The next day, Reese, his younger brother, and his two best friends gathered at his house. Reese had prepared for their training session by clearing a spacious area in their backyard where they could practice without any obstructions. Even his parents don't know about their martial arts session. With his father out for work until 5:30 p.m. and with his spiritual sense monitoring the house, it's impossible for Reese's parents to know what they were doing.
"Alright, guys, welcome to our training session," Reese announced, gesturing to the cleared-out area. "This is where we'll be practicing Harmony Fusion Arts I personally created."
"Harmony Fusion Arts? What's that?" Rey asked.
"It's basically a combination of the basic martial arts techniques I've been practicing," Reese explained. "But don't let the word 'basic' fool you. Mastering these techniques takes time and dedication."
His younger brother nodded, understanding the gravity of the task ahead. "So, it's like building a strong foundation before moving on to more advanced skills?"
"Exactly," Reese confirmed. "We'll start with the fundamentals and gradually build upon them as we progress. It's all about mastering the basics first."
His two best friends exchanged determined looks, ready to take on the challenge.
"It won't be easy," Reese cautioned. "But with dedication and perseverance, you'll get there."
"Alright, let's begin," Reese said with a firm voice.
As the days unfolded, Reese patiently guided his younger brother and two best friends through the intricacies of Harmony Fusion Arts. With each passing day, they made small but noticeable progress, gradually mastering the fundamental techniques.
As the week drew to a close, Reese called for a break in their training, gathering everyone in the makeshift dojo they had set up in the garage.
"Good work this week, guys," Reese commended, a hint of pride in his voice. "You're all getting the hang of it."
His younger brother grinned, wiping sweat from his brow. "Thanks, Kuya. Even though it's just the fundamentals, I can already feel myself improving."
"Yeah, Reese, thanks," Rey and Renz said in unison.
Reese nodded approvingly. "That's the spirit. Progress may be slow, but every step forward counts."
His two best friends exchanged glances, a mix of exhaustion and determination in their eyes. "We're definitely feeling the burn," one of them joked, earning a chuckle from the group.
Reese smiled, appreciating the camaraderie that had developed among them during their training sessions. "Remember, even when I'm not around to teach, keep practicing on your own when you have the time, and always have patience." Then Reese handed them the Harmony Fusion Arts.
As Reese handed over the manuals, he emphasized, "Make sure to practice whenever you can. Who knows, maybe you'll become even more powerful than me one day." Reese joked, knowing that day wouldn't ever come true.
Rey nodded eagerly, already flipping through the pages. "Count on it, Reese. We'll be unstoppable."
Renz, ever the joker, added with a grin, "Yeah, and when I've mastered this, I'll be showing off my moves to all the ladies in Cebu City. They won't know what hit 'em!"
Reese chuckled, shaking his head. "Just make sure you don't get too carried away."
With a laugh and promises to keep in touch, Rey and Renz bid their farewells.
Then Reese called his brother to his room, passed the Harmony Fusion Arts, and told him to practice whenever he had free time. Without anything to do, he went inside the Amethyst Orb to study the other memory fragments.
Reese sat cross-legged on the ground in the middle of the Amethyst Orb. As he dove deeper into the memories, Reese couldn't shake the nagging question from his mind. Why hadn't his master left behind all of his knowledge? Even though he could not access most of the memory fragments, He still could fell that there something missing like pieces of a puzzle?
"Was he holding back on purpose?" Reese muttered to himself, frustration evident in his voice. "Or perhaps there are some things he didn't want me to know."
Deep in thought, Reese continued to sift through the memories, determined to uncover the truth behind his master's teachings and the secrets he had left behind.
Hours passed inside the Amethyst Orb, and Reese still could not find the answer he was looking for. His frustration only grows as time passes. Another hour passed. Reese reluctantly stopped looking for answers in his master's memory fragments and went back to his room.
In his room, Reese surveyed the space, a sense of excitement coursing through him as he prepared for his upcoming departure to Cebu City. With methodical precision, he began to gather the essentials he would need for his journey.
First, Reese approached his closet, pulling out a sturdy travel bag from its depths. As he unzipped it, he made a mental checklist of the items he would need to pack. Clothes, toiletries, documents—everything had to be meticulously organized to ensure a smooth transition.
With a practiced hand, Reese selected a few changes of clothing, opting for comfort and practicality over style. T-shirts, jeans, and a hoodie—the basics that would see him through the days ahead. Folding each garment with care, he placed them neatly into the bag, making efficient use of the available space.
Next came the toiletries—a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, and soap—all neatly arranged in a small travel kit. Reese made sure to double-check that he hadn't forgotten anything essential before zipping up the bag and setting it aside.
Finally, Reese turned his attention to the documents he would need for his job hunt. Resumes, identification, and any other paperwork that might be required—he gathered them all into a folder, making sure they were easily accessible when the time came.
As he finished packing, Reese felt a surge of excitement mingled with a hint of nervousness. But there was also a sense of responsibility weighing on his shoulders.
After neatly folding his clothes and arranging them in his suitcase, Reese turned his attention to more practical matters. He reached for his wallet, the leather slightly worn from years of use. Opening it up, he counted the bills inside, his brow furrowing slightly as he mentally calculated his expenses.
With a sigh of relief, Reese realized he had enough money to cover his immediate needs—transportation, food, and lodging—for a short while. However, he knew he had to be frugal until he found a job. Every peso would count in the bustling streets of Cebu City.
With his preparations complete, Reese took a moment to survey his room, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. Tomorrow would mark the beginning of a new chapter in his life, and he was ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.