The inter-district semifinal was supposed to be important.
Selectors were present.
Mahesh Kulkarni sat in the VIP stand, chewing paan, eyes half-closed.
Arjun went in at number five.
Score: 61/4.
He assessed the situation in a single glance.
> **Win Probability if Full Output Used:** 97%
> **Risk of Political Flagging:** Severe
So he played at **50%**.
Singles. Rotated strike. No statement shots.
He scored 44 off 62 balls.
India—sorry, *Indore*—won comfortably.
Applause was polite.
Raghav, who scored 28 off 53 balls with four false shots, was called "gritty."
After the match, Kulkarni spoke loudly on purpose.
"Raghav understands pressure," he said.
"Some players only score when things are easy."
Arjun stood five feet away.
He nodded respectfully.
That night, the System spoke again.
> **Divine Cricket System Update**
> **Insight Gained:** Human Ego Threshold
> **Sub-Authority Unlocked:** Outcome Manipulation (Passive)
Arjun smiled faintly.
*So even mediocrity has its champions.*