CHAPTER 14 — AGE FOUR TO FIVE (Part 4 of 6)
The Year the World Began to Notice Him
The Morning After His Fourth Birthday
Árman woke with sunlight dancing across his face.
His white hair glowed faintly gold whenever morning light touched it —
a side effect of his new breathing technique, though his family thought it was simple angelic beauty.
Isabella rushed into the room the moment she heard him sitting up.
"Bom dia, meu amor!"
She scooped him up, spinning him gently, kissing his cheeks over and over.
"You slept so well last night!"
If only she knew why.
Leo walked in next, stretching, smiling, his deep voice filled with warmth.
"Who's ready for breakfast?"
Árman lifted his tiny arms.
"Papa!"
The word was not perfect.
Slightly slurred.
But clear enough.
It nearly brought Leonardo to tears.
"My boy is growing up…"
Little did he know how fast.
---
The Subtle Changes No One Noticed
Inside his body:
Eternal Solar Heartbreath flowed gently
his organs became healthier
his stamina was infinite
his comprehension sharpened
his mind developed faster
his beauty reached surreal levels
But he acted like a normal child.
He played with blocks.
He watched cartoons.
He followed his cousins around.
He called his parents in short words.
Nothing seemed unusual.
Except one thing…
Wherever he walked, heads subconsciously turned.
Even strangers passing the mansion gates glanced up, unable to explain the strange warmth in their chest.
This was the effect of his body's natural progression.
But to everyone else?
Just an insanely beautiful kid.
Nothing more.
---
Daily Life — The Normal Front
At four years old, Árman lived like any wealthy Brazilian child:
morning cuddles with his mother
breakfast with both sets of grandparents
playtime with Mateo and the twins across the street
picture books in the afternoon
nap time in Helena's arms
evenings watching football with Leonardo
nightly readings from Isabella
weekly checkups from Ricardo and Sofia
Everything was peaceful.
Perfect.
And hidden beneath that peace…
his power continued growing silently.
---
Age 4.3 — Learning to Speak Properly
His language mastery skill worked internally.
But he made sure to pretend to learn normally.
His first complete sentence came one warm evening:
"Papai, olha! Bola!"
("Daddy, look! Ball!")
Leonardo froze.
Emotion burst inside him.
He lifted his son high into the air.
"He spoke! He spoke a full sentence!"
The whole mansion celebrated like a festival.
Even the maids got emotional.
Helena wiped her eyes.
"He's growing so fast… meu lindo anjo…"
Only Árman felt amused inside.
If he wanted, he could speak 7,000 languages perfectly.
But right now?
One sentence was enough.
---
Age 4.5 — The Miracle Child of Two Mansions
By now, every visitor noticed something.
Something subtle.
Something they couldn't explain.
Whenever Árman entered a room:
arguments stopped
stress disappeared
people smiled unconsciously
tiredness faded
warmth spread in the chest
It wasn't magic.
It wasn't aura.
It was simply his existence amplified by the Eternal Solar Heartbreath.
To adults, he was "blessed."
To kids, he was "cool."
To grandparents, he was "a gift from God."
To the world, he was divine beauty in a little human body.
To himself?
Just another day.
---
Age 4.7 — The First Spark of Curiosity
Around this time, he began quietly testing his body:
tiny stretches
slow breathwork
little jumps
pushing small objects
And the system responded.
[Master, your physical growth is on track.]
[The multiplier is supporting all development silently.]
[No abnormalities detectable externally.]
Perfect.
Everything was hidden.
Just as planned.
---
Age 4.9 — A Question That Would Shape His Future
One night, sitting in his crib, staring at the moonlight…
He whispered:
"System… am I ready to buy more?"
The soft blue glow appeared.
[Master is growing well. At age 5, your body will safely accept higher-tier templates, including Superman templates.]
"Five…" he whispered.
A goal.
A countdown.
Just a few more months.
---
His Fourth Year Came and Went Peacefully.
No explosions.
No training arcs.
No superhuman feats.
No suspicions.
Just a child loved by two powerful families.
A child with perfect beauty and perfect health.
A child who had already begun shaping the world without anyone noticing.
---
18 March 2015 — The Fifth Birthday Approaches
The mansion buzzed with preparations weeks in advance.
Two families.
Dozens of relatives.
A hundred guests.
News outlets wanting a glimpse.
Even football superstars coming to greet the heir of the Azevedo family.
It was going to be the biggest celebration yet.
The world would see a beautiful child.
But inside?
Árman felt it.
Something big was coming.
His fifth birthday.
The day everything would change.