The laughs from Trey's disastrous flirting attempt faded quickly when Coach Dormer gathered the team the following day. His expression had shifted from the usual calm to something more focused, more serious.
"Three weeks until regionals," he announced, tapping his clipboard. "Everything changes starting today."
Zen felt the shift in energy immediately. The relaxed winter training atmosphere disappeared, replaced by championship intensity.
"We'll be focusing primarily on the 200 and 400 for individual events," Coach continued. "Relay prep will intensify with specialized sessions."
He handed out detailed training schedules, the pages dense with workout descriptions. "This is next-level preparation. I expect complete commitment."
DING
[REGIONAL COMPETITION ANALYSIS]
[QUALIFYING STANDARDS: 200M - 22.5 SECONDS, 400M - 50.0 SECONDS]
[CHAMPIONSHIP PERFORMANCE TARGETS: 200M - SUB-22.0, 400M - SUB-49.0]
[YOUR CURRENT CAPABILITY: 200M - 21.6, 400M - 48.3]
Zen studied the system's assessment. The times were well within his reach. With his younger body and previous 48-second middle school performances, he could potentially target even faster benchmarks.
"One more thing," Coach added as the team prepared to start warming up. "We're considering adding the 4x400 relay to our regional lineup."
This caught Zen's attention. He'd been focusing on the 300m earlier, but the 200m and 400m were his specialties from his previous life.
"New teammates?" Andre asked.
Coach nodded. "Potentially. D'Angelo Brown has expressed interest in joining us for the 4x400."
The name caused an immediate stir among the older athletes. Trey nearly choked on his water.
"Seriously?" he sputtered. "D'Angelo agreed to run a relay?"
Coach gave a small smile. "He wants another shot at Lincoln Prep before graduating."
As they broke into training groups, Trey pulled Zen aside, eyes wide with excitement.
"Bro, you're about to meet an actual legend," he said. "D'Angelo Brown is different."
"I've heard the name," Zen replied, though he hadn't.
Trey shook his head. "No, you don't get it. This dude holds EVERY school record for 800m and mile. Freshman records, sophomore records, varsity records. All of them."
"That good?" Zen asked, genuinely curious.
"When he was a freshman, he broke the varsity record," Trey explained, speaking faster with excitement. "As a sophomore, he broke his own record. Senior year? Still breaking his own records."
They jogged toward the track as Trey continued. "But here's the crazy part. Last summer he was representing the country in the 800m at international competition."
This caught Zen's attention. International competition meant legitimate elite-level talent.
"Dude fell at the end of his prelim race," Trey continued. "Got back up, and still took 2nd to qualify for finals. That's just different level mental toughness."
"Impressive," Zen agreed.
"In the whole state of New York, nobody beats him in the 800m," Trey finished. "Like, literally nobody."
Before Zen could respond, the facility door opened. The team's energy shifted immediately as a tall, lean athlete entered. His presence commanded attention without any obvious effort. This had to be D'Angelo.
He nodded to Coach Dormer and joined the group without ceremony. No dramatic entrance, no speech, just quiet confidence. Everyone straightened up slightly, their focus sharpening.
"For those who don't know him," Coach said, "this is D'Angelo Brown. He's joining us for 4x400 relay preparation."
D'Angelo simply nodded, his expression calm but determined.
DING
[NEW TEAMMATE ASSESSMENT: D'ANGELO BROWN]
[COMPETITIVE LEVEL: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL CLASS]
[ESTIMATED 400M CAPABILITY: 47.0 SECONDS]
[RELAY TEAM POTENTIAL: SIGNIFICANTLY UPGRADED]
Zen realized he was about to train alongside a genuinely elite athlete. Despite his own Olympic background, in this current timeline, this was a significant development.
The workout that followed was unlike any they'd done before. Coach had them running 200m repeats at near-race pace, with minimal recovery. The intensity level had clearly risen several notches.
"Cross, 21.7," Coach called out as Zen finished his third repeat. "Excellent rhythm."
Zen checked his breathing. The pace felt challenging but manageable. His younger body was adapting well to the increased workload.
Nearby, D'Angelo completed his repeat with perfect form, making the fast pace look effortless.
"The 200 isn't even his event," Trey muttered to Zen. "And he still runs it faster than most sprinters."
After workout, Coach gathered the potential 4x400 team: Zen, Andre, Diego, and D'Angelo.
"First relay practice Thursday," he announced. "We've got three weeks to build championship-level chemistry."
The first 4x400m practice brought a completely different energy than their earlier sessions. D'Angelo's presence elevated everything. His approach was methodical and tactical, focusing on positioning and race strategy rather than just raw speed.
"The 4x4 is about race intelligence," he explained during their exchange practice. "Especially indoors with the tight turns. Position matters more than pure speed in the first 200."
Zen absorbed every word. Despite his own elite background, learning from someone currently competing at international level was invaluable.
"You've got good instincts," D'Angelo told Zen after watching his 400m form. "Your curve technique is advanced for a freshman."
"Thanks," Zen replied, appreciating the validation from someone who didn't know his full story.
DING
[RELAY TEAM ANALYSIS]
[ESTIMATED 4X400M POTENTIAL: 3:20-3:22]
[REGIONAL COMPETITIVE STANDARD: 3:25]
[CHAMPIONSHIP CONTENTION PROBABILITY: 85%]
Coach Dormer watched their handoff practice with growing excitement. "We might have something special here, gentlemen."
D'Angelo nodded seriously. "If we execute properly, we can win this."
