The night was still dark and the rain hadn't let up. The drizzle hit Caelum's bedroom window with an almost soothing rhythm. But that calm couldn't touch the little boy's mind, or more precisely, the mind of the old demon trapped in his tiny, adorable body.
Caelum, formerly Dazriel Adrien Vatore, stared at his reflection in the mirror. A round face with piercing gray eyes, chubby cheeks, and wavy, jet-black hair. He was even wearing teddy bear pajamas. Ironic.
"I once shot five traitors in the head with just one bullet," he muttered softly.
"Now I even need help opening a milk bottle."
But he didn't complain. Never. Dazriel Vatore was a product of decisiveness and destruction. He was shaped by war, raised by suspicion, and destined to live in the shadow of blood. And now, he was given a second chance in the body of a spoiled child, heir to the Zeviero family, one of the richest and most dangerous clans in Asia.
Caelum smiled slightly.
"The game begins again."
---
The Next Day.
Breakfast at the Zeviero house is more than just breakfast. It's a secret power struggle, even from an early age. The 10-meter-long dining table is filled with dishes from five countries, prepared by a Michelin-starred chef. But the atmosphere is chilly. It's like a war council meeting.
Damien Astaroth Zeviero, the patriarch, sits at the head of the table with a blank expression. Next to him sits his wife, Lady Sybilla Zeviero, a woman with the beauty of a snow queen. Her brothers are all present this morning: Lucien Alaric Zeviero, Riven Calyx Zeviero, and Thorne Vales Zeviero. All look imperious in their office attire and school uniforms.
And in one of the booster seats with its soft cushions, sits Caelum. With a small spoon, she spoons saffron almond porridge into her mouth.
"Caelum, you'll start private lessons today," her mother says without looking at her.
Caelum nods, "Yes, Mama."
Lucien stared at him for a moment. "Don't be so weak. Our family has no place for weaklings."
Caelum glanced at Lucien, his 25-year-old eldest brother. His face was cold yet handsome, with a strong jaw and a sharp, murderous look in his eyes. He was the primary heir to the Zeviero family and leader of the Delvecchio Mafia. His name was respected even in the underground.
Lucien, you were once a target for overthrow. Now? You could be an ally or a tool.
"Caelum will learn," Caelum replied quietly.
"Slowly but surely."
Riven, the second brother, 21, was busy fiddling with a transparent tablet in his hand. He was the family's weapons expert and hacker, cold, quick, and intelligent. Although he didn't speak much, his sharp eyes scanned anyone who moved suspiciously.
Thorne, the third brother, 18, sat quietly, but his hand tapped the bread knife on the table. He was the Zeviero family's shadow assassin, ruthless and merciless. But as soon as Caelum was mentioned, his aura immediately shifted to a protective one, like a wolf guarding its cubs.
Damien turned slowly. His gaze struck like a sword.
"Enough. Eat in silence."
Everyone immediately quieted down.
Caelum returned to spooning his porridge. But inwardly, he was gathering data. Who was dominant? Who had weaknesses? And who was easily controlled.
During the day, Caelum's study room was like a mini-library equipped with VR and private AI. The teachers weren't from ordinary institutions. They were imported from abroad, experts in languages, martial arts, psychology, and even encryption.
Today was Madame Lefevre's turn, an elderly, silver-haired Frenchwoman.
"Bonjour, mon petit. Let's start with a self-introduction in French, shall we?"
Caelum smiled politely.
"Bonjour, I'm sorry, Caelum Zeviero. I'm four years old. But I'm one of your silent times."
Madame Lefevre's smile stiffened, "T-Tueur silencieux? Silent killer?"
Caelum feigned confusion, "Hehe... is that wrong, Madame?"
"Uh... yes, perhaps too mature for a four-year-old, dear."
Oops. Caelum laughed to himself.
That afternoon, in the backyard of Zeviero's house, the young Caelum sat on the swing. A black and white panda doll in his arms, his face innocent. But in his mind, he was replaying old strategies: infiltration, information, and domination.
He didn't yet know what system had caused him to live like this again. But if the world gave him another chance, Caelum wouldn't waste it. He would become a ruler behind the guise of a child's innocence.
"Hey, kid."
Caelum turned. A teenager emerged from behind a tree. Shabby clothes, torn shoes, and a wild gaze. A street kid.
His name was Kiren. A wild boy who liked to sneak into elite areas to steal food. But Caelum had been watching him for the past two days. His movements were quick. His instincts were sharp. He was a typical malleable accomplice.
"You live in a monster house, huh?" Kiren asked, sitting on the wooden fence.
Caelum nodded, "They're not monsters. They're just smarter than ordinary humans."
Kiren chuckled, "You're strange. But I like you. My name is Kiren. If you need anything, just throw a stone at the east wall. I'll definitely appear."
Caelum nodded, "Thank you. I'll remember that."
This kid would make a good street spy. The network starts from the ground up.
Night had fallen, and while everyone else was asleep, Caelum once again gained access to the Zeviero family's network. With a mature mafia mind that had penetrated CIA headquarters, infiltrating this family's home system felt like a child's puzzle.
He accessed financial records, partner networks, and even internal communications. There were many interesting things: arms deals, shady business alliances, and hidden conflicts between elite families.
They weren't just rich. They were a shadow empire. And I was going to be their little emperor.
Outside the room, a servant passed through the hallway. Her footsteps were barely audible. But Caelum knew. He immediately turned off the monitor, jumped into bed, and pretended to cuddle a stuffed panda while falling asleep.
The door opened.
A young woman stood in the doorway. She was wearing a silk nightgown and a tired face.
"Caelum?" she whispered softly.
Caelum opened his eyes slightly, "Miss Erin..."
Erin was Caelum's personal maid, the only one who treated the boy with even a modicum of empathy.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly, adjusting Caelum's blanket.
"Yeah... I just miss Mom."
Erin smiled faintly, "Your mom's a busy person. But you're a smart kid. I'm sure you can take care of yourself, right?"
Caelum nodded.
After Erin left, Caelum's eyes opened fully again.
Poor thing. He had no idea that this family's little boy would change everything.
---
The Next Day
Self-defense lessons began. For a four-year-old, the instructor was no joke. Master Jin, a former mercenary from South Korea, stood like a tiger with a stern gaze.
"We'll start with fifty push-ups."
Caelum glanced at his small frame.
"Can I switch to breathing techniques first, Master?"
Jin furrowed his brows. But when he saw the boy's serious gaze, he nodded, "Okay. But next week, no excuses."
Lucien, who happened to be passing by, chuckled, "If you keep being so weak, I'll train you myself, brat."
Caelum turned, "Then, I'll make sure I'm strong before that happens, Brother Lucien."
Lucien narrowed his eyes. That look again, the cold, overly calm eyes of a child.
Midnight.
The wind rustled on the roof of the Zeviero residence. At the top of the small tower, Caelum sat alone, wearing a black hoodie and holding a single blueprint, a map of the Zeviero family network.
He marked down important names. Including those of other clans who wanted to overthrow his family. He had once collaborated with some of them. He knew his weak point.
Behind this small body, a grand strategy was beginning to unfold.
"The rise of the Little Devil isn't about revenge. It's about seizing the throne. From within. Slowly. Quietly. But surely."
Caelum looked up at the moon. Then he smiled faintly.
"One by one, I will take control. And the world of the elite, I will bring to its knees."