"For instance, what Ezekiel has to work upon being a batsman, is not only his skill to change into someone, however to develop his own skills as well along alongside his skill of transforming. Whereas, Gabriel who has a great sense of terror in his deliveries doesn't always have to be that harsh. Since, sometimes even the slowest of deliveries thrown can cause shatters! Of not just wickets but of the batsman's soul as well." Alan advised, Furthermore, Seraph who doesn't have to just wear a gauntlet to increase his strength of throwing a world record breaking delivery nonetheless, in turn increase his stamina and judge the kind of delivery he wants to throw as well to break that record..." .
Xavier surprised alongside Feng and Poseidon whispered, "Incredible… to think all of our aspects of improvement would be at the tip of your tongue…?"
Alan hearing him turned around. A contended and caring smile resting his lips he uttered, "Weird right? But, I also realized one thing amid it… this is what's called responsibility. The dream I am carrying on my shoulders is a mixture of your intervention in between it. A responsibility to make sure you reach the top of the world no matter what the cost! That's why, your weaknesses and your strengths. Your fears and your certainties. Your progress and your growth. Aren't just at the tip of my tongue, but, on the tips of my fingers, inside my brain and even on every single page of my journals as well as to the point… it has become impossible to forget."
"Don't you think it's the same feeling your highness?" Alan asked Kenzo who stared at him wide-eyed istantly looking away. A silent smirk leaving his lips, he shook his head. "The same feeling as a guardian, a supporter, a well-wisher… and a mentor." he thought with slight curve of his lips.
The rest surprised by his concession looked back stunned.
"That being said, I want all of you outshine your flaws by the time we return to the base. Be it of Kenzo or even Helios. Xavier or Azazel. Every single one of you should climb up. After all, the moment we return. The whole world will once again begin to revolve. All tournaments will commence leading to the world cup qualifications." Alan informed walking again.
"Right… now that you mentioned it, inter- cities matches are also being devised right…?" Ezekiel wondered as Xavier nodded remembering.
"I wonder if it's the inter-test matches or premier clashes against touring countries…" Poseidon guessed.
Cassiel turned the pages of his journal.
"They indeed are commencing… however, what you'll have is the greatest tournament to shine in out of all, and from all over the country." Alan enlightened.
"Hun?" Feng asked.
"The selection of a single team from all over the country leading into the world cup which is chosen right before the T-20 world cup every year through playing against different cities. The largest cricket event held in Pakistan… take a guess?" Alan continued.
Heber blinking his eyes whispered, "Hm? What is that..?"
Kenzo on the contrary irritated over his senseless response spanked his forehead. "The PSL! You meathead." he rectified.
Hearing the word PSL the boys excluding Helios, Gabriel, Cassiel, and Kenzo stood wide eyed.
"The… t-he…? The What?!" Ezekiel uttered shocked alongside Azazel, Adam, Feng and Ryan.
Even Poseidon and Xavier looked at each other surprised.
Seeing all of their reactions Kenzo smacked his own forehead in disbelief, "Are you all kidding me…?"
"Pakistan Super League or (PSL) in short, is a nationwide tournament held before the world cup. The major cities that includes, Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Multan and Karachi gather their best players from their respective bases and participate in this tournament. The final winning team of the tournament, becomes the representative for world cup held internationally every year. The moment we return, we are going to participate in that and claim our throne. Conclusively, don't tell me you thought facing the world would be a piece of cake? Frist of all, you have to face your own kind to step out, just like, you lion or me lion, the one strongest is the king of this jungle." Alan explained grinning.
"No way! And, here I thought, we would go easily. I didn't knew we would be participating in the PSL on top of everything! Oh my God!! We would be television famous!" Heber and Feng shrieked.
Xavier hearing them chuckled alongside Helios and Poseidon.
"Hehe… so much fun is about to approach! I can't help but feel pumped up!" Adam gleamed enthusiastically hugging Ryan
"Yeah, assuming the fact that we'll face youth's like us from different cities and claim the PSL cup against them is indeed enthralling just to think about." Helios added excited.
"Indeed." Poseidon and Cassiel agreed.
"I feel thrilled! Thrilled! Right Captain?" Azazel asked Kenzo jumping up and down.
Kenzo smirking walked ahead declaring, "Of course, be enthralled and excited all you want. Since, we'll be the only ones to take over the world in the end. And, everyone who stands in the way will be crushed beneath our feet!"
Alan upon his claim grinned.
"Hehe… I can't help but feel like wanting to play after all this anticipation." Xavier replied however, all of a sudden, a weird upsetting jolt took over him and Helios altogether as they halted amid ther steps. Poseidon eyeing the two of them turned around, "What's wrong, Helios, Xavier?"
Trouble taking over Xavier, he kept his hand on his chest which raced.
"Vice-captain?" Feng asked puzzled alongside Azazel. Hearing their clatter, Alan too turned around beside Gabriel, Adam and Ryan.
Kenzo walking back patted Xavier's shoulder, "What is it? Are you feeling alright?"
Xavier who was lost in his thoughts beside Helios stood silent.
"Heli…?" Poseidon asked as Helios shook his head responding, "I don't know. My chest suddenly felt heavy for a moment for no reason at all. As if something's not right…"
"Something's not right?" Ezekiel asked back muddled.
"Yeah, just as if someone is in trouble or something adverse is about to happen. I don't know… it just feels weird. I hope everything's fine. I wonder if the others are alright…." Xavier added worried remembering Mikael, Hadi and the rest. Hearing him Kenzo remained silent.
"Now, that I think about it… we haven't even heard from the others. The highschoolers are with them. I just hope nothing happens." Azazel spoke as the fourteen of them went silent.
Alan exhaled. "I don't think it would be that bad. Though, I know how harsh they can be and arrogant of course. However, I don't think you have to worry this much." he assured.
Gabriel on the contrary sneered, "Tch! Look who's speaking."
Tracing expressions of sudden worry and anxiety on the thirteen faces Alan uttered, "To tell you the truth, I don't know why you are wary of the highschoolers so much? You want to return to the base just to beat them and get revenge on them when they aren't even your foes in the first place."
Their gazes towards Alan instantly turning grave and distrustful, Alan blinked his eyes wondering, "Oh my, oh my, it's those gazes again…"
"They aren't our foes you say? So, what are they, Tell me?" Kenzo asked.
Alan sensing his anger responded, "Your seniors."
"Pft! seniors hun?" Kenzo mocked sneering, "For someone who greets their juniors for the first time with shooting balls and bats whilst injuring them to the point of unconsciousness, they sure are wonderful seniors, aren't they?"
Now, what Kenzo said hit right on the point. Hearing his remark, not even Alan could debate back nonetheless he smiled, "You are right on that. It was indeed quite harsh of them to introduce themselves to you that way. However, think calmly, you are going to take over the world alongside them. So what's the point of having this kind sentiment against them? Don't you think they were just testing you? Of course, everyone would like to test their juniors one way or another, just like an admission examination or if I could simplify more, just like how I played an over or two against you all. Imagine, if you would've been in their places, as proud as they… no we all were. Wouldn't you have acted the same?"
Seraph, Adam and Ryan pondered silent. Azazel remembering how daring Kenzo and Heber had once been ever since he joined the cricket club back at the academy wondered, "Just like them…"
"It's in a human nature. Whenever you meet someone, you just want to know if he or she is compatible with you and your views, that's it. Yup! Their means of telling you all that was wrong but it wasn't punishing. Who knows, the moment you start staying with them, they would give you advises and skills beyond your imaginings you won't even believe?" Alan ended.