He was Amilo Cerchi, Amanda's older brother and head of the Cerchi family,
"Good evening, my lord," Amanda greeted Count Cerchi. "I'm glad you ca to Jack's breakthrough ceremony."
"Aw, my cute little sister has grown into such a noble lady. Big brother is so proud of you," Count Cerchi said with a teasing smile, his eyes briefly glancing at William. "Can I hold him?"
"No, you may not."
"Why not?"
"I don't want him to adapt your bad habits."
"Co on, my beautiful sister! Just for a little while."
Suddenly, Edgar appeared behind Amanda. "Hello, Lord Cerchi," he said in his deep voice.
"Hello, Lord dici," Count Cerchi replied. "I must say, your fight was amazing."
"I'm pleased to hear that Lord Cerchi enjoyed my fight," Edgar responded, subtly asserting dominance as he wrapped his arm around Amanda. "If Count Cerchi has nothing more to share, then we would like to take our leave."
"Wait, no. Wait, Lord Edgar, I want to talk to my sister," Count Cerchi protested.
Ignoring him, Edgar led Amanda away, leaving William to observe Count Cerchi deeply.
"A funny goofball person hiding an extrely calculative and cunning persona. My uncle Amilo Cerchi," William mused to himself, his gaze unwavering. My uncle—an intriguing variable, but one with no imdiate use to ."
William's gaze drifted to Jack, laughing with his friends. "But you... you're different."
As Amanda handed William to Baroness Mowbray and kissed him on the forehead before leaving, William's expression remained impassive.
Baroness Mowbray took William to his room, placed him in his cradle, and departed briefly.
Alone in his dark room, William stared at his tiny hands.
"[WHAT ARE YOU THINKING , WILLIAM ]?"
Wiz's voice echoed in his mind.
"Isn't it amazing? Humans, when they are born, are the sa, equal. But imdiately, they are divided by hierarchy, power, and strength,"
William spoke quietly, his eyes devoid of their usual sparkle. "In the end, they all die, leave everything behind, and beco nothing more than nutrients for plants. So tell Wiz are humans equal ?"
[HMM ... FOR A NON-HUMAN LIKE , HUMANS ARE NOTHING MORE THAN VARIABLES . BUT FOR HUMANS , NO ONE IS EQUAL . THEY GIVE PRECEDENCE TO THOSE CLOSE TO THEM OR IMPORTANT TO THEM ," ]
Wiz replied.
William smiled with a large grin. "All humans are equal, Wiz. They are nothing more than rational animals."
["HAHA SO THIS IS THE REAL YOU , WILLIAM ,]" Wiz chuckled.
William's eyes started to glow, sparkling like sapphires. "What do you an, Wiz?" he asked innocently.
"Over the next year and a half, William silently endured, growing stronger. While others celebrated their minor victories, he worked tirelessly, manipulating variables and sharpening his understanding of strength. By the ti he turned two, he was no longer the helpless infant lying in the cradle."
One and a Half Years Later
A boy with silver hair sat cross-legged, his eyes closed in deep concentration as he absorbed essence. Suddenly, he opened his erald green eyes.
"I did it!" he exclaid. "Sir David, look, I did it! I've broken through to level 5. Now I can learn my first skill."
"Congratulations, young master," Sir David, with dark brown hair fluttering in the breeze, said proudly. "But you should rest a bit before learning your first skill. Your body needs ti to adapt to the changes."
"Yes, Teacher," Jack said with a broad smile.
anwhile, a two-year-old boy with silver hair and sapphire blue eyes watched them.
William observed Jack, who was now jumping with excitent.
"Skills," William whispered to himself, his voice low and detached. "They are the physical implentation of essence, channeling it into the material world for attacks, defenses, movents, and more. As your level increases, you unlock opportunities to learn skills and higher the level ,stronger the opportunity and skill "
Jack approached William, picking him up gently. "Do you know, William? I've broken through to level 5. Now I can learn my first skill," he said with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, little brother. I'll always protect you."
"No, Jack," William thought to himself. "Today, a miracle will happen—the youngest breakthrough in history. And you will witness that miracle. My beloved variable."
"[DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BREAK THROUGH "] Wiz asked.
"Yes," William replied flatly.
"[YOU WILL BE UNDER EVERYONE'S RADAR "]
"Sigh... Wiz, when a genius appears, two groups surround them,"
William continued, his mind calculating. "Those who want to eliminate the threat and those who want to use them. The dici family is powerful, so no one will dare to kill . Those who want to use will try to build close relations, to make trust them. They'll drop their guards, and then they'll be easy to manipulate."
Jack handed William a bracelet with level two protection. "Happy birthday, William," he said, planting a kiss on his cheek.
"Because of this brotherly love, I like him," William murmured to Wiz.
["DO YOU REALLY LIKE HIM ?"] Wiz probed.
