The living room felt smaller with five people in it, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.
Celestia stood frozen near the doorway, her violet eyes wide as dinner plates, staring at Runar like he was a puzzle she couldn't solve. Her small hands clutched her bag of spirit candies so tightly the packaging crinkled.
Seraphina stood behind her daughter, one hand on Celestia's shoulder—protective, cautious. Her spiritual sense had already swept over Runar multiple times, and each scan left her more confused than the last. Her expression was carefully neutral, but her cultivation base flickered with barely-contained shock.
Jake and Lirien sat on either side of Runar, presenting a united front. Parents protecting their child, regardless of how inexplicable the situation was.
And Runar sat in the middle, trying to look like a confused seven-year-old instead of the reincarnated genius programmer who'd just spent subjective days designing Supreme-grade cultivation techniques.
The silence stretched.
"So," Seraphina said finally, her voice carefully controlled, "I think we need an explanation. Lirien, yesterday I saw a one-month-old infant. Today there's a seven-year-old boy who—" she glanced at Celestia, choosing her words carefully, "—who appears to have experienced something extraordinary."
"But where's Baby Runar?" Celestia burst out, unable to contain herself any longer. "Did this boy do something to him? Is Baby Runar okay? Mama, we need to find him!"
She started to move forward, her small cultivation base flaring protectively, clearly ready to defend the "missing" baby from this "stranger."
"Celestia, wait—" Runar said gently, and the girl froze.
His voice. She recognized his voice. It was deeper, more articulate, but the tone was the same. The inflection. The warmth.
"It's me," Runar continued, giving her a small, slightly uncertain smile. "I know I look different. I feel different. But I'm still Runar. Still the baby you met yesterday. Just... bigger now."
Celestia's mouth opened and closed several times. "But... but you were tiny. You couldn't even talk. You just made cute baby sounds and grabbed my finger and—" Tears were forming in her eyes. "What happened to you?"
Lirien stood, moving to kneel beside Celestia, taking the girl's free hand gently. "Sweetheart, something happened last night. Something rare and unusual. Runar had what we think was a physique awakening."
"A physique awakening?" Celestia repeated, her expression shifting from distress to confusion. "Like in the stories? Where people suddenly get special powers?"
"Exactly like that," Jake said, standing as well. He addressed Seraphina directly, cultivator to cultivator. "We didn't know he had a unique physique. The healer at birth detected strong spiritual roots but nothing unusual about his constitution. But last night, something triggered it."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Triggered awakenings are rare but documented. Usually caused by exposure to a treasure, life-threatening danger, or reaching a certain age threshold." She looked at Runar, her spiritual sense sweeping him again. "What kind of physique could cause this degree of transformation?"
"We don't know," Lirien admitted. "Elder Thorne examined him this morning. He confirmed it's a physique awakening, but he couldn't identify the specific type. He said it's not in any classification he's familiar with."
"Elder Thorne saw him?" Seraphina's posture relaxed slightly. If Thorne—a respected Planetary Core cultivator and experienced healer—had examined the boy and confirmed it was legitimate, that carried weight. "What was his assessment?"
Jake exchanged glances with his wife, then spoke carefully. "Runar's healthy. No external interference, no curses, no possession. The physique caused rapid physical aging and..." he paused, "automatic cultivation advancement."
"How much advancement?" Seraphina asked sharply.
Another pause. Jake decided honesty—to a point—was the best policy with his oldest friend's wife. "Stardust Awakening. Early stages," he lied smoothly about the 'early stages' part. "His foundation is remarkably solid."
Seraphina's breath caught. "A one-month-old jumping directly to Stardust Awakening overnight..." She shook her head slowly. "If word of this gets out—"
"We know," Lirien interrupted. "That's why Elder Thorne submitted a minimal report to the city authorities. We're keeping the details as quiet as possible. As far as anyone outside this room knows, Runar had a minor physique awakening that caused age acceleration. That's all."
