Several weeks had passed since Alex first began his quest to prepare for the unknown. During this time, he had actively brainstormed and carefully selected potential tutors for hand-to-hand combat. He had watched countless videos, read through reviews, and even participated in online discussions about the most efficient ways to learn martial arts. Finally, he narrowed down his choices to three instructors—each with a unique approach to training.
The first was a seasoned MMA fighter known for blending traditional techniques with modern mixed martial arts. The second was an ex-military instructor who specialized in Krav Maga and focused on practical self-defense, while the third was a Tai Chi master, whose emphasis on fluid movements and balance intrigued Alex for its mental benefits.
As he weighed his options, Alex concluded it was best to attend the classes in person, at least initially. "I need to get the basics down—the movements, the stance, how to position my body," he reasoned. His plan was simple: attend the classes, master the fundamentals, and then use his smart mode to target specific areas of improvement. "There's no need to reinvent the wheel here," he thought. "If I push smart mode too far and try to create a fighting style from scratch, I'll just crash it."
Satisfied with his plan, Alex enrolled in the classes. He scheduled his sessions so he could rotate between the three tutors, believing each one offered something unique that would complement the others. "I'll let them guide me," he thought. "Then I can use smart mode to refine my technique without overwhelming my mental strength."
In the meantime, Alex had also begun cramming on firearms, weapons, and tactical knowledge during his spare time. He used the Cognichip's memory recall ability to absorb vast amounts of information, diving deep into ballistic physics, weapon safety, and even tactical maneuvers used by special forces. His brain was a sponge, soaking up knowledge that would later serve him in practice.
He found it fascinating how he could understand these concepts with ease and recall them without the aid of smart mode. The Cognichip, after all, had always been more about processing than mere recall. "This kind of preparation will serve me well," Alex thought as he bookmarked a few advanced manuals to review later.
Between training sessions and studying, Alex made sure to carve out time to relax. On one such day, he decided to pay a visit to Magan, his old friend who lived in Lakeside City. It had been a while since they caught up in person, and he was curious to hear her perspective on life in the city now that he was considering a permanent move.
As they sat in a quaint café near the lakeside, sipping coffee, the conversation was light and easy. Magan spoke about the recent events in the city—the new developments, the growing influx of people moving in due to the booming economy, and how the crypto firm was playing a part in the city's expansion.
"So, any big news at the crypto firm?" Alex asked casually, testing the waters. He wasn't directly involved with Lakeside's inner politics, but he liked to keep an ear open.
Magan shrugged. "Oh, nothing out of the ordinary—just the usual buzz about market fluctuations and how the firm is adjusting to new regulations after the elections. It's more of the same, honestly."
Alex nodded. He found it amusing how casually these things were discussed in the city now. Crypto had become such an integral part of life that even regulatory changes were just part of the routine.
"Anything on the social side?" he asked with a grin.
Magan laughed. "Well, Lakeside is Lakeside. People are still trying to keep up with the Joneses. There's a new luxury condo development popping up near the waterfront—word is they're selling fast. You thinking of making a move?"
"Maybe," Alex said thoughtfully. "I've been looking at a few places. Something simple, low-key, but comfortable."
"You? Low-key? Come on, Alex, I can't imagine you settling for anything less than a view of the lake and a sleek modern apartment," Magan teased.
Alex chuckled. "I guess we'll see. For now, I'm just enjoying the process."
As they finished their conversation and parted ways, Alex felt a sense of calm wash over him. He was putting the pieces of his life together in a way that suited him. Training, studying, and preparing for the future—all while keeping his life balanced with friends and family.
"This is the way to do it," he thought as he walked back to his apartment, already mentally preparing for the next session. He had the foundations in place, and now it was just a matter of steady progress, one step at a time.
With his combat and tactical training in motion, his knowledge expanding by the day, and the quiet assurance that he was ready for whatever lay ahead, Alex was focused, determined, and eager to move forward with his plan. The progress bar for his mental strength sat at 80%, and he could feel the shift—level 3 was just within reach.