Chapter 16: The Search for More

Les leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling, his mind buzzing with thoughts of what came next. The progress he had made over the last few days was undeniable—his training was paying off, both physically and mentally. But he knew this wasn't enough. He needed more. More knowledge, more skills, more opportunities to push the boundaries of what Life Mirror could do.

Scrolling through his holo-pad, he searched for any information about elite athletes, especially those who had crossed over into the world of VR sports. He was particularly interested in players who had made the leap from traditional sports to virtual arenas—people who understood both worlds like he was starting to.

His fingers stopped on a headline that caught his eye: "Rising Star in VR Sports: Jason Velasquez, Ex-Pro Athlete Turned Virtual Champion." The name was vaguely familiar. Jason had been a celebrated basketball player before an injury ended his career. After that, he had apparently transitioned into the world of VR sports, quickly becoming a top contender in games like Ancient Arena Online and The Hub.

Les felt a spark of excitement. If there was anyone who embodied the balance between real-world athleticism and virtual mastery, it was Jason Velasquez. He could be the key to unlocking a whole new level of potential for Life Mirror.

Les tapped on the article, diving into the details of Jason's career. He was known for his lightning-fast reflexes, his strategic mind, and his ability to adapt under pressure. Everything about him screamed excellence, both in real life and in VR. He was exactly the kind of person Les needed to learn from.

Without hesitation, Les logged back into Ancient Arena Online and began searching for Jason's profile. It took some digging—Jason didn't seem like the type to flaunt his presence—but eventually, Les found his player ID. A simple request for a friendly duel wouldn't be enough. Jason probably received hundreds of challenges a day, and Les was just another random player in a sea of hopefuls.

But Les wasn't just any random player. He had Life Mirror.

Les hesitated for a moment, thinking through his next move. If he wanted to truly learn from Jason, he had to face him in the arena—and more than that, he had to prove himself worthy of Jason's time and attention. With a deep breath, Les sent a message through the game's mail system.

"Jason Velasquez, I've been following your career since your days as a pro athlete. I'm not here to challenge you out of ego, but to learn. I believe you've mastered something unique, the balance between reality and virtual combat. I want to face you in the arena—not to beat you, but to understand what makes you a champion in both worlds. I'm ready when you are."

He pressed send and leaned back again, his heart pounding slightly. There was no telling if Jason would even respond, let alone agree to a match. But this was a gamble worth taking. Les needed to face real challenges, to push himself against the best if he wanted to grow.

The day dragged on. Les went through his training routine as usual—more bodyweight exercises, more time analyzing footage, more battles in Ancient Arena Online. But in the back of his mind, he kept wondering if Jason would respond.

Late that evening, as Les was winding down from another exhausting session, a notification blinked on his screen.

"Message received from Jason Velasquez."

Les's pulse quickened as he clicked on the message.

"I like your approach. Too many people challenge me for clout or bragging rights. You seem different. I'll accept your duel—but be ready. I don't go easy on anyone. Meet me in the Bloodstone Arena tomorrow at 7 PM. Let's see what you've got."

Les felt a surge of adrenaline. Jason Velasquez had agreed to the match. This was his chance. Not just to test himself, but to learn from one of the best—someone who had already walked the path Les was trying to follow.

He logged out and stared at his holo-pad, his mind racing. The Bloodstone Arena was notorious for its fast-paced, brutal combat. It was one of the most unforgiving PvP arenas in the game, designed to push players to their limits. If Les wanted to survive, let alone impress Jason, he would need to be at the top of his game.

He spent the rest of the night planning his strategy. Jason was known for his agility and adaptability, two traits that made him nearly unbeatable in both sports and VR combat. Les needed to counter that somehow. He couldn't rely on brute strength or speed—Jason would outmatch him in both. Instead, he had to outthink his opponent, use the knowledge he'd gained from Life Mirror to exploit even the smallest weaknesses.

As the night wore on, Les's thoughts turned to his future. This duel wasn't just about winning or losing—it was about the next step in his journey. If he could hold his own against Jason, maybe even gain his respect, it could open doors to a whole new world of possibilities. But if he failed, it would be a harsh reminder of just how far he still had to go.

The next day passed in a blur of nerves and preparation. Les did his usual training, but his mind was constantly on the upcoming duel. By the time 7 PM rolled around, he was ready—or as ready as he could be.

He logged into Ancient Arena Online and navigated to the Bloodstone Arena. The dark, foreboding atmosphere of the arena greeted him, the blood-red sky casting an eerie glow over the battlefield. Jason was already there, standing calmly on the opposite side of the arena, his character's armor gleaming under the crimson light.

Les took a deep breath and approached, his heart pounding in his chest. This was it.

Jason's voice came through the in-game chat, calm and steady.

"You ready, Les?"

Les nodded, gripping his weapon tightly.

"Yeah. Let's do this."

The match began, and the world around them blurred into a whirlwind of motion.

Jason moved with the speed and precision of a true athlete, every step calculated, every strike perfectly timed. Les struggled to keep up at first, his mind racing to process the speed of Jason's attacks. But as the battle went on, something clicked.

Life Mirror.

The skill that had always given Les an edge in battles was starting to work its magic. He could see it—the subtle patterns in Jason's movements, the split-second hesitations, the faint openings that appeared when he shifted his weight just a little too far to one side. Les wasn't just reacting anymore—he was predicting. He could see where Jason was going before he even moved.

For the first time, Les felt like he wasn't just surviving. He was learning.