"And the cultivation advancement?"
"Stays between us," Jake said firmly. "You're family, Seraphina. We trust you. But the fewer people who know the full extent, the safer Runar will be."
Seraphina studied them all for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then she sighed, the tension draining from her shoulders. "You're right to be cautious. There are factions that would do terrible things for access to an unknown physique this powerful. Your secret is safe with me. With us."
She looked down at Celestia, whose tears had stopped but who still looked utterly bewildered. "Right, darling?"
"I... I guess?" Celestia looked between the adults, then back at Runar. "So you really are Baby Runar? Just... grown up?"
Runar nodded. "I really am. I know it's confusing. It's confusing for me too. Yesterday I was this small—" he held his hands close together, "—and could barely hold my head up. Today I'm..." he gestured at himself, "this. It's a lot to process."
Celestia approached slowly, studying him with intense focus. She walked in a complete circle around him, examining him from every angle like he was a particularly interesting spirit beast at a zoo.
"You do kind of look like Baby Runar," she admitted grudgingly. "Same nose. Same eyes—they're still really clear and smart-looking. And your voice sounds like his, just bigger." She stopped in front of him, hands on her hips. "Okay. I believe you. You're Baby Runar. But I'm calling you just Runar now because you're not a baby anymore."
Despite the tension, Runar smiled. "That's fair."
"But this means—" Celestia's expression suddenly brightened with excitement that only a five-year-old could muster after processing something traumatic, "—this means we can actually play together now! Not just me talking at you while you make baby sounds! We can run around and practice cultivation and spar and—oh! I can teach you so many things!"
She grabbed his hand, her earlier distress completely forgotten in the face of new possibilities. "I know the best games! And I can show you my ice techniques! And we can explore the city together! And—"
"Celestia," Seraphina interrupted gently, "maybe give Runar some space. This is still very new for him."
But Runar squeezed Celestia's hand gently. "Actually, that sounds really fun. I'd love to learn from you."
The words were calculated—playing to her desire to be the knowledgeable older sister—but the sentiment behind them was genuine. Celestia's immediate acceptance, her quick shift from suspicion to excitement, her pure-hearted enthusiasm... it was refreshing. Rare, even. In his previous life, people had been more cautious, more cynical.
She's a good kid, Runar thought. Deserves to be protected.
Celestia beamed at him, then remembered the bag in her other hand. "Oh! I brought treats! I was going to give them to Baby—to you, but now you can actually eat them properly instead of just sucking on them!" She pulled out a crystallized candy shaped like a small dragon. "Here! These have starfruit essence. They help with qi circulation!"
Runar took the candy, examining it with his runic eyes. Divine-grade spiritual fruit essence, perfectly crystallized, worth about fifty spirit stones. Celestia's family was clearly wealthy enough to use these as casual treats.
He popped it in his mouth and his enhanced taste buds immediately detected the complex flavors and the surge of refined qi. His Supreme-grade physique absorbed and converted it automatically, though the amount of energy was negligible compared to his reserves.
"It's really good," he said honestly. "Thank you."
Celestia practically glowed with pride. "I told you! I brought a whole bag. We can share them."
Seraphina watched the interaction, her expression softening. She turned to Jake and Lirien. "I think they'll be fine. Children are remarkably adaptable." She paused. "We're still settling into our new house—the one in Starlight District, about ten minutes from here by flight. Celestia starts at the Continental Academy's junior program next month."
"The Academy?" Jake perked up. "We were planning to enroll Runar as well. Given his... situation, it seems like the safest environment. Structured cultivation training, protection, and it would seem more natural for a child with an awakened physique to advance quickly there."
"Perfect." Seraphina smiled. "Then they can attend together. Celestia's been nervous about starting at a new academy—having a friend there will help her settle in."
"Friend?" Celestia looked up at her mother, then at Runar, her expression turning serious. "No, mama. Runar's not just my friend. He's my little brother now. I'm going to protect him and teach him everything and make sure nobody bullies him at the academy."
