Leo looked out over the ancient city that lay before him, the boisterous chatter of Roman citizens washing over him in waves. Gaius had taken him into a secret room that was more of a combination of study and laboratory, littered with scrolls and odd contraptions. Leo was still reading his mind, completing the realization that he had traveled through time and now stood in a room with someone who thought he was more than any other lost college student.
"Ah, I have to say, Leo, it's an honor to meet you," Gaius said, raising his glasses up the bridge of his nose with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. "Now, let's see what secrets you brought with you."
He did not have the chance to ask Leo what he meant because a soft ping had just echoed through the room and suddenly the air shimmered like liquid gold. Leo leapt back clutching the glowing book tightly as a holographic interface sprang to life before him, suspended in mid-air, sleek and futuristic-an anomaly in the middle of ancient Rome.
"W-what the…?" Leo whispered, looking at the hologram as it projected his stats and skills, each word shining in bold, elegant font.
[Leo Carter – Level 1]
Skills:
Language Understanding (Native): Read and speaks all languages.
Quick learner: learns new skills and knowledge faster.
Improvisational Combat: Will fight back with whatever he can find.
Old Glimpse: A prior familiarity with Roman politics and culture.
Inventory:
Mysterious Tome: a book of mysterious energy that thumps.
Basic Backpack: holds the little things from the dorm-the textbooks, snack, and half-emptied water bottle.
Smartphone: this is offline and out of service.
Shop Currency: Gold Coins
Healing Potion 50 Gold Coins
Roman Garb - 30 Gold Coins
Lucky Talisman – 100 Gold Coins
Guidelines Training Manual: Concentrated Roman History – 75 Gold Coins
Rookie Gift: Scroll of Knowledge: One-time-use item that would give any person insight into a topic about Roman culture, politics, or combat.
Leo had his mouth open. "Way to beat him into submission," he muttered low, then hesitated, reaching out to touch the screen with one finger as it beeped softly upon contact.
"Choose a starter gift, please," the hologram murmured in a tranquil, synthesized voice.
"Wait, is this really happening?" Leo asked over to Gaius, who stood staring at the display with huge, saucer-like eyes.
"By the gods," Gaius breathed. "Is this work of the gods or something far darker?"
Leo's mind reeled at the potential implications. A system? Was he being tested? He felt as if he's been pulled out of his nice college student lifestyle and simply dropped into a game when he didn't know up from down. His heart pounded as he took one choice after another, then settled on the Scroll of Knowledge. "Choose wisely," said the hologram, and there in his inventory appeared the scroll: a blank parchment with glowing, elegant runes.
Leo held up his glowing book and took a breath. "Well, if that's to be my life, I'd better get in the habit of making choices I don't understand."
Gaius regarded him with a newfound reverence. "Leo, this changes everything," he said. "We are no longer caught up in Rome's power struggle. We are at the very fringes of history itself, and you, my friend, are now its most interesting player." Leo couldn't help but smile. "Guess I'm going to have to buy some new clothes now, then. Transmigrator isn't exactly gifted with a style guide." The hologram flickered and then flashed up options as the next step in his journey unfolded. Leo Carter in Ancient Rome remains in his infancy, and something is sure: it definitely won't be an ordinary one.