The Spark of Determination
Jackson hurried through the Hoover Crest High School entrance, his heart pounding as the first bell echoed through the hallways. He quickly exchanged a few books at his locker and dashed to his first class.
As he settled into his seat, he felt a bit overwhelmed. Balancing his academic responsibilities with his new training regimen was going to be challenging, but he was determined to succeed. He had always been a straight-A student, but now he had a new dream: to become an athlete.
Throughout the rest of the morning, Jackson's mind oscillated between his studies and the techniques from the Eternal Radiance Scripture.
Although he paid attention in class, took diligent notes, and participated in discussions, a part of him was always thinking about his morning training session. The excitement of being part of something new was something he couldn't deny and suppress.
When lunch break arrived, Jackson quickly finished his meal in the bustling cafeteria before rushing to the computer lab. He greeted Mr. Thompson, the computer lab attendant, a friendly man in his late forties with a knack for making students feel welcome.
"Hey, Jackson. Here for some research?" Mr. Thompson asked with a warm smile.
"Yes, sir," Jackson replied, settling down at one of the computers. He didn't start surfing the net immediately but first visualized his plans in his head. He had to utilize his time well.
Today was Thursday, August 3rd, 2028, and the tryouts for Hoover Crest High School's football team were only three days away on Monday, August 7th, 2028.
Within those three days, Jackson wanted to progress far in the practice of the Eternal Radiance Scripture, becoming stronger and faster while also keeping up with his studies.
Fortunately, he had completed the entire syllabus for the fall semester during the summer holidays. Now, he only needed to attend classes, do assignments, and then routinely review content he had already studied. This allowed him to put more focus on football and pursue his dream.
Pushing the distracting thoughts aside, he powered on the computer and quickly delved into surfing information about football. He knew he couldn't learn everything there was to know and become a seasoned player before the tryouts, but he at least didn't want to appear clueless about the basics.
As the minutes ticked by, Jackson soaked up every bit of information, his anticipation building with each passing second. Before he knew it, lunchtime was over, and it was time for his afternoon classes.
Despite the bubbling excitement, Jackson devoted himself to each lesson with unwavering focus. Eventually, the clock struck 4:00 PM, signaling the end of the school day. Without lingering in the classroom, Jackson made his way to the football field, this time earlier than usual.
Standing at the edge of the field, Jackson once again watched the players train with longing and determination. But this time, the notion of pursuing his dream of joining their ranks no longer felt unreachable.
Just a day ago, he stumbled upon the Solar Heartstone and learned the Eternal Radiance Scripture, giving his entire persona confidence. His eyes lit up as he observed the varsity team players moving with skill and power, their bodies colliding with force and grace.
Jackson's gaze followed the running backs and wide receivers, imagining himself among them. He clenched his fists, feeling the energy of Sun Qi coursing through him—a silent promise that he would soon be one of them. All he needed to do was perform well during the tryouts.
Just then, the already familiar, mocking voice broke through his thoughts. Trent McGee, the burly linebacker and one of the rising stars on the Junior Varsity team, laughed as he spotted Jackson. "Hey, nerd! You're always standing there watching! You wanna join the drill?" Trent sneered, clearly trying to tease him.
Usually, Jackson would have looked away, avoiding the confrontation. But this time, he stood his ground.
With the newfound confidence from his morning training, he felt he could at least handle a simple running drill or a few push-ups. A flicker of hope ignited within him—maybe, just maybe, he could step onto the pitch and impress them enough to join the team before the tryouts.
Seeing Jackson's reaction, Trent's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Eager to pull Jackson onto the field, probably to humiliate him, Trent moved closer. But before anything could happen, Mike Larson, the other fast-rising star and the quarterback of the Junior Varsity team, intervened.
"Focus on the training, Trent," Mike said firmly, casting a warning glance at the linebacker.
Trent scowled but backed off. Jackson sighed, feeling a mixture of relief and disappointment. He had been on the verge of convincing himself to step onto the field. But alas, the opportunity had slipped away.
