Legacy of the Jasmine flame

Chapter Eleven:The Price of the Dream

Jasmine Junior was becoming a legend in his own right. In the university corridors, the name "JJ" echoed in whispers and praises alike. Professors respected him, students admired him, and athletes feared him — not because he was intimidating, but because he was unstoppable.

He wasn't just brilliant in class, topping his courses with flying colors, but he was also setting records on the basketball court. It was clear to everyone that this young man wasn't running on talent alone — he was fueled by pain, purpose, and passion.

Ever since he found out the truth about his family, the courtroom betrayal, and his father's mysterious death, he promised himself that he would turn his scars into stars. Basketball wasn't just a sport to him — it was his escape, his weapon, and his voice.

Then came the big announcement.

A grand basketball tournament was coming — the University Power Slam, a yearly competition involving top universities across the country. The stakes? Enormous.

🏆 The champion school would receive prestigious awards.

🌟 The Best Player would be given a direct slot into any professional team of his choice — national or international.

The moment Jasmine Junior saw the announcement banner outside the faculty block, his heart skipped a beat. The wind blew gently against his face like nature was whispering, "This is your time."

He rushed straight to his best friend Williams, the one soul who had always believed in him no matter how ugly his past looked.

"Will," he said, panting and fired up, "Did you see the tournament? This is it. This is my door to something bigger than prison walls and broken names. I'm going for it!"

Williams grinned, that signature rich-kid grin that came with swag and confidence.

"My brother! I've been waiting for this moment for you. You better dunk your destiny in that basket! Don't play small — this is your slam to greatness!"

But fate — like always — had a little test planned.

A few days later, the school sports council released the official requirements for players.

First on the list?

➡️ Registration form fee — and it wasn't cheap.

Jasmine looked at the poster, then looked into his wallet… and laughed. Not because he was amused — but because his wallet had nothing but ID cards, a faded bus ticket, and dreams.

He stood there for a moment, frozen. The court, the dream, the flames of his passion — everything started to blur. It felt like life was mocking him again.

"After all this training, all this sweat, now money wants to bench me?"

He walked quietly to the hostel, threw his bag on the bed and sighed deeply. He didn't even notice when Williams walked in.

"Bro, what's up? You look like someone just canceled your dreams."

"Will…" he said slowly, avoiding eye contact, "I can't pay the form fee. And if I don't pay, I can't play."

There was silence. Williams sat beside him, smirked, and pulled out his phone.

"Say less. Send me the fee number. I've got you."

Jasmine stared in shock. "Bro, are you serious?"

Williams grinned. "Of course! What are friends for? Look, my dad always says: Some people give you money, some give you time — but a real friend gives you both and still shouts your name in every room you're not in. So I'm shouting 'JJ' till the whole world hears it."

They both burst into laughter. That was Williams — always finding a way to inspire and crack ribs at the same time.

"Plus," Williams added, "I need someone famous to stand by me at my wedding one day. You better go and win that title!"

Jasmine wiped a tear of gratitude from his eye. Not the sad kind — the type that comes when hope finds a way to sit beside you again.

As the money alert hit his phone and he registered for the tournament, something shifted inside him.

This wasn't just a basketball game.

It was a battle for his name, his mother's dignity, and his father's legacy.

And he was ready to slam his pain into victory.