MTLNOVEL Chapter 9: The Gods are watching
High above the mortal realm, in the halls of Valhalla, the gods gathered.
They had been watching the world for centuries, yet never before had a single mortal child drawn so much of their attention.
Seated upon their celestial thrones, the gods of Record of Ragnarok observed the Roman prodigy.
Zeus, the King of the Gods, stroked his long beard, his ancient eyes narrowing. "This boy is quite the anomaly, huh?"Odin, wise and calculating, watched in silence. His ravens, Huginn and Muninn, whispered their observations into his ears.Shiva, the Destroyer, chuckled, resting his chin on his fist. "He's already shaping history. I almost wish I could fight him."Aphrodite giggled, watching Lucius through the divine pool. "He's quite adorable for a human."Brunhilde, the Valkyrie, stood apart from the others, eyes gleaming with intrigue. "Smart, strong, and driven… This boy is special."
Her plan for Ragnarok still stood. But what if this human could shift the scales?
Lucius had spent years pushing his limits. His mind had sharpened to inhuman levels, his body had been honed through endless training, and his strategic prowess had made him a force even the Senate feared.
But true power had yet to be realized.
That changed when his second eye awakened.
One morning, during training, his father, Tiberius Aelion Varro, arranged a brutal test.
A group of veteran legionnaires stood before him, their weapons raised. Lucius had to match their movements—or die.
This was no ordinary spar.
His mind raced. The blades blurred, the shields clashed, the sheer momentum of battle threatened to overwhelm him—
And then it happened.
A pulse surged through his body.
The world slowed.
His eyes burned, yet his vision expanded.
He could see everything—every muscle movement, every shift in weight, every slight motion of the soldiers before they attacked.
He didn't dodge.
He moved before they even struck.
The legionnaires struck, missing by inches.
Lucius countered flawlessly, twisting his body between them like a shadow.
His second eye had fully awakened.
With the divine sight of Adam and the overwhelming combat mastery of Qin Shi Huang, Lucius had reached his full potential—at least, as far as his body allowed.
His father and the soldiers watched in stunned silence.
"By the gods…" one of the soldiers murmured.
His father, ever the stoic, smirked. "You truly are my son."
With his eyes awakened, Lucius could process and retain information at speeds even he hadn't expected.
It was time to push Rome into the future.
Over the next few years, he expanded Roman knowledge in ways no one could have predicted:
Chemistry – Now at modern-day 10th-grade German school standards, he developed basic elements, chemical reactions, and materials that would redefine medicine, industry, and warfare.Mathematics & Physics – He introduced concepts like algebra, geometry, motion, and force calculations, creating a foundation that would surpass even the Greek scholars of old.Biology – He dissected animals, mapping their anatomy, developing early medical theories, and even introducing sanitation methods that would save countless lives.Politics & Strategy – He continued honing his political influence, subtly manipulating the Senate into creating spy networks, fortifying Rome's intelligence, and preparing for war.
And as a personal passion project, he invented the first crude piano—a primitive version, but one that would lead to a new era of Roman music and artistic refinement.
Rome was evolving.
Lucius wasn't just a war hero.
He was a philosopher, a scientist, an artist, and a tactician all in one.
And soon, war would come again.
Lucius knew what was coming.
Carthage would not stand idly by as Rome expanded.
In just two years, the First Punic War would break out—a conflict that would determine the fate of the Mediterranean.
Rome needed to be ready.
So, Lucius set his plans into motion:
Spy Networks – He pushed for the creation of an intelligence system, training Romans in the art of deception, misinformation, and counterintelligence.Military Readiness – He ensured that Roman soldiers were battle-hardened, preparing them for both land and naval warfare.
Civilian Preparedness – He made sure every Roman citizen was taught how to survive, hide, and fight. Rome would never fall from within
.Naval Power – He improved ship designs, introducing reinforced hulls and primitive naval artillery to ensure Rome's dominance at sea.
Rome was no longer the underdog.
With Lucius Aelius Varro leading the charge, it was on its way to becoming the most powerful empire the world had ever seen.