The soft, warm glow of the TV bathed Arjun Sharma's Andheri living room in a cozy ambiance, the faint, earthy scent of mountain tea wafting from the cup Ananya had prepared earlier, blending with the subtle hum of Mumbai's nightlife seeping through the windows. The cooperative Xbox game "It Takes Two" pulsed on the screen, its cheerful soundtrack filling the air as Arjun and Ananya maneuvered their virtual couple characters through the second level with seamless coordination. Laughter erupted as they narrowly dodged a barrage of pixelated obstacles, the shared triumph strengthening their bond. Ananya's meticulous tidying habits—neatly stacking controllers, aligning cushions with precision, and wiping a stray crumb from the coffee table—caught Arjun's eye, infusing the space with a comforting sense of order that eased the day's tensions.
Ananya refilled his tea with a gentle smile, her care transforming the home into a more organized haven. "No need for fancy gifts, Uncle," she said firmly, waving off his suggestion of a new smartphone, her practicality a stark contrast to Priya, who lounged nearby, devouring a bag of spicy chakli with reckless abandon. The juxtaposition amused Arjun, her grounded nature a steady anchor in his bustling life. Later, retreating to the bathroom for a moment of solitude, he caught his reflection in the mirror—his face radiated a youthful vigor, his body fat trimmed to 99.5kg, and his muscles sculpted from months of disciplined fitness at Fitzon Gym. Yet, the slight balding patch at his crown lingered, a minor imperfection that drew a wry, self-aware smile as he ran a hand through his thinning hair.
The Midlife Mastery System chimed softly, breaking his reverie: "10 attribute points available for allocation." Arjun seized the opportunity, allocating them with calculated precision—lowering his physical age to 35, achieving a peak state of vitality, and channeling 8 points into Strength, now soaring to 80. The surge of power coursed through him, his body humming with an almost electric energy that felt exponentially enhanced. Reflecting quietly, he compared himself to icons like Amitabh Bachchan at 35—his sharpened appeal a stark contrast to overworked peers whose faces bore the premature lines of stress and neglect. This youthful transformation, he mused, was a silent asset in his evolving life.
The balding, however, gnawed at his confidence. Deeply attached to the remnants of his hair, he hesitated to shave it off, clinging to the hope that the system might one day offer a restoration reward. Aware that this flaw slightly dented his polished image, he set the concern aside, determined to address it when the time was right. Eager to test his newfound strength, he moved to the bedroom and gripped the edges of a 200kg solid wood bed. With a steady heave, he lifted it effortlessly, the weight feeling like a feather in his hands. Marveling at his near-superhuman power, he tempered his excitement with caution—recognizing that such strength, while impressive, held limited societal value beyond personal satisfaction.
Settling into a worn leather armchair, Arjun retrieved a Knowledge Scroll for his daily reading task, diving into two 300-page investment books. Enhanced by the scroll's magic, he absorbed their contents in a mere hour, his memory sharpened to a razor's edge, unlocking deeper insights into market trends and financial strategies. As he closed the final page, Priya sauntered by, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Planning a Ph.D. with all that reading, Dad?" she teased, oblivious to his master's degree earned years ago. Her lack of pride stung faintly, but Arjun brushed it off with a good-natured grin, refusing to let it dim his focus.
The newfound knowledge solidified his financial acumen, seamlessly aligning with his ₹32,51,390 wealth and the unlocked 10 Crore rupees exclusive spending. As the night deepened, his mind buzzed with possibilities—real estate ventures, stock investments, and strategic moves to secure his family's future. The quiet hum of the city outside mirrored the steady rhythm of his thoughts, each idea building toward a bolder tomorrow.