"I'm the same age as you," Runar pointed out, amused.
"Nuh-uh. You were a baby yesterday. That makes you younger. So I'm the big sister." Celestia's logic was ironclad in her own mind. "Big sisters protect little brothers. That's the rule."
Seraphina laughed, the sound breaking the last of the tension in the room. "Well, I suppose that's settled then."
They spent the next hour talking—the adults discussing practical matters like academy enrollment, documentation for Runar's sudden aging, and how to handle questions from neighbors. The children sat together on the floor, Celestia talking animatedly about everything she'd learned at her previous academy while Runar listened and asked appropriate questions.
She's a genius by normal standards, Runar observed as Celestia demonstrated a basic ice cultivation technique, tiny frost crystals forming in her palm. Stardust Awakening Stage 3 at five years old. Good foundation, natural talent, and access to quality resources. With proper guidance, she could become truly formidable.
And as he watched her practice, a plan began forming in his mind. He had Divine-grade pills he'd never use. Techniques he'd already mastered. Knowledge that could accelerate her development exponentially.
Why not share it? She's been nothing but kind to me. And having a powerful ally who trusts me completely... that's valuable in any world.
Later That Evening - After Seraphina and Celestia Left
Runar sat in his new room—larger than the nursery, with a proper bed and desk that his parents had hastily set up that afternoon. The window overlooked the street below, where flying vehicles and cultivators on swords passed by in the evening traffic.
He'd claimed exhaustion after dinner, which wasn't entirely a lie. The mental strain of maintaining his act as a "confused but adapting child" while processing everything was genuinely tiring.
Now, finally alone, he could work.
Advanced Cultivation Common Sense Jade, he thought, pulling the item from his system inventory.
The jade slip materialized in his hand, cool to the touch, thrumming with contained information. He pressed it to his forehead.
[DOWNLOADING KNOWLEDGE...]
Information flooded his mind—not overwhelming thanks to the HDCM's optimization, but vast nonetheless. The jade contained what was essentially an encyclopedia of cultivation society:
Social Hierarchy and Etiquette:
How cultivators of different realms should address each other Proper behavior when meeting someone stronger/weaker Unspoken rules about challenges and duels Face culture and how to avoid giving/taking offense Gift-giving customs and their hidden meanings The importance of lineage and backing How to identify someone's status from clothing, accessories, and behavior
Power Structures:
The Eight Supremes and their territories Major sects: rankings, specializations, recruitment methods, internal politics Cultivation corporations: the big players, their industries, how they differ from sects Ancient families: bloodline importance, arranged marriages, inheritance customs Merchant guilds: how cultivation resources are bought and sold, auction house rules Mercenary groups and their codes Underground forces: information brokers, assassin organizations, black markets
Geographic Information:
Telstra's continents and their specializations (Astryn was mid-tier, known for balanced development) Secret realms and their danger classifications Forbidden zones where even Supremes don't venture Trade routes and safe passages between continents Important cities and their ruling factions
Academy System:
Continental Academy's structure and reputation (top three academies on Astryn) Ranking systems: inner disciples, outer disciples, core disciples Competition culture: why it's encouraged, how to participate safely Teacher-student relationships and their importance Resources distribution: merit points, contribution points, mission systems Graduation requirements and career paths
Currency and Economics:
Spirit stone grades and exchange rates (he'd been given trillions of low-grade, billions of high-grade, millions of Divine-grade stones) How to use wealth without attracting attention What prices are considered normal vs. suspicious Credit systems used by major organizations Barter customs for rare items
Hidden Rules:
Never disclose your full strength Always leave room for advancement when you reveal cultivation base Treasure causes trouble—keep valuable items secret Respect must be shown to those with backing, regardless of personal power Some insults require duels to maintain face Debts of life-saving must be repaid (serious cultural obligation) Never trust someone who offers help without clear benefit to themselves The strong can break rules the weak must follow
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
Displaying wealth openly (attracts robbery and "forced borrowing") Revealing true cultivation base to strangers (information is power) Accepting gifts from unknown sources (creates obligations) Participating in unfair challenges (used to steal resources "legally") Trusting sect recruitment promises without investigation Insulting someone's master/family/sect (escalates quickly) Eating or drinking anything at social gatherings without checking for poison (common in political situations)
The download took fifteen minutes. When it finished, Runar sat back, processing.
