CHAPTER 12 — THE GENTLE YEAR (Age 3 → 4)
Part 2 of 6
The year between ages three and four flowed like a long, warm summer.
A period of soft growth, quiet bonding, and peaceful innocence—
the calm before the storm of power that would soon reshape his entire destiny.
To his family, Árman was still their beautiful little boy.
To the world, he was the charming Azevedo heir.
To his system… he was a sleeping star waiting to ignite.
---
A Year Wrapped in Love
Daily Morning Rituals
Every morning, without fail, he woke curled into a tiny ball—white hair messy, cheeks soft and warm. Leonardo always entered first, gently lifting him with a calm whisper:
"Bom dia, meu príncipe."
Árman would cling to his father's shirt and mumble,
"Da…da…"
It melted Leonardo every single time.
Then Helena would come in, brushing her son's hair while humming lullabies. She was convinced he had angel blood.
"He's too beautiful," she often whispered.
And truly… every day he grew more breathtaking.
---
Life With Cousins — The Chaotic Brigade
His cousins grew louder as he grew calmer.
Mateo and João chased him around the hallways.
Lucas tried to braid his hair.
Clara followed him everywhere, clutching her plush bunny.
Little Sofia hugged him ten times a day, at minimum.
But something interesting happened this year:
All the kids naturally listened to him.
Not because he spoke more—he still used simple child language.
But his aura… his presence…
was strangely soothing.
Even when the others fought, the moment Árman walked in…
They quieted.
Looked at him.
Then behaved.
The adults joked:
"He has leadership built into his bones."
"He'll be the family head someday!"
They didn't know how correct they were.
---
Growing Quietly, Growing Differently
On the outside, he was still a toddler.
On the inside?
His mind sharpened every month.
He controlled it perfectly.
He never spoke too fluently.
He kept his vocabulary simple.
He maintained the pace of a normal child.
But mentally, he analyzed everything around him:
social behavior
emotional dynamics
power structures
physical growth
the development of his body
He smiled internally.
His body was following the system's expectations.
Age five would be perfect.
---
Cuddles, Laughter, and Soft Nights
Every night ended similarly:
Helena sat on the bed, humming.
Leonardo read little storybooks.
Árman curled between them, holding both their hands.
He fell asleep in seconds—
a peaceful, angelic sight.
Carrying him to the crib became a ritual the parents cherished deeply.
Leonardo kissed his forehead.
Helena tucked his blankets gently.
Both whispered:
"Boa noite, meu amor."
The door closed softly.
And in that silence…
His eyes opened.
---
Private Midnight Talks with the System
Only at night, in the darkness of his room, did the real training begin.
He never asked for powers yet.
He was careful.
He wanted his body to grow naturally until age four.
But he asked questions:
"System… how fast can my neurons grow?"
"System… what is the best breathing technique for children?"
"System… is age five when everything begins?"
The system replied with calm certainty:
[Yes, Master.
Your foundation is improving steadily.]
[Age five is the earliest safe point for template integration.]
[Current growth is optimal.]
He trusted it completely.
---
Small Accidents That Shocked the Family
Even while hiding his intelligence, some things slipped out.
1. Perfect Balance
By 3.7 years old, he never tripped.
Not even once.
Children fall all the time—
but Árman seemed to float.
The family joked he was "blessed by the gods."
2. His Hair and Skin
His already stunning beauty intensified.
His skin glowed softly in sunlight.
His hair became silky white, shining faintly.
Strangers stared whenever they passed him.
But the family assumed:
"He inherited Helena's complexion."
"He has Leonardo's fairness."
"He just has good genetics."
No suspicion.
3. Emotional Intelligence
He comforted crying cousins.
Hugged adults when they were stressed.
Patted Sofia's head when she tripped.
His empathy was unreal.
But again, they chalked it up to him being "sweet."
And he let them believe it.
---
Approaching Age Four — The Calm Before Power
As he neared his fourth birthday, he felt it:
His muscles strengthened.
His bones matured.
His nervous system adapted.
He was ready to take the next step.
Not the Superman template yet—
that would be saved for age five.
But he could begin with skills.
And his first target was clear:
Thermal Resistance
Because he needed a foundation.
A passive.
Something safe.
And the day to buy it was approaching.
---
The Night Before Turning 4
The mansion prepared a huge birthday celebration.
Hundreds of gifts.
Dozens of balloons.
Family traveling from far away.
Everyone was excited.
And in a quiet room, alone, Árman whispered:
"System… tomorrow… on my fourth birthday…"
A soft chime answered.
[I will be ready, Master.]
His eyes closed.
His real journey was about to begin.