Ctrl + Alt + "Reality"

Chapter 7: Lessons in Control

The early morning sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground as Mori Kiyoshi stood in the secluded training area behind a nondescript building. The air was thick with anticipation, the quiet buzz of the city a distant hum that faded into the background. Mori felt a mix of excitement and anxiety churn in his stomach as he waited for Jun to arrive.

It had been a few days since he first attended the underground meeting of supernatural individuals, and each day since had been dedicated to training under Jun's guidance. This was his opportunity to harness his reality-bending abilities, to learn to control the chaos that had so far defined his life. But the thought of failure loomed heavily over him, a shadow that threatened to swallow his determination.

"Mori!" Jun's voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back into the moment. Mori turned to see Jun walking toward him, his demeanor relaxed but focused, a confident grin on his face.

"Ready for another session?" Jun asked, his eyes sparkling with encouragement.

"I guess so," Mori replied, his voice barely above a whisper. What if I mess up again? The self-doubt crept in uninvited, clawing at his resolve.

"Let's start with some warm-up exercises," Jun suggested, leading him to a flat area marked by faint lines in the dirt. "Today, we're going to focus on grounding yourself. It's crucial for regulating your emotions, especially when you're trying to control your powers."

Mori nodded, though the weight of anxiety settled heavily on his chest. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the turbulent thoughts swirling in his mind. Focus. Just breathe.

Jun demonstrated a series of breathing exercises, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly. Mori followed suit, mimicking the rhythm as he tried to center himself. With each breath, he felt a bit more grounded, the noise in his head quieting to a faint whisper.

"Good. Now, let's add some movement," Jun instructed, guiding Mori through a series of slow, deliberate motions. "Feel the energy flow through you, connect with the ground beneath your feet. This will help you stabilize your emotions when you're practicing your abilities."

As they moved, Mori felt the connection with the earth beneath him, the solid ground grounding his swirling thoughts. For a brief moment, he felt a flicker of control, a semblance of peace amidst the chaos that usually accompanied his powers.

"Now, I want you to focus on a simple task," Jun said, his tone shifting to one of seriousness. "Picture an object—a small one. Something you can easily visualize. Try to manipulate it with your mind."

Mori swallowed hard, his heart racing as he thought of a simple paper cup resting on a nearby table. He concentrated, willing it to move, his brow furrowing in concentration. But as he focused, a wave of anxiety washed over him, and he felt his emotions surge, chaotic and unregulated.

The cup trembled slightly but didn't budge. Frustration gnawed at him, and he gritted his teeth. "Why can't I do this?" he muttered under his breath, his pulse quickening.

"Remember to breathe, Mori," Jun said, his voice steady and calming. "Your emotions are powerful, but they can also be overwhelming. If you can't control them, you won't be able to control your abilities."

Mori nodded, but his frustration boiled over. Why was it so hard to focus? He felt like he was fighting against a tidal wave, and every time he thought he was making progress, it crashed over him, dragging him back under.

"Take a step back," Jun advised, his tone gentle. "Let's talk about what you're feeling."

"I don't know," Mori admitted, running a hand through his hair. "I just feel... overwhelmed. Like there's too much inside me, and I can't figure out how to let it out."