Learning did not announce itself.
It crept in quietly, hidden inside repetition.
The athletics sessions continued through the week. Morning drills bled into evening practice, and Rudra stopped seeing them as separate activities. Running fed into balance. Balance softened landings. Soft landings protected joints. Protected joints allowed longer effort.
Everything connected.
During sprints, he focused on stride length and foot placement rather than speed.
Heel—midfoot—toe.
Controlled.
Running
Lv 01 (0 / 100 EXP) → (8 / 100 EXP)
Not fast.
Correct.
The coach blew the whistle, calling for shuttle runs. Quick turns. Sudden stops.
Rudra lowered his center of gravity instinctively, letting momentum fold instead of break.
Balance
Lv 01 (0 / 100 EXP) → (6 / 100 EXP)
He felt it then—not excitement, but recognition.
These weren't "extras."
They were foundations cricket never named.
Gymnastics followed.
Forward rolls became smoother. Jumps landed quieter. His body stopped fighting gravity and began negotiating with it.
Balance
Lv 01 (6 / 100 EXP) → (14 / 100 EXP)
Flexibility
Lv 01 (82 / 100 EXP) → (88 / 100 EXP)
A misstep during a landing forced him to correct mid-air.
He absorbed the shock, knees bending naturally.
Running
Lv 01 (8 / 100 EXP) → (12 / 100 EXP)
Emotional Control
Lv 05 (75 / 100 EXP) → (78 / 100 EXP)
By the end of the week, something subtle had changed.
He ran longer without strain. Turned faster without slipping. Stopped without jarring impact.
Not because he tried harder.
Because he understood more.
That night, as he lay on his bed, Rudra focused inward—not calling for the system, just acknowledging it.
New entries existed now.
Quiet.
Undeniable.
Running — Lv 01
Balance — Lv 01
Learning wasn't about unlocking abilities.
It was about noticing what the body was already being taught.
And once learning was named—
It could no longer be ignored.