Chapter 40 — "The Calm Before the Ascent"
A new season began in São Paulo, and with it came quieter mornings, warmer afternoons, and the slow, steady growth of a boy who was not truly a boy inside.
Árman Azevedo was 8 years and 2 months old now.
To the world?
A prodigy.
An angelic child model.
A rising football talent.
The internet's favorite phenomenon.
To himself?
A reincarnated soul from a previous life; older, calmer, much more aware.
Every month that passed, his mind matured more—
not unnaturally, not in a monstrous way—
but like a child who learned faster, understood deeper, thought clearer.
His speech remained childlike, but his eyes…
They began to carry wisdom.
---
A QUIET SHIFT WITHIN HIM
He didn't talk like an adult.
He didn't act superior.
He never bragged.
But he:
Thought before he spoke.
Observed people very deeply.
Understood emotions easily.
Noticed details adults missed.
Learned patterns fast.
Saw the world in a strangely calm way.
When his classmates fought, he simply stepped between them.
When his cousin Emilia cried over a broken pencil, he brought her three without saying a word.
When his teacher asked how he solved a math problem:
"I… just saw the answer," he replied softly.
His humility remained intact, but his quiet confidence started growing.
He didn't know everything.
But whatever he learned, he learned completely.
---
MODELLING — STILL SHINING
Between ages 8.2 to 8.5, his modelling success continued, but he handled it maturely now.
During photoshoots, photographers kept noticing the difference:
"His eyes… they're sharper."
"He's more expressive now; he understands the camera."
"His poses feel natural, not instructed."
"He has presence… that's not normal for an eight-year-old."
Because he wasn't really eight inside.
He had lived before.
He had died once.
He had been reborn.
That maturity seeped into everything.
Every photo…
Every posture…
Every smile…
It carried a depth that even adults couldn't imitate.
He wasn't trying to be sexy (he was too young), but he had a natural charisma, an effortless aura.
His Instagram reached:
9 million followers worldwide.
Endorsements from Italy, France, Japan, UK.
Fanpages everywhere.
But fame never touched his heart.
When Isabella asked if he wanted a break from modelling, he answered:
"I can handle it, Mama. I like making beautiful things."
---
SCHOOL LIFE — A QUIET KING
By the time he was 8.5, his classmates had fully adapted to him:
Girls adored him.
Boys admired him.
Teachers praised him.
Seniors respected him.
Juniors looked up to him.
Yet, he never let attention inflate him.
He sat with anyone who was alone.
Helped with homework.
Shared his snacks.
Protected kids from bullies through calm words, not fists.
There was a gentle authority in him, a soft leadership that felt natural.
Even the school principal said:
"That child… he's something special. But he's humble. That's rare."
---
FOOTBALL — A GROWING STORM
At training:
His dribbling became smooth like water.
His ball control was tight and fluid.
His acceleration improved quietly.
His passing accuracy reached absurd levels for his age.
His shooting technique became clean and beautiful.
People thought he was talented.
But they didn't know the truth:
He trained every day after school.
Not intensely—
just with perfect efficiency.
5 minutes of practice became equal to a pro's 50 minutes because of his 10000× skill multiplier.
And because he was reincarnated…
He understood football in a deeper, almost psychological way.
He read movements.
He predicted passes.
He felt rhythm.
But he hid the monstrous parts of his potential.
He played like a gifted child, not a superhuman.
---
A CALM DINNER — A GROWING BOY
One evening, Leo watched his son eat silently.
Árman's posture was straight.
His eyes thoughtful.
He used cutlery perfectly.
His expressions were subtle but mature.
The boy felt… older.
Leo smiled.
"You're growing so fast, meu príncipe."
Arman looked at him, smiling softly.
"I… just want to be better every day."
Leo kissed his head.
"You're already more than enough."
But deep inside, Árman thought:
"I can't stop. I want to become the best version of myself… in this life."
---
THE NIGHT BEFORE A FUTURE BREAKTHROUGH
That night, he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
The world outside saw a child.
But in his mind?
He prepared for the next steps.
Football.
Modelling.
School.
Life.
Arman closed his eyes.
He wasn't rushing.
He wasn't impatient.
He was maturing—
quietly, steadily, beautifully—
toward the explosive rise that would come.
But for now?
He slept peacefully.
An angel in the world.
A reincarnated soul on the inside.
A storm growing silently.