Chapter 2 – A New Leonard
"What… happened to me?" murmured Roman as he opened his eyes.
The first sensation was disorienting: he was lying on a bed he didn't recognize. The sheets were rough, the mattress harder than usual, and the air carried a strange smell, as if it belonged to a place that wasn't his. He sat up slowly, heart racing, trying to understand what had happened after being swallowed by that tunnel of light.
"This isn't my house…" he whispered, glancing around. The room was dark, barely lit by a faint glow that seemed to come from nowhere. No windows, no visible doors. Just him and that transitional space.
"Ahhh…!" he cried suddenly, clutching his head. A sharp pain pierced him—not physical, but mental—as if thousands of images were trying to force their way into his mind all at once.
"These memories… they're not mine." Roman gasped, collapsing to his knees.
The images grew clearer. He saw a young man with brown hair, thick glasses, and an insecure gaze. He saw arguments with a cold, distant mother, endless nights of study, failed experiments, and the loneliness of a room filled with books. He saw the thrill of receiving a university acceptance letter, and the fear of not fitting into a world of brilliant minds. They were Leonard Hofstadter's memories, just before graduation.
"Leonard…" Roman whispered, realizing the transmigration was underway.
He staggered to his feet and walked toward a mirror that had appeared in front of the bed. He didn't know how it had gotten there, but he needed it. He needed to see what had changed.
"What… the hell?" he said, staring at his reflection.
The mirror returned an image that stole his breath. He no longer saw his Latino features. Now he was Leonard Hofstadter—but transformed. His height had increased: he now stood at 1.80 meters, far taller than he remembered the character being. His muscles were defined, impressive, worthy of a superhero. Arms, chest, legs… all in perfect proportion, as if the enhanced body he had received had reached its peak expression.
"I'm Leonard… but different." Roman touched his face, incredulous.
The face was Leonard's, with recognizable features, but improved. Smoother skin, a sharper jawline, brighter eyes. Still him, but elevated to an idealized version: attractive, charismatic, with a presence that commanded respect. The insecure young man from the memories had become someone who radiated confidence.
"This… this can't be real." Roman stepped back, examining every detail.
The pain in his head returned, though softer this time. Roman closed his eyes and let the memories flow in. He saw Leonard in his final year of university, nervous about exams, worried about his future. He saw him struggling to fit in with classmates, seeking recognition from professors, dreaming of a place where he could belong.
"These memories… they're mine now." Roman breathed deeply.
The mental clarity he had received as a blessing allowed him to organize everything quickly. This wasn't a dream. It wasn't an illusion. He was in the process of transmigration, and the starting point was Leonard's memories just before graduation.
"I am Roman Hernández… but I am also Leonard Hofstadter."
He stood in silence, gazing at his reflection. His body vibrated with energy, his mind was sharper than ever, and his heart beat with an empathy that connected him to those foreign memories. He could feel Leonard's emotions: insecurity, fear, hope. It was as if he could understand him from the inside.
"This is real… and it's only beginning." Roman stepped away from the mirror and returned to the bed.
He sat down, breathing deeply, trying to absorb it all. The space was still strange, without windows or doors, but now he understood it wasn't physical. It was a transitional space, a bridge between his life and the new adventure awaiting him.
"Okay… everything's clear." Leonard spoke softly, staring at his reflection in the mirror.
He was no longer Roman Hernández. From now on, he was Leonard Hofstadter. The memories flooding his mind confirmed it: today was his graduation, the end of one stage and the beginning of another. With that certainty, the only thing left was to plan the future.
"First… Caltech." His eyes gleamed with determination.
From the memories, he knew he had already sent his job application to the university. The recommendations were solid, and according to what he remembered from canon, he would get it. That meant he had secured a place at one of the most prestigious research centers in the world. One less thing to worry about.
"Second… income." Leonard crossed his arms, analyzing the situation.
Although the university would pay well, he couldn't rely solely on that salary. His new mind, endowed with eidetic memory and mental clarity, offered infinite possibilities. He could recall every detail of the books he had read, every formula, every theory. That gave him an edge to generate extra income: from writing scientific articles to investing precisely in emerging markets.
"With this memory… I can make extra money for myself." He smiled confidently.
The mirror reflected not only his new body, but also the confidence he radiated. Before, Leonard had been a young man marked by insecurity and routine. Now, with his enhanced body and refined mind, he had the chance to build a different life.
"Third… relationships." Leonard lowered his gaze, thoughtful.
The memories revealed a clear pattern: difficulty connecting, fear of rejection, constant insecurity. But now, with the blessing of deep empathy, everything was different. He could read emotions, understand gestures, connect with people naturally. That meant he wouldn't repeat the same mistakes. He could form stronger bonds, inspire trust, and perhaps find love without the barriers that had limited him.
