Helios and Poseidon exchanged subtle, knowing smiles.
"This just proves that we're not to be underestimated. Islamabad can throw whatever strategies they want at us, but we're ready to
Orion, with a sly grin, added, "I couldn't agree more."
But the mood shifted suddenly when Haruf, with his usual caring smile, asked, "Are you sure about that?"
His tone was casual, but it held a warning.
Zachariah, his expression serious, continued, "Have you forgotten what Islamabad is truly capable of?"
Pedro, Musa, Nidou and Yusuf remained silent. Their expressions conveying the truth in Zachariah's words.
The light-hearted atmosphere dimmed, and Alan, standing silently next to Rauf, gazed at the pitch, the tension in the air palpable. Gabriel glanced over at Seraph, Poseidon, and Kenzo, all of whom were now on high alert.
By the end of the twelveth over, Karachi had accumulated 118 runs for the loss of 3 wickets. Ibn Sena, seated in the pavilion, wore an arm band while Ulhas checked on his injury.
"Does it hurt?" Basid asked with concern.
Sena shook his head, reassuring, "It's okay."
Romeo, with his finger resting under his nose and his hair covering his eyes, sat quietly. Ibn Sena tried to catch a glimpse of his face but could only sense a subtle smile— not one of confidence or sarcasm, but the kind that suggested he held the upper hand, regardless of what was happening on the pitch.
As Rovan took the ball from the umpire and prepared to bowl the first ball of the thirteenth over, his expression remained hidden.
Xavier, on the batting crease, surveyed the field.
As Rovan charged towards the 30-yard circle, Romeo rested his thumb beneath his chin, lightly swirling his index finger before his eyes as he muttered, "Lowest Point Manipulation..." His sky-blue eyes momentarily glistening, he added, "Wake up, boys."
Ibn Sena's eyes widened alongside Leif, Ulhas, and Hamit.
The dangerous man had finally decided to step in. Rauf, still looking down with his arms crossed, murmured, "At last."
Alan touched his earring, his brows furrowed.
Back on the ground, a faint, almost imperceptible shift in the atmosphere occurred, one that only a few on the field noticed. Seon Yul, Wasif, and Juhan glanced at the pavilion, startled.
Isa's sharp eyes also detected something unusual.
As Rovan approached the popping crease and delivered the ball, the magic circle in his eyes glowed darkly. "He's activated his 'Eye of Evidence'…" Xavier thought, focusing intently.
Rovan aimed a precise in-swinging Yorker. The ball followed an unnatural trajectory. Xavier, stepping forward to defend in the last seconds, was completely caught off guard as the ball suddenly dipped sharply, swerving in at the last moment. The ball crashed into the base of the stumps, sending the bails flying.
"Whoa! What a delivery!" the commentators exclaimed, astonished. The crowd erupted in cheers.
"That was a perfect in-swinging Yorker; Xavier Ibn Zain had no chance! He's out for 24 off 16…" Wasif continued.
Xavier, wide-eyed in disbelief, stared at the stumps, speechless.
Alan gasped, clenching his fists tightly.
"What the?!" Azazel and Heber shrieked in bewilderment, while the high schoolers looked on with serious expressions.
"Brother Xavier was bowled out?! I can't believe it!" Feng uttered, stunned.
Gabriel, Cassiel, and Kenzo were left speechless.
Ibn Sena, swallowing hard, stared at Romeo, who simply smiled warmly as he watched the fielders celebrate. "He… completely changed the outcome," Ibn Sena thought with a chill, "No one even realizes it was because of him. This is Islamabad United's captain."
"Geez…" Hamit adjusted his hat, exhaling deeply. "Are you happy now?" he asked Romeo.
Romeo gave a puzzled look before responding, "Huh? I've always been happy. Did you mistake that, Coach Amit?"
A chill ran down Hamit's spine as he looked ahead, "Forget it, brat."
Seeing Romeo so confident, Basid punched the air with a triumphant laugh, dancing around with sparkling eyes, "So cool! So cool! Captain Romeo is so cool! Islamabad's so cool!"
Romeo and the others blinked, astonished, before bursting into laughter.
"Haha, thank you," Romeo said, wiping away tears of amusement.
"You spoil him too much, Romeo. He's not even embarrassed," Leif sighed, looking away.
"It's alright. I only have one junior this adorable anyway," Romeo replied.
Rovan, catching Romeo's eye from the ground, raised his hand in a thumbs up. Romeo couldn't help but smile.
