"Dammit," he muttered under his breath as he sidestepped, barely avoiding a strike aimed at his knee. This was a step up, and it showed. His reactions weren't as sharp, his movements still a bit too slow.
He couldn't afford to make the same mistakes.
The next few minutes passed in a blur of dodges, parries, and strikes, but Alex began to find his rhythm again. With every dummy he took down, his confidence grew, even as the pressure increased. His training was paying off, but it wasn't enough. Not yet.
"User also has an Auto Mode, allowing the system to use your body to fight," suddenly Mary said as he paused.
"Can you control my body to fight?" he asked.
"Yes, it can be activated when the user is ready. I can take over your body without disrupting your mind and lead the combat movements," Mary replied.
"Hmm, but what's the use of it?" Alex nodded and asked.
"I meant to show you what your full capabilities are. You're not even using 10% of your full potential," Mary said, and Alex fell silent for a moment before nodding.
"Okay then, set the simulation to Nightmare mode and control my body. I'll just watch. Is that possible?" Alex asked, intrigued.
"Yes, user can," she answered promptly.
"Alright, go ahead and take over my body while in Nightmare mode," Alex ordered, settling into position. He felt himself slipping slightly as his body moved without his conscious input, his limbs flowing as if they were part of a single, synchronized whole.
"So, this is auto-mode..." Alex muttered to himself, feeling his mind detached from the body's actions. Within just a few seconds, the room transformed into a darker environment, and enemies appeared.
"Now, I will show you your full capabilities," Mary said as she shifted to thermal vision, and the enemies were outlined in a fiery red.
"With thermal vision, you have many other visual modes," she explained as Alex could see the enemies more clearly now, their vital points glowing with thermal energy. His body moved almost effortlessly, taking down enemies one after the other with swift strikes.
"User is no longer hindered by control limits. Your speed has increased five times the average human, and your brain processing has accelerated as well," she continued, as Alex felt a surge of power flowing through him. He finished the last of the enemies in a flurry of rapid attacks.
"This is your peak," Mary said. "Now, you've exceeded the limits you once thought you had. You are functioning at a higher speed than before."
"It seems there's a lot of work I need to do," Alex muttered as he steadied his breathing, realizing just how much potential he had yet to unlock.
"There is no need to worry, as I am here to teach you how to reach your full potential. Now, let's rest for a while. This time will be for basic training, but you will soon be able to handle and deal with it without wasting much time or getting overwhelmed," Mary explained as the training program paused, and the atmosphere calmed.
Alex let out a deep breath, feeling his muscles relax as he prepared for the next phase of his journey.
Alex closed his eyes for a moment, letting his body relax and his mind focus. He could feel the weight of the power inside him, but it wasn't just about strength—it was about control. He was beginning to realize that the key to unlocking his full potential lay in mastering both.
"Okay, I'm ready," he said, opening his eyes as he stood tall once more. His muscles were still sore from the intensity of the last simulation, but the pain was a reminder of how far he'd come.
"Good," Mary replied, her voice calm and focused. "Now, let's begin with something basic but essential. I will guide you through controlling your strength and refining your movements."
Alex nodded. He needed to learn precision. The raw power he had access to was incredible, but it was wild. He had to tame it, make it part of his body, part of his instinct.
The lights in the room shifted to a softer, more controlled ambiance. A new set of dummies appeared in front of him, their forms designed for close combat training.
"Start with basic strikes, but focus on your control. Don't overwhelm them with power. Use just enough force to move them, then stop. Let your body feel the limits," Mary instructed.
Alex took a deep breath and moved forward. His body flowed naturally, his legs shifting, his arms moving with purpose. As his fist connected with the first dummy, he focused on the amount of pressure he applied. Not too much—just enough to send it stumbling backward.
The second strike was more controlled, and the third even smoother. He was learning to flow through the motions, not thinking too much, just letting his instincts guide him.
"Very good," Mary praised. "Now, increase the speed but keep the control. Your body is learning, but it must respond with the same efficiency when it moves faster."
Alex didn't hesitate. He allowed his body to pick up speed, the rhythm flowing seamlessly as his strikes became more fluid. He moved like a predator, his limbs sharp, controlled, yet fast. The dummies were no match for his agility and precision.
As he finished the last of them, Alex stood still, breathing heavily but feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I'm getting the hang of this," he said, half-smiling.
"You're progressing quickly," Mary responded. "Now, we'll take it further. We'll simulate a combat scenario with multiple opponents."
Alex's eyes sharpened as he prepared himself. He wasn't just playing anymore—this was real, and each step forward made him stronger, more capable.
"Ready when you are," he said, his voice steady.
"Good," Mary replied, her voice almost a whisper. "Let's see what you can do when the stakes are higher."
The room shifted once more, and a new simulation began.
***
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