Madrid, Spain – Mid May 2015
Eli Mercer didn't glow.
Didn't pulse.
Didn't shift.
But something changed.
Morning Circuit – Breath Tier
He inhaled.
Held.
Exhaled.
The delay extended.
The rhythm deepened.
The silence sharpened.
No one saw it.
No one felt it.
But Eli logged it.
School – Normal Mask
He walked the halls.
Answered questions.
Passed notes.
No fatigue.
No emotion.
No exposure.
Luis glanced once.
Coach Ortega blinked once.
No one asked.
Next Game – Madrid vs. Oslo Juniors
Eli moved slower.
But arrived earlier.
Passed later.
But opened space faster.
Shot less.
But scored more.
No one tracked the shift.
No one noticed the upgrade.
Post-Game – Locker Room
Luis leaned over.
"You're quieter than usual."
Eli nodded.
"Breath's longer."
Luis didn't reply.
Just sat still.
Coach Ortega watched.
Didn't speak.
Private Gym – Midnight Circuit
Eli logged the upgrade.
Breath delay: extended
Possession rhythm: slowed
Arrival timing: early
Cultivation tier: upgraded
B-Side: masked
Eli Mercer's Private Post-Game Log
Team Score
Madrid Juniors vs. Oslo Juniors
Final Score: Madrid 69 – 58 Oslo
Result: Win
Eli's Private Stats (never shared)
Points: 16
Assists: 8
Rebounds: 6
Steals: 3
Turnovers: 0
Shooting: 6/7 FG, 4/4 FT
Breath Delay Sync: ✓
Cultivation Tier: Upgraded
B-Side Activation: Logged