Chereads / The Mortal's Challenge: Against The Gods And Fiends / Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: Growing Up

Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: Growing Up

Cynthia burst into the room, her face fraught with worry as she scooped Alex up in her arms. "We need to go to your father's office immediately," she said urgently, her voice trembling.

Confused by the sudden commotion, Alex clung to his mother as they hurriedly made their way through the palace. As they approached Richard's office, Alex could see his sisters, Myrine and Elena, already inside. The head maid, Pia, and an old man in butler clothes were also present, their expressions equally concerned.

"What's going on?" Alex inwardly asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.

Richard looked up, concern etched on his face. "There was a massive tremor with the palace as the epicentre," he explained. "It shook the entire city, and we can't identify the cause."

As Alex tightened his grip on Cynthia, his mind raced with thoughts. "Wait, it can't be a coincidence, right?" he pondered. Cynthia, thinking Alex might be scared due to the commotion, tried to soothe him and lull him into calmness.

"I mean, what are the chances? At the exact moment when I tried to practice manipulation and imagined tectonic plates sliding over each other, a huge tremor shakes the entire city with the palace at its epicentre. Holy shit!!!" Alex inwardly screamed as realization dawned on him.

His heart pounded in his chest as he grasped the truth. Unknowingly, he had caused the tremor with his energy manipulation experiment. The realization filled him with a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"I might be an overpowered character with a cheat. I mean, what nine-month-old babies are going around causing city-wide earthquakes?"

He tried to find reassurance in the fact that no one had been hurt and no property damage occurred due to his stunt, according to the reports his father received.

"But before I get carried away, I must test these powers with a less violent method," Alex resolved.

As he pondered how to confirm whether these were indeed his own powers, a brilliant idea struck him.

"Well, if I can cause earthquakes by imagining tectonic plates colliding, I should be able to make it rain too, right? All I have to do is manipulate the energy in the atmosphere and imagine water condensing and cooling down, forming clouds that lead to rain. If this works, who knows, maybe one day I could even cause nuclear fission with this energy," Alex chuckled to himself.

As he recovered from his daydreams, he stretched out his hands towards the air, circulating his energy while visualizing the process of rain. Suddenly, dense clouds appeared over the entire city, and it started raining as if a sudden downpour had been conjured. The abruptness of the weather change left many flabbergasted, unable to imagine how rain had appeared out of the blue. Those in Richard's room were unaffected as they were inside the palace, unaware of the overhead conditions.

Alex, on the other hand, was filled with joy. "One time can be a coincidence, but twice? Nope, it's definitely caused by me," he thought, realizing the vastness of his energy.

His mind now raced with possibilities and questions. What other feats could he achieve with this newfound power? How could he refine and control it further? Excitement mingled with caution as he understood the responsibility that came with such abilities.

As Alex realized that his experiment had gone unnoticed by everyone in the room, a wave of bewilderment washed over him. It was as if he had merely been playing with his hands and nothing more.

"Wait just a second, why didn't anyone notice me using my energy? According to the isekai theory that brought me to this world, I might be more powerful than anyone present here. But I didn't even try to mask my energy; I used it openly," Alex wondered.

As he focused on the strange energy within him, he sensed that it was different from anything he had ever encountered. Not only was it potent, but it also seemed boundless, as if he could use it infinitely. The realization of possessing such a world-shattering power filled him with both awe and caution.

"I must be careful with this energy; it's unlike anything I've ever seen. If it truly is so powerful, I could inadvertently harm my own family or even more," he thought, realizing the immense responsibility he carried.

His mind brimmed with ideas for experiments, but he decided to proceed with caution. Alex understood the potential consequences of his actions and resolved to take things slowly. He didn't want to unintentionally cause harm, especially to the people he cared about the most.

With this newfound awareness, Alex began to delve deeper into understanding the unique properties of his energy. He observed how it responded to his intentions and sought to gain control over its seemingly unlimited nature. His goal was not just to wield the power but to master it and wield it responsibly.

As days turned into weeks, Alex conducted private experiments, testing the limits and capabilities of his energy in a controlled environment. He practised manipulating small elements of nature, such as creating gentle gusts of wind or gentle vibrations on the ground. Each success filled him with a sense of accomplishment and excitement, but he never lost sight of the potential dangers if he were reckless.

During this period, he also continued to refine his meditation and visualization techniques. Alex sought to strengthen his focus and attune himself to the energy on a deeper level. He knew that a clear mind and a calm heart were essential in harnessing such immense power.

As he experimented and honed his abilities, Alex's understanding of this energy grew. He realized that it was not just a tool for destruction but could also be harnessed for creation and protection. The potential to heal, shield, and aid others expanded before him like a vast horizon of possibilities.

Despite his excitement, he kept his progress to himself. Alex didn't want to attract unnecessary attention or make others worry. He understood that there were still many mysteries to unravel, and he needed time to explore the full extent of his abilities.

With each passing day, he felt a profound connection to this enigmatic energy. It was as if they were intertwined, like two halves of a whole seeking unity. Alex sensed that there was much more to discover, and he was determined to unlock the secrets of this power.

As he embarked on this journey of self-discovery, Alex was aware that he was walking a path that few had trodden before. The potential to reshape the world and influence its destiny lay within his grasp, and he was determined to use it wisely and responsibly.

Though his powers were astounding, Alex knew that true strength came not just from the magnitude of power but from the character of the one wielding it. And with this newfound wisdom, he continued to evolve, embracing the path that fate had set before him.

As Alex continued to circulate the enigmatic energy within him, he noticed remarkable changes in his physique. Though his baby body didn't visibly grow muscles, the quality of his muscles and bones improved significantly. His physical strength and agility surpassed that of an ordinary child, and he felt more energized and vibrant than ever before. Alongside his physical development, he observed that his mind became sharper, his cognitive abilities enhancing with each passing day.

By the time he turned two years old, his family began teaching him to read and write in their language. To his astonishment, Alex quickly grasped the language within a few hours. He decided to pretend he was struggling to learn to read and write, with his ever-doting mother, Cynthia, as his tutor. Despite his acting, his family couldn't help but marvel at his sharp mind, as he seemingly learned the language in just a year.

At the age of three, Alex's thirst for knowledge led him to explore mathematics. Having been a science genius in his previous life, he found the math in this world only at the high school level. It came naturally to him, and within no time, he became proficient in all the theories of mathematics present in the world. Even complex equations that baffled countless old scholars at the Imperial Academy posed no challenge to the five-year-old prodigy.

His insatiable curiosity led him to delve into commerce, philosophy, and theology, all of which were tutored to him by his mother. Although his father tried to hire other tutors, Cynthia insisted on teaching her son herself. She spent ample time spoiling him, which only deepened the bond between them. Alex's close relationship with his mother and sisters blossomed, thanks to their loving care and the memories of his past life that brought them even closer.

As Alex reflected on his accomplishments, he realized that the circulation of the enigmatic energy had played a significant role in sharpening his mind. It was as if the energy unlocked his potential, allowing him to absorb knowledge effortlessly and master diverse subjects with ease.

Despite his prodigious talents, Alex remained humble and kept his true abilities hidden. He didn't want to draw undue attention or be seen as an exceptional child prodigy. Instead, he continued to learn discreetly, cherishing his moments of discovery and growth.

As he approached each subject with passion and curiosity, Alex knew that true wisdom wasn't solely about acquiring knowledge, but also about understanding its impact on the world and the people around him. His newfound abilities were not meant for vanity or boasting; they were gifts that he must use wisely and responsibly.