"I won't be the same insecure Leonard. I'll be someone better."
Leonard inhaled deeply, letting his mental clarity organize his thoughts into a concrete plan. Each step was clear:
Secure his place at Caltech. Generate additional income. Build authentic relationships. Use his enhanced body to maintain discipline and health. Apply his refined wisdom to excel in research and open new doors.
"This is a second chance… and I won't waste it."
The silence of the transitional space surrounded him, but Leonard no longer felt it as emptiness. It was a blank canvas, a place where he could project his future. He approached the mirror again, losing himself in his own gaze.
"When I leave school today… everything will change."
He knew graduation would be the starting point. Afterward, he would have to decide how to present himself to the world. Not as the insecure Leonard everyone knew, but as someone renewed, someone who could make a difference.
"I'm going to write my own version of this story."
Leonard smiled. The idea of living inside a universe he had admired for years filled him with excitement. But beyond the fantasy lay responsibility. He had knowledge of the canon, he knew what was coming, and he could use it to improve his life and the lives of those around him.
"I know what's ahead… and I'm ready."
The mirror reflected a different Leonard: taller, stronger, more attractive, with a gaze that radiated confidence. He knew that reflection was the symbol of his new life.
"Today my adventure begins."
-----
"And now what do I do with this?" Leonard said as he opened the closet.
Inside was a depressing sight: outdated clothes, shirts far too loose, pants that looked like they belonged to another decade. Worst of all, they no longer fit. His new physique—taller, more muscular—had rendered all of it obsolete. He tried on a shirt, but the buttons barely closed over his defined chest. With a sigh, he let it fall.
"Great… I can't even dress like before."
Leonard walked to the desk and picked up his wallet. He opened it carefully, counting the cash inside. Not much—just enough to survive a few days. Then he looked at his card, recalling the money left in his account. Not a fortune, but not bankruptcy either. With his newfound mental clarity, he quickly calculated how much he could spend without jeopardizing his immediate future.
"This will do… but I'll have to manage it carefully."
He turned toward the mirror, studying his reflection. The new Leonard stared back with a mix of irony and confidence. Taller, more attractive, with a body that looked like it belonged in a superhero movie. The old clothes did no justice to that image.
"Today I get to be Pretty Woman." Leonard smirked, joking with himself.
The phrase echoed in the empty room, drawing a brief laugh. It was a nod to the famous film, but also a reminder of his situation: he would have to reinvent himself, start from scratch—even in something as basic as his appearance. He couldn't remain the insecure, shabby Leonard. Now he had to project what he truly was: someone renewed, someone who could shine.
"If I'm going to start a new life… I need to look the part."
Leonard dropped onto the bed, thinking about his next steps. Graduation was only hours away, and he knew it would be the starting point. He couldn't show up in clothes that didn't fit. He needed a quick solution.
"First, survive the day. Then, build the future."
His mind began sketching plans. He could use part of his money to buy new clothes—something that fit his physique and projected confidence. He didn't need luxury, just garments that made him feel comfortable and secure. With his eidetic memory, he recalled every nearby store, every sale, every place where he could get what he needed without overspending.
"A simple suit… something that says I'm ready for what's next."
The mirror still reflected a different Leonard. No longer the insecure young man hiding behind thick glasses and outdated clothes. Now he was someone who could walk with his head held high, someone who could inspire respect.
"I'll take advantage of every opportunity."
Leonard closed his wallet and slipped it into his pocket. He stood, resolute. The transitional space still surrounded him, but he no longer felt it as emptiness. It was a stage, a place to rehearse the life he was about to begin.
"Today I'm not the Leonard everyone knows. Today I'm the Leonard I always wanted to be."
Silence enveloped him, but his mind was clear. He knew challenges awaited, that not everything would be easy. But he also knew he had the tools to overcome them: an enhanced body, a brilliant mind, deep empathy. Everything he needed to write his own story.
"And if I have to start with new clothes… then I'll start with new clothes."
Leonard smiled again, recalling his joke. Pretty Woman. The phrase became a mantra, a reminder that even in absurd situations he could find humor. And that humor would be his ally in the adventure about to begin.
"Excuse me… could you help me?" Leonard asked timidly as he approached the girls in the clothing department.
The young women looked at him curiously. At first glance, he seemed like an ordinary customer, but his bearing drew attention: tall, athletic, with a presence that commanded respect. One of them smiled and stepped forward.
"Of course, what exactly are you looking for?" she asked kindly.
