Arjun Sharma woke at 6 a.m. in their modest Bandra apartment, the faint glow of dawn filtering through the window, mingling with the distant clatter of milk cans and the aroma of fresh idlis from a street vendor below. Stepping onto the bathroom scale, he noted his weight at 81 kilograms, down 19 kilograms from his starting point, with a goal already surpassed to reach 90 kilograms. HIs reading and use of knowledge scrolls bringing unexpected changes, his physique already turning heads at FitZone Gym. In the kitchen, he prepared a hearty bowl of masala oats, savoring the spicy warmth while ignoring breakfast for Priya, who was still asleep, confident she'd manage when hunger struck. The Midlife Mastery System's reading task—one hour of efficient reading daily for 30 days—continued to drive his transformation at 45, After The Power of Habit, he was eager to dive deeper into self-improvement.
Settling at the dining table, Arjun activated one of his six Knowledge Scrolls, the system's virtual interface flashing briefly on his phone: "Knowledge Scroll activated. Reading efficiency boosted 100-fold. Props: Knowledge Scroll=8." He selected The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli and Influence by Robert Cialdini from his AI-curated list, finishing both in an hour with enhanced comprehension, the 600 combined pages unraveling cognitive biases and persuasion tactics with startling clarity. The mental surge boosted his Spirit stat by 6 points to 58, and his physical age felt rejuvenated, as if he were 44, the system confirming: "Task Progress: Efficient reading completed. Spirit +6. Physical Age -3." The intense focus left him drained, his stomach growling despite the oats. Craving comfort, he ordered a hearty takeout from a Bandra eatery—Special pav bhaji with extra butter and a side of crispy vada—for ₹300 via an app. His phone pinged: "SBI: ₹300 debited. Balance: ₹21,17,250." Savoring the meal while scrolling through motivational videos by a popular Mumbai fitness influencer, Arjun reflected on his freedom post-divorce from Meera Kapoor and his sharper physique, outshining the influencer's.
Priya, woken by the tantalizing aroma, shuffled into the living room, her ankle nearly healed but her expression souring at the sight of only leftover curry on the table. "Dad, you ate everything without me?" she snapped, feeling neglected. Arjun, distracted by his phone, dismissed her complaints with a wave. "You'll find something, Priya. There's bread in the kitchen," he said, his tone unintentionally curt as he prepared for his Ola shift. She huffed, retreating to her room, the tension between them palpable. Out on Mumbai's scorching streets, the sun blazing at 40°C, Arjun earned ₹2,400 from a long Ola ride to Andheri, his phone pinging: "SBI: ₹2,400 credited. Balance: ₹21,19,550." His thoughts turned to Ananya Desai, Priya's friend, whose lease was expiring today, forcing her to move to their spare room.
Ananya, waiting nervously in her Khar apartment, faced mounting pressure from her predatory landlord, Vickey, who had previously offered her money to go out with him, his sleazy demeanor leaving her uneasy. When Arjun called to confirm he'd pick her up after his shift, relief washed over her, narrowly escaping Vickey's unannounced visit as she heard his knock just as she grabbed her bags. "I'm on my way, uncle," she said, her voice trembling but grateful, hurriedly packing her modest belongings—a few kurtis, books, and a photo of her mother. As Arjun rode toward Khar, the city's vibrant chaos—street hawkers shouting, autorickshaws weaving—enveloped him, the Midlife Mastery System quietly rewarding his efforts.
Attribute Panel:
Height: 185 cm (+)
Physical Age: 44 (-)
Wealth: ₹21,19,550
Strength: 70 (+)
Spirit: 58 (+)
Props: Knowledge Scroll=8, Electrolyte Drink=10, Protein Shake=2
Daily Tasks: Nutritious breakfast, gym check-in, Ola rides, Efficient reading