Kindness from Ignorance

Sage felt like her emotions were raging inside. She put food on her mother's plate, and watched the latter eat her food. "Is it good, ma?"

The others in the house exchanged uneasy glances as Sage played the part of a dutiful daughter. They knew all too well how Sage wore her heart on her sleeve. Yet, there she was, seemingly elated about her outing with Khal'el.

The day ended, but Sage could not sleep right away. She was staring at her system panel and adored the glowing ~15,101~ beside the "Destiny Credits" words. She wanted to savor this large amount before she spent it all.

It was the first day of vacation. Sage was woken up by her mother at 3AM to fetch bath water from the well. Surprisingly, she did not feel ounce of fatigue.

After she filled up the water, she went to their living room and relaxed. She opened the system panel and checked her status.

[Sage Everest <WISE NOVICE>

System Lv. 2

VIT: 2 /5 WIS: 7/5 LUCK: 1.5

Personal Asset: Others (4)

Shop/Search (Unlock: 10,000)

Destiny Credits: 15,101]

Sage clicked the Unlock; her credits immediately plummeted to 5,101. Her lips formed a downward arc.

Sage clicked the shop with trembling hands. A plethora of products filled her screen, categorized as wearable, consumable, special, knowledge, conversion, and search.

Sage clicked the 'All Items' option and redirected her to range of items in alphabetical order.

Among the myriad options, the Algebra Proficiency Pill caught her eye. "This is a good item!" she exclaimed, though a hint of sorrow tinged her words. The price tag read 1,500 credits.

Sage sighed. She still had time to learn algebra, and it wasn't her priority. "Let's see…" She clicked the search option, and was redirected to a blank page with only a search bar. Beside the search bar were the words: System Sponsored Searches: 1.

She wanted to search for something that could give her easy money, but because of excitement, her head was pretty much empty. "System, can you suggest ways to make quick cash?"

[Yes, host. Processing…]

[System suggests betting on a lottery of any type.]

"Oh, right!" She clicked on the search box and typed 'Minor lottery results and prizes list 20xx'.

The minor lottery offered jackpots claimable at any branch, while major ones required a trip to the Capital City—far beyond Sage's reach. Prizes under $100,001 were handed out in cash; anything higher came as a cheque.

There was finally content that appeared from the black screen.

Sage clicked on the result. She scrolled the months until she reached May. She continued scrolling until she found the label 05-16-20xx. It was today's date.

This minor game only needed five number combinations in the same order as the draw to win the prize.

Sage quickly took her phone and noted 20-5-8-14-11. After some thought, she started writing some dates, winning combinations, and jackpot prizes. She might need those in the future.

She only stopped when she heard footsteps on the second floor. She saved the notes. She swiftly lied on the sofa and feigned sleep.

*****

"Brat, buy milkfish in Pong Wet Market right now. I'll be cooking that for dinner." Mother Everest handed $500 to Sage.

Sage gruntled as she watched the unfinished dishes she was cleaning. She dragged her body and received the money from her mother. "Can I ride a tricycle to that place?"

"No. Don't be lazy and just walk." Mother Everest glared at the idling Sage and reminded, "Now, go!"

"Let me change clothes and comb my hair," Sage replied in a weak voice.

"Why would you need to change your clothes or comb your hair? Are you meeting your lover outside?"

Sage's right foot hovered above the cement. Her mother's comment brought back the insecurity she had forgotten for a while. Tears welled up in her eyes. She murmured, "Hah, I can't get rid of this trash mother."

[Host, you can make use of this trip to bet on the lottery.] The system's mechanic voice actually comforted Sage.

"Yes, the goal right now is to make money, feelings second "

The Pong Wet Market was a kilometer and half-away. She encountered a lot of people that needed help and she willingly lent them a hand. She had already earned 650 credits when she reached the lottery booth. After handing over the paper that had the winning combination and receiving the ticket, Sage went her way to the Pong Wet Market.

Two hours had passed. Sage earned a total of 1,150 credits to and fro. She had a total of 6,251 credits now.

"Why did you take so long?" Mother Everest harshly asked. She did not wait for Sage's reply before ordering, "Clean that and fry it."

After all tasks were done, Sage went to get rid of the fishy smell that stuck to her hands.

[Host, the result of today's lottery has been released.]

"Is it? I'm the winner anyway, I'll get it tomorrow. " Sage finished washing her hand. She, then, went to sleep.