William looked at Wiz, a faint smile playing on his lips. " Like? What a strange concept Wiz"
[HA HA HA
YOU BASTARD.]
Jack carried William into the grand Mansion, his steps quick and purposeful, before dropping him gently in front of his room. Without another word, he turned and left, closing the door softly behind him.
William stood there for a mont, his eyes scanning the corridor. The mansion was alive with the bustle of servants, running back and forth as they scrambled to perfect the decorations for the birthday ceremony. The air was thick with anticipation, but William's mind was elsewhere.
["ARE YOU SURE YOUR BREAKTHROUGH WON'T MAKE JACK JEALOUS ?"]
Wiz's voice whispered in his mind, the tone laced with concern.
["AFTER ALL , YOU WILL BE KNOWN AS THE GENIUS OF THE MILLENNIUM NOW. WILL THAT PUSH HIM AWAY]"
William smiled faintly, a cold gleam in his sapphire eyes. "Don't worry, Wiz. Jack is a caring brother. Instead of becoming jealous, he'll only beco more protective of . After all, in the novel, when William broke through at the age of three, Jack didn't pull away—he shielded him even more."
He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in the chaotic scene before him. "Even if there's a slight chance of him feeling jealousy, I'll act as though I'm still the helpless child I was before. A dependent little brother who needs his big brother's guidance."
Wiz remained silent for a mont, as if processing the implication. "SO YOU WILL BE HIDING YOUR TRUE STRENGTH ?"
William nodded, his voice steady and sure. "Yes, Wiz. A good magician never reveals all of his cards until the end. And I don't need to show all my power right now. Let Jack think I'm just his little brother, soone to protect. It'll make him more at ease, less likely to feel threatened by my abilities. He'll think his role is still crucial to my survival. It's a strategy—a way to eliminate any potential jealousy."
"A CLEVER TACTIC ," Wiz mused.
"BUT YOU DON'T REALLY THINK JACK WOULD ABANDON YOU , DO YOU ? EVEN IF YOU OUTSHINE HIM ?"
William's expression hardened, but his eyes remained calm.
"No, Wiz. Jack isn't the type to abandon . But I need him close, under my control, more than ever. If I show him my full power now, it could cause him to question his own worth. And that could lead to sothing dangerous."
He walked further down the hall, past the noise and distractions, lost in thought. The fragile balance of his relationship with Jack was sothing he couldn't afford to disturb. Not yet. He was far from the age where he would be powerful enough to face all the hidden threats in the world. But for now, Jack's protection was a necessary shield—and William was willing to play the role of the innocent child for as long as it would keep him safe.
"I will hide my strength ... for now," William muttered under his breath, the words a promise to himself. "Until the ti is right."
In the evening of the sa day, William stood poised in his elegant white suit, trimd with golden stripes that caught the light as he moved. His tie, white with a golden gem at its center, shimred faintly in the glow of the room. As he turned his gaze forward, he saw Baroness Mowbray watching him, her smile wide and approving.
"You are looking extrely handso, young master," she said warmly, her voice full of admiration.
With a graceful bow, she straightened his collar, her fingers brushing lightly against the fabric. William's face lit up with a bright, contented smile as he instinctively hugged her leg.
My dear nanny, William thought to himself, . I love you so much.
[HA HA HA HA
YOU FU**ING SLY HYPOCRITE.]
A soft creak of the door interrupted his thoughts, and Amanda entered, stunning in a beautiful white gown adorned with golden gems. It seed as though she had perfectly matched her attire to William's, a harmonious elegance between them.
Julia, Amanda's ever-dutiful personal guard, stood at her side, her watchful gaze scanning the room. As soon as William spotted his mother, his tiny feet carried him swiftly toward her.
Amanda's eyes softened, and she smiled as she knelt, gathering him into her arms. She kissed his cheek gently, lifting him with effortless grace.
"Oh my, who is this handso young man? Can I take him with ?" Amanda exclaid, her voice filled with playful wonder.
"Yes, my lady," Baroness Mowbray responded, bowing respectfully.
With a tender motion, the Amanda placed William in her arms and carried him toward the ceremony hall, followed closely by Julia and the Baroness .
As Amanda held him, William marveled at her beautifully styled golden hair, its gleam almost matching the glow of the gems on their attire. He clung to her tightly,
[WHAT HAPPENED, WILLIAM?]
"I don't know, but this motherly love is making addicted to it," William said,
.
[DO YOU REALLY THINK I WOULD BELIEVE THAT? A MONSTER LIKE YOU, WHO DIDN'T EVEN HESITATE TO SLAUGHTER THOSE PEOPLE ON HIS PLANET, WILL BE MOVED BY RE LOVE?]
"Yes, indeed."
[I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHEN YOU'RE TELLING THE TRUTH AND WHEN YOU'RE LYING.]
"I don't lie, Wiz, because it's a bad thing."
[HA HA HA
BASTARD. NOW TELL , WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH HER?]
