The display shifted again, this time showing a panel of Tier 11 experts being interviewed about the HPDT release. Alex recognized several faces from his research: Dimensional Emperor Vex'thani, Void Mistress Selentra, and Time Lord Kaidon—beings whose power levels were so far beyond normal humans that they could reshape reality with a thought.
"Emperor Vex'thani," the interviewer was saying, "what's your assessment of this technique, especially given the Universal Will's acknowledgment?"
The Emperor—a being who looked like a human-shaped constellation—spoke with a voice that seemed to echo from multiple dimensions simultaneously, but there was a new gravity to his words. "The Universal Achievement Notification changes everything. The Universal Will doesn't acknowledge techniques lightly. In recorded history, only forty-seven achievements have received Universal Will recognition. The fact that this technique earned both mandatory implementation status AND one million enlightenment chances..." He paused. "We are dealing with something of cosmic significance."
"Are you suggesting fraud?" the interviewer pressed.
"I am suggesting," Vex'thani replied carefully, "that whoever Cosmic_Sage_42 really is, they possess knowledge and capabilities that exceed normal parameters. Three techniques of this caliber, published in rapid succession, with each one building on concepts that most experts consider advanced... it suggests either collaborative effort by multiple Tier 11 beings, or..."
"Or?" the interviewer prompted.
"Or we are dealing with an individual whose capabilities exceed our current understanding of what is possible."
Alex felt a chill that had nothing to do with the morning air. They're getting suspicious. Really suspicious.
Void Mistress Selentra leaned forward, her form a shifting mass of controlled darkness, and her voice carried new urgency. "The Universal Will's involvement elevates this beyond mere technique creation. One million enlightenment chances is a reward reserved for those who fundamentally advance universal understanding or capability. To put this in perspective, my last contribution to void creature defense earned me fifty thousand enlightenment chances, and that was considered exceptional."
No single researcher in this universe, Alex thought nervously. But someone who had previous-life knowledge of consciousness research plus four years of unlimited access to this universe's accumulated knowledge? That's a different story.
Time Lord Kaidon, whose form seemed to exist in several temporal states simultaneously, spoke with unusual solemnity: "Universal Achievement Notifications create temporal ripples I can observe across multiple timelines. The HPDT's impact extends far beyond immediate human enhancement—it fundamentally alters humanity's developmental trajectory across all probable futures. The Universal Will recognizes this as a pivotal moment in human evolution."
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" the interviewer asked.
"That," Kaidon replied, "remains to be seen."
The display switched to man-on-the-street interviews from across human space. Alex watched with growing amazement as people from hundreds of different worlds expressed their excitement, gratitude, and desperate curiosity about the mysterious technique creator.
"Cosmic_Sage_42 gave my daughter a chance at a real cultivation future!" said a tearful mother from Kepler-442.
"Three revolutionary techniques in three years! This person is a legend!" shouted an excited teenager from Ross 128.
"I don't care who they are," declared an elderly man from Tau Ceti, "but I want to shake their hand. They just made my grandchildren's lives infinitely better."
But it was the next interview that made Alex's heart race:
"We've established a priority task force," announced Director Yates of the Galactic Investigation Bureau, his expression grim, "to identify Cosmic_Sage_42. The Universal Will's acknowledgment makes this a matter of cosmic security. Someone capable of earning Universal Achievement recognition represents either humanity's greatest asset or its greatest unknown variable. We're offering fifty trillion credits for information leading to positive identification."
Fifty trillion credits, Alex thought faintly. The reward just quintupled because The Universal Will noticed my technique.
"Alex?" Sarah's voice seemed to come from far away. "You look pale, sweetie. Everything okay?"
"Just... overwhelmed by all the news," Alex managed. "It's a lot to process."
Michael nodded sympathetically. "I know, son. The universe just changed dramatically, and you're right at the age to benefit most from it. It's probably exciting and terrifying at the same time."
You have no idea, Alex thought.
The display continued showing reactions throughout the day. By noon, HPDT download numbers had exceeded 100 billion. By evening, emergency manufacturing facilities were being constructed on every inhabited world to produce the brain activation serum components. By midnight, three different holodrama production companies had announced competing biographical films about the mysterious Cosmic_Sage_42.
"Alex," Sarah said as they sat down for dinner, "we've gotten approval to start your HPDT training next week. The local academy is setting up accelerated programs for all pre-awakening children."
"That's... great," Alex replied, trying to sound appropriately excited rather than amused at the idea of being taught his own technique.
"I have to admit," Michael said, cutting into his synthetic steak, "I'm incredibly curious about this Cosmic_Sage_42 person. To create three techniques of this caliber..." He shook his head. "It's like someone appeared out of nowhere with knowledge that should take lifetimes to accumulate."
Someone did appear out of nowhere, Alex thought. They just happened to appear as a baby in your household eleven years ago.
"Do you think they'll ever reveal their identity?" Sarah asked.
Alex considered the question seriously. Eventually, maybe. But not while I'm still a kid, and definitely not while every major power in the universe is offering galactic-level rewards for information about me.
"I think," Alex said carefully, "that they probably have their reasons for staying anonymous. Maybe they just want to help people without all the attention and pressure that would come with being famous."
His parents exchanged one of their meaningful looks.
"That's very mature thinking, Alex," Sarah said approvingly. "You're right—sometimes doing good is more important than getting credit for it."
If only you knew how much good I'm trying to do, Alex thought, and how terrifying it would be if anyone figured out the truth.
As the evening wore on, the holographic displays continued showing the universe-wide celebration of the HPDT release. Children across human space were beginning their first training sessions. Parents were weeping with joy at the possibility of upgraded talents for their kids. Researchers were frantically trying to understand the theoretical foundations of the technique.
And somewhere in the depths of space, the most powerful beings in human civilization were growing increasingly determined to discover the identity of the mysterious genius who had just revolutionized human potential.
Tomorrow, Alex thought as he prepared for bed, I start "learning" my own technique from instructors who have no idea they're teaching its creator.
This should be interesting.
But as he drifted off to sleep, Alex couldn't shake the feeling that the attention surrounding Cosmic_Sage_42 was becoming dangerous. Tier 11 experts didn't offer galactic rewards for curiosity. They offered them when they considered something a potential threat.
I need to be more careful, he decided. Much more careful.
The universe had embraced his gift, but it was also starting to hunt for the giver. And Alex wasn't sure he was ready for what would happen when they found him.