Two weeks had passed since Rohan's "arrival." Life in Gokuldham was a surreal blend of the familiar and the professional. Jethalal still screamed for "Chay" in the morning, but the world outside the society gates was the cutthroat, high-stakes Mumbai of 2026.
Rohan sat on his bed, the System interface glowing blue in his vision.
"System," he thought. "Open the Creation Lab."
[CREATION LAB LOADED]
[AVAILABLE SP: 150]
[CREATE SKILL / CREATE TRAIT]
"I need a foundation," Rohan mused. "The current Indian National Team is looking for a solid middle-order batsman who can bowl leg-spin. But first, I need to survive the Mumbai U-16 trials."
He focused his mind on the sensation of the ball leaving his fingers.
[CONCEPT DETECTED: BALL ROTATION]
[DEVELOPING SKILL: 'The Phantom Drift']
[COST: 80 SP]
[EFFECT: Increases the late-dip of a leg-break delivery by 20%. Level 1/10]
"Create it," Rohan commanded.
A surge of warmth flowed into his right wrist and shoulder. He felt his tendons tighten and his muscle memory rewire itself.
Suddenly, a knock at the door broke his concentration. Tarak walked in, holding a glass of Karela juice. He looked apologetic.
"Rohan, your mother insisted. It's for your stamina," Tarak sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed. "I've been watching you in the society garden, beta. You have a good arm. But cricket is more than just hitting a ball. It's poetry in motion."
Rohan smiled. "I know, Dad. It's about the rhythm of the innings."
Tarak's eyes lit up. "Exactly! I've written a new column for Duniya Ne Undha Chashma about the philosophy of a batsman. I want you to read it. It might help your mental game."
[HIDDEN SYNERGY DETECTED!]
[BY READING 'TARAK'S PHILOSOPHY', THE TRAIT 'WRITER'S DISCIPLINE' HAS EVOLVED INTO 'TACTICAL ANALYST'.]
[EFFECT: You can now see the 'Pressure Meter' of the opposing bowler.]
Rohan took the paper from his father. This was the advantage of being a Mehta. While other players just practiced, he was being raised by a man who understood the psychology of the human mind.
"Dad," Rohan said, his eyes sharp. "The trials for the Mumbai Selection League start in three days. I want to register."
Tarak looked worried. "It's a tough world out there, Rohan. Are you sure you're ready?"
Rohan stood up, grabbed his bat, and took a stance. The balance was perfect. "I'm not just going to play, Dad. I'm going to dominate."