As Xavier returned to the pavilion, Ryan headed out as the next batsman. Settling down on the bench, Xavier took a sip of his energy drink and leaned back, staring up at the starry sky. Sweat dripped down his hair as he replayed the delivery that took his wicket in his mind.
"Are you alright, Xavier?" Poseidon asked, patting his shoulder.
Xavier, momentarily lost in thought, managed a reassuring smile, though it failed to convince the middle schoolers.
"What's going on in that mind of yours, Genius?" Nidou asked, twirling his sports drink bottle on his index finger.
Xavier turned to him, his expression serious, "Something unusual happened on the pitch."
"Unusual?" Seraph pondered.
"Just before Senior Rovan bowled, there was a weird tension in the air. Even Senior Isa noticed it, but I can't pinpoint what it was. I know fast deliveries aren't my strong suit, and I probably made a mistake returning it, but it felt like something else…" Xavier glanced down at the ground, his voice trailing off.
The middle schoolers exchanged questioning looks with Nidou.
"Remember when you all sensed Romeo's presence on the pitch sometimes?" Evan recalled their earlier conversation.
"Yeah, it felt like he was there even when he wasn't," Cassiel added.
"That's what happened. He was there," Nagi exhaled.
Kenzo glanced at Gabriel, raising an eyebrow over Nagi's absurd remark.
"Have you ever heard of 'Lowest Point Manipulation'?" Pedro asked.
"Lowest Point Manipulation…?" Azazel scratched his head in confusion, "What's that?"
"'Lowest Point Manipulation' is the ability to control or influence something at its most vulnerable or extreme state. It suggests exerting control over a situation, emotion, or condition when it's at its most challenging," Pedro explained.
"In other words, it's one of Romeo's abilities," Rauf added.
"Huh?" The middle schoolers listened, stunned.
"The moment his team reaches their lowest point, where they're most challenged or in dire straits, he activates this ability to influence himself or his teammates. He provides them with vitality and concentration," Alan elaborated, "His ability is well-known around the world for its effectiveness."
"Wait, you're not joking, right? Because this isn't funny at all," Ezekiel said, fidgeting with nervousness.
"I-I don't understand. He can control his team's downfall? Then how can the other teams win?" Cassiel asked, bewildered.
The high schoolers fell silent at this question.
"Hey… how can we win?" Heber pressed on, "If Romeo can change the outcome anytime his team faces a challenge, what are we supposed to do? We can't do all that."
"What have you accomplished up to this point?" Mir asked, his eyes locked on them, "Ever since you came to Karachi's base. When you practiced days and nights. When you took on Alan, Rauf, and the others. Played against Lahore and Peshawar in this PSL, what have you done until now?"
The middle schoolers glanced away, feeling confused and slightly anxious.
"You've made progress and improved your performance," Mir continued.
The middle schoolers looked back up at him.
Nidou grinned, "So what if Romeo can manipulate their lowest points? We should just not let them reach that point. We have to defeat them when they're at their best."
"Defeat them when they're at their best…?" Xavier, Helios, and Kenzo echoed together, a spark of realization lighting up their faces.
Senri, Kazuna, Elias, and Evan smiled in agreement.
"Huh? Defeat them when they're at their best? When they would be at their best won't we still be losing then…?" Adam furrowed his brow, still confused.
Seraph smiled, "Win the game at its climax! When their chances of winning are the highest, that's when we strike," he said, ruffling his hair.
"Exactly," Alan grinned.
Rauf let out a breath, contentment visible on his face.
"However, Poseidon interjected, "I don't think so, guys…"
"Why not?" Helios inquired as the stadium erupted in cheers with Islamabad's fielders gathering, beaming with smiles.
"Another one bites the dust! Juhan, you absolute gem! That instinctive reaction and incredible leap! Unbelievable! What a sensational self-catch! Rovan is proud, and so are the juniors. Just look at that smile on Juhan's face! Ryan ty Alexandro is dismissed for just 7 runs off 7 balls. As we approach the final death overs, Karachi Kings find themselves at 125 for 5. They now need 58 runs to win off 36 legal deliveries," Jones noted.
Kenzo clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"Another piece lost, your highness?" Elias asked.
Kenzo remained silent.
"Was it the Lowest Point Manipulation again?" Seraph inquired.
"Not at all," Alan responded, "That couldn't be the case because once Xavier's wicket fell, there was no urgent need to change the outcome, so it wouldn't activate."