Chapter 188 — First Animal Trials Begin
S.C. 1512 — Early Morning
Hidden Island — Hive Lab Exterior Pens
The morning sun painted soft gold across the forest clearing.
The animal pens behind the Hive Lab were quieter than usual.
The rabbits twitched nervously.
The chickens shuffled restlessly.
Even the goats seemed unusually alert.
Perhaps they sensed the change in the air.
Today was the first real test of the Strengthening Serum.
Ren stood beside the wooden table where the vials rested in a neat row.
Zemo sat at his heel, watching intently.
Three rabbits in separate cages were brought forward—healthy, calm, and selected carefully.
Leo carried the cages with steady hands.
Bram hauled a crate of feed.
Kiro watched with a notebook, ready to write observations.
Makino stood nearby, simply watching silently.
Ren had allowed her to observe since the serum was meant to help the children too.
Ren picked up the first vial.
"Let's begin."
1. Dosage — Slow and Careful
Ren opened the rabbit cage.
The small brown rabbit trembled slightly.
Ren placed a calming hand on its back—Zemo nudged it gently, and the trembling eased.
Kiro noted softly, "Subject A. Adult rabbit. 2.3 kilograms."
Ren injected only one drop of Strengthening Serum Alpha into the rabbit's thigh.
No more.
He closed the cage door.
The rabbit twitched.
Its breathing quickened for a moment.
Leo watched nervously from behind Ren's shoulder.
"Anything?"
Ren shook his head. "Normal reaction. Stress response only."
Zemo sniffed the cage, confirming no unusual scent.
2. Observation — The First Effects
Ten minutes passed.
The rabbit's breathing slowed.
Its posture stabilized.
Ren whispered, "Good."
They watched another twenty minutes.
The rabbit became slightly more energetic.
Its eyes sharpened.
It hopped in small bursts around the cage—alert, but not frantic.
Kiro wrote:
Heart rate stable
No overheating
Higher energy level
Movement smoother
Leo's shoulders relaxed.
"It's okay?"
Ren nodded.
"So far."
3. Tests on Subjects B and C
The second rabbit received the same micro-dose.
The third rabbit a slightly smaller amount.
Ren wanted comparative results.
Each reacted similarly:
initial tension
slight hyper-awareness
then steady movement
No shaking.
No fever.
No collapse.
No aggression.
Bram let out a relieved exhale.
"That's… honestly amazing."
Ren checked their pupils and heartbeat.
"They're adapting faster than expected."
Zemo barked once as if confirming.
Makino stepped forward slowly.
"They look… healthier already."
Ren didn't overstate it.
"It improves recovery and nutrient absorption. For an animal this size, the effect is quick."
4. Testing Energy and Recovery
Kiro placed small obstacle bars inside the pen.
Ren opened Rabbit A's cage into the test lane.
The rabbit hopped over each bar easily.
Leo's eyes widened. "It wasn't this energetic yesterday…"
Bram grinned. "Looks like it wants to run a marathon."
Ren watched silently.
He noted:
stronger hind-leg push
improved balance
quicker reaction
Nothing unnatural.
No mutation.
Just a healthier, stronger rabbit.
He felt a small weight lift from his chest.
This might actually work.
5. Feeding Test
Ren placed two bowls:
normal feed
mineral-rich feed
The serum-treated rabbit immediately chose the mineral-rich one.
Leo frowned. "Why that one?"
Ren answered quietly.
"The serum increases the body's demand for nutrients. They instinctively choose richer food."
Makino's expression softened.
"So this will help the undernourished children… rebuild faster."
Ren nodded.
"That's the goal."
6. Late Afternoon — Unexpected Minor Reaction
Around mid-afternoon, Rabbit B suddenly sneezed twice.
Leo panicked. "Is that bad?!"
Ren checked quickly:
ears normal
breathing normal
pulse normal
He pressed lightly on its abdomen.
"Just the herbs," Ren concluded. "Some ingredients are strong. Minor irritation only."
Kiro wrote:
Subject B – mild herb sensitivity.
Recommend adjusting formula for herb-tolerant variant.
Ren set the rabbit back down.
Zemo licked its head gently, calming it.
The rabbit relaxed.
7. Evening Report — Results Collected
As the sun set, all three rabbits remained healthy, energetic, and responsive.
Ren gathered the vials, the notes, and the observation sheets.
He summarized aloud:
"Strengthening Serum Alpha, Batch Zero — safe for small animals. No harmful reaction. Mild herb sensitivity in Subject B. Next step: increase dose by 10% and test recovery speed."
Leo grinned.
"So tomorrow we test bigger animals?"
Ren nodded.
"Goats first."
Bram pumped his fist. "They'll be unstoppable!"
Makino laughed lightly. "Let's… not make them unstoppable yet."
Everyone smiled.
8. Nightfall — Quiet Gratitude
Back in the Hive Lab, Ren placed the rabbits in their resting cages.
Zemo curled next to them like a guardian.
Ren stood by the mixing table, looking at the other two mixtures—
the silver one and the unstable red one.
Not today.
Not yet.
Today was for Alpha only.
And today was a success.
Makino appeared at the door, holding out a bowl of soup.
"Here. You forgot to eat again."
Ren blinked and accepted it.
"Thank you."
She smiled gently.
"You're helping a lot of people, Ren… more than you realize."
Ren didn't respond.
He only looked through the glass at the rabbits hopping in their cages—stronger, healthier.
A small beginning.
But meaningful.
End of Chapter 188