*****

"Pa, I have a training today. Please tell ma that I'll be out." Sage wore a black oversized jogging pants, a yellow t-shirt, and blue slip-on shoes. She had her hair tied into ponytail, and a brown cross body bag with her extra clothes, back towel, a small notebook, baby powder, and bandaids.

Her father did not doubt her and agreed. That was her usual attire every training. "Are your friends not gonna come today?"

"No, pa. The rest of them had gone to Master's house early this morning."

"No, they're at Master's house already," she said.

The previous night, Sage had convinced her clubmates to train at their Master's abode. The trainibg was scheduled at 10 AM, but Sage had errands to run.

It was 9AM when she left the house.

As she approached the lottery booth, the streets, usually bustling with school children, were deserted, the heat driving everyone indoors.

[Host, you have overlooked something.]

"What's that?" Sage asked, puzzled.

[To claim the prize, you must be of legal age and present a government-issued ID.]

Sage's heart sank. "What now?"

[Please check the special category in the system shop, host.]

Sage walked to the a corner and faced her back from the road. She clicked the system shop and pressed special category. She slowly scrolled the items until she saw the label 'Adult Valid ID (Five-time Use)' and costed 5,000 credits. Her heart ache but still clicked purchase.

[Congratulations! You have purchased item 'Adult Valid ID (Five-time Use). This item will disappear after use. Do you wish to purchase another item?]

Sage clicked the wearable category and scrolled until she saw an item called 'Faceshift Mask' with a pricetag of 1,000 credits. She purchased it right away, ignoring the pain of wasting her credits.

[Congratulations! You have purchased the item 'Faceshift Mask'. It can change the structure of your face for 10 minutes and has a 7-day cooldown. Do you wish to purchase another item?]

[Closing system shop… You only have 251 destiny credits left. Thank you for your patronage!]

Sage clicked the Personal Assets which also served as an inventory and took out the mask and ID. The mask only covered ¾ of her face, but it was able to change her look 100%. Then she took out the ID and watched as her new face got carved into the card. Even her name was different.

Sage went to the lottery booth, handed over her ticket and ID. She said in a thick-voice, "I'd like to claim the jackpot prize for yesterday's result."

5 minutes later, a thick envelope and ID was handed back to Sage. She remained a calm face, but her trembling hand was apparent to the clerk.

"You received $73,271 after 20% tax." The clerk informed Sage.

Sage went back to the corner and removed the mask before the timer ended. She put the envelope in her bag and hailed a tricycle. When she got inside the vehicle, she tore the envelope open and saw a stack of $1,000 and $500 bills.

"Uncle, I'll cover the fare for all seats. Please bring me to McDollibee before going to Jusdome . I need to buy something, I hope you can wait for me." Sage asked the driver full of anxiety.

"Okay, kid."

Sage laughed awkwardly, "It might take more than 30 minutes."

"That's fine, kid. Take your time later."

The ride was silent again. The driver parked somewhere near the McDollibee. Sage went down and reminded the driver again, "Wait for me, Uncle."

Sage was calling the driver Uncle as a form of respect, but she did not know him at all.

Sage went inside McDollibee and lined up behind the person ordering for a meal. After a short while, she told the cashier, "Can I have 15 orders of M2 and D4, 1 Family Meal and Dset1? All takeout, please."

The cashier repeated her order and she nodded. "The total is $1,780, Ma'am."

Sage handed two $1,000 bills to the cashier. "I received $2,000. Your change is $220. Please wait by the side, Ma'am. Your order will be ready in 15 minutes."

Sage nodded. She found an empty seat and went there. She opened the club's group chat and saw the following messages.

Grendel: I'm already here with Lyka and Shina. Where are you guys?

Clarke: I'm walking inside. Please arrange the mats before Master arrives.

Grendel: Okay!

Clarke: @Sage where are you now?

Sage: sent an attachment.

Sage chatted with her clubmates until she heard her number being called. "Order #12456 takeout, please go to the counter to receive your order."

Sage quickly went to the counter and took the food. Her hands were full, but she did not show any struggle. Even her face had a genuine smile on it.

"Uncle, let's go." Sage said after putting the plastic bags to the seat.

After 10 minutes of travel, Sage arrived at her Master's house. She handed a hundred-dollar bill to the driver and took out the bags. She left one bag and said to the driver, "Enjoy the food, uncle."

The driver was surprised. Before Sage disappeared in his eyes, he shouted, "Thank you so much for this, ma'am!"