Alex sat at his desk, his mind buzzing with excitement. This wasn't just another day at the office—this was a chance to put his abilities to the test, to prove that he could handle real-world challenges just as easily as he had dominated in the controlled settings of his own private training. The more he thought about it, the more invigorated he felt.
"Finally, something I can sink my teeth into," Alex muttered to himself as he pulled up his research.
His mind wandered to the topic of savants. They had always fascinated him, even before he began unlocking his own mental strength. Savants were individuals with extraordinary mental abilities, often far beyond the norm, despite other developmental or cognitive challenges. They were the closest thing to a mentalist in the real world, Alex thought, chuckling at the term he had taken to calling himself lately. The term "mentalist" sounded like something out of a novel, but for someone like Alex, with his level two mental power, it wasn't far from the truth.
Savants could have near-perfect recall or an incredible knack for numbers, art, or music. They could see patterns and solutions most people missed, functioning on an entirely different wavelength. But where they had limitations—such as difficulty applying their abilities across different fields—Alex had versatility. He didn't just want to see one part of the market; he wanted to see it all.
"I might not be a savant," Alex said, scrolling through the information, "but I can outthink one."
With that thought cemented in his mind, he grabbed his jacket and headed to the office, ready for what the day would bring.
---
The Market Analysis Room
The room was filled with the soft hum of conversations and the clicks of keyboards as traders watched the market trends on large screens. The pressure was palpable, especially given the situation with Prescott Group looming over everyone. Still, Alex felt oddly at ease, leaning back in his chair as he observed the traders at work.
He'd already done his part, submitting a detailed market analysis for the upcoming week—predictions that extended a full week beyond what Prescott's savant had managed. It had taken some late nights and some careful thought, but Alex had found a way to stretch his mental processing power, allowing him to analyze trends in greater depth than even he had anticipated.
Now, it was time for the fun part: teaching the team some of the tricks he'd developed. He couldn't be in the room every day, nor did he want to be called for every crisis. Better to empower them with a system they could rely on, one that would help them stay ahead without needing him constantly.
"Alright, everyone," Alex said, standing up and gathering the attention of the traders. "I've been watching the trends, and there are a few things you should know if you want to stay ahead of the competition. You're probably all familiar with pattern recognition in the market, but there are nuances that even the best algorithms haven't caught onto yet."
The traders were listening intently now, their eyes locked on Alex as he began explaining his strategies. He spoke about hidden volatility, how certain markets moved in tandem with subtle world events—things like shifts in commodity pricing during election cycles, geopolitical tensions that didn't make headlines, and how to read through the noise of rapid-fire trading.
"For example," Alex said, pointing to the screen, "take the price of crude oil. Most people only look at the direct geopolitical impact, like war or trade deals. But there's another layer—something more subtle. Watch how crude reacts after major shipping delays in the Gulf. You won't see it on the charts immediately, but if you trace back shipping data, you'll notice a ripple effect. It's these ripples you want to catch early, before they become waves."
The traders nodded, eyes widening as they started to realize the depth of what Alex was saying.
"And don't just follow the money," Alex continued. "Follow where it's not going. The gaps tell you just as much as the peaks. For instance, in a stable market, if certain stocks aren't fluctuating with the rest, that's your early warning sign that something's up—something the market hasn't priced in yet."
As Alex spoke, the traders scribbled down notes, their faces lit up with excitement. He could see it in their eyes—they were starting to understand the full scope of what he was showing them. These weren't just tips and tricks. This was a whole new approach to market analysis, a way of seeing patterns that others missed.
He smiled to himself. "Good. I won't have to be here every time something shifts. They can handle the day-to-day without me."
Just as he was finishing up, his email pinged with a new message. He glanced at the subject line: Request for Updated Market Response Analysis. Perfect timing. He had already compiled everything from the last two weeks, extending beyond what the savant at Prescott Group had managed. His analysis went deeper and broader, factoring in elements the competition had likely overlooked.
He hit "send," confident that his report would give the company a much-needed edge.
---
Back at his desk, Alex leaned back, feeling a rush of satisfaction. He had done what was needed, pushed the boundaries of what was expected. The traders were now better equipped, and his report was ready to shake things up. Most importantly, he had extended the lead over Prescott's savant—something he was sure would be noticed soon enough.
As the office buzzed with activity, Alex couldn't help but reflect on how much he had changed over the last few months. His mental strength, his ability to stay calm under pressure, even his willingness to take on new challenges—it all pointed to one thing: he was growing into the kind of person he had always wanted to be. Not just reactive, but proactive. Ready for whatever came next.
And as for Prescott's savant? Alex smiled. He was ready for that challenge, too.