Eren's residence back on Earth.
The room was steeped in the embrace of nighttime darkness, shrouded in an air of mystery.
Outside, gusts of cold wind, born from Nyx and tempered by moonlight, sought entry into Eren's bedroom. Despite the nearly shut windows obstructing their path, the untamed winds persisted. They wormed their way through the slender slits, their passage accompanied by lowkey howling sounds that echoed through the room.
Unbeknownst to the winds, their presence went unnoticed by the sole occupant of the room. The young man lay on his back, eyes closed, seemingly trapped in a peculiar state. His heartbeats raced erratically, his breaths uneven, as if caught in the grip of sleep paralysis.
Aware that he was witnessing dreams, he found himself powerless to halt their relentless procession. Every muscle in his body remained immobilized as a maelstrom of thoughts and memories churned within his mind like a colossal typhoon.
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"Defeat is a state of mind. Nobody is ever defeated until defeat has been accepted as the reality."
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"Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one."
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"The successful warrior is an average man with laser-like focus."
Some memories could be captured in words, for they were born from verbal exchanges. Other memories were of martial arts and weapon arts, which defied verbal description and demanded action.
These memories were not solely those of Bruce Lee's ego. They included moments of ordinary mortals achieving extraordinary feats, as well as glimpses into the journeys of rankers who, with trembling excitement, delved into spellcasting for the first time.
The creator of these memories had astutely predicted who would gain access to this trove. Only memories suitable for an individual on the cusp of official rank or a non-ranker seeking ascendance were compiled.
These were muscle memories, sensory memories, procedural memories, semantic memories, and long-term memories. Eren absorbed them all, his mind processing the amalgamation of experiences that originated from various sources.
As he did, a mark materialized on the back of his right hand—the very hand he had used to shake Bruce's. The mark, reminiscent of a golden egg, symbolized the creator's fixation on the term "Easter Egg." After a fleeting existence, the mark vanished, leaving one pondering its reality.
"Fuuuuuu*ck!"
Eren's vehement expletive resounded through the room as he abruptly awoke from his slumber. Rubbing his temples with both hands, he contemplated the events of the previous night. He remained seated on the edge of his bed, ensuring he wouldn't succumb to sudden nausea.
Only then did he rise, straightening his posture. Something about him felt different, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what. As he stood, he sensed an enhanced control over his bodily movements, as if he could draw maximum power from his muscles while maintaining a lean physique.
Physically, he remained as seemingly frail as before, lacking enhanced muscle definition. Nevertheless, a newfound assurance coursed through him. He recognized that the memories he had absorbed during his sleep contained more than mere nonsensical references. They held experiences and knowledge that could be applied to his workout routines and training.
Among the memories was a recollection of an individual similar in nature and disposition to Eren, who had achieved official rank. Eren possessed a few spells that he could employ once he obtained his mana core. Alas, he currently lacked such a core, preventing him from testing these newfound abilities.
The question lingered: How long would it take for Eren to attain official rank? His patience wore thin, and he hoped the journey wouldn't be prolonged.
***
Another day dawned, signaling another opportunity for Eren to grind tirelessly. He concluded his workout session and embarked on the journey home, leaving Reec behind as he had done before. Spending an hour and a half at the gym, he ensured that his body reached the pinnacle of exhaustion before departing the guild premises.
Gulp. Gulp. Gulp.
Eren quenched his thirst with a post-workout drink infused with mana as he traversed the desolate streets. Instantly, he felt the mana coursing through his veins, revitalizing his fatigued muscles. He reveled in the rejuvenating effects of the beverage, regaining much of his pre-workout vigor.
"Totally worth it," Eren chuckled, crushing the empty can and relishing the lingering sensation of renewal. His body nearly restored, he felt compelled to forgo the gyro cab and run home, desiring stamina and endurance for an extended journey.
"Seek, and ye shall find. The consciousness of self is the greatest hindrance to the proper execution of all physical action," Eren murmured, his legs stretching as he motivated himself. He had resolved to embark on a long run, seeking solace in its mind-numbing simplicity, which often led to heightened mindfulness.
Yet, fate had other designs.
Unbeknownst to Eren, Stan, Jayce, and Ralph trailed him from a distance, biding their time to exact retribution for the stunt he had pulled on them.