Title: Cosmic Mindscape: Rise of a Hidden Power

The gym buzzed with activity as Alex entered. The rhythmic sound of fists hitting pads, the occasional thud of bodies hitting the mats, and the low hum of conversation filled the air. As he made his way to the training area, he could feel the eyes of other trainees following him. It wasn't exactly a secret that he'd impressed their seasoned instructor last week. In fact, it seemed like word had spread faster than he anticipated.

A few trainees stood near the edge of the sparring mats, talking in low voices. Alex caught snippets of their conversation.

"Is that the guy who picked up those moves in one session?"

"Yeah, I heard he nailed them perfectly on the first try."

"Must have some crazy natural talent. No way he's a beginner."

Alex could sense a mixture of envy and admiration in their tones. He didn't mind. In fact, it only pushed him to perform even better. But he wasn't here to show off; he was here to learn.

His tutor, a tall man in his forties with a lean, muscular build, stood waiting in the center of the ring. The man's expression was serious, his eyes sharp as ever. Alex had seen those eyes light up with surprise before, but today, there was only the look of a teacher preparing for a rigorous session.

"You're on time. Good," the tutor said, his voice calm but carrying authority.

Alex stepped into the ring, pulling off his jacket and tossing it aside. "I'm ready for whatever you've got."

The tutor gave a small nod, his gaze briefly flicking to the trainees watching from the sidelines. "Word's gotten around about you," he remarked casually. "They're expecting to see something impressive."

Alex smiled faintly, feeling the pressure but not letting it get to him. "Then I'll do my best not to disappoint."

The tutor stepped closer, his voice lowering. "Remember, this isn't about showing off. It's about honing your skill. Keep your focus."

Alex nodded. He knew what the man meant. As much as he wanted to push himself, there was no room for arrogance or carelessness. Today wasn't about Cognichip or smart mode. It was about using his own mental strength to stay sharp, to react, and to learn. Smart mode had its time and place, but this wasn't it.

The tutor raised his hands into a fighting stance. "Let's start with some light sparring. Show me what you've learned."

Alex mirrored his movements, raising his fists and widening his stance. The moment the tutor moved, Alex's mind sharpened, his focus narrowing onto every small detail. The subtle shifts in weight, the slight twitch in muscle, the way the man's eyes darted for just a fraction of a second before he threw a punch—it was all clear to him.

Alex dodged the first punch smoothly, stepping to the side just in time. The tutor's second punch came fast, a quick jab aimed at his midsection. This time, Alex blocked it with his forearm and immediately countered with a low kick aimed at the tutor's knee.

The tutor blocked the kick with a sharp movement, smiling slightly. "Good. Faster than last time."

From the sidelines, Alex could hear the murmurs of the other trainees. He couldn't make out their exact words, but he could feel their attention on him, their curiosity building as they watched the fight unfold.

The tutor came at him again, this time with a combination of punches and kicks. Alex's mental strength kicked into high gear, his mind processing each movement almost in real-time. He weaved through the punches, blocking some, dodging others, and when the tutor's leg came up for a high kick, Alex ducked under it and swept the man's standing leg, sending him off-balance.

The tutor recovered quickly, landing back on his feet with a light bounce, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Not bad. You're more controlled now."

Alex could feel the intensity building. He was fully engaged, his body moving almost on instinct, but with a precision that surprised even him. He wasn't relying on Cognichip, just pure mental focus and the training he'd absorbed.

The tutor stepped back for a moment, assessing. "Let's see how you handle a real push. Don't hold back."

Alex's heart pounded in his chest as the tutor came at him full force. This time, the punches were faster, the kicks more precise. The man moved like a whirlwind, testing Alex's limits. For a moment, Alex considered tapping into smart mode, but he pushed the thought away. He didn't need it—not yet.

He kept his focus razor-sharp, his mental strength allowing him to track every movement. His arms moved in quick blocks, his legs shifting and pivoting to avoid the strikes. The tutor was relentless, but Alex stayed with him, blocking, countering, and even landing a few solid hits of his own.

The murmurs from the other trainees grew louder. Alex could feel their eyes on him, some in awe, some in disbelief. He didn't care. All that mattered was the fight.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the tutor stepped back, breathing heavily but clearly impressed. "That's enough," he said, lowering his hands. "You've got real potential, Alex. You're not just copying the moves anymore—you're making them your own."

Alex lowered his guard, breathing hard but feeling exhilarated. His body ached, but it was a good kind of ache. He'd pushed himself, and it had paid off.

The tutor walked over to him, clapping a hand on his shoulder. "You've earned a break. We'll pick this up again next time."

As Alex stepped out of the ring, he caught the glances of the other trainees—some admiring, some envious, but all impressed. He smiled to himself, the amusement from earlier returning. They had no idea what he was really capable of, and that was just fine with him.

For now, he was content with his progress. But as he walked toward the locker room, his mind was already planning his next steps, thinking of how to integrate what he'd learned today with his growing abilities. He was just getting started.