Chapter 3: Awakening of the System
The Cortez mansion glittered in the early morning sunlight, its marble walls reflecting the golden rays across the sprawling gardens. Balloons and banners of gold and blue floated gently, marking a celebration of great importance. Today was no ordinary day — it was Aiden Cortez's second birthday.
The mansion was alive with motion. Alejandro and Isabella bustled through the halls, coordinating staff, checking decorations, and preparing the special garden area for their son. Though billionaires, their attention to Aiden's birthday was personal — every detail had to be perfect.
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Family Presence
Living under the same roof were Alejandro Cortez Sr. and Vicente Cortez, Aiden's father's parents. Alejandro Sr. was a giant in international football sponsorships, working closely with Nike, Adidas, and Puma. Vicente managed some of Spain's top football talents, overseeing training programs and player contracts. Their influence in sports was monumental, yet their love for Aiden was gentle, hands-on, and unwavering.
Across the street lived Isabella Rodriguez Sr. and Luciana Rodriguez, Aiden's mother's parents. They had long struggled with medical complications that prevented them from having children. Aiden's birth had been a miracle, a living answer to years of prayer. From across the street, they kept a careful watch over him, visiting often to ensure their grandson was loved, guided, and nurtured.
Even the family doctor, Dr. Emilio Moreno, had arrived early, along with a small group of nurses and household staff. All had witnessed Aiden's unusual growth and development over the first two years, from walking and talking early to subtle displays of intelligence that seemed far beyond a typical toddler.
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Special Guests from the Football World
Alejandro had invited several of Spain's most prominent football figures to the birthday celebration — not for ceremony, but as witnesses to the miracle child. Among them:
Lionel Messi, visiting Spain for personal business and having heard whispers of the Cortez child.
Officials from Real Madrid, including club directors and youth talent scouts.
Barcelona representatives, including team coaches and youth academy managers.
All of them had come quietly, curious and skeptical, eager to see if the stories about Aiden were real.
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The Awakening Moment
Aiden toddled into the garden, his white hair shimmering under the sunlight, blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. He was wearing miniature designer football shoes from his father's brand collection, laced perfectly — a small detail that Alejandro had insisted on. Every movement was careful, almost deliberate.
Then, a hum filled the tiny corners of his consciousness. A soft, mechanical voice — calming, yet commanding — echoed inside his mind.
[SYSTEM]: "Host detected. Age: 2 years. Activation protocol: initiated. Core functions online. Welcome, Host."
Aiden blinked, feeling clarity he had never known. A holographic interface appeared in his mind, symbols, numbers, and icons shifting in perfect harmony. He could see all of his surroundings in a new way — not just visually, but in terms of potential.
[SYSTEM]: "All functions online. Host abilities linked. Maximum potential unlocked. Core functions include: Physical Stats, Cognitive Analysis, Talent Acquisition, Daily Quest Management, Object/Environmental Analysis, Status Monitoring of Individuals within Observation Radius."
In simpler language: Aiden could now observe anyone, understand their skills, copy talents, check stats, track energy or health, and even learn their techniques perfectly — all through the system.
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System Functions Explained
1. Talent Acquisition (Main function):
The system's primary purpose was to copy any skill or ability from any individual — humans, animals, or other sources. Aiden could observe someone performing a skill, and with the system, replicate it perfectly.
2. Physical Stats Display:
Shows his own body condition — strength, stamina, speed, flexibility, and even shoe status. For example, if his shoes were wet, worn, or damaged, the system would notify him.
3. Cognitive Analysis:
Tracks memory, comprehension, and problem-solving ability. Shows his own potential in various fields and predicts outcomes of tasks.
4. Daily Quest Management:
Assigns tasks for growth, learning, and challenges. Small quests like "Kick ball 50 times perfectly" or "Observe 3 humans performing football drills."
5. Observation & Snooping:
Can see the status, skills, and capabilities of anyone nearby — including stamina, talent levels, or hidden skills. Useful for analyzing football legends or teachers.
6. Environmental & Object Analysis:
Provides information on surroundings — like the best angle to kick a ball, weight of objects, or paths to optimize movement.
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The First Test
Messi bent down to roll a small football toward Aiden. Alejandro, watching closely, whispered to Isabella, "Let's see if the stories are true."
Aiden's eyes tracked the ball. The system displayed Messi's stats: Speed: 90/100, Kick Accuracy: 98/100, Stamina: 95/100. He could "see" the footballer's skill like numbers floating in the air.
[SYSTEM]: "Talent Acquisition available. Observe target skill. Initiate replication."
With a tiny giggle, Aiden kicked the ball — and it spun in perfect trajectory, stopping just short of Messi, hovering briefly, then rolling smoothly into the net. Messi froze, astonished.
Piqué whispered, "It's… impossible for a two-year-old to control the ball like that."
Casillas shook his head. "Even seasoned players can't replicate that precision."
Even Real Madrid officials and Barcelona youth coaches were wide-eyed, exchanging murmurs. "The boy… he's unreal," one scout said. "This isn't just talent; it's something else entirely."
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Snooping in Action
The system allowed Aiden to view everyone's stats effortlessly. He could see Messi's fatigue, stamina, and skill levels in numbers. He could detect which staff members were rushing and which were relaxed. Even Alejandro and Isabella's stress levels appeared as faint indicators — he didn't understand all the details consciously, but it gave him an intuitive sense of people's moods.
He could also check the status of objects — the football in his tiny foot displayed "Kicking potential: 100%," "Surface friction: 0.87," "Air resistance optimal." Even his miniature football shoes showed full integrity, laces secure, soles new.
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Family Reaction
Alejandro and Isabella were overwhelmed. Alejandro Sr. whispered to Vicente, "He is… beyond extraordinary. Not just skill — the system… whatever this is… it's reshaping him before our eyes."
Across the street, Isabella Rodriguez Sr. and Luciana Rodriguez were equally amazed. "He can see… everything," Luciana whispered. "Even the football legends can't comprehend what he just did."
Alejandro's parents exchanged proud smiles. "This child… our grandson… he is the legacy of both families. And yet, he's only just begun."
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Aiden's First Words After Awakening
Amid the awe and astonishment, Aiden toddled over to Alejandro, giggling. "Dada!" he shouted.
"Dada?" Alejandro laughed, picking him up and hugging him tightly.
"Mama!" Aiden called toward Isabella, waving with tiny fingers. He laughed, then clapped his hands. From this moment on, he would call them Dada and Mama for the rest of his life, forming the core of his emotional anchor while exploring the limitless potential now available through his system.
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As the party continued, Aiden kicked balls, observed Messi and Piqué, and mentally noted every movement. He touched his system's interface invisibly, processing, learning, and storing — preparing for the first real challenge: copying and perfecting skills that even professional footballers could only dream of mastering.
[SYSTEM]: "Host initialization complete. Maximum potential: limitless. Talent Acquisition: active. Observation radius: 100 meters. Daily Quest: Observe 3 humans performing skills. Reward: experience, memory, replication efficiency."
The sun dipped lower, casting golden light across the mansion and gardens. Aiden, the two-year-old prodigy, smiled, completely unaware of the chaos and awe he had caused — but fully aware, on some deep level, that his journey had begun.
The boy who had once been a 40-year-old man dreaming of football greatness in another life now had a system, limitless potential, and the chance to surpass every dream he had ever held. And this time, there would be no limits.