The sky was still undecided when Rudra woke up.
Neither dark nor light—just a thin, grey quiet that belonged only to those who chose to rise early. He moved carefully, folding his blanket the way his mother liked, slipping out of the room without sound.
From the kitchen came a familiar warmth.
His mother was already awake.
A small steel pan rested on the stove, steam rising gently as she stirred. The smell was simple but nourishing—boiled milk, roasted peanuts, a hint of ghee.
"You're going again?" she asked without turning.
"Yes, Ma," Rudra replied.
She nodded, as if she had expected no other answer.
She placed a plate in front of him: two idlis, soft and hot, with a small bowl of chutney. Beside it, a glass of milk.
"Eat properly," she said. "Morning effort needs strength."
Rudra sat.
He ate slowly, deliberately, aware of every bite.
This wasn't indulgence.
This was preparation.
Stamina
Lv 03 (47 / 100 EXP) → (50 / 100 EXP)
Strength
Lv 02 (27 / 100 EXP) → (29 / 100 EXP)
His mother watched him quietly, satisfaction resting in her eyes. Not pride—care.
"Don't skip meals," she added. "Hard work without food breaks the body."
"I know," Rudra said softly.
And he did.
Decision Speed
Lv 04 (35 / 100 EXP) → (37 / 100 EXP)
The school ground at dawn felt different.
Empty.
Honest.
No shouting. No whistles. No expectations.
Just open space and damp earth, still cool from the night. Rudra stepped onto the ground barefoot, letting the texture settle into his soles.
He jogged once around the perimeter—slow, controlled, breathing steady.
Stamina
Lv 03 (50 / 100 EXP) → (54 / 100 EXP)
He stopped near the center and picked up the bat.
Shadow swings.
One.
Two.
Three.
No ball. No audience.
Only form.
Batting Timing
Lv 01 (12 / 100 EXP) → (16 / 100 EXP)
His shoulders loosened as he continued, movements smoothing out with repetition.
A short sprint. A pause. Another sprint.
Reflex
Lv 04 (11 / 100 EXP) → (15 / 100 EXP)
Sweat formed lightly on his brow, but fatigue did not overwhelm him. The breakfast held. The body responded.
Effort met preparation.
He stopped when his breathing changed—not when pain demanded it.
Restraint mattered.
Emotional Control
Lv 05 (70 / 100 EXP) → (72 / 100 EXP)
As the first hint of sunlight touched the far edge of the ground, Rudra stood still, bat resting against his shoulder.
No one had seen him.
No one needed to.
He had eaten well.
He had trained honestly.
And somewhere, quietly, the numbers agreed.