Leo woke up to the gentle morning light streaming through the narrow window, illuminating the small chamber that Gaius had assigned him. The night had been a blur of trying to understand his situation, accepting the fact that he wasn't going back to his college dorm anytime soon, and wondering if he should start brushing up on Latin. The Scroll of Knowledge sat on a small table by his bed, gleaming softly, reminding him that he still had to make sense of everything.
"First things first," Leo muttered, running a hand through his messy hair. He knew he had to blend in, or at least try not to look like the 21st-century fish out of water that he was. Gaius had promised to help him, but there were still a million things Leo needed to learn before he could go out and survive.
"Morning!" a cheerful voice called from the entrance, snapping Leo out of his thoughts. He looked up to see Gaius holding a simple robe in one hand and a wooden comb in the other. His face was unusually serious, but there was a twinkle in his eye.
"It's time for your first lesson in 'How Not to Get Killed in Rome,'" Gaius said, a small smirk playing at his lips. Leo laughed, despite the nervousness twisting in his stomach.
"Very funny. Do I at least get to keep my jeans?" Leo joked, tugging at the hem of his faded jeans. Gaius raised an eyebrow.
"Those? I think they'd be more useful as a cloak for the birds. No, you need something that says 'Roman citizen' and not 'wild forest dweller from the future.'"
Leo sighed, but took the robe and stepped into it, fumbling with the ties. Gaius stood back, watching him with an expression of both amusement and concern.
"Better," Gaius said. "You look like someone who belongs here. Now, let's teach you the basics. First, you need to understand the politics and who's who in this city."
The room flickered with light as the holographic interface, still a part of Leo's reality, sprang to life. He hadn't noticed it the night before, but the system was always there, hovering in the corner, humming with potential.
"Can it really be that easy?" Leo said, staring at the interface, which displayed a list of names and titles.
"Not at all," Gaius said, reading Leo's expression. "But it's a start. You'll need more than the scroll and your wits if you're going to survive here."
Leo tapped the list on the interface, reading the names of influential figures in Roman society: Marcus Junius Brutus, Gaius Cassius Longinus, Julius Caesar, and more. Each name was followed by a brief description of their current political positions and influence. Leo's eyes widened as he read about Caesar's conquests and his growing power.
"Brutus… Caesar… they're real," Leo whispered, the weight of history crashing down on him.
Gaius nodded. "Real and dangerous. And if you're caught in the crossfire, you won't just be watching from the sidelines."
Leo looked down at the Scroll of Knowledge again. If he wanted to stay out of trouble—and maybe even make a difference—he'd have to use every ounce of knowledge and skill he could muster.
"Right," Leo said, taking a deep breath. "Let's get started. First, I need to know how not to trip over my own feet in public."
Gaius chuckled, the sound lightening the mood. "Now that, my friend, is a lesson every Roman needs."
The day unfolded with a mix of confusion, new knowledge, and surprisingly, a lot of laughter. Gaius taught him how to bow respectfully, how to greet strangers without immediately launching into a monologue about modern pop culture, and, most importantly, how to keep his eyes on the ground when passing the senators.
By midday, Leo felt like he could almost blend in. He was ready to step out into the streets of Rome, not as a scared college student, but as someone who was determined to make his mark—however improbable that was. The city hummed with life and the promise of adventure. Leo knew that the journey ahead would be dangerous and filled with challenges, but for the first time since he arrived, he was ready.
And as he looked at his reflection in the polished metal of a vendor's cart, Leo Carter smiled. Maybe he couldn't control his fate, but he could certainly play his part in the story.