June 3, 2014 – Washington D.C.
Howard's semester had ended. Campus was mostly empty. But the gym? Still alive.
Michael Schmidt had made it his summer residence.
Every morning started at 5:45 a.m. No cameras. No noise. Just reps.
[Template Progress: 75.00% → 75.03%][Reminder: Progression has slowed. Only game-changing developments will move the needle.]
He didn't need the reminder. He felt it every day now. No matter how crisp his footwork was or how consistent his jumper got, the system barely nudged forward.
He'd reached the edge of normal progress. Now? He had to break something.
By mid-June, he joined a Pro-Am league in Baltimore.
NBA vets. Overseas stars. Hungry G-Leaguers.
And no mercy.
First game, Michael dropped 42. Second game, he went for 36 and 11 assists. By game four, defenders were trying to trap him full court. Didn't matter.
But the system remained mostly quiet.
[Template Progress: 75.03% → 75.06%][Condition: Repetition detected. Milestone performance required.]
June 18 – Summer Showcase Invitational – LA
Private gym. Closed doors. A who's-who of NBA scouts.
Michael walked in and locked eyes with the first defender he'd be facing.
Bradley Beal.
Game on.
First possession, Michael jab-stepped, pulled up from 28 feet. Splash.
Next one, he drove baseline, reverse finish through contact.
Beal clapped, locked in.
They went bucket-for-bucket. Elbow post-ups. Stepbacks. Crossovers.
Then came the moment.
Fourth quarter. One-possession game. Shot clock winding.
Michael crossed twice, spun left, absorbed contact, and rose over Beal for the dagger.
Nothing but net.
The gym went still.
Then erupted.
Scouts stood. Phones were out.
Michael didn't celebrate. He just walked back on defense, dead calm.
[System Notification: Legacy-Level Moment Achieved][Template Progress: 75.06% → 76.32%][Trait Upgrade: Shot Creation II][Legacy Standing: 'Next Face of the League' status unlocked]
After the game, one scout cornered him.
"You know if Cleveland passes, they'll regret it for a decade, right?"
Michael gave a small smirk.
"I don't care if they pass or pick. Either way, the league's getting rewritten."
He walked out of the gym that night into the warm LA air. Head high. Feet light.
And somewhere deep inside, he felt it.
The world wasn't ready.
But it was time anyway.