Chapter 21: Traits
[TRAITS]
■■■■■■■■ [Only Available Ones]
Puppeteer (Maestro): [3000 LP]
Description: Increases Vision and Bowling Accuracy stats by 15%. Also increases the success rate of setting field traps and bowling to plans by 5%.
Improviser (Trickster): [3500 LP]
Description: Allows easy comprehension and completion of unorthodox shots (Scoop, Reverse Sweep, Switch Hit). Also increases User's Batting Creativity by 10% and increases the success rate of these shots by 15%.
Gap Piercer (Incisive Pass): [3700 LP]
Description: Increases Timing, Vision, and Placement stats by 15%. Also increases the success rate of finding gaps in the field, turning dot balls into singles or boundaries.
Blitz (Rocket): [3200 LP]
Description: Boosts User's Running Speed stats by 20% and also increases explosiveness between the wickets and in the field.
The Wall (Boulder): [2000 LP]
Description: Increases Defensive Technique stats by 20% and also increases the success rate of surviving good length deliveries and yorkers without getting out.
Aryan, who looked at the traits, was very conflicted on what to purchase, but just then it flashed in his mind. The System had given him a reward for a challenge ("Coach's Pet"), and that reward was selecting a free trait.
Aryan, who was all smiles, focused and started contemplating what would be the best traits for his playstyle as a batting all-rounder who relies on timing and speed.
After a while, Aryan decided to choose the Gap Piercer trait since it was the most expensive and would help him rotate the strike and find boundaries effortlessly.
After selecting the Gap Piercer trait, Aryan decided to splurge a bit more and purchased both the Blitz and Improviser traits, as they would help him become more formidable in T20s and running between the wickets.
Aryan's LP points were left with 6000 as he had just spent 6700 on the two additional traits.
Aryan looked at his personal info and was satisfied.
[PLAYER INFO]
NAME: ARYAN SHARMA
AGE: 14 (4 MONTHS TO 15)
HEIGHT: 1.81m (5'11")
PROFESSION: CRICKETER
STATUS: YOUTH PROSPECT
TEAM: Mumbai U19
SYSTEM EVALUATION: Youth Prospect
PLAYER RATING: 66/100
POSITION: Fast-Bowling All-Rounder
POTENTIAL: 87
LEGEND POINTS: 6000/67,000 to LV 5
STAT POINTS: 18
[STATS]
Speed: 70
Footwork: 65
Spatial Awareness: 65
Technique: 65
Batting: 66
Bowling: 64
Physical Strength: 64
Weak Zone Proficiency: 4 stars
Shot Creativity: 4 stars
[SKILLS POSSESSED]
Cover Drive: 85% Completion
Helicopter Shot: 50% Completion
Switch Hit: 70% Completion
Reverse Paddle: 50% Completion
[TRAITS]
Improviser >
Description: Allows easy comprehension and completion of unorthodox shots. Also increases user Batting Creativity by 10% and increases the success rate of skill shots by 15%.
Gap Piercer >
Description: Increases Timing, Vision, and Placement stats by 15%. Also increases the success rate of finding gaps.
Blitz >
Description: Boosts User's Speed stats by 20% and also increases explosive power by 7%.
Aryan, seeing that his Legend Points had taken a toll, looked a bit sad but not for long as he chanced upon the stat points. Aryan decided to hold onto some stat points for a while before he upgrades big after he accumulates enough points.
Aryan, fantasizing in his own world, was woken up by the ding sound.
[Serial Challenge has been triggered]
"Huh," Aryan thought.
[QUEST]
1. Host should score 300 runs and take 10 wickets in the remaining Zonal matches.
Reward: +5 Stat Points, +10,000 LP
2. Mumbai U19 should top the West Zone Group.
Reward: +10 Stat Points, +7,000 LP
3. Win in the Quarter-Finals of the 'Vinoo Mankad Trophy' (National U19 OD).
Reward: +15 Stat Points
4. Win in the Semi-Finals of the 'Vinoo Mankad Trophy'.
Reward: +20 Stat Points, +15,000 LP
5. Win the Final of the 'Vinoo Mankad Trophy'.
Reward: +25 Stat Points, 1 Free Trait, 20,000 LP
Bonus: Senior Team Call-up (Ranji Trophy Probables).
Aryan, who saw the challenges, knew the first one could be completed if there were no problems with his form or fitness.
The second and third were doable with the right amount of conviction and determination, but the fourth and fifth were hard as they would have to play against youth teams from top associations such as Delhi, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu who have won it multiple times. They'd also have to play tricky underdogs like Vidarbha.
"Can I refuse?" Aryan said with a smile.
[You can decline if you wish for the System to disappear forever.]
Aryan was a bit surprised since this was the first time the System had threatened him. Maybe he was taking the System for granted.
---------
The match against Gujarat U19 was also played on a Friday. As such, Aryan slept in the next day (Saturday) and woke up late before completing his daily task.
He browsed through his phone for a while before deciding to play some ICC Cricket 22 on his console. Aryan, after playing for a while, got bored and lazy.
He wanted to go up to his room for a rest but just stopped and slept on the living room couch peacefully.
A few minutes after Aryan had slept, Ananya entered through the unlocked front door. She looked around, not wanting to disturb the peace and quiet in the house.
She went to the living room and spotted Aryan sleeping gracefully on the couch, one arm draped over his eyes.
She got near him and brought her face close to his.
[Ananya POV]
Time really does fly.
How did that little boy grow up so fast? I want to see more of his face.
Should I bring my face close to his? But it'd be bad if someone came in and I don't want to be tagged as a pervert.
It should be fine since no one seems to be around.
Haaah, I really like those hazel-green eyes of his and his rosy lips. Wait, what are you doing Ananya?
As Ananya stood there in her own world, Aryan felt a tinge of her warm breath on his face. He had not slept that deeply and he was also a light sleeper, unlike his mum and Riya.
He woke up and saw his face inches away from Ananya's. He was surprised at first, but then he calmed down, recognizing the scent of her perfume.
Ananya, whose face turned beet red, felt embarrassed and pulled her face away from Aryan quickly.
"I'm sorry, I came to see if Riya could go with me to purchase something at the mall nearby, but it seems she's not here," she said in a rushed manner, adjusting her hair nervously.
"Yeah, she went out with Mom and I think they won't be back for a while," said Aryan as he tried to stand up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.
Ananya, realizing she was alone with Aryan in the house, felt her heart thumping loudly.
Ananya, what is wrong with you? Get your act together, Ananya thought to herself.
"Oh," Ananya voiced out after hearing what Aryan had just said.
"Would you like me to go with you?" Aryan asked, trying to be helpful.
"Yes," Ananya replied sharply.
Ananya, feeling she responded too eagerly, cleared her throat before saying "Yes" again more calmly.
Aryan told her to wait for a bit as he was going to change into decent clothes.
After a while, Aryan came down wearing a white t-shirt with a black denim jacket over it. He wore black baggy jeans and the outfit was completed by his white Nikes.
Ananya, who already had the intention to go out, was also wearing black baggy denim trousers which still couldn't hide her accentuated curves. She was also wearing an ash-colored t-shirt and a light jacket.
Ananya, who was staring at Aryan, didn't know if it was coincidental or it was Aryan's doing, but their outfits matched perfectly. She smiled some more before they both finally got out of the house.
The Phoenix Mall was a 20-minute walk from their residence, and Aryan and Ananya decided to walk the distance to enjoy the weather.
While on the way, they talked about their childhood together, with Aryan opening up a bit and being more comfortable with Ananya.
"How did that tomboy get so beautiful?" Aryan thought as he stole a glance at Ananya, who was smiling and talking to Aryan as she seemed to enjoy his company.
They got to the mall and walked around a bit, window shopping here and there before Ananya finally went to a store to find what she wanted to buy.
Aryan, who was feeling a bit stuffy inside the crowded shop, walked up to Ananya and told her that he would be outside for a minute.
Ananya said she was done and would be right after him.
Aryan walked out and stood near the railing for a while. He noticed that Ananya wasn't coming, so he decided to go back and see what was holding her up.
As he was walking back towards the store entrance, he saw Ananya was being held up by two guys who seemed to be wanting something from her—probably her contact number, Aryan thought.
Ananya, who saw Aryan coming, immediately said she had a boyfriend.
The guys, who didn't believe her, smirked and asked where he was.
She looked the way of Aryan, who was coming towards them.
Aryan was looking coldly at them as he approached, and his baggy clothes made him seem bigger and broader than he actually was—the growth elixir having done its work.
The guys, seeing the intensity in his eyes and his athletic build, didn't want any scuffle. They backed down and left before Aryan could even get near them.
"They left," Aryan said simply as he reached her. Ananya answered with a relieved smile.
"They don't usually leave like that though. What did you tell them to make them leave?" Aryan asked.
"That I had a boyfriend and pointed your way. I guess that made them leave," Ananya said, catching Aryan off guard.
Aryan turned to cover his rosy cheeks, but Ananya caught wind of them.
"Ah, so you can blush," she said while walking ahead with a smile.
"Ananya, wait," Aryan said as he ran a bit to walk beside her.
"You know, I would like it if you called me Anu," Ananya said softly.
"Can I?" Aryan asked. Ananya nodded.
They both stole glances at each other as they walked home.
"Mom, isn't that Aryan and Ananya?" Riya, who was staring out the window of their apartment, said.
Priya looked and saw that it was them walking through the gate.
"Should we call them?" Riya asked.
"No, leave them be and let them catch up with each other," Priya said with a devilish smile before she turned back to the kitchen.