The Hidden Space

Aaron awoke early the next morning, feeling refreshed after a good night's sleep. He took a quick shower and changed into clean clothes, had his breakfast, feeling the cool water invigorate him. With a renewed sense of purpose, he headed out, ready to continue his search for a secluded training spot.

He wandered through the quieter parts of the city, moving through dimly lit streets and narrow alleyways. His hoodie was pulled low to keep his face hidden, and he made an effort to blend in with the surroundings. The air was crisp, and the city was beginning to stir as he moved stealthily from block to block.

After some time, Aaron's gaze fell upon an old, abandoned garage tucked away in a less-traveled corner. Its rusty metal door hung askew, and the brick walls were streaked with grime. The garage had clearly seen better days—graffiti tags covered the exterior, and broken windows were haphazardly boarded up. Despite its dilapidated state, the space held a certain promise of privacy and potential.

As Aaron approached the garage, he saw a man leaning against a nearby brick wall, smoking a cigarette. The man was middle-aged, with a weathered face, a scruffy beard, and a battered cap. His faded leather jacket and torn jeans added to his rugged appearance.

Aaron decided to ask about the garage. "Hey, do you know anything about this place?" he asked.

The man exhaled a plume of smoke and gave Aaron a curious look. "Yeah, it's mine. Haven't used it in a while. Just sits here."

"Why's that?" Aaron asked, intrigued.

The man shrugged nonchalantly. "Had plans to turn it into a workshop once. Life took me in a different direction, though. Now it's just a spot I visit occasionally."

Aaron took a deep breath. "I'm looking for a place to train. Would it be alright if I used it?"

The man's eyes lit up with amusement. "Sure thing. It's not like I've got any use for it at the moment. Just promise me you won't make a mess in there. No smoking weed or anything like that."

Aaron smiled. "Got it. I'll keep it clean."

The man nodded, reminding Aaron to lock up when he left. With a grateful nod, Aaron entered the garage. The space was dusty and filled with debris, but it offered the seclusion he needed.

After settling in, Aaron stood in the center of the dusty garage, taking a deep breath as he began to formulate his training plan. The space was far from ideal, but it was secluded and quiet—perfect for what he needed.

"This'll have to do," he muttered to himself, looking around the garage. "I don't need fancy equipment, just enough space to move around."

His mind drifted back to the previous encounter with those thugs. The way he had used his cursed technique had been effective, but it had drained him. "Every time I use cursed energy, it feels like it's sapping my stamina," Aaron thought aloud. "I can't keep pushing myself like that without building up my endurance."

He remembered how close he'd come to real danger when one of the thugs pulled a gun. "I got lucky that time," he said, shaking his head. "If they'd been more skilled, I might not have walked away so easily. I can't rely on luck next time. If I get shot, I'm done for."

His thoughts turned to the nature of cursed energy. He knew that when he ran cursed energy through his body, it provided a slight boost to his physical abilities. "It's not much now," he mused, "but with time and consistent training, it could make a real difference. Maybe one day, I could reach the level of superhumans someone like Captain America."

Aaron clenched his fists, feeling a surge of determination. "I need to up my game—quickly. I'll start with the 'Bald superhero's' method: push-ups, sit-ups, squats—anything to build my strength and endurance. And I'll work on circulating cursed energy through my body at the same time. I have to make this a daily routine."

"This is just the beginning," Aaron muttered to himself, a steely resolve in his voice. "I'll make sure I'm ready for whatever comes next."

With his plan set, Aaron began his first round of exercises, focusing on building his body and mastering the flow of cursed energy. Each movement was deliberate, every ounce of energy focused on growing stronger. The road ahead was long, but he was ready to walk it, one step at a time.

[Two days later]

Two days had passed since Aaron started his training in the abandoned garage. The space had gradually transformed into his personal gym. Tires, old crates, and a few discarded metal rods had become his makeshift equipment. It was far from glamorous, but it was exactly what he needed.