As Trent walked away, Jackson continued watching the training, absorbing every move and every play made by the players. He wanted to learn as much as possible from their practice, determined to make every moment count.
Finally, the sun set, casting long shadows over the field. Jackson jogged home, ready to put in a few more hours of focused study before jumping into bed.
The next day, Friday, Jackson continued his routine. The crisp morning air accompanied him as he jogged to his secluded training spot, the large rock at the edge of the neighboring woods. He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to practice the Sun's Embrace Technique, welcoming the first rays of sunlight that broke through the horizon.
With the Solar Heartstone pulsing within him, he channeled the Sun Qi through his body, focusing on the Solar Veins Mantra. He felt the energy surge through his meridians, and with each deep breath, he pushed the Qi back and forth through his arms.
As his practice progressed, he could feel the distinct sensation of meridians in his arms opening up. Eventually, a warm, powerful flow spread through his limbs, marking his breakthrough to a rank-two meridian-opening stage cultivator.
His body now felt more robust, faster, and more responsive. His vision, too, had sharpened significantly. Jackson couldn't help but smile as he made his way back home.
As soon as he got home, he rushed through his morning routine. Then, after a quick breakfast, he was off to school, diving headfirst into his studies while stealing moments to delve into football techniques and strategies.
His determination was at an all-time high, and during breaks, he pored over professional game videos, soaking up every ounce of knowledge. In the evening, he stood by the field, observing the Junior Varsity team's practice, mentally gearing himself up for the upcoming tryouts on Monday.
Just like that, Friday flew by in a blur, and as the final school bell chimed, Jackson felt a surge of nervous energy mixed with pure excitement. He was more prepared than the day before, yet he knew he still had a long way to go before securing a spot on the football roster.
The weekend arrived, bringing a slight change to his routine. On Saturday, he made even more progress with his cultivation and opened some of the meridians in his chest. This accomplishment brought him closer to becoming a rank-three meridian-opening stage cultivator.
Following his morning cultivation session, Jackson eagerly joined his mom for breakfast. As they savored a delicious meal, they engaged in a lively conversation about his studies before she rushed off to prepare for her weekend shift at the hospital.
Once Evelyn had left for work, Jackson carefully counted his savings and made his way to Rick's Sporting Goods. There, he splurged on a new pair of Velocity AdizeroX Cleats and a budget-friendly football, nearly exhausting his $159 savings. Despite the considerable expense, he couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment; he now had everything he needed to pursue his dream.
Suppressing his excitement, Jackson made his way to Veteran's Park. He laced up his new cleats and began practicing the exercises and running drills he had read about.
Initially, he fumbled and struggled, his body still adjusting to the new demands. But his determination and the strength from his cultivation drove him to improve rapidly. By the end of the day, he was exhausted, his muscles aching, but a sense of accomplishment filled him.
His enhanced physique allowed him to recover quickly, and after a good night's sleep, he woke up on Sunday morning feeling sharper and more powerful.
Sunday's morning cultivation session was even more fruitful. Jackson opened all his chest meridians, breaking through to become a rank-three meridian-opening stage cultivator.
The combination of the Eternal Radiance Scripture and the Solar Heartstone was helping him ascend the ranks at an astonishing pace. He felt an overwhelming strength and agility, all far beyond what he had experienced before.
Despite his progress, Jackson didn't rest on his laurels. He continued studying football techniques and reviewing his academic materials throughout the day.
He knew he lacked basic football skills, but his newly acquired physique gave him hope. Tomorrow was the day he had to prove himself, to show that he could be more than just a nerd with perfect grades.
In the evening, Evelyn noticed the fire in his eyes as they shared a quiet dinner but attributed it to his academic drive.
"You've been working so hard, Jackson. I'm so proud of you," she said, her eyes filled with pride.
"Thanks, Mom. I just want to do my best," Jackson replied, though in his heart, he added, "both in football and academics."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone