The morning after the match, Raj expected things to go back to normal. Same school bell. Same dusty corridors. Same half-stale breakfast at the dorm mess.
But nothing was the same anymore.
When he reached school, Coach Murali was already waiting outside the staff room, arms crossed, lips curved in an unreadable half-smile.
"You're coming with me," he said.
Raj blinked. "Sir?"
Coach didn't repeat himself. He just walked, expecting Raj to follow.
They entered the principal's office.
Inside sat a tall, sharply dressed man in a cream blazer with a black ID tag clipped to his collar. His face was serious, but his eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"This," said Coach, "is Mr. Prabhu, one of the district's cricket scouts. He watched footage from your last two practice games."
Raj straightened. "Sir?"
Mr. Prabhu nodded. "You've got raw instinct. A calm head. Good footwork. But what impressed me most was your fielding coordination. That's rare at your age."
Coach added, "He's here with an offer."
Mr. Prabhu handed over a form. "A two-week district-level cricket training camp. Full sponsorship. Begins this Sunday in Warangal. If you perform well, you'll be fast-tracked to zone-level trials."
Raj stared at the paper.
His fingers trembled slightly.
[System Alert: Major Opportunity Triggered]
Branching Quest Unlocked: "The Fork in the Road"
Option A: Attend camp — unlock "Elite Sports Path" + Public Recognition Perk
Option B: Stay home — strengthen bonds + unlock Family Anchor Passive
Warning: Choice will affect character development paths.
Coach placed a hand on his shoulder. "Think fast. Seats are limited."
Raj nodded. "I'll give you an answer tomorrow."
That evening, Raj returned home after school — his heart split in two.
He wanted to scream from rooftops that a real district scout had selected him. That he was finally, finally breaking through the walls of fate.
But the moment he stepped through the doorway, he smelled trouble.
Smoke from a half-burnt pan. Groaning from the bedroom.
He rushed inside.
His mother, Meenakshi, was lying on the cot, one hand across her forehead, eyes shut.
"Amma?"
She opened her eyes weakly. "Just a fever… I didn't want to worry you."
Raj looked at the kitchen. The rice had burned. No dal had been made.
He dropped his bag and immediately set water to boil. He gently cleaned the burnt pot, stirred some turmeric, and sat beside her, holding her hand.
"You should've called me."
"You're busy, kanna," she whispered. "Cricket is your world now. I didn't want to distract you."
Raj said nothing.
His father came home late that night, drunk.
He glanced at Meenakshi, then at Raj. "She'll be fine. What are you sulking for? Or did some classmate finally hit a six off you?"
Raj clenched his fists.
"I got selected for district camp," he said. "Starts Sunday."
His father scoffed. "And what will that give you? A golden bat? Hah! This country runs on engineers and clerks, not ball-chasers."
Raj stood up. "Cricket is more than a game to me."
"Yeah? Then go marry it," his father growled, dropping onto the chair with a thud.
[System Notification: Emotional Turbulence Detected]
Charisma Check Passed
Emotion Stabilized
Quest Choice Deadline: 18 Hours Remaining
That night, Raj barely slept.
He sat on the rooftop, legs pulled to his chest, eyes staring at the stars.
In his last life, this was the moment he said nothing.
He let the camp pass.
He stayed behind to care for his mother, afraid of disappointing his father.
That decision haunted him forever.
But this time?
He had the system.
And he had courage.
Early morning, before sunrise, Raj rose and did something unexpected.
He woke up his friend Uday.
"Pack your kit," he said.
"Why?" Uday mumbled, half-asleep.
"We're going to my house. I'm training… and I need your help."
At dawn, Raj set up a mini net in his backyard — using old mosquito mesh and bricks. Uday bowled to him under the morning sun. They practiced for hours.
His mother watched from inside, sipping warm ginger tea, smiling faintly.
Raj came in, sweating buckets, and placed a cup of tea beside her.
"I'm going to the camp, Amma."
She looked at him — silently, warmly.
"I'll be back stronger. And smarter. And when I return, I'll help here too. But I can't waste this second chance."
She nodded, eyes moist.
"I know, kanna. This time… follow your heart."
[System Branch Selection Complete: Path A – "Elite Sports Path"]
Perks Unlocked:
– Public Recognition (Lv.1): +5 School Reputation
– +2 Skill Growth Multiplier during district training
– Hidden Tycoon Feature Preview: "Personal Brand Seed"
Side Reward:
– Family Anchor Lv.1: Emotional Resilience in future crises
Raj stared at the blinking notification.
He didn't just gain stats.
He gained something far more powerful: belief.
When he returned to school that day, Coach Murali was waiting.
"You're coming?"
"Yes, sir," Raj said, handing over the filled form. "I'll earn my place."
Coach smiled.
"And if you don't?"
"Then I'll try again. And again. Until I do."