptly. I've heard that early enrollees tend to learn the fastest," the doctor advised as he shook Mr. Bellingham's hand.
With the doctor now departed, Cheryl felt uncertain about what to do or think, growing increasingly anxious about the upcoming assessment.
"Prepare yourselves for tomorrow. You'll be going to the academy to be tested. It had better be something worthwhile, Cheryl," his father warned before leaving the living room.
*Sigh.*
'As if I have any control over what I receive.'
His mother soon followed, taking the hyperactive twins with her, which brought Cheryl some relief.
His older brother Joe approached and slapped him hard on the back.
"You'd better turn out like me, or Mom and Dad won't be pleased and we both know they don't value you much," he smirked, flashing his white teeth.
Harper came over and patted Cheryl gently on the back with a kind smile.
"Don't stress about it too much. Just relax and hope for the best, no pressure," he said, attempting to comfort him.
They both left the room afterward without another word.
'Well then, let's see how tomorrow unfolds.'