Alex had spent months focusing on mental strengthening, and the progress bar, inching toward full completion, had been a constant in his mind. Then, one day, it happened.
A quiet moment of stillness in his room, no fanfare, no dramatic signs—just a sudden shift, a silent signal from within as the progress bar inched to its final pixel and filled. His system interface flickered for a moment before a notification appeared:
Mental Strength Level: 2
At first, there was nothing except the faint buzz of energy running through his body. But then, Alex felt something deeper—a clarity in his thoughts that was sharper, more defined. It wasn't overwhelming, but it was unmistakable. His breakthrough had unlocked something fundamental: Enhanced Cognition.
"This isn't Cognichip's doing," Alex thought. "This is purely me."
Ability Unlocked: Enhanced Cognition
This was the cognichip's gift for reaching Level 2. The upgrade was simple but powerful—his mind could now process information more effectively, connect ideas, and perceive patterns faster than before.
But that wasn't all. There was another shift. Without even engaging the Cognichip, he could instantly recall anything he'd learned or experienced. The details of conversations, books, and moments of his life now floated effortlessly to the surface. This wasn't the system at work; this was him, his own mind naturally growing stronger.
He stood up, pacing his small room, his thoughts racing with possibilities. This was the first real milestone—a profound change. The Cognichip's smart mode had its uses, but now Alex didn't have to rely on it to instantly remember something. He was stronger in his own right.
Sitting back down, Alex couldn't help but wonder: "Is this how those ancient sages who meditated for decades felt?" His mind spun with excitement, but he knew he couldn't share this revelation openly—not with anyone. He had to keep this secret.
---
Later, while hanging out with his friends, Alex casually brought up the idea of visualization during their conversation. They were sitting at their favorite café, chatting about random things—work, weekend plans, and the usual societal gripes.
"I've been trying something new," Alex said, stirring his coffee. "Have any of you tried visualization? Like, really picturing things while meditating?"
Mia raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Visualization? Like imagining stuff in your head while you meditate?"
"Yeah," Alex continued, trying to keep his tone light. "It's more than just meditating to relax. It's about focusing on something grand—like the sun or the stars. I've found it really helps with mental clarity."
His friend Sam snorted, shaking his head. "Dude, meditation? Really? I can't even sit still for five minutes."
Mia, on the other hand, nodded slowly. "I've read about it. Some people say visualization can help with focus and even manifesting things into your life."
"Exactly," Alex said, feeling a surge of hope that maybe Mia would understand. "It's like connecting with something bigger than yourself."
But while Mia looked interested, Sam wasn't buying it. "Sounds like one of those pseudo-science things. I'll stick to actual science, thanks," he said with a grin.
Alex laughed along, knowing he couldn't push the topic too hard. Sam's skepticism was expected, and while Mia seemed more open to mediation, he couldn't explain the true extent of what visualization had done for him without crossing dangerous lines.
That night, frustrated that the conversation hadn't gone anywhere, Alex turned to an online forum for meditation enthusiasts. If he couldn't talk openly to his friends, maybe he could share his ideas anonymously.
He logged in and created an account under the name Star Gazer. He scrolled through threads about visualization techniques, grounding exercises, and deep meditation, all from people seeking self-improvement. It was a community of open minds, and here, he could share his experiences without fear.
Alex wrote a post:
"I've found that visualizing something larger than life—like the sun, the galaxy, or black holes—helps me focus during meditation. It feels like tapping into something more profound. Has anyone else experienced something similar?"
Satisfied, he hit "post" and leaned back, knowing he'd found a place where his ideas could flow freely. Maybe someone out there would connect with his thoughts, even if his friends couldn't. But as he typed his final thoughts, he reminded himself once more—no one could ever know about his actual powers.