https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-8-Crimson-Vault-Martial-Arts-Pavilion/13499611/
Chapter 7: Genius Loan and Part-Time Work
Chapter 7: Genius Loan and Part-Time Work (Please Support)
"Second floor's different", Lin Chen explained. "The meals are called Nutritional Meals. The rice and vegetables are specially cultivated, and the meat uses Grade One Calamity Beast Meat."
"Even the most basic Calamity Beast Meat contains significant Primordial Energy. It helps Martial Artists strengthen their bodies and boost Vital Energy Stats."
"Throughout Second High School, only teachers, staff, and students from wealthy families eat upstairs."
Lin Qi shook his head. "Too bad even the cheapest Nutritional Meal costs over a hundred yuan."
"Regular meals are just ten yuan for a bigger portion."
He looked at his plate filled with generous meat portions. The cafeteria aunties at Second High School didn't practice the traditional 'spoon-jiggling' technique to skimp on portions. They actually gave 1.5 times the regular amount, and the school turned a blind eye.
"I'm full", Lin Qi patted his stomach, feeling warmth spread through his abdomen as his enhanced digestive system rapidly processed nutrients.
"I've decided - starting tonight, I'm upgrading to Nutritional Meals."
Jiang Tao suddenly declared, "No more penny-pinching."
"Bro, my Genius Loan just got approved. The funds will hit my account in a few days."
Jiang Tao's face lit up with uncontrollable excitement.
Lin Qi's eyes widened, "Taozi, congratulations!"
The Genius Loan program resembled student loans from his past life. Jointly operated by Xia Kingdom's Martial Arts Education Bureau and major banks, it provided interest-free loans specifically for talented students from underprivileged backgrounds.
These loans had four tiers - even the lowest offered 200,000 Xia Kingdom Credits, a substantial sum. The requirements were extremely strict; only true prodigies qualified.
Jiang Tao had applied for the top tier - a million-credit loan.
"I failed", Lin Qi chuckled bitterly. They'd both applied last semester - he for the third tier - but received rejection notices weeks before school started.
"Qi Ge, once you enter the Elite Class, your Genius Loan application will definitely get approved", Jiang Tao comforted. "That's how it's always been - almost no failures for Elite Class students."
Lin Qi nodded. He'd heard similar things - qualifying for Elite Class dramatically increased approval odds.
Staring at the staircase leading to the second floor, he recalled the Elite Class requirements. A decision solidified in his mind - he needed to accelerate his progress.
"I'll start eating Nutritional Meals tonight too."
He remembered his 3,000-credit balance. He'd use it all for resources and repay Jiang Tao once he entered Elite Class.
"Good brother, let's push forward together!"
Jiang Tao firmly nodded. "But first, help me find a part-time job. I'm desperate for cash."
"Leave it to me. We'll work together."
...
Building Three, Third Floor - Teacher's Office
This private office belonged exclusively to outstanding martial arts instructors. Spacious - nearly three to four hundred square meters - it featured both workspaces and a training area filled with swords, spears, and halberds.
Wu Kang lounged in his ergonomic chair behind a black desk facing a wide-screen monitor, casually flipping through forms.
"15 students applied for Elite Class this time", Yan Hong mentioned while sipping mineral water from a brown leather sofa.
Wu Kang skimmed the documents. "Out of 521 senior year martial arts students across ten classes, only fifty will make Elite Class."
"About five per class on average. But Class One, the 'Little Elite Class,' might get ten spots. Other classes even fewer."
"Only our top five are secure. The rest need help."
"Which is why we need your support, Wu Laoshi. Our bonuses depend on how many get accepted."
"Once they're in Elite Class, they're no longer our responsibility", Yan Hong added.
Wu Kang stared at Lin Qi's application form for a moment before slowly saying, "Fine, I'll assist them."
Yan Hong smiled at his response.
...
Afternoon - Martial Arts Class
Second Floor Cafeteria, Corner Table
Lin Qi winced at the sight of his meal - two meat dishes and one vegetable, emitting an alluring aroma that made his mouth water involuntarily.
"This is a Nutritional Meal - one hundred credits per serving."
"Dig in!"
They began eating.
"Wow!"
The vegetables were crisp and refreshing, the meat tender yet chewy, the rice gleaming like pearls with an irresistible fragrance.
Jiang Tao and Lin Qi couldn't help but devour their meals.
Soon, both plates were clean.
"Seriously delicious - completely different texture", Jiang Tao sighed contentedly.
Lin Qi nodded, feeling warmth envelop his body as an invisible energy flow spread from his stomach to his limbs. Fatigue melted away.
[You consumed a Nutritional Meal. Digestion complete. Vital Energy Stat +0.01]
[...Vital Energy Stat +0.01]
Lin Qi's mind raced. Just eating Nutritional Meals could increase his Vital Energy Stat? If he ate them daily, reaching 6.0 Vital Energy Stat seemed entirely possible.
...
After lunch, Jiang Tao returned to class while Lin Qi exited Second High School alone.
The bustling street before him featured stationery shops, snack stalls, and milk tea stores. Data overlay screens floated above shops displaying advertisements. Neon vehicles zipped past.
As a key municipal high school near downtown, Second High School neighbored a university district. His physical conditioning surpassed his past-life status as a national-level athlete, so he quickly reached his destination.
The Crimson Firmament Martial Arts Supermarket loomed ahead - a wide entrance beneath the Crimson Firmament Corporation's logo. This national chain operated the largest martial arts resource store near the high school.
Lin Qi stepped inside. Bright lights illuminated orderly aisles filled with gleaming merchandise - potions, weapons, training equipment, and clothing.
He headed straight to the potion section - today's target was Physical Energy Capsules.
"With only 3,000 credits, after setting aside 200 daily for food, the rest goes to training resources."
He picked up a red square box - Physical Energy Capsules. 120 credits per box, twelve capsules total - ten credits each. His family could only afford these basics. Martial Artists typically took one before each of the three daily training sessions, costing 900 credits monthly plus 500+ for food - 1,400 minimum.
But to challenge Elite Class, three capsules daily wouldn't suffice - he needed more.
He grabbed ten boxes, then moved to a shelf displaying red liquid potions.
Vital Energy Elixirs - superior to Physical Energy Capsules at 500 credits per bottle. Even with his limited funds, he could only afford two.
Adding Compressed Rations, socks, and new Training Shoes to his cart, he headed to self-checkout.
Ahead stood a father-daughter pair.
"Xiaoyu, your brother's a contracted prodigy at Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion. We get ten percent off at Firmament Corporation stores", the middle-aged father explained. "This 5,250 credit purchase becomes 4,725 - saving 525."
The seven-year-old girl's eyes widened. "So much! I'll become a Firmament prodigy too someday!"
Her father laughed. "Then Xiaoyu must work hard."
Lin Qi watched with a trace of envy.
(End of Chapter)
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