Sweat dripped down his forehead as he grunted, lifting one of the heavy tires he had found in a corner. His muscles strained, but he pushed through the resistance, feeling the burn in his arms and legs. He dropped the tire with a thud and took a moment to catch his breath.

"This is progress," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I'm getting stronger, little by little."

He had spent the last two days building a basic routine—running, lifting, and pushing his body to its limits. He could feel the difference, but he knew it wasn't enough. Today, he was going to try something different, something that had been on his mind since his encounter with those thugs.

"It's time to see if I can use the technique on myself," Aaron said, his voice low with anticipation. He had been thinking about this ever since he started training, wondering if he could enhance his own physical abilities using cursed energy.

Aaron took a deep breath and closed his eyes, focusing inward. He visualized the flow of cursed energy, the same energy he had used to subdue his enemies. This time, instead of directing it outward, he focused on channeling it into his own body.

"Push through," he muttered softly, testing the waters. Immediately, he felt a surge of power in his muscles, and the next time he lifted the tire, it was almost effortless. He increased his reps, pushing himself harder. But when he lowered the tire, the difficulty returned, the weight settling heavily in his hands.

"This isn't enough," Aaron said, realizing that the effect was temporary and only worked in one direction. He needed more.

Taking another deep breath, he decided to push further. "Strength," he said, this time with more conviction. The effect was immediate and more profound. Lifting the tire felt even easier than before, and this time, bringing it down was just as smooth, the weight hardly bothering him.

Aaron set the tire down gently, a new realization dawning on him. "It's not just about pushing through," he murmured, "the technique affects how I engage my strength. The stronger the command, the more balanced the effect."

A small smile crept onto his face as he considered the implications. "If I can refine this, it could be a game-changer."

Aaron stood at the edge of the garage, looking out at the open space before him. The thrill of his recent success still buzzed in his mind. He wasn't done yet—there was more to test. After all, if his cursed technique could enhance his strength, what else could it do?

He set off at a brisk jog, his feet pounding against the pavement as he picked up speed. His thoughts raced along with him, and as he reached a decent pace, he decided to push the boundaries further.

"Faster," he muttered under his breath, focusing his cursed energy on his legs. Instantly, he felt a surge of power, and his speed increased dramatically. The world around him blurred slightly as he moved, the wind whipping past his face. It was exhilarating—he was running faster than he ever thought possible.

He kept the pace for a while, enjoying the sensation of speed. But Aaron was curious. What if he tried the same command with a different focus? Slowing down slightly, he shifted his intention, this time channeling the energy toward his hands.

"Faster," he said again, but with a new focus. His legs maintained their current speed, but his hands responded instantly, moving in a flurry of motion. He tested it by throwing a few quick jabs into the air, his fists blurring as they cut through the wind. It worked—his hands were moving at an entirely different speed from the rest of his body.

Aaron slowed to a stop, panting lightly, but his mind was buzzing with excitement. "So, it's not just the words," he realized aloud. "It's about what I intend with them."

This revelation opened up a world of possibilities. He could use the same commands to achieve different effects, depending on what he wanted. It was a tool not just for enhancing his own abilities, but also for creating confusion in his enemies. They would never know what to expect, and that unpredictability could be his greatest weapon.

A grin spread across his face as he turned back toward the garage. He had only just begun to scratch the surface of what he could do. Each new discovery brought him closer to true freedom—the kind of freedom that only came with power.

With this newfound understanding, Aaron felt more determined than ever. He resumed his training, pushing his limits and refining his control over the cursed energy. The path ahead was challenging, but he knew that every drop of sweat and every ounce of effort would bring him closer to the strength he needed to survive in this unpredictable world.

Through strength, Aaron would carve out his own destiny, free from the chains of his past and the dangers lurking in his future. And as he trained, his resolve only grew stronger, his mind set on achieving the ultimate freedom.