NOVEL NEXT Chapter 74: Chapter 74
Back at home, Alex settled into his chair, closing his eyes and allowing his mind to wander through the events of the day. The sound of gunfire still echoed faintly in his ears, and he recalled the lessons from Tom—how to aim, how to control recoil, and the importance of speed and precision. But now, it was time to analyze it all from a different perspective.
He brought up the memory of the shooting range in vivid detail—every sight, sound, and movement perfectly clear. The faces of other shooters, the positioning of targets, even the subtle way Tom adjusted his stance at different points. It all replayed in his mind, but this time with deliberate focus.
How do I optimize this? Alex wondered. He wasn't looking to just become good at firearms; he wanted to master it. He knew that using his Smart Mode for too long would overload his brain, so he needed a targeted approach. Efficiency was key.
Slowly, he began dissecting each movement. He remembered how the Glock felt in his hand, the way the recoil traveled up his arm. He zeroed in on the details—how much he'd shifted his stance to compensate for the second shot, how quickly his eyes transitioned between targets. Each adjustment felt minor at the time, but now, through the clarity of his mental focus, Alex saw how they all contributed to accuracy.
Smart Mode, he thought. He entered the state cautiously, just dipping his mind into it without overcommitting. His brain buzzed with the familiar intensity—clarity beyond normal comprehension. He needed to simulate each scenario, mentally reenacting every shot he took, running through different terrains, conditions, and weapons. He imagined faster reloads, firing in darker environments, and hitting targets while on the move.
A quick burst of mental fatigue crept up after a few minutes. He immediately stepped out of Smart Mode, grounding himself. His breathing slowed. Can't push too far, he reminded himself. But the results were promising. By narrowing the focus of his simulations, he avoided overwhelming himself with information.
Once the mental strain eased, Alex stood up and walked outside, the evening air cool against his skin. It was time for his part-time practice—Flowstrike mode, as he had taken to calling it. It was his unique way of merging Tai Chi's slow, deliberate movements with meditation.
As he stood in the yard, the flow of his movements came naturally now. His body moved in rhythm, but his mind was calm, deep in contemplation. He let his thoughts drift like before, wandering from one idea to the next. It was a practice that had become more natural to him, and now, with each session, he felt that familiar thrill as the progress bar for his mental strength edged forward.
Level 4, he mused, sensing it within reach. He visualized the bar—steadily moving, just waiting for that one final push to take him into a new realm of mental power. He could feel it growing closer every day.
As he moved through the Tai Chi forms, his body followed the flow without conscious thought, allowing his mind to drift back to the firearms training. He simulated different terrains in his mind—dense forests, narrow alleyways, and open fields. He imagined the feel of an assault rifle in his hand, its weight and recoil as he adjusted his aim in Smart Mode. With every step, every slow shift of his hands, his mind played out the scenarios with perfect clarity.
Yet, unlike before, there was no rush to dive deeper. He understood his limits now. There was no need to force a breakthrough, not when progress was inevitable.
As the stars twinkled in the night sky, Alex finished his session, feeling both mentally and physically invigorated. Flowstrike mode had evolved into something that wasn't just a practice—it had become a way for him to push forward, combining all his strengths into a singular purpose.
Walking back inside, he felt the subtle hum of energy coursing through him. The steady increase toward Level 4 gave him a deep sense of satisfaction. With each passing day, he grew stronger, sharper.