Chapter 13: Echoes of Potential

The next morning, Les woke up earlier than usual. His body protested as he dragged himself out of bed, the stiffness from yesterday's rudimentary workout still lingering in his muscles. He stretched his arms above his head, wincing slightly but refusing to let the discomfort deter him. Today was the start of something new, and he couldn't afford to fall back into his old habits of procrastination and self-doubt.

He pulled on a plain gray hoodie and some worn-out sneakers, stuffing his holo-pad into his pocket before stepping out of his apartment. The chill of the early morning air hit him as he made his way to the nearby park. The city was just beginning to stir—commuters rushing to work, the distant rumble of traffic blending with the occasional chirp of birds. It felt strange, being outside with a purpose other than escape.

The park was almost empty when he arrived, save for a few early joggers and an older man stretching near the pull-up bars. Les nodded to him briefly before heading toward the open space near the track. He dropped to the ground and started his first set of push-ups, his arms trembling slightly with the effort. He had never been particularly athletic, and it showed. His form was shaky, his breathing uneven, but he pushed through.

As he struggled through the exercises, Les's mind wandered back to the game. Ancient Arena Online had felt so natural—the movements, the fights, the adrenaline pumping through his virtual body. Why did this feel so much harder? He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to focus. This wasn't just about physical strength; it was about discipline, mental endurance. He needed both if he was going to bridge the gap between the game and reality.

After finishing his last set, Les leaned against a nearby tree, panting. His muscles burned, but it was a good kind of pain—the kind that told him he was doing something right. As he caught his breath, he pulled out his holo-pad and began reviewing the notes he had made the night before.

Step One: Foundation. He had to get his body in shape, slowly building up his endurance and strength. That was a given. But what really intrigued him was the potential of combining his real-world training with his in-game experiences.

Life Mirror. That skill was unlike anything else, allowing him to copy the lives of others and tap into their memories and expertise. But so far, he had only scratched the surface. He had used it on athletes in the game, yes, but what about outside? What about real athletes?

Les sat down on a nearby bench, an idea forming in his mind. The thought was almost ridiculous, but the more he considered it, the more it made sense. Almost every sport could be played in The Hub. Many professional athletes used it as a training ground, perfecting their techniques and strategies in the virtual environment before applying them in real competitions. What if he could find one of them? Someone whose skills he could replicate both in the game and in real life?

His heart started to race with excitement. He knew of a few athletes who had recently made waves in the virtual sports world. One, in particular, stood out—a renowned martial artist who had made a name for himself by training in VR simulators before dominating in real-world competitions. If Les could use Life Mirror on someone like him, it might give him the edge he needed.

Pulling up his holo-pad, Les quickly searched for the athlete's profile. The man's name was Raiden Kuroda, a rising star in the martial arts community, known for his unconventional training methods that blended real-world martial arts with VR-enhanced reflexes. He had been all over the sports channels recently, hailed as the next big thing.

Les found a video of one of Raiden's matches in The Hub, watching as the man effortlessly dodged attacks and countered with precision. Even through the holo-pad's screen, Les could feel the intensity of Raiden's movements. It was perfect—this was the kind of skill he needed to emulate.

Without wasting any more time, Les logged into The Hub and navigated to the competitive arenas, searching for Raiden's most recent battle records. If he could find a replay, he could activate Life Mirror and analyze every detail, every motion. After several minutes of searching, he found a recent fight where Raiden had competed in a martial arts tournament.

Les' fingers hovered over the screen for a moment. Could he really pull this off? The last time he had used Life Mirror on an athlete, it had been purely in-game, and while the benefits had been significant, this was different. He wasn't just trying to replicate skills for a virtual fight. He was trying to mold himself into something new—a hybrid of game and reality.

He activated Life Mirror and let the scene unfold before him. Raiden was quick—too quick for his opponents. Every punch, every dodge, every counter was precise and fluid, like water shifting between states. His footwork was impeccable, grounded yet agile, and his strikes carried the force of someone who understood not just power, but the balance of control.

As the fight progressed, Les felt the familiar pull of the skill take hold, drawing Raiden's experiences into his mind. It was overwhelming at first—the sheer amount of physical and mental discipline required to fight like that was staggering. But Les pushed through, focusing on the key elements. Timing. Reflexes. Awareness. These were the things that separated a skilled fighter from an amateur, and these were the traits he needed to internalize.

By the time the fight was over, Les felt a strange mix of exhaustion and exhilaration. He had seen the fight through Raiden's eyes, felt his movements, understood his mindset. The sensation lingered in his muscles, like a shadow of what he had just witnessed. It wasn't perfect—he wasn't Raiden, after all—but it was a start.

Les logged out of The Hub, his mind buzzing with the possibilities. If he could continue to refine this process, learning from both real and virtual athletes, then maybe, just maybe, he could make this work. He didn't need a state-of-the-art gym or a team of trainers. He had Life Mirror. He had his mind. And soon enough, his body would follow.

This was just the beginning.