Chapter 8 Training Coma

Cecilia left the Olympic Sports Center without looking back. She had barely sat down at home when her phone screen lit up.

It was a message from Benjamin: [Remember to check your racket.]

They had exchanged contact info after practice ended.

Cecilia stared at the screen for a moment, feeling puzzled.

Why would Benjamin suddenly send her a reminder like this?

If he said so, he must have noticed something.

The next afternoon, Court No. 3 at the Olympic Sports Center.

Cecilia arrived earlier than usual. She took out both of her rackets and checked them carefully.

Sure enough, there was a noticeable looseness at the frame joint. If that had happened during a match, it would have been a real problem.

She put that racket away, switched to her backup, and headed onto the court.

To prepare for the upcoming competition, she pushed her training intensity up a notch. The ball machine was set ten percent faster than yesterday, and the landing spots were more off-center. She had to stay fully focused.

It was tough at first, but Cecilia quickly adjusted to the pace.

Midway through the third set, she heard footsteps approaching from the sideline.

A group of people were walking over. She couldn't make out what they were saying, but she could hear a girl laughing.

"Ivy, slow down, no rush."

That was Victor's voice.

Cecilia kept going without missing a beat, acting like they weren't even there.

Ivy, on the other hand, innocently grabbed Victor's sleeve and pointed excitedly at Cecilia.

"Victor, look! Cecilia got here before us! We're all late."

Before anyone could respond, she spun toward Ethan. "Ethan, you promised to practice with me today — no backing out!"

Ethan smiled indulgently and gave in. "Fine, I'll rally with you for a few rounds."

A satisfied smile spread across Ivy's face. She clapped her hands and turned to Ryan. "Yes! Ryan, film me — I want to send it to Mom. If I play well, she'll definitely give me a reward."

Ryan smiled the same fond smile and pulled out his phone, ready to record. "Sure, sure, whatever you say. No matter how you play, Mom loves her little princess either way."

At that moment, Cecilia sent a ball flying and landed it right on the baseline.

She took a deep breath. In the gap before the next ball came, she caught a glimpse of the group walking over.

Ivy was in a white athletic outfit today, hair pulled up in a high ponytail, makeup light but carefully done.

She had her arm linked through Victor's on her left, Ethan walking on her right, and Ryan trailing behind with his phone up, ready to record.

Once they reached her, Ivy stepped forward with a fake smile. "Cecilia, what a coincidence — we're at the same court! Did you come alone? You should join us next time."

Cecilia held her stance and got ready for the next ball, completely ignoring her.

Ivy's smile faltered. She lowered her head, looking a little hurt.

"Cecilia, I know you wish the guys would bring you too. Let's just all go together."

Cecilia glanced at her and said nothing.

Ryan's patience ran out. "Cecilia, can't you hear Ivy talking to you? Where are your manners?"

Cecilia finished the last shot of the third set, picked up her towel, wiped the sweat off her face, and finally looked over at them.

"I don't think we have anything to talk about. And interrupting someone's training isn't exactly good manners either."

Ethan was about to snap, but Ivy stepped in front of him.

"It's okay, guys, don't be hard on Cecilia. She's probably just upset seeing you all here with me. It's my fault."

She bit her lower lip, looking every bit the picture of someone easy to feel sorry for.

"What a drama queen." Cecilia smirked and walked over to the rest area on her own.

She had no interest in arguing with them. She took a sip of water, stretched for a bit, and was about to start her next round.

But Ivy wasn't giving up. She followed Cecilia over.

"Starting your next round? Why don't we train together?"

As she spoke, she tilted her face slightly to the side, angling it toward the camera being held behind her.

If Cecilia said no, who knew what people would start saying.

Cecilia kept her voice flat. "Do whatever you want."

Then she walked straight back onto the court and started her next round, acting like Ivy didn't exist.

Ivy struggled to keep her smile up, but with the camera on her, she forced herself to hold it.

She looped her arm through Ethan's. "Come on, let's join Cecilia."

Ethan let himself be dragged over, clearly reluctant, his eyes fixed on Cecilia's every move — watching in case she tried anything against Ivy.

Cecilia noticed but paid no attention, focusing on getting ready.

At first, everyone kept up a similar pace. Before long, Ivy started to slow down.

But with the camera still rolling, she gritted her teeth and pushed through.

When the set ended, Cecilia walked to the side to drink some water. Ivy was still on the court, bent over, gasping for breath.

"I can't keep up. Cecilia, can we slow it down?" Ivy's grip on her racket had gone limp, and it hung loosely at her side.

Cecilia let out a short laugh. "You can't handle this level? Then why are you even training? Go home and rest — I don't need you passing out and messing up our competition prep."

Ivy's face flushed red. She was about to fire back, but when she drew a breath, she broke into a coughing fit instead.

Victor, watching from the side, had had enough. He shot Cecilia a disapproving look. "Watch how you talk."

He grabbed a bottle of water, handed it to Ivy, and gently patted her back as she drank.

"What did I say that was wrong? She can barely handle a casual match, and she wants to take my spot in a professional competition? That's a joke. You guys just baby her for no reason."

Cecilia didn't hold back, but she wasn't wrong. Ivy's face went even redder.

She stiffened and shot back, "Who said I can't handle it? I just wasn't used to jumping into that intensity so fast. I've adjusted now — I'll keep going in a minute."

Cecilia gave a cold laugh and didn't bother responding.

Ivy was clearly at her limit. If she kept pushing, she'd only embarrass herself.

After resting long enough, Cecilia grabbed her racket and headed back to the court. Ivy stubbornly insisted on joining her, and Cecilia didn't bother arguing.

But halfway through, Ivy suddenly stopped. She stood there for a few seconds, then started swaying, barely able to stay on her feet.

"Ivy!"

Ethan was the first to catch her. Ryan rushed over too, and the others crowded around.

"Stop training! Where's the medic?"

Practice came to a forced halt. Cecilia clicked her tongue. "And there it is — she really did mess up training. Coming to a professional competition in that condition? This isn't a game of pretend."