The glowing blue interface hovered silently in the darkness, casting a soft light on Prince's bedroom walls. His eight-year-old heart thudded in his chest, but not from fear. It was excitement. Purpose. Destiny.
Life System Booting...
Host Age: 8
Reincarnation Type: Remorseful | Redemption Tier
Loading Personal Buffs... ✔ Muscle Growth & Regeneration – INACTIVE (Activates upon puberty)
✔ Full Control Over Bodily Systems – PARTIAL (Basic emotional/energy control unlocked)
✔ System Interface – ONLINE
Then came the words he'd been waiting for:
Welcome, Host.
A second screen popped up immediately afterward. Unlike the first, this one had a crisp, minimalistic design, almost like a video game menu. It listed attributes and stats, all at level 1.
STATS
Strength: 1
Stamina: 1
Agility: 1
Pace: 1
Fielding: 1
Batting: 1
Bowling: 1
Game IQ: 1
At the bottom:
Skill Points Available: 0
Daily Tasks:
Wake up early
Brush teeth and maintain hygiene
Morning jog
Practice cricket drills (min. 30 mins)
Study academics
Help parents
Completing these tasks daily would reward "EXP" and skill points, the system said. Playing matches, performing well in them, or achieving specific goals would reward more. If he skipped, he earned nothing. Worse, he could even lose progress.
Prince nodded slowly. It was clear: this system wasn't going to carry him. It would reward discipline, not ego.
He looked up at the ceiling, eyes wide with wonder. He wasn't dreaming. He was really back. And this time, the universe was helping him become someone worthy.
Morning Light
He awoke to the smell of cardamom, jaggery, and butter.
When Prince finally blinked his way out of sleep and padded to the hallway, the house was humming with energy. Streamers in blue and green had been stuck to the living room arch. A large poster that read "Happy Birthday, Prince!" was tacked above the sofa.
He stepped in and found a crowd waiting.
"There he is!" Maria cried, wiping her hands on her apron as she rushed to hug him. "Happy Birthday, monu!"
Bibin swooped in next. He lifted Prince with ease, spinning him once before placing him down.
"Big man today, ah? Eight years old! Almost ready to take over the world."
Prince beamed. But before he could say anything, another familiar voice rang out.
"Happy Birthday, da!"
Benny.
He came running across the living room, holding a shiny black case. Benny's parents were close behind him, smiling warmly.
"We got you something," Benny said, breathless.
Prince opened the case.
Inside was a set of six premium Kookaburra balls — the real deal, used in professional matches. Smooth leather. Stitched with precision.
"This... this is amazing," Prince said, unable to look away. "Thank you, Benny!"
"Open ours next," Bibin said, reaching for a long, rectangular box.
Inside was a sleek SS Ton Gladiator cricket bat — top of the line, the same kind used by professionals across the world.
"Papa... this is..."
"You're worth it," Bibin said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "Use it well."
Other family members gifted kits, gloves, jerseys, even a mini bowling machine. Uncles patted his head. Aunties kissed his cheeks and laughed. Benny and he ran around the yard for hours, setting up wickets, testing out the balls.
Later that evening, Maria brought out a homemade black forest cake, and everyone sang. Prince blew out the candles, whispering silently to himself: Thank you for this second chance.
Evening Reflections
As the guests slowly filed out and the house quieted, Prince sat on the front steps with Bibin and Maria. The sun had dipped behind the Idukki hills, and a gentle breeze rustled the pepper vines by the porch.
He took a breath.
"Amma... Acha... can I ask something serious?"
Maria looked over, instantly attentive. Bibin raised an eyebrow.
"I want to become the best cricketer I can be. Not just for fun. I want to really train. Learn. Become great."
Bibin leaned back slightly, nodding. "You're already training with me. We have a pitch here. What else do you need?"
"I want to go to Century Cricket Academy. In Kochi. The one in Kaloor."
Maria's eyes widened. "That far away?"
"I've read about it. It's the best in Kerala. They have real coaches. Discipline. Regular matches. I can learn everything there."
Bibin was quiet for a long moment.
"You're only eight," he said. "That's a big step."
"I know. But I want to start early. I don't want to waste time. Please. If we moved to Kochi, you'd also be closer to your central office, right? Most of the business is there anyway."
Maria looked at Bibin. There was hesitation in her eyes, but also something else: pride.
"You thought this through?" Bibin asked.
Prince nodded. "I'll work hard. Every single day."
Bibin sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"We'll talk logistics. Find a house. Look at the school nearby. If it all makes sense... we'll go."
Prince's eyes lit up.
"Thank you!"
Maria smiled gently, wrapping her arms around him.
"We'll go together, monu. Always together."
That Night
Prince lay in bed, heart still racing from the excitement of the day. The System interface appeared again.
Daily Tasks Completed: 6/6 EXP Gained: 60
Skill Points Earned: 2
Would you like to allocate your Skill Points?
He hesitated for a moment, then tapped the screen.
Strength: 1
Stamina: 1
Agility: 1
Pace: 1
Fielding: 1
Batting: 1
Bowling: 1
Game IQ: 1
He placed 1 point into Game IQ and 1 into Batting.
Immediately, he felt something shift. Not physically, but mentally. As if his memory sharpened, his understanding deepened.
He sat upright, breathing slowly.
This was real. The training, the learning, the road ahead.
The System would guide him. His parents would support him. Benny would be beside him.
This time, Prince wouldn't squander the life he'd been given.
He pulled the covers over his head, eyes fluttering shut.
Tomorrow, the journey to greatness would begin.