I would have made so many mistakes without this, he realized. Simple things that seemed innocent but would have massive consequences.
For example, when Elder Thorne had given his advice, that was creating a debt. Not a monetary one, but a social obligation. Runar would be expected to repay that favor somehow in the future—either through service, information, or resources. Refusing would damage his family's reputation.
Similarly, Seraphina agreeing to keep secrets created mutual obligation. The families were now bound by shared risk. If Runar's secret was exposed, Seraphina's family would be implicated for concealing it. This actually strengthened the alliance, making betrayal less likely.
And Celestia's declaration of him as her "little brother"? In cultivation society, that was significant. She'd publicly (well, in front of witnesses) claimed him under her protection. Anyone who harmed Runar would be insulting her and, by extension, her family. It was a naive child's gesture, but it carried real weight.
I need to be worthy of that protection, Runar thought. And the best way to do that is to make her stronger.
He'd already decided to help Celestia, but now he understood the social mechanics better. By improving her cultivation, he'd be increasing the value of her protection, which would in turn increase his own safety and status.
Cultivation society is complicated, he mused. Power matters most, but social capital runs a close second. No wonder so many protagonists in novels struggle—they don't understand the unwritten rules.
He spent another hour reviewing the information, committing key details to memory, planning how to navigate the academy without drawing unwanted attention.
I need to appear talented but not freakishly so. Advance quickly but with clear explanation (physique). Win competitions but not too easily. Make allies but stay independent. Reveal strength gradually, always keeping reserves hidden.
It was a delicate balance. Too weak and he'd be bullied or forced into unfavorable situations. Too strong and he'd attract dangerous attention from those who wanted to control or eliminate potential threats.
The academy is in one month. That gives me time to prepare.
And more importantly, time to design the Meteor Forging stage of his cultivation technique.
Runar pulled up the system interface, reviewing his current status:
[CULTIVATION: Stardust Awakening - Stage 333/333]
[UNABLE TO ADVANCE - CONDITIONS NOT MET]
He'd been curious about this barrier since completing the Stardust realm. The technique was ready. The energy was sufficient. But something was blocking the breakthrough.
I need to figure this out. And I need to do it before the academy, if possible. Arriving as a Stardust cultivator is fine, but if I can break through to Meteor Forging...
The thought trailed off as exhaustion finally caught up with him. Real exhaustion this time, not the pretend variety.
Runar climbed into his new bed—so much more comfortable than the crib—and let his enhanced mind settle into rest mode. The HDCM would continue operating in the background, optimizing, refining, improving. But his conscious mind needed downtime.
Tomorrow, he promised himself. Tomorrow I'll start working on the Meteor Forging technique. And I'll figure out why I can't breakthrough.
But for tonight...
He closed his eyes, feeling the softness of the pillow, hearing the quiet sounds of the house settling, aware of his parents' breathing in their room down the hall.
For tonight, I'll just be grateful. Grateful I have a second chance. Grateful for a family that loves me. Grateful for a friend who accepts me. Grateful for power and knowledge and opportunity.
Everything else can wait until tomorrow.
The four moons rose higher in the sky, their combined light painting his room in silver, blue, gold, and pink. And Runar Cross—seven years old in appearance, one month old by birth, twenty-eight years old in memory, and transcendent in potential—slept peacefully.
Tomorrow would bring new challenges.
But tonight, he was just a child in a loving home.
And that was enough.