CHAPTER 4 FIRST QUEST

The tournament was just like any other regular youth tryouts. The kids of the age 8-12 could show up in teams or show up alone. Those who showed up on teams didn't require to form new teams. While those who showed up alone were paired up with other kids and a team was formed.

"I know it dad, but still thanks for reminding me again."

He spoke confidently even though he was still lying about remembering the event.

He had completely forgotten about the tournament. It was the first time when he played competitively against other kids. Also it was the beginning of his cricket journey.

"It's good that you know, I'll pick you up at 3 later in the evening and we'll go together."

His father exclaimed.

"Okay, but don't you have work today?"

"I've taken a day off to see you play today. How can I miss my son's debut match."

His father replied enthusiastically.

He was baffled by his father's response. As much as he remembered, he didn't attend this tournament previously. Infact it was his mother, who had accompanied him to the ground. But something was different in the present moment.

His father worked in a construction company and usually worked overtime. Except the occasional day offs, arjun couldn't even see his face until morning in any normal day due to his work.

But despite being extremely busy, his father would still make time for him, occasionally. He would occasionally come to see his matches.

"You're not joking right?"

Arjun bewilderingly replied.

"No I'm not joking. I'll pick you up later from the school."

Virendra reassured arjun.

"Hurry up arjun or else we'll be late for the school."

His mother called out for him.

Soon in her bicycle, they reached the school. In the front gate a young lady greeted them.

"Hello Mrs.vandana. How are you?"

The young lady greeted them at the entrance of the school.

The young lady was dressed in a light pink shirt and azure blue trousers. Her jet black hair was tied by a scrunchie in a ponytail. Lip gloss applied in her lips gave it a pinkish appearance. And moreover due to the smell of perfume, she smelled like fragrant roses.

Arjun couldn't stop himself from staring at the young lady infront of him. His cheeks turned red as she looked at him with a smile.

"Hello miss sanjana. I'm doing fine, how about you?"

His mother greeted back.

The young lady was non other than his homeroom teacher. Due to her young appearance, everybody would mistook her age as a teenager. However she was already in her mid-twenties.

And arjun himself being a 27 year old from inside couldn't help himself from getting attracted towards her.

"Shall we head inside arjun?"

She exclaimed with a smile after finishing her conversation with his mother.

However he was lost in his imagination and was staring blanky at her.

"Arjun?"

As he regained his composure, he found her hand stretched towards him. She extended her hands to grab his.

He then extended his hands and grabbed hers. While holding hands, they headed inside. His mother bid him farewell and left for her work. She worked in an old age care centre as a nurse.

Chatter!! Chatter!! Chatter!!

As he entered the room, he heard loud chatters of kids.Some laughing, some fighting, it was more like a fish market than a classroom.

'Wtf? Argh!! Somebody please take me out of here! Save me!!'

Unable to handle the noise, he started to beg for help in his mind.

The only thing he wished as he entered the classroom was to leave the classroom ASAP. The classroom was one heck of a hellish torture place for him.

In that whole room, he was the only one who wasn't making any noise. Unable to handle the noise, he covered his ears.

Ding!!

[Quest unlocked]

[Please open the status window for details regarding the quest]

He heard the sound of the system as he closed his ears.

"What quest?"

He mumbled.

"Status window"

He whispered.

[Quest Title: Survive the classroom]

[Quest info: Avoid the distracting sounds and focus on the words of the teacher.]

[Rewards for quest completion: New skill Focus and unlock copy talent feature of system]

[Penalty: None ]

[ YES / NO ]

'Huh? Focus on teachers words in this noisy environment? Are you kidding me?'

He exasperated upon seeing the quest of the system.

The quest was near to impossible. It was simply impossible to focus on teachers words in that hellish classroom.

DING!

[system : if you don't want to become professional player then reject this quest and play cricket in computer]

'WTF ! system are you moking me'

[System : ...]

I Accept the quest, he tried to focus on teachers words. With utmost concentration, he stared at his teacher. However everytime he tried to concentrate on her words, the noise from the background would somehow distract him.

'May be it's because I'm so far away from her that's why I'm not able to listen to her'

He mumbled.

While his teacher was reading a book, he raised his arm.

"Yes arjun? How may I help you?"

The teacher exclaimed looking at his raised arms.

"Teacher I want to sit in the front row to hear you better."

He exclaimed.

His chances of hearing her words were much better in the front row than from his current place. Hearing his response, the teacher gave him a perplexing look.

Previously arjun used to be one of those few troublemakers of the class. He would fold papers into the shape of balls and shot a ball with the help of notebook. Celebrating as if he hit a boundary in an world cup or champions league final whenever he play against his classmates. And he rarely paid any attention towards his studies and teachers lectures. Around the time when she would be teaching, he would be napping in his desk.

"Are you sure arjun?? Or are you not feeling well?"

She replied with a concerned look on her face.

"Thank you for your concern teacher. But I'm alright. I just want to listen to the story you're reading a little better."

He replied back without any hesitation.

However from inside, he was extremely nervous. Afterall he himself knew the reason behind her baffled look.

The teacher took notice of his sincerity and called him forward. She then exchanged his seat with one of the students in the front row. After that she continued to read the book.

Finally he was able to hear her better. Although he could still hear the chatters of the kids behind him. However with some concentration, he could focus on her words without being distracted. Which is exactly what he did, he kept his eyes fixated at her lips so as not to miss her words.

Ding!!

[Congratulations to the host for completing the quest.]

[New skill focus is rewarded for the completion of the quest.]

[New feature unlock copy talent ]

[Please check your status window for more info regarding the skill and new feature.]

'Yes!! Finally I completed the quest'