May and Ben Parker exchanged stunned glances when they heard Aadi's response. Deep down, they had feared rejection—a fear born not out of doubt about Aadi, but the uncertainty that any orphan might feel hesitant to accept strangers as their family. However, the warmth in Aadi's voice, coupled with his innocent hesitation, wiped away any lingering doubt.
May crouched down to Aadi's height, her smile radiant and maternal. "Okay, Aadi," she said, her voice trembling with emotion, "now pack your things. You'll be moving into our house."
Ben knelt beside her and added, "And remember, Aadi, you can call us Mom and Dad too—only if you're comfortable, of course."
For a moment, Aadi stood frozen. The words "Mom" and "Dad" echoed in his mind like a melody he had long forgotten. After a brief pause, he softly whispered, "Okay… I will try… Mom. Dad."
Tears welled up in May's eyes as she pulled him into a warm embrace. Ben rested a reassuring hand on Aadi's head, his heart swelling with pride and joy. They had not only gained a son, but they had also brought happiness to a child who had longed for a family his entire life.
What the Parkers didn't know, however, was that Aadi's acceptance came from a deep and hidden longing. In his previous life, Aadi had lost his parents as a baby, leaving him to grow up in an orphanage. Although he was adopted by a family at the age of ten, it was a bittersweet experience. They had exploited his intelligence, using him as nothing more than a tool for their gain. For years, he had yearned for a family that truly cared for him. In this new life, Aadi instinctively recognized the genuine kindness of the Parker family and decided to take the leap of faith.
The Move
The following morning, May and Ben returned to the orphanage, their excitement bubbling beneath calm exteriors. After completing the adoption formalities, they packed Aadi's belongings—a small suitcase filled with his meager possessions. As Aadi prepared to leave, he turned to Lucy, the woman who had been like a mother figure to him during his time at the orphanage.
Tears glistened in Lucy's eyes as she knelt to embrace him one last time. "I'm going to miss you so much, Aadi," she said, her voice breaking. "But I'm so happy for you. The Parkers are wonderful people—they'll give you the love you deserve."
Aadi hugged her tightly and replied, "Don't be sad, Aunt Lucy. I promise I'll visit often."
Lucy forced a smile and nodded, watching with a heavy heart as Aadi left with the Parkers. She wiped away a tear, silently wishing him all the happiness in the world.
Settling In
The Parker family welcomed Aadi into their cozy home with open arms. May had prepared a room for him, complete with freshly painted walls in soft blue hues and a neatly made bed. Aadi took his time unpacking his clothes, carefully folding them into the cabinet while May and Ben watched from the doorway.
Peter, however, couldn't wait to bond with his new "brother." Grinning mischievously, he called out, "Hey, Aadi! Come on, let's go play in the backyard!"
Aadi hesitated for a moment before smiling. "Alright, Peter. Let's go!" Together, they raced into the yard, their laughter filling the air as they played tag under the sun.
Two Years Later
By the time Aadi turned five, his power level had grown significantly—from 5-C to 5-A, the level of a small dwarf star. His remarkable progress was aided by the annual system bonuses he received, including a highly advanced AI companion, Brainiac, and a private Kryptonian spaceship modeled after Superman's. The spaceship contained every known Superman suit and an array of Kryptonian technology, which Aadi studied meticulously.
Brainiac, the most advanced AI in DC Comics lore, proved to be an invaluable ally. Completely loyal to Aadi, it began assimilating knowledge about Earth by surfing the internet, uncovering everything from geopolitical developments to the existence of mutants.
School Days
At school, Aadi accompanied Peter and soon found himself amidst familiar faces. Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn, Jean Grey, and Flash Thompson quickly became part of his social circle. Thanks to his striking looks and friendly nature, Aadi became the center of attention, earning admiration from classmates and teachers alike.
One day, however, Aadi met someone who left a profound impact on him—a girl named Maya. The moment their eyes met, Aadi's heart raced uncontrollably, and a soft chime echoed in his mind.
[Congratulations to the host for meeting his soulmate: Maya.]
Confused yet intrigued, Aadi opened the system panel and noticed a new tab labeled "Soulmate."
[Soulmate: Maya (unknown)]
"Hey, System," he whispered internally, "what's with the question marks? And… are there other soulmates?"
[The host will learn the significance of the question marks in the future. As for additional soulmates, the host has nothing to worry about. There will only be one soulmate, because ##@@!%*&#@$ doesn't like harems.]
Aadi raised an eyebrow. "What was that error?"
[The host's current strength is insufficient to unlock the relevant knowledge.]
Aadi sighed but decided to remain patient. Turning his attention back to Maya, he found himself drawn to her maturity and gentle demeanor. Over the next few weeks, the two became inseparable, their bond growing stronger with each passing day. Aadi discovered that Maya, like him, was an orphan. Her parents had tragically passed away in a car accident the previous year, leaving her in the care of her uncle, George Stacy.
One Year Later
By the time Aadi turned six, his strength had reached a new level—4-C (galaxy level). Among his system rewards was a character summoning card, capable of summoning an ally with power ranging from galaxy-level to low multiverse-level. Though tempted to use it, Aadi decided to save it for a time when he truly needed it. (Suggestions for this character could include someone like Martian Manhunter from DC or Shanks from One Piece—characters who could serve as wise, loyal guides.)
Meanwhile, Brainiac's evolution reached a new height. Now a fully self-aware AI, it began acquiring vibranium on the black market to construct a physical body. With Aadi's permission, it integrated Kryptonian knowledge with Earth's most advanced materials, bringing Aadi's technological arsenal closer to perfection.
The Author's Note
Hey, everyone! Sorry for the delay in updating—I've been playing Genshin Impact these past few days, and, well, you know how addictive it is! My mom's super strict about gaming, so I've been sneaking in sessions when she's not around. Indian parents, right? 😂
I'll try my best to upload new chapters every Sunday, along with two additional updates during the week. If you've been enjoying the story, please add it to your collections and send those power stones my way! Your support motivates me to write more chapters and keep improving.
Thanks so much for reading, and I'll see you in the next chapter! Take care, everyone!