CHAPTER 22 — ENTERING THE SPOTLIGHT
Morning sunlight poured into the Azevedo mansion, but the world outside had no idea what was about to happen.
Inside, Árman Duarte Azevedo sat at the breakfast table, golden eyes calm, radiant, yet already brimming with plans. He had announced it yesterday: he would master every skill he desired, modeling being one of his first hobbies. Football was on the horizon, but that path would wait—his age still required patience.
"Dada… I want to do all the modeling shoots," he said again as the family finished breakfast. His tone was casual, yet carried the weight of someone centuries old in wisdom and precision.
Leonardo smiled, rubbing his son's silky white hair. "Then we shall arrange them, meu filho. Every shoot you want. Starting today, if you wish."
Árman nodded. It was not vanity or childish curiosity—it was purpose. Modeling would be a playground for him, a field where he could learn control, poise, expression, and confidence. Every photograph would be a masterclass, every pose a lesson in precision.
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◆ THE FIRST SHOOT
Within the hour, Árman was led into the mansion's private photo studio.
The space was enormous, bathed in natural light, with cameras mounted on automated rigs. Professional photographers and assistants were ready, but every hand froze for a moment when they first saw him.
Hair flowing perfectly, luminous white
Golden eyes piercing the camera
Skin flawless, face sculpted in perfect symmetry
Small child's body, yet every line, every posture naturally impeccable
Even before a single pose, every photographer whispered in awe.
Árman stood on the platform, tiny feet balanced naturally.
He didn't need instruction. He knew instinctively where to place his hands, how to angle his face, how to let light accentuate the contours.
Click after click, frame after frame, he moved with the elegance of someone far beyond five years old.
Each shot captured the impossible: beauty, control, presence, perfection.
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◆ FAMILY OBSERVATION
Leonardo, Isabella, and the grandparents watched from behind the cameras.
They weren't just proud—they were stunned.
Grandpa Augusto murmured, "It's… unreal. Every movement is… intentional."
Grandma Helena dabbed her eyes. "My God… he's perfect."
Isabella smiled gently, thinking: This is only the beginning.
Even the photographers, hardened professionals, paused mid-shoot. They had seen talent—but not like this. Not a child who naturally understood the language of the camera, light, and composition.
Árman, meanwhile, remained focused, calm, absorbing everything, memorizing poses, lighting angles, framing techniques—all stored automatically in his mind for later use.
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◆ SOCIAL MEDIA EXPLOSION
By the afternoon, a few family photos had been posted on private groups and then accidentally leaked to Instagram and Facebook.
The reaction was instantaneous:
Thousands of shares within minutes
Comments flooding in:
"This child… is unreal!"
"He's the most beautiful boy I've ever seen!"
"Angel? Or human?"
"Future legend."
Even casual viewers noted: He had the presence of someone much older, wiser, and far beyond normal children.
Árman didn't notice or care. He observed the reactions quietly in his mind, understanding social dynamics and perception like a master strategist—though to the world he was simply a remarkably beautiful child.
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◆ HIS MINDSET
After the shoot, the family gathered him back at the mansion.
Árman's golden eyes scanned everyone with calm precision.
"Dada, I want to be the absolute best at everything I do," he said softly.
Not arrogant. Not childish. Just factual.
"Modeling… acting… photo work… every skill I learn. And later, football. I want to be the god of football when I start."
Leonardo nodded, understanding that while the child's words were ambitious, he meant them literally.
Árman's brain, body, and system enhancements made mastery not just possible—but inevitable.
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◆ THE PLAN AHEAD
For now, the day ended in calm routine:
Afternoon practice for poses, expressions, and modeling movements
Observation of lighting, camera angles, and composition
Study of human interaction and aesthetic perception
Family checking, praising, supporting
No football yet. That would come in 1½ years. But even now, every hobby, every learning, every action, was part of a deliberate path toward absolute perfection in everything he would touch.
Árman curled up that evening in his crib. His golden eyes closed, calm, peaceful.
The world might see him as a child.
But in his mind, he was already preparing to become the best in everything, patiently, deliberately, unstoppable.