MTLNOVEL Chapter 3: 2 Years later
284 BCE — Two Years Later
Lucius Aelius Varro was no ordinary seven-year-old. While other children played with wooden swords or learned their first words of Latin poetry, he was reshaping the foundations of knowledge itself.
From the moment he had gained control over his small, fragile body, he had been plotting—planning how to make the most of this second chance at life. His father, Tiberius Aelius Varro, a respected senator and skilled warrior, saw his son as a gift from the gods. A boy who grasped difficult concepts at an alarming rate. A boy whose mind, even in its infancy, was something unnatural.
But Lucius was careful. He knew that knowledge was dangerous. A child who knew too much too soon could be seen as a blessing… or a curse.
Thus, he played the role of a curious but innocent child, hiding his true genius behind seemingly simple questions that would set Rome on the path to an early enlightenment.
His tutors, esteemed scholars in Rome, were baffled.
When Lucius first started learning Latin, he took to it faster than they had expected. Despite Latin having almost no connection to his old language, English, he had an advantage—he already understood the concept of languages. Instead of blindly memorizing, he deconstructed the grammar, syntax, and structure, which made the process much easier.
Lucius's thoughts:
"If I struggle too much, they'll think I'm slow. If I learn too quickly, they'll think I'm unnatural. I must strike a balance."
He made mistakes on purpose. Just enough to appear like a prodigy and not an unnatural phenomenon. He also subtly introduced new methods of learning, such as breaking down sentences by subject, verb, and object—something that modern linguists would do but was unheard of in Ancient Rome.
His father observed with pride. "My son shall be a great orator one day," Tiberius would say. But that was only the beginning.
Tiberius Aelius Varro was a warrior. And warriors did not raise weak sons.
At the age of seven, Lucius was introduced to basic physical training—running, push-ups, squats, and combat stances. Unlike other noble children, who might be pampered and left to politics, Tiberius was determined to make his son strong.
"Children die easily in this era," Lucius reminded himself. "Diseases, weak bodies, and war. I won't allow myself to be another statistic."
What surprised his father, however, was the boy's sheer endurance. He ran longer than children twice his age, and though he tired quickly, he never gave up.
Tiberius:
"A warrior's heart beats within you, my son. I shall forge it into steel."
Lucius used this opportunity to experiment with modern training concepts.
Stretching before exercise (preventing injuries).
Controlled breathing techniques (increasing stamina).
Shadowboxing and footwork drills (inspired by martial arts he remembered).
Though no one noticed the subtle differences, it made a massive impact. In time, he would shape Roman training into something greater.
Lucius knew he couldn't introduce modern science all at once. It had to appear natural, as if the Romans had discovered it themselves.
1. Gravity and Energy
It started with a simple question.
Lucius (innocently):
"Father, why do things always fall down instead of up?"
His father chuckled. "Because that is the will of the gods."
Lucius furrowed his brows, pretending to be deep in thought. "But what if… it is not the gods, but something else? What if everything is… pulled downward?"
His tutor, intrigued, began discussing Aristotle's theory that heavy objects fall faster than light ones. Lucius, of course, knew this was wrong.
To prove it, he dropped two objects of different weights at the same time from a ledge. When they hit the ground together, even the scholars were stunned.
This led to discussions on forces, mass, and motion—concepts that wouldn't be properly explored until Galileo and Newton in the far future.
2. The First Lamp Prototype
One day, Lucius asked a simple but powerful question:
"What if we could make light… without fire?"
Using basic oils, a wick, and primitive glasswork, he created a prototype of an oil lamp with an enclosed system. It was rudimentary but far more efficient than open flames. The household marveled at its brilliance.
His mother whispered that he was blessed by the gods, but Lucius simply smiled. "This is only the beginning."
3. Stronger Concrete
Roman concrete was already advanced, but it had weaknesses. Using his modern knowledge, Lucius suggested adding volcanic ash (which, in reality, the Romans would later use to create stronger, water-resistant concrete).
By framing it as an accident, he ensured no suspicion.
Lucius (excitedly):
"Father! I mixed different types of rock dust, and look—it holds water better!"
His father laughed, ruffling his hair. "A builder and a warrior! The gods smile upon you, my son."
The Rise of the Prodigy
As the years passed, Lucius became known throughout Rome as the "Gifted Child of the Varro Family."
Rumors spread of his remarkable intelligence, his curious mind, and his warrior's heart. His father, seeing his potential, prepared for the next step—hiring veteran soldiers from the Roman legions to train his son in the art of war.
Lucius knew that his true challenges lay ahead.
Rome was still growing.
War was on the horizon.
And soon, the world would come to know his name.
To be continued…