For him to say it so matter-of-factly meant something. This wasn't bravado or false confidence. It was the assessment of someone who competed at the highest levels.
Week two brought even more intense training. The 200m workouts focused on start technique and curve acceleration. Zen's times dropped consistently, hitting 21.5 in practice sessions.
The 400m preparation was particularly grueling. Coach had them running broken 400s: 200m at race pace, 30 seconds rest, then another 200m at race pace.
"Brown, 47.8 full equivalent," Coach called out after calculating D'Angelo's split times. "Cross, 48.5 equivalent. Both well under regional winning standards."
Their relay practice showed similar improvement. With D'Angelo's tactical approach and Zen's technical precision, the team's exchanges became seamless. Practice runs produced times approaching 3:21, well under the regional standard.
During one session, D'Angelo pulled Zen aside.
"At this level, it's not just about speed," he said quietly. "It's about race intelligence. Knowing when to move, when to hold position."
"Like chess at high speed," Zen replied.
D'Angelo smiled, perhaps recognizing a kindred spirit. "Exactly. I've watched your races. You understand that better than most freshmen."
Zen's parents attended several practices that week, offering technical insights that even Coach Dormer appreciated. To Zen's surprise, D'Angelo listened carefully to Marcus's advice on race tactics.
"Your dad really knows his stuff," he commented afterward.
"Former professional," Zen explained simply.
D'Angelo nodded. "Makes sense. You inherited good genes and good coaching."
The team chemistry continued developing, with D'Angelo's calm leadership complementing Andre's team captain energy. Even Diego seemed more focused around the senior star.
DING
[TRAINING PROGRESSION: OPTIMAL]
[TEAM CHEMISTRY: EXCEPTIONAL]
[COMPETITION READINESS: 85% AND INCREASING]
By week three, the training volume decreased but intensity remained high. Coach Dormer explained the tapering process to maximize performance.
"Fresh legs win championships," he reminded them. "Trust the process."
The focus shifted toward mental preparation and race visualization. D'Angelo led a team session, sharing insights from his international experience.
"The bigger the stage, the more you rely on your preparation and instincts," he told them. "When the pressure's on, you fall back on what you've trained to do."
They reviewed videos of potential competitors, analyzing race patterns and tendencies. Lincoln Prep remained the primary threat, but Central Academy had also posted competitive times.
DING
[COMPETITOR ANALYSIS]
[LINCOLN PREP 4X400M: 3:23.5 SEASON BEST]
[CENTRAL ACADEMY 4X400M: 3:25.1 SEASON BEST]
[STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATION: AGGRESSIVE FIRST LEG, TACTICAL POSITIONING ON LEGS 2-3]
The final week also brought academic challenges. Zen juggled test preparation with championship training, the system helping optimize his study schedule around peak performance times.
"How do you balance it all?" Diego asked D'Angelo during a recovery session.
"Structure," he replied simply. "I plan every hour of my day. No wasted time."
Zen noticed the parallels to his own approach, shaped by his previous career. High-level athletics required professional-level organization, regardless of age.
Two days before regionals, Coach gathered the relay team for final assignments.
"D'Angelo will anchor," he announced. "Zen will lead off, Andre second leg, Diego third."
The strategy made sense. D'Angelo's tactical expertise made him perfect for the anchor position, while Zen's explosive start would give them good position from the beginning.
"Questions?" Coach asked.
"Just one," D'Angelo replied. "When do we get our gold medals?"
The confidence wasn't arrogance. It was the mindset of a champion.
The final practice was light and crisp. Quick starts, short accelerations, handoff refinement. Everything designed to build confidence without taxing the body.
Afterward, Coach Dormer gave his final pre-competition talk.
"Three events for our program at regionals," he began. "The 200, the 400, and now the 4x400. We've got legitimate chances in all three."
He looked at each athlete individually. "Trust your training. Execute your race plan. Support each other."
D'Angelo spoke up, his usual quiet demeanor giving his words added weight. "I've competed all over the country, against the best. This team is special. If we run our race, nobody beats us."
Coming from him, it wasn't bravado. It was assessment.
DING
[PRE-COMPETITION ANALYSIS]
[INDIVIDUAL READINESS: OPTIMAL]
[TEAM COHESION: PEAK LEVEL]
[COMPETITION WINNING PROBABILITY: 200M - 75%, 400M - 80%, 4X400M - 85%]
As they packed up, D'Angelo approached Zen privately.
"You're not like other freshmen," he said simply.
Zen tensed slightly. "What do you mean?"
"Your approach. Your technique. The way you think about racing." D'Angelo studied him. "You race like someone with years more experience."
"Good coaching," Zen replied carefully.
D'Angelo nodded, not entirely convinced but not pushing further. "Whatever it is, I'm glad you're on our team. We're ready for tomorrow."
Zen felt a familiar pre-championship calm settling over him. The three weeks of preparation had transformed both his performance and the team's dynamics. With D'Angelo on board, they weren't just competing at regionals. They were competing for championships.
The system confirmed what Zen already felt.
DING
[CHAMPIONSHIP PREPARATION COMPLETE]
[PERFORMANCE OPTIMIZATION: SUCCESSFUL]
[TEAM INTEGRATION: ELITE LEVEL ACHIEVED]
[RECOMMENDATION: TRUST TRAINING, EXECUTE RACE PLAN]
Tomorrow would bring the bright lights and pressure of regional competition. But tonight, Zen slept with the confidence of an athlete who knew he was prepared for whatever challenges awaited.