Chapter 2: The Boy Reborn
The blinding white light faded slowly, replaced by warmth and gentle sounds that tugged at his newborn senses. A soft rhythmic thumping filled the air — his own heartbeat — but over it, he could hear whispers of excitement and awe. He blinked, though his eyes were tiny and unsteady, and felt himself being lifted into strong, loving arms.
"Mi bebé… my baby…"
A gentle voice, trembling with emotion, cooed over him. Another voice, deeper but equally full of warmth, joined in: "He's… he's perfect."
It was overwhelming. Everything around him was new: the scent of fresh linen, the faint antiseptic smell of the hospital, the warm bodies surrounding him, and the quiet awe of people who clearly were not strangers.
This was his first moment in the world — Earth, the same world he had left behind in his previous life — but it felt entirely new. And yet, deep within him, something stirred, as if the essence of the boy he once was had arrived exactly where it was meant to be.
---
The room was filled with family. On one side, his mother's parents — Isabella Sr. and Luciana — stood with tears in their eyes, holding hands as they gazed at their first grandchild. On the other side, his father's parents — Alejandro Sr. and Vicente — were equally emotional, their expressions a mix of disbelief and awe. Both families were titans in the world of sports and business. They controlled major parts of the global football industry — from sponsorships to equipment brands like Nike, Adidas, and Puma — and were known for their influence in professional leagues across Europe.
Yet for all their wealth and power, they had faced heartbreak. Both Alejandro and Isabella had been born into families that longed for grandchildren, but years of medical struggles prevented either couple from having children. The doctors had told them, after numerous consultations and examinations, that it was impossible — that nature simply had decided against it.
But now, in their arms, was proof of a miracle. A little boy, with shockingly white hair that glimmered like silver threads, eyebrows and eyelashes of the same shade, and eyes that shone crystal blue — the kind of eyes that seemed to hold both the sky and a hint of eternity.
"He's… like a blessing from God," whispered Isabella Sr., her hand trembling as she reached out to touch his tiny fingers.
"Our families… our legacies… and now him," Alejandro Sr. added, voice breaking, "He is everything we could have ever wished for."
---
The newborn's father, Alejandro Cortez, a tall, striking man with a commanding presence, leaned over the bassinet. Despite his usual confidence in business meetings and boardrooms, he felt a rush of emotions he had never known. This tiny human, his son, had come after years of longing, failures, and despair.
His mother, Isabella, sat beside him, her hand resting on her chest as she fought back tears. She had dreamed of this moment for so long that reality seemed almost impossible. Holding her son in her arms, feeling the warmth of his skin and hearing his faint coos, she felt complete for the first time in her life.
The newborn instinctively grasped her finger, then turned slightly toward Alejandro's extended hand. It was subtle, almost imperceptible, but it was the first sign that even in these earliest moments, the boy had begun to form connections.
---
From the very first moments, Aiden — that was the name they chose — seemed different. He studied the faces around him with sharp curiosity, blinking slowly but deliberately at each one. Though he was only hours old, he already noticed the soft music of the hospital, the rhythm of footsteps, the gentle rise and fall of his parents' breaths.
The doctors and nurses, used to seeing newborns, were struck by his unusual awareness.
"He's unusually alert," said Dr. Moreno, examining him carefully. "Most infants at this stage are barely responsive. But he tracks movements, seems to focus, and… his reflexes are precise. Quite extraordinary."
The family exchanged smiles, a mixture of pride and disbelief. Alejandro leaned close, whispering into Isabella's ear:
"God sent him to us. After everything… this is our miracle."
---
The first two years of Aiden's life were filled with warmth, affection, and luxury, yet his parents' love went beyond material wealth. Alejandro and Isabella devoted themselves entirely to him, ensuring he was surrounded by not only comfort but also care and attention.
He learned to walk before his first birthday, wobbling across the polished floors of their vast mansion, with both sets of grandparents cheering him on. He learned his first words — "Dada" — around nine months, and though he would say "Mama" shortly after, there was a clear preference. The boy clung slightly more to his father, Alejandro, giggling in delight when Alejandro picked him up, spun him gently, or rolled a football toward him.
From the beginning, he would call his parents Mama and Dada for the rest of his life, a small habit that became a lifelong emblem of their bond. Every time he said those words, both Alejandro and Isabella felt their hearts swell — he was the living proof that hope and patience could overcome even the harshest limitations.
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During these early years, Aiden was exposed subtly to the world of sports. Alejandro and Isabella, despite being doting parents, could not ignore the environment that surrounded them. From birth, he saw glimpses of football legends visiting the mansion, watched his parents' meetings with global sports icons, and was exposed to top-quality footballs, boots, and kits from brands that carried his family's influence.
Even before he fully understood language, he began to sense patterns, movements, and energies. There were moments when, lying in his crib, he would track the flight of a ball across the room, follow shadows as they moved, or watch birds outside the window with a keen intensity unusual for a baby.
Yet, amid this brilliance, another presence lingered in his mind — faint, mechanical, almost whisper-like.
[SYSTEM]: "Host, I am present. Functions dormant. Full activation at age 2. Observe and stabilize until then."
It was subtle, almost imperceptible, like a gentle hum in the back of his consciousness. Aiden didn't understand it yet, but it gave him an inexplicable sense of calm and certainty, as though the world itself recognized his uniqueness.
---
By the time he turned two, Aiden had begun to form basic sentences, showed an early fascination with movement and balance, and demonstrated memory and comprehension far beyond typical toddlers. He loved being outside, kicking small footballs rolled toward him by his father, and laughing when he succeeded in his tiny goals.
The Cortez mansion — sprawling, sunlit, filled with laughter and music — became his playground. He had the freedom to explore, yet the comfort of knowing he was loved unconditionally by everyone around him. Both grandparents, despite their towering presence in the world of business, would often join him in gentle games, storytelling, and playful lessons.
And throughout all these first two years, the system silently observed, waiting, preparing, counting down the days until its awakening.
[SYSTEM]: "Activation protocol: T-minus 30 days. Host approaching age 2. Full interface readiness imminent."
Aiden, unaware of the approaching change, giggled as Alejandro rolled a football toward him once more. When he kicked it back, striking it perfectly with surprising force and precision, both parents' eyes filled with tears.
"Look at him… our little miracle," Isabella whispered, clutching Alejandro's arm.
Alejandro nodded, smiling. "This is only the beginning. He was sent to us for a reason… and I swear, we will nurture every bit of that gift."
For Aiden, those first two years were more than childhood. They were a foundation built on love, care, and latent potential — the start of a life where fate, once cruel, had finally bowed to his side.
And somewhere deep within him, the system hummed in quiet anticipation, ready to awaken and guide the boy who would one day reshape his destiny.