Chapter 5: The Grind Pays Off
The sound of ragged breathing could be heard echoing across the empty nets of Shivaji Park as Aryan was running sprints between the wickets.
"Ding" [Host has completed task].
He finally came to a halt, leaning heavily on his bat, trying to catch his breath after hearing the notification sound. After a few seconds, he stabilized his breathing, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and looked up to see the translucent blue screen hovering in the air again.
[PLAYER INFO]
NAME: ARYAN SHARMA
AGE: 14 (1 MONTH TO 15)
HEIGHT: 1.78m (5'10)
PROFESSION: CRICKETER
STATUS: ACADEMY PLAYER
SYSTEM EVALUATION: A somewhat decent youth player
PLAYER RATING: 57/100
POSITION: All-Rounder
POTENTIAL: 80
LEGEND POINTS (LP): 3500
STAT POINTS: 44
[STATS]
[Running Speed]: 67
[Sprint Speed]: 69
[Agility]: 58
[Balance]: 56
[Reflexes]: 49
[Reaction]: 49
[Stamina]: 65
[Wrist Strength]: 43
[Footwork]: 53
[Vision]: 64
[Ball Control (Fielding)]: 60
[Bowling Accuracy]: 60
[Timing]: 65
[Power Hitting]: 50
[Defensive Technique]: 55
[Shot Selection]: 50
[Bowling Speed]: 67
[Swing/Seam]: 45
[Weak Zone Proficiency]: 3 stars
[Shot Creativity]: 4 stars
[SKILLS POSSESSED]
Cover Drive: 85% Completion
SYSTEM LEVEL: 1 (1000 LP TO LV 2)
STAT POINTS: 35 (+9)
Aryan stared at his personal info and was proud of the Legend Points (LP) and the stat points he had accumulated over the past two weeks of intense grinding.
During the first week, he had found out that the System rewards extra effort put into training when the "Starter Pack" or "Beginner Bonus" is active. However, after the first week when the starter pack expired, the System did not reward him with any extra LP or stat points for the bonus drills.
"Now let's distribute the stat points first," Aryan said with a grin, sitting on the roller.
Aryan added 3 stat points to Running Speed before adding 1 to Sprint Speed. He added 3 stat points to Agility, Reflexes, Reaction, and Footwork. Aryan was satisfied and smiled.
He continued and added 4 stat points to Balance, 5 to Power Hitting, 5 to Swing/Seam, and 4 to Wrist Strength, which Aryan deemed crucial if he was in a situation where he needed to manipulate the field or play lofted shots.
Aryan saw that he was still left with ten points but didn't know what to do anymore.
[System recommends Host add the remaining to Defensive Technique] Max, who had been quiet for a while, spoke.
Aryan then remembered and saw how average his defensive stats were; to survive in long-format games or stabilize an innings, defense was key. He quickly added the remaining points to Defensive Technique.
After this, the stat points were gone, and Aryan couldn't help but feel proud of himself after looking at his stats displayed on the screen.
[PLAYER INFO]
NAME: ARYAN SHARMA
AGE: 14 (1 MONTH TO 15)
HEIGHT: 1.78m (5'10)
PROFESSION: CRICKETER
STATUS: YOUTH PROSPECT
SYSTEM EVALUATION: Youth Prospect
PLAYER RATING: 62/100
POSITION: Fast-Bowling All-Rounder
POTENTIAL: 87
LEGEND POINTS: 3500
STAT POINTS: 0
[STATS]
[Running Speed]: 70 (+3)
[Sprint Speed]: 70 (+1)
[Agility]: 61 (+3)
[Balance]: 60 (+4)
[Reflexes]: 52 (+3)
[Reaction]: 52 (+3)
[Stamina]: 65
[Wrist Strength]: 47 (+4)
[Footwork]: 56 (+3)
[Vision]: 64
[Ball Control (Fielding)]: 60
[Bowling Accuracy]: 60
[Timing]: 65
[Power Hitting]: 60 (+5)
[Defensive Technique]: 60 (+10)
[Shot Selection]: 55
[Bowling Speed]: 67
[Swing/Seam]: 50 (+5)
[Weak Zone Proficiency]: 3 stars
[Shot Creativity]: 4 stars
[SKILLS POSSESSED]
Cover Drive: 85% Completion
After Aryan finished distributing the stat points, he felt a warm wave course through his body, making him feel refreshed and stronger. He also saw that the System's evaluation of him had now changed from "Decent Youth Player" to "Youth Prospect".
Aryan was about to ask about upgrading his System level when he heard a car honk. His mother, Priya, had arrived to pick him up from the maidan.
He once again quickly packed his kit bag and raced towards the car. He got in the car, and after a brief chat with his mom about the humidity, the ride home became quiet.
Aryan came out of the shower with a towel on his head. While drying himself, he looked in the mirror and saw his body; he noticed his well-shaped muscles and defined quadriceps, the result of the intense physical drills.
He felt happy that the training he had done had not been in vain. The past few weeks had just been a repeat of drills, running, and nets, and now he was itching to try out his newly found prowess against real opponents in the upcoming selection match.
He sat on his bed and then called, "Max".
[Yes Aryan], the System replied.
"Are there going to be any implications of me upgrading the System?" Aryan asked.
[Well, the System goes offline for 10 hours when updating, but aside from that, there is no other implication], the System replied.
Aryan was a bit annoyed that the System would go offline for 10 hours when updating. This was because Aryan was secretly afraid that the System might not come online again, leaving him back at square one.
"Well, I guess I have to wait a bit then," Aryan said, then commanded the System to update itself.
System update initiated going offline in...
3, 2, 1... fwish.
Aryan stared blankly at the air before calling out to the System, to which there was no response.