I finally got into the palace library when I was three and a half.
Not because anyone gave me permission. I just snuck in while the librarian was at lunch.
The place was huge. Shelves that went up forever, filled with scrolls and books about everything. History, science, magic theories, combat techniques, politics. Decades worth of knowledge just sitting there.
I grabbed the first book I could reach—something about marine biology—and found a corner to read.
Turns out, I could read way faster than I expected. That comprehension ability wasn't just for genetic stuff. I tore through the marine biology book in maybe twenty minutes, absorbing everything. Then grabbed another one. Then another.
I lost track of time completely.
"What in the world—"
I looked up. The librarian was staring at me, mouth open. She was an older mermaid, looked like a sea bream type, with glasses hanging on a chain.
"How did you get in here?"
"The door was unlocked."
"That's—you're not supposed to—" She swam closer, looking at the books around me. "Did you... read all of these?"
I'd gone through maybe eight books at this point. "Yeah."
"You can read?"
"Apparently."
She picked up one of the books. "This is advanced material. University level. You shouldn't even understand the words, let alone—" She looked at me suspiciously. "Are you actually reading these or just looking at pictures?"
"There aren't any pictures. It's about cellular division and mitosis patterns in deep-sea fish."
Her eyes went wide.
Crap. I'd done it again. Should've played dumb.
"I need to speak with your parents," she said, voice shaky.
Great.
Twenty minutes later, I was sitting in Neptune's office with both my parents and the librarian, who was named Coraline.
"He read eight books," Coraline was saying. "Advanced scientific texts. And when I questioned him, he could explain the concepts back to me. At three years old."
Neptune looked at me. "Is this true?"
"...Maybe."
"Arquen," Otohime said gently. "Did you understand what you were reading?"
I could lie. Say I was just looking at words without comprehending them. But after our last conversation about being myself, that felt wrong.
"Yes."
"How long have you been able to read?"
"A while."
"How long is a while?"
I shrugged. "Since I was two, I guess? Maybe earlier. I don't know."
The room went silent.
"That's... impossible," Coraline said. "Children don't develop reading comprehension that early. Let alone understanding complex scientific material."
"Well, I did. So I guess it's possible."
Neptune leaned forward. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because I knew this would happen. Everyone freaking out and treating me like I'm some kind of freak."
"You're not a freak," Otohime said firmly. "You're gifted. There's a difference."
"Doesn't feel different."
She came over and knelt next to my chair. "Arquen, look at me." I did. "Being smart is nothing to be ashamed of. But you can't just sneak around and hide it. We need to know so we can help you."
"Help me how?"
"Get you proper teachers. Books appropriate for your level. Maybe even arrange for Dr. Vegus to mentor you since you're so interested in science."
That got my attention. "Really?"
"If you want." She smiled. "But no more sneaking into places you're not supposed to be."
"Even if they have books I want?"
"Even then. Ask permission first."
Fair enough, I guess.
Coraline cleared her throat. "If I may suggest, Your Majesty, the prince should be tested. To determine the full extent of his abilities. That way we can develop an appropriate educational plan."
"What kind of testing?" I asked, suspicious.
"Nothing invasive. Just questions, puzzles, problem-solving exercises. To see where you stand intellectually."
I didn't love the idea, but it might actually be useful. If they thought I was just a regular genius, they wouldn't question the weirder stuff as much.
"Okay. I'll do it."
The testing happened over the next week. They brought in scholars from all over Fishman Island to evaluate me. Math problems, logic puzzles, reading comprehension, memory tests. Some of it was easy. Some was actually challenging.
But I made sure to get a few things wrong. Couldn't look too perfect.
The results came back, and apparently I tested at the level of a fifteen-year-old in most subjects. Which freaked everyone out, but at least gave them a framework to work with.
Dr. Vegus showed up at the palace the day after the results.
"So," he said, looking at me with new interest. "The young prince is a prodigy after all."
"I just like reading."
"You like reading university-level marine biology texts. That's a bit beyond casual interest." He sat down. "Your mother asked if I'd be willing to tutor you. Give you access to my research facility, help develop your scientific knowledge properly."
My heart was racing. This was it. Access to real equipment, real resources.
"I'd like that."
"Good. We'll start slowly. A few hours a week, just to see how you handle it." He paused. "But I need you to understand something. Science requires discipline. Patience. You can't just rush through experiments because you're curious. That's how accidents happen."
"I understand."
"Do you?" He leaned forward. "Because I've seen brilliant people destroy their own work by being impatient. By thinking they knew better than established protocols. Don't be that person."
"I won't."
He studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. We'll begin next week. I'll speak with your parents about scheduling."
After he left, I couldn't stop grinning. Finally. Finally I was getting somewhere.
Fukaboshi found me in the gardens later, looking smug.
"What's got you so happy?"
"I get to work with Dr. Vegus. Learn real science."
"That's... good?" He didn't sound sure. "Isn't he kind of boring though?"
"Science isn't boring."
"If you say so." He floated next to me. "Everyone's been talking about you. About how smart you are."
"Yeah, I noticed."
"Some of the guards think it's cool. Others are kind of scared."
"Scared of what?"
"I don't know. Change, maybe?" He shrugged. "People don't like things they don't understand. And you're... different."
"I know."
"But that's okay," he added quickly. "Different isn't bad. It's just different."
I looked at him. "When did you get so philosophical?"
"I listen when people talk. You're not the only smart one in the family."
He had a point.
That night, I went back to the mental simulation. The octopus fishman formula was almost done. Just needed to tweak the ink production enhancement to prevent it from overwhelming the system.
But I kept thinking about what Fukaboshi said. About people being scared of change.
The evolution serum would be the biggest change Fishman Island had ever seen. Even if I made it safe, even if it worked perfectly, there'd be resistance. Fear. People who preferred the familiar to the unknown.
I'd need to account for that. Plan for it.
Maybe that's where Otohime's philosophy came in. She was all about hearts and minds, changing people's thinking before changing their circumstances.
I'd been so focused on the science that I'd kind of ignored the social aspect.
Big mistake.
[New Skill Available: Social Engineering]
[Description: Ability to understand and influence social dynamics, public opinion, and group behavior.]
Oh, that was useful. And also kind of manipulative. But I'd take it.
I pulled up a new mental workspace, separate from the genetic research. Started mapping out social structures on Fishman Island. Who had influence, who people listened to, what the major concerns were.
If I wanted the evolution serum to be accepted, I'd need more than just science. I'd need buy-in from the community. Trust. Proof that it would help, not hurt.
That meant testing. Volunteers. Gradual rollout. Public education about what the serum did and why it was safe.
Years of groundwork before I could even think about mass distribution.
But I had time. Sort of.
Shirahoshi poked her head in. "Are you doing the staring thing again?"
"It's called thinking."
"Looks like staring to me." She swam in and sat on my bed. "Whatcha thinking about?"
"How to make people trust me."
"That's easy. Just be nice."
"It's more complicated than that."
"Is it though?" She tilted her head. "Mom always says trust comes from kindness and honesty. If you're kind and honest, people trust you."
From the mouth of babes, as they say.
"You might be right."
"I'm always right." She grinned. "That's why I'm your favorite sister."
"You're my only sister."
"Still counts."