Gray weekdays replaced one another, devoid of inspiration and meaning. Work, home, rare meetings with friends - all of it had long become part of an endless cycle. Alexander, a middle-aged man, lived on autopilot, having long grown accustomed to this routine.
There was a time when he loved his job, enjoyed the small joys of life, but now it all seemed empty and tasteless. Modern life, filled with every comfort, no longer brought him any happiness. Each new day felt like an exact copy of the one before.
The only thing that still sparked a glimmer of interest in him was history. In his youth, he had dreamed of great campaigns, admired kings who changed the fates of nations, and imagined himself as a knight shaping destinies on the battlefield. But those dreams were buried in the past, smothered under the weight of daily monotony.
One evening, while sitting at his laptop and mindlessly scrolling through an online store, Alexander stopped. His gaze caught on an unusual book title:
"How to Survive and Transform the Medieval World"
He frowned. The title sounded strange, even absurd, but something about it struck a chord. The book's description was concise yet intriguing:
"A practical guide for those who not only want to survive but also achieve power in the harsh world of the past. From farming to politics - all the secrets in one scroll"
- What nonsense, - Alexander muttered, smirking skeptically. - Who even writes books like this?
However, his fingers, as if guided by curiosity - an old, forgotten feeling he hadn't experienced in years - clicked on the "Read" icon.
From the very first page, he was captivated by the style. The author didn't just describe the medieval world - they brought it to life. Every detail, every little nuance - from how to start a fire in wet weather to surviving at the court of a treacherous king - was written with such precision that it seemed the author had lived through it all.
"Remember," the book said, "in the Middle Ages, it's not about what you have, but how you use it. Talents, knowledge, connections - these are your tools for survival"
Alexander didn't notice how an hour flew by. His eyes, fixed on the lines, absorbed every word. It seemed as though he could hear the clash of swords, smell the cold iron. For a moment, he even thought the thunder of knights' cavalry echoed through his room.
When the free chapters ended, he stared at the screen, disoriented. A message flashed: The continuation is available in the full version.
- What the…! - he exclaimed, as though someone had torn him from a vivid dream. Without hesitation, Alexander ordered the book. A few days later, it was in his hands.
For the next few evenings, he couldn't tear himself away from it. Each chapter was astonishing:
"Can you survive in a world where life is worthless? How will you build your empire in a place where you have neither allies nor knowledge of the world?"
He imagined himself in the heroes' shoes. How would he negotiate with lords? How would he outwit the merchant guild or win a knightly tournament armed only with 21st-century knowledge? The book made his mind work in ways it hadn't in a long time.
These pages became more than just a story to him. They were a manual, a guide to action. He felt as if he had rediscovered himself, tasting life anew, a sensation he thought he had lost forever.
When he finished the last page, the emptiness returned. Closing the book, Alexander placed it on the table and stared thoughtfully out the window. The city beyond the glass lived its own life, but it no longer touched him.
- If only I could try it myself… - he murmured, absentmindedly drumming his fingers on the book's wooden cover.
That night, he dreamed of castles, battlefields, and tall gray stone walls. He saw people in armor, their faces hidden behind visors, their eyes glinting with cold light. Banners soaked in sunlight and blood fluttered above their heads.
- Alexander! - a voice boomed. Powerful, deep, like the tolling of a bell.
The world around him began to spin. Light and shadow blended into a whirlwind, and he felt himself being pulled into a dark abyss. His body was enveloped by a warmth - alien yet enveloping. A sword appeared in his hands, heavy and cold.
When he opened his eyes, everything around him had changed.
He stood among bodies, the smell of burning wood and decay thick in the air. Steel glinted all around, warriors fiercely battled one another, and the clamor of swords drowned out all else. Something heavy and cold pressed on his head.
His hand gripped the hilt of a sword, his palm slick with blood - his own or someone else's, he didn't know. For a moment that felt like eternity, Alexander froze. He couldn't understand what was happening. Was this a nightmare or a new reality?