"I will keep her alive, as long as she's useful to ," William said softly, his fingers lightly tracing through Amanda's hair as if savoring the mont.
Their conversation was broken when the grand doors of the hall swung open, revealing a lavish scene beyond. The hall buzzed with laughter and chatter as nobles of all ranks mingled, exchanging pleasantries and gossip.
William's gaze swept over the room, spotting nurous guests—lords and ladies, emissaries from influential noble families stretching from the Duchy of Bavaria to the County of Archy. The assembly was nothing short of grand.
Amanda handed William to Baroness Mowbray before turning to greet the guests one by one. After a ti, music filled the air, and couples took to the floor, dancing in fluid motions. Baroness Mowbray seated William in a chair, smiling as she promised to fetch him so refreshnts.
As he sat, William turned toward Jack, who was deep in conversation with his friends. A sweet, playful smile curled on William's lips.
[ARE YOU BREAKING THROUGH RIGHT NOW?]
"Yes," William answered, his voice calm as he centered himself.
Closing his eyes, he sank into a ditative pose, his tiny form still as he began to channel his essence, coaxing it through his bloodstream toward his eccentric cortex.
The energy in the hall shifted, subtly at first, then with increasing intensity. Nobles who had already broken through, or were not yet capable of doing so, felt a strange pull in the air. They exchanged confused glances as they tried to pinpoint the source of the fluctuations.
Suddenly, the music stopped. The murmurs of conversation died, and all eyes turned toward William. A faint sky-blue light enveloped him, radiating outward, while gusts of wind swirled around his tiny fra.
Yes, William was about to break through—an unprecedented event. A child, on his second birthday, achieving what no one had ever done before. It was nothing short of impossible.
The nobles stood frozen, their mouths agape, srized by the impossible sight. Awe and disbelief filled the air, and the room held its collective breath.
Amanda and Edgar exchanged quick, worried glances before rushing toward William. They conjured shields of energy around themselves and their son, ensuring his safety as the volatile energy surged.
David and Julia were already at their sides, ready to protect their masters with deadly precision.
Hidden among the ordinary servants, the upper maids were poised, prepared to strike at any threat with lethal intent.
The chaos swelled as William fought to break through. Amanda and Edgar guided him, lending their strength to ensure his success.
Marks began to appear on William's body, and he shuddered as the strain intensified.
Damn it, this tiny body can't handle the constant flow of essence to the eccentric cortex. If I don't do sothing, I'll suffer from essence sickness forever, William thought, a bead of sweat rolling down his temple.
Edgar, noticing the strain, placed both hands firmly on William's back, absorbing the excess essence.
When William sensed the excess essence being absorbed, he instinctively guided it toward Edgar, using the remainder of his energy to push through.
A sudden burst of energy rippled through the room, and the wind ceased as abruptly as it had started. William's breakthrough was complete.
His body was drenched in sweat, and his breaths ca in heavy gasps. He had achieved what no one before him had.
The nobles stood frozen, unable to believe what they had just witnessed. A low, triumphant laugh broke the silence.
"Ha ha ha! As expected from House dici—another genius has been born!" Duke Bavaria exclaid, his voice booming as he strode toward William. David swiftly stepped forward, raising a hand to block the Duke's path.
"Oh my, I'm no threat. I simply wish to speak with the young lord," the Duke said, a smirk playing on his lips.
He cleared his throat, his deanor shifting as he addressed William directly.
"Young Lord of dici, I am the Duke of Bavaria. I have co to ask sothing of you."
Edgar's gaze hardened, suspicion flashing in his eyes. The nobles around them whispered, their curiosity piqued.
"Will you be my son-in-law?" Duke Bavaria asked, his eyes gleaming with an unreadable expectation.
A stunned silence fell over the room. The nobles were left speechless.
William's sharp eyes remained fixed on the Duke, weighing his words carefully.
So may think this is just a joke, a way for the Duke to congratulate , William mused. But I know this is no jest. It's an offer—an agreent he's presenting. He wants to give the Duchy of Bavaria in exchange for using my genius.
"Enough, Duke of Bavaria," Edgar said, his tone final, his dominance clear.
"Alright, calm down, Edgar. It was only a joke." The Duke turned, his laughter fading as he made his way out of the hall.
"Thank you for the event, Edgar. It will be one to rember," the Duke called over his shoulder.
William surveyed the guests, noting the astonished expressions on their faces. After a mont, smiles slowly spread across their features, and congratulations began to flood in from every corner of the room.
William subtly instructed Wiz to use the third eye, allowing him to see the true nature of those around him. (This ability had been explained in Chapter 2). Monts later, Wiz used the third eye.
William's grin widened as he observed the dark red aura that surrounded every noble in the room.
Ha ha ha, William laughed quietly to himself. Look at these scavengers, Wiz. They're already eyeing their prey, their greed dripping from their every glance.
How... intriguing.
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