The Boxing System: I Became the King of the Ring-Chapter 5: First Training

"First time here?" Miguel asked Javier.

"Yeah." The lie came easily. In this timeline, it was true.

"Good. Start with jumping rope. Build timing and footwork foundation."

Miguel handed Javier a worn rope with wooden handles polished smooth by countless hands. The weight felt familiar despite years of separation from legitimate training.

The main floor buzzed with activity. Teenagers threw combinations at heavy bags while Miguel’s assistants corrected their form. Speed bags rattled under rapid-fire punches. In the center ring, two older kids sparred with headgear and oversized gloves.

The system interface reappeared as Javier began jumping. Green text tracked his performance in real time:

[CARDIO TRAINING DETECTED]

Heart Rate: 110 BPM (Rising)

Jump Rope Skill: Poor

Timing: Bad

Energy Use: Wasting 77% of effort

"Your timing’s off," Vicente observed, walking around Javier in a slow circle. "Jump when the rope hits the ground, not when you think it will."

Javier adjusted his rhythm. His energy waste dropped to 69%.

[ENDURANCE +0.5] [Current: 2.5/100]

"Better. Now shorter jumps. Energy conservation."

The system continued tracking his improvement:

[ENDURANCE +0.5] [Current: 3.0/100]

[ENDURANCE +0.5] [Current: 3.5/100]

Other kids noticed Javier’s unusual focus. Most beginners spent their first session tangled in rope, cursing and starting over. Javier moved with purpose, making corrections that showed understanding beyond his experience level.

Miguel approached after ten minutes. "Good form for a first-timer. Ready for shadow boxing?"

Javier nodded, breathing harder than expected. The system showed his current condition:

[STAMINA CHECK]

Energy Left: 67%

Recovery Speed: Slow

Suggestion: Rest 2 minutes

"Actually," Javier said, "let me catch my breath first."

Miguel’s eyebrows rose slightly. Most teenagers pushed until exhaustion, ignoring their body’s signals. Smart pacing showed maturity or previous training.

"Take your time. Conditioning comes first."

Vicente smiled approvingly. "Learning to listen to your body. Most fighters never master that skill."

After two minutes, Javier moved to an empty space near the wall mirrors. Miguel demonstrated basic stance - feet shoulder-width apart, left foot forward, hands protecting chin and body.

"Shadowboxing builds muscle memory," Miguel explained. "Fight invisible opponents using perfect form. Bad habits formed here stick forever."

Javier assumed the stance. The system checked his position:

[STANCE CHECK]

Foot Position: Good (71%)

Hand Guard: Very Good (84%)

Balance: Needs Work (62%)

Problem: Weight too far back, elbows too high

Vicente provided additional commentary only Javier could hear. "Drop your elbows two inches. Shift weight to balls of feet. There - much better."

The corrections showed immediately:

[STANCE CHECK - IMPROVED]

Foot Position: Excellent (89%)

Hand Guard: Excellent (91%)

Balance: Very Good (87%)

[TECHNIQUE +0.5] [Current: 1.5/100]

"Throw some punches," Miguel instructed. "Jab first. Straight left hand from guard position."

Javier extended his left fist, focusing on form over power. The system analyzed everything:

[JAB ANALYSIS]

Punch Speed: Slow

Form: Good (76%)

Power: Weak

Return Speed: Slow

Vicente circled like a coach studying film. "Faster return to guard. Punch travels in straight line both directions."

Javier threw another jab, incorporating the feedback. The system showed improvement:

[JAB IMPROVED]

Punch Speed: Faster

Form: Very Good (83%)

[TECHNIQUE +0.5] [Current: 2.0/100]

[SPEED +0.5] [Current: 7.5/100]

"Natural learner," Miguel muttered, watching from across the room. "Absorbs instruction quickly."

Twenty minutes of shadowboxing left Javier’s shoulders burning. Sweat dripped onto concrete floors despite the moderate pace. His energy dropped to 41%.

"Heavy bag next," Miguel announced. "Real resistance, real feedback."

The leather heavy bag hung from chains thick enough to anchor ships. Generations of fighters had pounded fists into its surface, creating dents and soft spots that told stories of ambition and frustration.

Miguel wrapped Javier’s hands with white cloth, explaining proper technique for protecting knuckles and wrists. The ritual felt sacred, like preparing for ancient combat.

"Start light," Miguel advised. "Feel the bag’s weight and resistance. Build power gradually."

Javier’s first punch landed with satisfying impact. The system analyzed the hit:

[HEAVY BAG TRAINING]

Hit Power: Weak

Contact Time: Good

Form: Very Good (81%)

Target: Center (Perfect)

[STRENGTH +0.5] [Current: 3.5/100]

Vicente positioned himself beside the bag. "Punch through the target, not at it. Imagine hitting something six inches behind the leather."

The next punch felt much stronger. The system confirmed:

[HIT POWER IMPROVED]

Form: Excellent (87%)

[STRENGTH +0.5] [Current: 4.0/100]

[TECHNIQUE +0.5] [Current: 2.5/100]

Other kids gathered to watch the new student who threw punches like he’d been training for months. Tommy Vega shook his head in amazement.

"Damn, Javier. You sure you never boxed before?"

"First time," Javier replied, throwing another combination. Jab, cross, hook - exactly as Miguel had demonstrated.

The system tracked each punch:

[COMBINATION TRAINING]

Jab: Fast, Excellent form

Cross: Faster, Very Good form

Hook: Good speed, Good form

Rating: Promising Beginner

[TECHNIQUE +0.5] [Current: 3.0/100]

[SPEED +0.5] [Current: 8.0/100]

[STRENGTH +0.5] [Current: 4.5/100]

Miguel approached with light sparring gloves in his hands. Brown leather worn soft by countless training sessions, laces frayed but functional.

"What do you say, kid?" Miguel’s voice carried quiet challenge. "Ready to see what you’re made of?"

The question hung in air thick with sweat and ambition. Around them, other kids paused their training to watch. Tommy Vega grinned expectantly. The system displayed a new message:

[SPARRING OPPORTUNITY DETECTED] First Combat Analysis Available Recommendation: Accept Challenge**

Vicente’s expression grew serious. "This is where you quit last time. Different choice, different future."

Javier stared at the gloves, remembering his previous failure at this exact moment. Pride had made him refuse Miguel’s offer, claiming he wasn’t ready for "baby sparring" with beginners. Instead, he’d walked out and never returned.

Now the choice presented itself again. Accept guidance and gradual improvement, or let ego destroy another opportunity for redemption.

"What do you say, kid?" Miguel repeated, holding the gloves steady. "Ready to see what you’re made of?"