As usual, the training dome's morning air was clear. As he warmed up, Arjun stood barefoot on the plush turf, eyes closed, arms swinging in a soft rhythm. He breathed quietly. concentrated.
With her arms folded and a rare smile tugging at her lips, Sania observed from the sidelines.
She said, "You're moving well today."
Arjun remained silent. He was already settling into his comfort zone.
He grabbed his bat and went to the nets after the drills. Sania's voice chimed once more at that point, this time more cheerful and almost playful.
"Today, let's try something different."
Arjun's eyebrow went up. "Now what?"
Her fingers snapped. "Visual cues. There are dim lights on the field.
For good length, use red.
For Full Length, blue.
For short length, yellow.
"The objective is to allow your feet to respond immediately," she clarified. You'll know if you take a wrong step.
The first Red light flickered on before Arjun could respond.
Then came the ball, slick and alluring.
CRACK.
Lofting it over square, Arjun went outside.
With a hint of surprise in her voice, Sania said softly, "Nice shot."
He was hit by ball after ball, some of which he met cleanly, some of which he mistimed. He wasn't overanalyzing, though. He was only responding. He moved forward when a Blue light blinked on. balanced weight. hips in line. The bat moved.
CRACK.
An ideal cover drive.
"Didn't you feel that?" Quieter now, Sania asked.
Arjun remained silent. He merely gave a slight smile. This was no longer a case of guesswork. It was instinct. At last.
He hardly slept that night. Eagerness, not restlessness. He had regained his lost confidence.
The session resumed the following day. Not a light. No signs.
Only the ball, Arjun, and his newly developed intuition.
His bat emitted a series of technically sound, precisely timed shots. Though not as many as previously, there were still errors. He had given up trying to be flawless. He was only there.
Later, as he lay sprawled on the cool grass, he looked up at the sky with the false dome.
"Why was today so different, Sani?" he inquired. I sensed a sense of connection.
She laughed. "It's easy, little man. Up until now, you had to balance both your footwork and your ability to judge the length of the ball.
However, I gave you the light cues—a cheat code—yesterday. There was only one thing your brain needed to concentrate on. Your instinct was trained by that clarity.
Arjun gave a slow nod. "So, no lights again tomorrow?"
"Exactly. But your mind will remember this time. That is how muscle memory works.
After warm-ups the following day, Sania's voice echoed with mischief.
"Let's add some chaos."
Arjun blinked. "A state of chaos?"
"Simulation mode: match scenario." Let's increase the pressure. Let's examine the true meaning of instincts in stressful situations.
The dome changed shape.
The sky was cloudy. The field became green. In the distance, a resounding crowd roared.
From a virtual commentary box, Sania declared, "First ball." "A seamer is on its way."
The ball pitched full. Arjun made a snap judgment. The feet moved smoothly. Ball and bat met.
CRACK. A beautiful cover drive.
Sania called, "Nice shot, trainee."
The simulation grew more intense. There were mystery bowlers, leg-spinners, and off-spinners in every over. Crowd noise and fielders chirping, "Come on, baby boy!" were added by the AI.
Let's see that rooftop magic!
"That's all you have?"
sledding. Pressure. Sound.
Arjun, however, did not recoil. He adapted.
He read the spin. He expected bounce. He walked smoothly forward and backward. A single ball became square. The following one skidded low. He missed a few. However, he maintained his composure. Never lost your cool.
Sania halted her remarks.
The mental toughness test was it. And he was going by.
They then proceeded to Final Day.
Arjun intentionally batted. He used gentle hands to defend. nudged openings. pounced on straggling balls.
Stop second-guessing yourself. His footwork had become instinctive rather than deliberate.
The last ball then arrived.
A late cutter. Off-length. The bounce is tricky.
Leaning forward, he whipped his body through square leg while twisting it in mid-motion.
[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]
Footwork Level: Basic Mastery – Unlocked
XP Gained: +500
Sub-Stat Improved
Sania's proud voice reverberated. "We start bowling sessions tomorrow."
Arjun was grinning despite his perspiration as he stood there with the bat on his shoulder.
He was no longer merely a young child with aspirations for the first time.
He was a directed player.
He needed someone to teach him how to bowl with the same fire now.
Who is that coach?