The discussion didn't start loudly.
It never did.
It began in the shade near the boundary rope, kit bags half-open, water bottles passed around, sweat drying slowly on jerseys.
Arjun spoke first.
"Why is Rudra coming at eight?"
No accusation. Just a question.
Kapil looked up from tying his laces. "Because that's how the list was made."
Raju snorted softly. "The list was made before he smashed twenty-eight in twelve balls."
Silence followed.
Not awkward.
Thoughtful.
Rudra sat a little away from them, stretching his calves, pretending not to hear. He didn't interrupt. He didn't push his case.
He didn't need to.
Emotional Control
Lv 05 (91 / 100 EXP) → (93 / 100 EXP)
Arjun leaned back on his elbows. "Round of sixteen won't be like group matches. We lose early wickets again, and we're done."
Kapil nodded slowly. "True. We need someone who doesn't freeze."
Raju glanced toward Rudra. "He didn't. He came in when the match was already slipping—and still played his shots."
That mattered.
Not the runs.
The moment.
Someone mentioned power. Someone mentioned age. Someone else mentioned experience.
No one mentioned ego.
Coach hadn't joined yet.
This was just teammates talking.
Not rivals.
Not yet.
Focus
Lv 06 (47 / 100 EXP) → (49 / 100 EXP)
Kapil finally said it. "Top order or middle. At least give him balls."
Arjun nodded. "Fourth or fifth. Let him see the field."
A decision without a vote.
A shift without ceremony.
Rudra finished stretching and stood, walking over casually.
"What?" he asked, neutral.
Raju grinned. "Nothing. Just deciding where you'll mess up bowlers next."
Rudra smiled—small, contained.
"Wherever you send me," he replied. "I'll play."
No claims.
No demands.
Just readiness.
Batting Timing
Lv 01 (52 / 100 EXP) → (54 / 100 EXP)
They packed their bags together, walking off the ground as a group, arguing about buses, food, and who dropped the easiest catch.
For now, they were teammates.
Equal.
Bound by the same jersey.
Rivals would come later.
On bigger grounds.
Against other schools.
Against time itself.
But for the Round of 16—
Rudra wouldn't be walking in at eight.
And the system recorded something it rarely did:
Not a skill.
Not a stat.
But trust.
Quietly earned.