The galley was bustling, but in Korrok's presence, the world seemed quieter, more serene. His eyes, always deep and probing, focused on me, waiting.

"Ever heard of Freud, Korrok?" I began.

Korrok's gaze settled on me with a patience that was rare to find. Amid the galley's commotion, this moment felt still, profound even. His large eyes blinked slowly, intrigue evident. "Freud? Is this a tool or strategy from your home?"

I chuckled, "Not exactly. Sigmund Freud was a psychologist on Earth, from centuries ago. He believed our minds operate like icebergs. The conscious mind, or what we're actively aware of, is only the tip that's visible above the water. But underneath, hidden from sight, lies the unconscious – a vast repository of desires, memories, and thoughts. Even though they're unseen, they deeply influence our behaviors and choices."

Korrok's brows knitted in concentration. "I don’t deal much with the world outside what I can see, what I can touch with my won two hands. This Freud though, he thought this hidden portion of our mind had some kind of power?"

"Exactly. And during my meditation, I felt as if I was diving into that very unconscious expanse Freud spoke of. I was being pulled deeper, sensing emotions and memories I couldn't consciously recognize. That's why I mentioned Freud. Maybe in this realm, his theories hold a special relevance."

And then, a thought struck me, one that I had been mulling over. "Korrok," I began cautiously, "I wonder if there might be some system benefits or advantages from gaining a deeper understanding of oneself here. If this realm places such importance on battles and skill upgrades, perhaps tapping into this hidden reservoir of the mind might offer its own rewards. Or maybe, just maybe, there exists an even deeper world within the unconscious, waiting to be navigated."

Korrok, clearly intrigued, tapped a talon on the table. "That's fascinating. No one in this realm has ever explained their mind in such a manner. And your meditation experience? It's unheard of here."

He leaned closer, "This realm is vast, and its mysteries manifold. If your mind is connected to it in some unique way, we need to explore that connection."

"I agree," I said, feeling a renewed surge of determination. "That's why I need your guidance."

Korrok nodded resolutely, "After your next battle, we'll delve deeper. And in the meantime, I'll do some discreet probing of my own. Someone here might have insights."

However, our contemplative moment was interrupted by the system's message. Report to the arena. You're up next.

I felt the all-too-familiar churn of anticipation. Gratefully nodding to Korrok, I made my way to the arena's prep room.

After entering the now familiar room, I approached the exit where a the weapon table materialized. A voice in my head again said, “choose from the available weapons.” Ahead of me a table was laden with four weapons: a staff, a maul, a battle axe, and a long sword. Immediately, the heft of a double-headed axe beckoned. I seized it, and it felt like an extension of my arm.

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Taking a deep breath, I seated myself and began to meditate. With the echoing battle cries outside, I endeavored to bridge the gap between the imminent clash and the profound depths of the mind I had just started to explore.

Diving back in, I let the world around me fade. The clamor of the waiting arena, the metallic clinks of weapons, even the distant roar of the crowd – all of it dimmed. Like a swimmer plunging into deep waters, I felt the shift as my consciousness pulled away from the external.

With each passing moment, my surroundings transformed. The familiarity of the arena was replaced by a vast expanse. The horizon stretched infinitely, devoid of distinguishing landmarks. The only point of reference was the spectral bridge, looming in the distance.

Driven by instinct, I willed myself towards it. With each mental stride, the distance between us shrank. The transition wasn't as seamless as walking in the physical world, but I adapted. My thoughts controlled my movement, and soon, I stood at the precipice of the bridge.

There it stood again, the spectral bridge. Last time I had encountered it, I took it as a demarcation between my conscious and unconscious mind. Now, hovering before it once again, doubt crept in. Was that truly the correct interpretation? The structure of the bridge, ephemeral and yet somehow solid, made me ponder its real significance.

In my mind's eye, I took a step towards the bridge. The anticipation of what lay beyond was palpable. However, each attempt to set foot on it mentally seemed... well, off. It wasn't that I couldn't, but it felt like I was missing a piece of the puzzle.

With a concentrated effort, I tried to will myself across the bridge. But it felt jarring, and the sensation was akin to trying to push two opposing magnets together. An underlying certainty washed over me that mere willpower wouldn't be enough here.

In my frustration, memories from my past began to surface. Memories of conversations with students, discussions on consciousness, dreams, and everything in between. Lucid dreaming, in particular, came to the forefront of my mind. Although I had dismissed the topic in my earlier days as a frivolous pursuit, it held a certain allure. The concept that one could control and navigate their dreams intrigued many, and though I never dabbled in it personally, I did engage in extensive readings out of sheer curiosity.

Within the confines of a lucid dream, some practitioners created avatars – dream versions of themselves – that they felt helped them traverse the often unpredictable terrain of their mind. The more I pondered it, the more the idea appealed to me. If the bridge symbolized a part of my mind, wouldn't it make sense to manifest an avatar, a mental projection, to assist in the journey?

Taking a deep breath, I envisioned a version of myself. Not the Everett of the old world, nor the gladiator of this one, but something in between. An amalgamation of my past and present, armed with both the knowledge of my former life and the skills I had garnered here.

As I felt the semblance of an avatar starting to take form within the confines of my mind, the sensation was abrupt and jarring. Just as I was on the verge of a breakthrough, a booming announcement echoed, tearing through my concentration.

"Contestant Everett, prepare yourself! Your battle begins shortly!"

The resonance of the voice yanked me out of my meditative state, leaving me momentarily disoriented. The bridge, the avatar, the expanse – they all faded away, replaced by the harsh, metallic surroundings of the preparation chamber.

I took a deep breath, trying to center myself. While the interruption was unexpected, the impending fight took precedence. My inner exploration would have to wait. For now, the arena awaited.