Light.
Golden, blinding light pierced through my squinting eyes. I drew my body away from it. As I rolled to my side, my body sank into the plush. My head rested on soft pillows. I did not want to wake up, so I cradled the pillow like a baby, holding tightly to my newly found heaven—and it probably smelled like it too.
A series of soft DING! rang in my ears. Each ring pulled me into a bubble of isolation. I could no longer feel the comfort or revel in the sunlight. Once the ring crescendoed into a caterwaul, I unwillingly opened my eyes.
[MISSION]
>Your life only belongs to His divine.
> Survive the attack and escape
>Evaluation: Barely passed.
> Reward: +0.5 in all attributes
[END DISPLAY]
[NEW DISPLAY]
Punishment processing… Punished for fighting a losing battle against a tier four rebel.
Punishment issued
Deletion of vital persona memories ~
[END DISPLAY]
I tried scouring through banks of memories, only to find them filled with gaps—some almost non-existent. I thought I would have full memories like in most reincarnation media, but to hell with it, my patron said. Getting punished for trying.
It was a new lesson. One that I almost lost my life in the pursuit of learning. A life I had promised myself to protect, no matter what. Damn. It was damning, navigating this new lease, but I had to make it worthwhile.
A new ding.
[DISPLAY ATTRIBUTES]
Attributes displayed reflect on the persona equipped.
The maximum level for Tier 2 is 20, while the minimum for Tier is 10.
All path attributes, along with the mental attribute (willpower), need to be maxed up for advancement.
PHYSICAL ATTRIBUTES
Strength – 12.4 (+0.5)
Dexterity – 11.8 (+0.5)
Endurance – 14 (+0.5)
Vitality – 12.9 (+0.5)
MENTAL ATTRIBUTES
Intellect – 15 (+0.5)
Willpower – 18 (+0.5)
Insight – 14 (+0.5)
Charisma – 12 (+0.5)
PATH ATTRIBUTES
Dominion – 18.2 (+0.5)
Balance – 16 (+0.5)
Aether – 10.7 (+0.5)
TABS: STATUS – PERSONAS – EQUIPMENT – MISSIONS.
[END DISPLAY]
I felt the reclusive bubble pop, throwing me back into the world. I threw away the blankets. I studied the template as I sat up on the edge of the bed.
I could make up the physical and mental attributes; anyone can. I drifted towards the path attributes, possibly tied to my ability to make decrees. Dominion determined how strong the decree was, with willpower essential to the decree, though I could not guess what balance and aether meant or did.
I went through the other tabs, trying to fish out any other important information. Breadcrumbs that I could piece together into a neat web of what I could do and what I could not. None could be found; I had to discover that for myself.
I felt like a reader trying to understand a new book—new words and phrases springing up to no end. I had to sit there patiently, waiting for all of it to unfold slowly on its own. And that was the joy of reading. An exploration. The only difference was in my new book, life and death were at stake.
My moment of contemplation had pushed me to the large floor-to-wall windows. I drew the curtains.
The soft array of light painted the landscape. golden. The scenery brimmed with life. Shades of red, seemingly drapes of paint, decorated the edge of the buildings while soft green luminance from the trees and gardens gave the field of view some degree of regality and quality of life. From up here, I could see the grand houses that spread out down the slope into what seemed to be the heart of the city.
Large displays of what had to be amphitheaters, forums, and basilicas flooded the heart of the city. It was as if I were staring into a model of ancient Rome—a model ripped straight out of history books. The depictions in books did not do the aesthetics of what I was seeing any sort of justice.
I could feel my heart beating harder with excitement. A rhythmic thump that fueled my yearning to run down to see the world for myself, to experience what this accursed world had to offer. Other than death, that is.
Shuffling of feet pulled me back to the room instead. Blinded by the display of opulence, I looked for my place, and that was a simple chair next to the bed.
The soft smell of perfume made me feel like I was in the room of a woman, which worried me more than it should have. I gathered myself and paced around the room, doing what I should have—search for answers.
I ran down that I was in a world reenacted like ancient Rome, which was wonderful. It's any man's dream.
I pulled open the wardrobe and pulled out a red robe. I was still in the trousers I had stolen from the dungeons. I turned to the mirror.
I traced my fingers across my new face. I was as pale as death. My dark brown irises took in my new features. I was much better looking than I was in the previous life, and from the same metrics, I could consider myself almost handsome. Right at the cusp.
My hair felt like tall grass, both smooth and relaxing to touch. It was black, tousled, and unevenly cut.
I took a step backward to capture my frame with the mirror. I was disappointed. I was tall—guessing 6'1—but built like a survivalist rather than an athlete. I was lean and wiry, with some meat on the bones.
I have to work on this, I thought to myself as I ran over my non-existent abs.
I slumped back into the mundane chair.
I went through the gaping memory, gathering as many of my mannerisms as Cassian I could. I wordlessly mimicked his way of speaking, trying to match his demeanor, and it was much easier than I thought.
I was so engrossed that I did not notice someone had joined the room.
The newcomer moved to the window, his hands behind his back as he stared out.
"Beautiful," he turned to face me, "Can never get enough of the view."
I moved towards him. For the life of me, I could not determine whether to salute or formally greet him. As if he read my mind, he took me into his arms.
Like the bed, I sank into his body. His rough pats on the back were the only thing keeping me from falling asleep. His perfume was too feminine and strong—hence more irritating rather than evoking.
I wriggled free, only to watch his smile stretch his round face. I wondered, in a world full of magic, shouldn't he be better looking? But who am I to judge?
"My boy, welcome to my humble abode. Once I caught the whim of your presence in the prison, I had you freed. I could not have an Imperator's son locked in my prison," he leaned in to whisper, "Especially one with your background."
His body wobbled as he stepped back.
"Me and your father go way back. Back to the academy days," he snapped his finger, "He was glad to hear of my efforts to liberate you from the jaws of those," his face cringed so much, "those seekers of light."
A stream of servants streamed in. They split into two groups. One cleared the table right next to the wardrobe; the others set plates of food on it.
"They act as if they represent the will of Solarius—but they don't," he clapped his hands. One servant rushed towards him with a bowl of grapes. She stood there, holding it out. "We do. It is our divine mission as followers of his chosen Solarin. Do you think so?"
He choked a grape between his fat fingers.
"I concur… sir," confused on how to address him.
"You are a worshipper of Varniel, as is your father?" He licked his fingers disgustingly as he sucked at the grape.
"Yes. Through justice, we find balance," I said out as if on autopilot.
"Then you shall forgive my rant. I do get worked up when members of the Arx Sanctum are involved—especially those tied to the Lord of Light, Solarius."
As he walked to the table, the servant shadowed him. His face gleamed with satisfaction.
From inside his porch tunic, he retrieved a letter and handed it to me.
"Your father sent this for you," looking around. "I think everything is alright, so I will let you be. I pray you shall remind him of the hospitality you found under his good friend, Gaius Varo Nera."
He clapped his hands, and the servants streamed out as fast as they came in.
"One more thing. A piece of uniform will be brought shortly. Instructions from your father to return to the academy. The Arx Sanctum will be providing transport. May Sol light your path," Gaius bowed slightly.
"And you in your moments of darkness," I answered.
I felt relieved he was gone. For a second there, I thought I would be caught with all of the words that he threw around. The memory lapse would prove to be a bigger problem than I had anticipated initially.
I sat at the edge of the bed, ripped the letter open, and dove in.