Sage's Vacation Routine

[+500 Destiny Credits] 

Sage halted, her gaze locked onto the system notification, bewilderment etching her eyes. "500? Not 50?"

A voice chimed in her head, clear and matter of fact. [It wasn't a mistake, host. Being generous gives more points than being helpful, especially if your generosity comes within your heart without the intention of profiting credits from people.]

A chuckle escaped her lips, light and genuine. "Haha, seems my random splurge wasn't in vain after all."

Abruptly, a weighty arm draped over her shoulders, a familiar voice teasing her from her reverie. "Hey, why are you loitering out here?"

"Bro, cut it out. I'm laden down here, and you're not exactly feather-light!" Sage retorted, her foot finding his with a deliberate stomp. With a swift motion, she shrugged off his encumbering grip. "I got these for everyone; lend a hand, will you?"

"Ouch. What's this? Did fortune smile upon your family?" He winced, relinquishing his hold to relieve her of three overstuffed plastic bags.

"Nope, just me." Sage's reply was tinged with pride. She stuck out her tongue in a playful taunt.

A robust middle-aged man suddenly emerged from a door near them. He had his attention towards the close, large, green gate when he caught sight of two people bringing plastic bags over. "Sage! Darren! Walk fast!" He called them as he recognized them.

"Yes, Master!" The two of them ran towards the close, large, green gate. 

"Master, I brought food for lunch." Sage said nonchalantly. She raised the plastic bags happily. 

"Good. Otherwise, you'd be fending for yourself in the kitchen." The Master's tone was stern yet carried an undercurrent of jest. His posture was a study in discipline—back ramrod straight, hands clasped behind him—as he led the way for the two club members.

"Did all of you buy your own knives?" Master inquired.

A flicker of anxiety crossed Darren's face. "Not yet Master. Our funds fell short for even the most basic of kitchen knives." Their excuses had run dry; the moment of reckoning had arrived, and their hands bore nothing but the food in their hands.

The Master clicked his tongue in mild reproof. "Ensure you do so today. For now, we focus on core training."

As the gate swung open, a wave of nostalgia washed over Sage. The blue mats laid out on the floor, the deserted preschool void of children, the large banyan tree and a few mango trees, the bow and arrow at the side, the stick weapons, bags, and the people, brought warmth to Sage's heart. She smiled and greeted everyone, "What's up, guys?"

The people waved their hands to greet her and Darren and cupped their fists to salute to their Master. 

The Master clapped his hands, he announced, "Alright kids! Put your bags down and empty your hands. It's warm up o'clock!"

A collective groan of trepidation rippled through the group as they embarked on the grueling warm-up regimen—a full two hours of escalating intensity. But the Master was unyielding, his next command echoing with authority. "We shall practice the 'drop your body like a log' drill. It will fortify your endurance and purge the fear from your hearts. Stand erect, shield your chest with your arms, and let gravity take you. Fall flat, without bending your knees, and brace for impact. Remember, only your arms and feet may touch the mat—protect your torso and head at all costs."

***WARNING: Never do this unless with professional supervision, or unless you are a martial artist or an athlete. This action can cause bone complications, paralysis, broken ribs, or concussions. ***

Master looked at everyone and landed his eyes on Clarke. "Clarke, come here. Show them how it is done."

Clarke stepped forward; his stance impeccable. "Yes, Master!" And with that, he plummeted—a resounding thud filled the air as he executed the fall flawlessly. To the onlooker, he might have been a toppled statue, yet his form was impeccable, his arms a shield against the floor.

The Master's command reverberated through the air, "Now you've seen it. Everyone must complete 5 'drop your body like a log' exercises. Line up horizontally."

A cacophony of thuds echoed in the preschool yard as 15 figures collapsed onto the mats in succession. Some sprang up immediately after their fall, a testament to resilience, while others paused to knead the ache from their arms. The initial trepidation dissolved by the second fall, replaced by a competitive spirit that sparked an informal wager on who could finish the five falls fastest. Clarke, his arms a fortress of muscle, triumphed first, followed by the swift Grace, the determined Darren, the spirited Sage, and the resilient Lyka—all ace players in the club.

As the clock struck 12:45 pm, the club members found solace in stillness, their sweat-drenched foreheads and sore limbs a badge of their morning's labor.

"You can eat your lunch; we'll continue at 1:30 pm," the Master declared, glancing at his watch before departing for his home.

"I forgot my hunger for a second because of the pain," Shina quipped, her laughter mingling with the collective sighs of relief.

Lyka chimed in, a hint of mischief in her tone, "Me too! I just didn't tell the Master that it was my chest that bore the pain each time." A collective gaze, bold and empathetic, fell upon her chest. A silent consensus formed among them, understanding the unique discomfort she endured.

Sage playfully nudged Lyka, her suggestion laced with humor, "How about you ask your boyfriend to massage it?" The air filled with laughter, the sound of camaraderie, as Lyka and Darren's cheeks flushed a deep crimson.

That conversation was normal to them. They always tell the truth without any filter in their mouths towards each other. That was how they retain the closeness and comfortable friendship.

"I bought lunch from McDollibee, but I think the drinks are all warm now," Sage said bitterly as she approached the food she brought. 

"We can still salvage them. Let me call Lee," Darren offered, disappearing into the preschool to negotiate with his slumbering friend on the second floor to borrow the refrigerator. After getting permission, Darren put their drinks in the freezer compartment. 

They merrily ate their lunch and also chatted about their lives. Of course, they did not forget about their drinks. 

Sage kept hearing +500 Destiny Credits in her head. 

"Sage, you applied to QEA, right?" Brix inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Yep, might see you there soon," Sage replied, her tone nonchalant yet hopeful. 

"And your score in the written exam?" Brix pressed on.

Sage's laughter was self-deprecating, "A measly 17 out of 50. I don't know about my interview score." But she was aware that her destination school was QEA in the first place. She was just waiting for the result which would be released two weeks from now.

Brix's surprise was palpable, "So low? But you have the gift of gab; the interview should be a breeze for you."

"Who knows," Sage shrugged, her casual demeanor belying the tension of the memory. "I argued with the interviewer, believe it or not."

The group leaned in; their interest piqued by the hint of drama. "What happened?" they urged.

Sage recounted the encounter, "She insulted me for stuttering, said only geniuses belonged at QEA."

Their discussion was cut short by the Master's return, signaling the onset of another grueling training session that stretched on for hours.

Exhausted, they tidied the grounds, their movements mechanical, their minds already drifting to the comfort of home. It was 5:30 pm when they finally bid farewell to the day's training.

All of them went the long way to see everyone ride directly back home. They talked and played on the way as their numbers decreased. It was one of their ways to spend quality time with each other. 

Sage came back home tired. Her parents and siblings were already sleeping, and the entirety of the house was dark. She slumped her body on the sofa as if she was melting. After a few minutes of relaxation, she went to the table and checked if they left her food, but none. She checked the broken refrigerator, and there was none. She went to the dish cabinet, and there was none. 

"Oh, no food for me again." Sage nodded in understanding, so she sneaked out of the house, and went to the barbecue place which was only a hundred meters away from the house. She ate there and paid $50 before going back home. 

Sage looked at her phone. Its screen was filled with cracks in various sizes. She put her phone down and opened the system interface. Thoughts came to mind as she looked at the system panel. 

[Sage Everest <WISE NOVICE>

System Lv. 2

VIT: 2 /5 WIS: 7/5 LUCK: 1.5 

Personal Asset: Faceshift Mask, Adult Valid ID, Others (4)

Shop/Search 

Destiny Credits: 7,751]

She sighed, "Tomorrow is another busy day again."