“Ambition is more than a mere desire. It is desire, plus incentive - determination - will to achieve the desire.”

– Herbert Armstrong

"What do you want when you grow up?" It was a question he had been asked multiple times by his teachers, parents and friends. He had no answer to that question, and thus, he answered with a lie that always convinced his inquirers.

At the time, he cared little for the question and answered that were in the end were mere empty replies to satisfy the listener. Though, as time passed, as he became older and more reflective with his actions, it started to dawn on him that that such an dismissive approach to the question would not do him good in the far future.

But what should he answer? He had tried many things in order to answer the question. But no answer satisfied him, he wanted to do something that he absolutely wanted to achieve. But what? Ever since he came to his world, he was going with the current and never tried to steered away. Now, he come to regret that decision, but he could never return and correct those mistakes that he had made.

When he heard the dreams, goals, and even ambitions of the people around him. He could not help but feel envy towards them. While they were entirely motivated by material wealth, more or less than altruism and true passion for their goals and their objectives. It still, however, enough to arouse a hint of envy; a desire to have the same aspirations and ambitions of not just his peers, but the many the individuals around him.

He had the intellect, energy, talents, knowledge, tenacity, and the insatiable voracity for knowledge to do many things he wished. But, there was a realisation — he did not know what kind of life he would lead. He had no goals, aspirations, dreams or ambitions. Again, he tried many things, however there was very little result, and often, his interest regarding the subject or endeavour waned.

He had little passion for many things, he admired food, but did not wish to cook it himself. He cooked for himself or others for many times, however, he had done them out of necessity rather than for enjoyment. He was fond of music in general, ranging from classical symphonies to modern styles like rock, jazz, electronic music and more. But, despite this fact, the thought of composing and writing his own was unattainable. He tried to persue the visual arts, and after seeing the artstyle of the east, he gained a true passion finally for the first time. Unfortunately,

he had little to no skill when it came to anything related to the arts, and thus, ceased to seek it any further.

He was a realist, while many would say to not give up and keep pursuing one's dream. But, at times, he believed that certain life goals are mere dreams where it was better strive for something else to save time for other attainable achievements instead of toiling for something that is not.

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He was also not too content of being merely wealthy. He wanted his actions to have a lasting impact on the world he lived.

But, he could not find a goal, aspirations, or ambitions that he wished to attain. However, as he was internally dying of boredom, desperate to find anything he could do, he found himself watching documentaries and reading books, both regarding the history of mostly Europe — a new passion rose once again.

Suddenly, practically overnight, he took interest in a new field of academics. Once a subject he regarding as a dull and tedious study, he now realised the error of his judgment and regretted that he did not learn the colourful stories and tales of the past. The many interconnecting events; an event contributing to the cause of a future event that would not have happen if it weren't for the past actions of men.

While it did not inspire him to become an historian as he saw little prospects with such a career, but inspired him to do something else, more than just becoming a service worker, or a corporate slave, or any form of employment. He wanted to be something more, he wanted his name to be in the history books, he wanted leave a mark that would reshape his entire nation, or even the world. He did not want to simply become a mere cog of society then be forgotten once his time had passed.

With the seemingly degrading society in mind; the near-dystopian path that the world is seemingly about to take, he yearned the ship to change course, even if it were a turbulent and violent one.

He saw the accomplishments of many men in history such as Alexander the Great, Hannibal, Julius Caesar, Charlemagne, Gustavus Adolphus, Charles XII, Frederick the Great, and of course, the figure he admired the most — Napoleon Bonaparte.

He was a man that shown adroitness for the military, innate political acuity, and a natural talent for diplomacy and statecraft whose institutions stood the test of time. He was a man of genius and charisma, that inspite of his faults, he was able to exude a strong magnetism that made many individuals from nearly all walks of life to serve him. If he were alive, he would surely come flocking to his banner —at least that is how he would think would happen.

After all, there was a saying: "Never meet your heroes, otherwise, you will likely be disappointed." Or something like it. With that in mind, his feelings for the long-dead man was slightly mixed, but ultimately, did not degrade his admiration.

Thus, after consuming as much media as he could everyday regarding the great men of history; well, history in general, he finally found his desired goal; an ambition he wished to achieve even if it took him a life time to achieve. He knew it would not be easy, nor he knew how hard it would be, but his desire to change his country for the better (at least, in his own image) outweighed such concerns. The others did extraordinary achievements in the past, he did not see why he couldn't do the same. In addition, he had learned of their methods, exploits and mistakes. These lessons would surely help and assist him in the foreseeable future; in his mission to be one of history's most shining characters.

He was determined to achieve his dream of making the world better and leaving behind a legacy that would endure for hundreds of years, thus, leaving his name imprinted in the history books. However, no matter how much he tried, he will not achieve it here — not in this world.