Barcelona, Spain – Early June 2015
Eli Mercer arrived without a bag.
No entourage.
No announcement.
No aura.
Just breath.
Morning – Entry Protocol
The camp director scanned the list.
"You're from Madrid?"
Eli nodded.
"I breathe early."
The director blinked.
Didn't ask more.
First Drill – Spacing Test
Players rushed.
Shouted.
Competed.
Eli moved once.
Passed once.
Cut once.
The drill reset.
No one noticed the calibration.
Afternoon – Scrimmage Rotation
Eli played third unit.
No complaints.
No questions.
He touched the ball five times.
Scored twice.
Passed twice.
The unit won the rotation.
No one tracked the rhythm.
Evening – Dorm Room
Luis messaged once.
"They won't see you coming."
Eli replied.
"They won't see me leaving either."
First Camp Game – Barcelona Camp vs. Lisbon Juniors
Eli played 26 minutes.
No fouls.
No turnovers.
No missed shots.
Spacing held.
Timing clicked.
Rhythm stayed.
No one asked his name.
No one tracked his impact.
Post-Game – Bleachers
Camp director leaned over.
"You don't talk much."
Eli nodded.
"Breath's enough."
The director didn't reply.
Just watched the next game.
Private Gym – Midnight Circuit
Eli logged the entry.
Breath delay: stable
System sync: initializing
Camp rhythm: filtering
Cultivation: invisible
B-Side: silent
Eli Mercer's Private Post-Game Log
Team Score
Barcelona Camp vs. Lisbon Juniors
Final Score: Barcelona 68 – 60 Lisbon
Result: Win
Eli's Private Stats (never shared)
Points: 17
Assists: 5
Rebounds: 4
Steals: 2
Turnovers: 0
Shooting: 7/7 FG, 3/3 FT
Breath Delay Sync: ✓
Cultivation Tier: Stable
B-Side Activation: Logged