As days passed in the warm embrace of Mandane and Cambyses, Cyrus became aware of an astonishing ability within himself. A photographic memory that kept all his previous life's learnings alive, from history lessons to modern concepts, had emerged like a hidden treasure in his mind. This discovery both surprised him and filled him with excitement. Every time his eyes fixed on the stone walls of the room, images of university classes, history books, and his discussions about Cyrus the Great came to life in his mind. This power, like a light in the darkness of his childhood, opened a path towards an unknown future. The sound of Mandane's gentle footsteps and the smell of burning wood in the air reminded him of a life from which he was now distant.
Since he was only one month old, Cyrus was not yet able to interact directly with his environment. Long periods of sleep, a natural part of infant life, enveloped him. But in these peaceful moments, his mind was active. His deep interest in "Kingdom Building" genre novels, which he had followed for years in his modern life, had introduced him to various sciences such as engineering, military strategy, economics, and even principles of diplomacy. In these sleeps, he categorized this knowledge in his mind and drew plans for the future, as if the workings of these sciences were within his grasp. These fantasies, even amidst physical fatigue, kept him vibrant.
His photographic memory, which functioned with unparalleled precision, helped him quickly become familiar with the sounds and words around him. Mandane, with her warm and gentle voice, read him stories of ancient heroes, Persian myths, and reverence for Ahura Mazda. These narratives, accompanied by whispers of ancient Persian, gradually took root in his mind. Despite his young age, his memory allowed him to understand ancient Persian to some extent within a few weeks. Every word he heard from his mother's lips was like a key that opened the doors of ancient knowledge to him, and he listened to these sounds with pleasure.
The deep analysis of social and political issues, which he had learned in his previous life, was now taking shape in his mind. In the quiet of his thoughts, he recalled the whispers of servants reporting tax pressures, tribal discontent, and court corruption. This information, combined with his knowledge of Median and Achaemenid history, showed him that despite its outward splendor, the court was inwardly weak. In his dreams, he saw images of people weary under Astyages's oppression, and these thoughts led him to seek solutions for justice and reform. These analyses, even in infancy, filled him with hope for a brighter future.
His passion for ambitious ideals grew stronger in his mind during these days of physical dormancy. He remembered how, in novels, kings built empires through innovation and strategy. This inspiration compelled him to outline a plan for an empire founded on justice, tolerance, and progress. His dreams were filled with images of flourishing cities, disciplined armies, and contented people living under a just rule. These visions, intertwined with his modern knowledge, made him contemplate building something greater than what history had recorded.
Ultimately, Cyrus realized that this photographic memory was not merely a gift but a heavy responsibility. He believed that the Farr-e Izadi (Divine Glory), which in history belonged to Iranian kings and was bestowed upon them by Ahura Mazda, had manifested in him as these abilities, and consequently, he must bring joy and justice to his nation and the world. This thought, while still in the cradle, transformed him into a character who learned from the past and shaped the future.
With every whisper he heard from Mandane's stories, this ideal took root in his heart, ready for the day he could turn it into reality, just like the true Cyrus who had sworn an oath in the Cyrus Cylinder. His mother's voice, speaking of the justice of Deioces and the courage of Cyaxares, fueled this inner fire that guided him towards a great destiny.
With each passing day, Cyrus felt more prepared to play a historical role. Although he still could not move, his mind was like an active workshop. He reconstructed the geographical maps and military strategies he had read about in books. Sometimes in his imagination, he sketched designs of qanats (underground aqueducts) and metal smelting furnaces, ideas inspired by novels and his lessons. Mandane and Cambyses, astonished by his unusual calmness, protected him with love, unaware that this infant, with every breath, was preparing himself for a magnificent future. This mental readiness freed him from physical limitations.