Chapter 2: Talent?

The gym was alive with energy. The rhythmic thuds of gloves hitting heavy bags filled the air, punctuated by sharp shouts and occasional laughter. Alex stood near the corner, still adjusting to this gritty world of boxing. His body ached from the earlier drills, but there was something different now—his movements were sharper, his stance steadier. And most importantly, he was no longer the outsider he'd felt like when he first unlocked his memories.

"Ippo, Miyata," Kamogawa's voice boomed, cutting through the noise. "Get in the ring. Time to see what you're made of."

The gym fell silent as everyone turned their attention to the ring. Alex sat on the bench, curious. This was it—the legendary sparring match that had marked the beginning of Ippo's journey in the anime. Seeing it unfold in real life sent a jolt of nostalgia through him.

Ippo climbed into the ring, his face a mix of nervousness and determination. Across from him stood Miyata, calm and composed, exuding the aura of a predator. Alex watched intently, trying to learn from them. Even without his system granting him any direct insights, his passion for boxing and past-life knowledge helped him appreciate the nuances of their fighting styles.

"Ready?" Kamogawa asked, his voice gruff but expectant.

Both fighters nodded.

"Begin!"

Ippo charged forward with raw power but barely any technique, while Miyata danced around him, his counters precise and devastating. The gym erupted in cheers and gasps as the two clashed. Alex leaned forward, analyzing every move, comparing himself against both of them. His heart pounded, not with fear, but with excitement.

"Cool," he muttered. "Ippo's raw power and Miyata's technique... It's better than watching it in the anime," he thought.

By the end of the sparring session, Ippo was exhausted, but a happy grin stretched across his face. Miyata, on the other hand, seemed as composed as ever, though a hint of respect flickered in his eyes.

Kamogawa nodded approvingly. "Good work, both of you. Ippo, you've got potential, but your technique is still lacking, and your footwork needs work. Miyata, keep sharpening those counters."

As the two climbed out of the ring, Kamogawa's gaze fell on Alex. His sharp eyes seemed to pierce right through him.

"Alright, kid. How about you try it?" he said, gesturing toward the ring.

Alex blinked. "Wait, me? Against Miyata?"

Takamura let out a hearty laugh and patted Alex on the shoulder. "Relax, rookie. It's just a light sparring session."

Alex looked at Takamura before shrugging his hand off. "Fine. Let's do this."

He climbed into the ring, trying to exude confidence. But as he faced Miyata, who regarded him with that same calm, predatory gaze, he felt a small flicker of nervousness. The crowd gathered closer, eager to see what the new guy could do.

Kamogawa leaned against the ropes. "Listen up, kid. Try your best. Just focus on landing a hit against Miyata. Got it?"

Alex nodded. He wasn't stupid. He knew Miyata had been training for years, while he had barely started. This wasn't a joke—he needed to take this seriously and learn as much as he could.

"Ready?" Kamogawa called.

Both fighters nodded.

"Begin!"

Miyata moved first, using his upright stance, his speed almost blinding. Alex barely managed to raise his guard in time to deflect the jab. The impact stung his arm, causing his guard to tremble slightly.

"He's fast... too fast for me to follow for now. I need to adapt to his pace."

Miyata pressed the attack, throwing multiple jabs. Alex dodged one, blocked another, but a sharp hook slipped through his guard, grazing his cheek. The crowd winced in unison.

"Keep your guard up and move side to side, kid!" Kamogawa barked.

Alex took deep breaths, trying to stay calm and resetting his stance. He focused on his breathing, on the rhythm of Miyata's movements. Slowly, he began to adapt to Miyata's pace, his reactions sharpening the longer the spar continued.

"Not bad," Miyata said, his voice calm but with a trace of amusement. "But you're wide open."

Before Alex could react, Miyata feinted left and landed a clean jab to his chest, almost knocking the wind out of his skinny frame. Alex stumbled back, gasping for air. The gym cheered as Takamura called out.

"Come on, rookie! You're getting schooled out there!"

Despite the sting of the hit—and his bruised ego—Alex straightened up, feigning nonchalance. He focused again.

"I'll adapt," he quipped, earning a round of laughter from the crowd.

Miyata raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk forming. "You sure? Let's see if you can back it up."

The sparring continued, and Alex steadily adjusted. He couldn't match Miyata's speed or precision, but he began predicting his counters, slipping past some punches, and even landing a few glancing blows. Sweat poured down his face, his muscles screamed in protest, but he was having fun.

Then, something shifted.

A strange sensation washed over him, like a wave of clarity cutting through the chaos. Time seemed to slow as he read Miyata's movements more clearly than before. His body moved instinctively, slipping past a jab and planting his feet firmly. A familiar chime echoed in his mind.

System Update: Unlock Percentage Increased to 1%

Hitman Style: Unlocked

Philly Shell: Unlocked

Crazy mode:?

Alex's eyes widened as he read the notification, but his body moved before he could think. His stance shifted—his lead hand raised high, his torso angled sideways, his back hand guarding his chin. His body coiled like a spring, a new flow of movement awakening within him.

The gym murmured in confusion at the sudden change in his stance.

"What's this?" Miyata's gaze narrowed as he adjusted his guard.

Kamogawa touched his chin, his expression thoughtful. "Didn't think this kid knew what that stance was… Hell, I don't even know where he learned it.. "Must be instinct," or it must have been his born talent. Then he touches his bald head. "I hear there is a legendary coach who only teaches a bunch of talented fighters."