"I need a suit… something elegant but simple. Today is my graduation." Leonard spoke firmly, though inside he was still surprised at how easily he connected with people thanks to his new empathy.
The girls exchanged glances and nodded. "Come, we have just what you need."
Leonard followed them through the brightly lit aisles, watching as they selected several options. Colors, cuts, styles… everything passed before his eyes, but he knew what he wanted: something sober, that conveyed confidence without exaggeration.
"This black suit… I think it'll look wonderful on you." one of them said enthusiastically, holding up the garment.
Leonard took the suit and headed to the fitting room. When he put it on, the mirror returned an image that left him speechless. The cut fit his new physique perfectly: broad shoulders, defined waist, imposing height. It was as if the suit had been tailored for him.
"Wow… this really is different." Leonard smiled, stepping out of the fitting room.
The girls looked at him in surprise. "It looks incredible. You seem… like another person."
"That's exactly what I need." Leonard replied with a confident smile.
After choosing the suit, he moved to the accessories section. He picked out a pair of shiny black shoes and a simple tie. Looking at himself again in the store mirror, he knew the transformation was complete.
"The glasses…" he murmured, slowly removing them.
He no longer needed them. His vision was perfect thanks to the blessing of refined wisdom. Leaving the glasses on the counter, he felt he was closing a chapter of his life. The insecure Leonard, hidden behind thick frames, no longer existed.
"And the hair…" he added, walking toward the nearby barbershop.
The barber greeted him with a smile. "What style are you looking for?"
"Something clean, modern. I want to look… different."
The barber nodded and began to work. Scissors, comb, clippers. Each cut revealed a new face—more defined, more attractive. When he finished, Leonard looked in the mirror and barely recognized himself.
"This is me… the new Leonard."
Leaving the store in his impeccable black suit, shiny shoes, and freshly cut hair, he felt ready. People looked at him curiously, some even with admiration. His natural charisma made every step draw attention.
"I'm prepared… for my graduation." Leonard spoke softly, but firmly.
The cool afternoon air surrounded him as he walked out of the mall. Every detail of his transformation filled him with confidence. He was no longer the insecure young man afraid of rejection. Now he was someone who could face the world with his head held high.
"Today is the day." Leonard looked at himself in the mirror one last time before leaving.
The black suit fit perfectly, the shoes gleamed, and his freshly cut hair gave him a modern air. Without glasses, his gaze was clear and assured. Opening the door and stepping into the street, he felt each stride resonate with confidence.
"Let's go to graduation."
The path to campus was filled with students and families. Leonard walked calmly, but soon noticed the stares. Some recognized him, others were simply astonished. The Leonard they knew was an insecure young man, dressed in outdated clothes and thick glasses. The one walking now seemed like someone else: tall, athletic, attractive, with a presence that commanded respect.
"Is that Leonard Hofstadter?" a classmate murmured, incredulous.
"Yeah… but he looks so different." another replied, unable to look away.
Leonard smiled discreetly. He didn't need to say anything. His new image spoke for him.
Arriving at the auditorium, the buzz of graduation surrounded him. Professors, students, families filled the place. The stage was set, the lights on, the atmosphere charged with emotion. Leonard took his place among the graduates, waiting for his turn.
"Today one stage ends… and another begins." he thought, adjusting his tie.
The ceremony began with speeches from the directors. Words of pride, effort, future. Leonard listened attentively, but his mind was on what was coming: his own moment. He knew he would have to speak, and he was ready.
"Now, a few words from our distinguished graduate, Leonard Hofstadter," announced the master of ceremonies.
Leonard stood. A murmur rippled through the auditorium. Everyone stared, astonished by his transformation. He walked to the podium with firm steps, each movement calculated, each gesture filled with confidence.
"Good afternoon." Leonard began, his voice clear and deep.
Silence fell. Everyone waited.
"Today we celebrate the end of a stage that has marked us. University didn't just give us knowledge—it gave us trials, doubts, moments of solitude and effort. And here we are, overcoming all of it."
Leonard paused, looking at his classmates.
"I know what it feels like to be insecure, to think you don't belong, to believe you're not enough. I lived it. But I also know what it means to rise, to keep going, and to discover that you can. That we all can."
The auditorium remained attentive. Leonard continued, with a mix of emotion and firmness.
"Today we are not the same as when we first arrived years ago. We have changed. We have grown. And most importantly, we are ready to face what comes next. The future will not be easy, but we have the tools to build it."
Leonard smiled, letting his natural charisma flow.
"I want to thank those who supported us along the way: professors, friends, families. And I also want to thank ourselves, because without our perseverance, none of this would have been possible."
Silence turned into applause. Leonard lifted his gaze, feeling the energy of the audience.
"Today our story does not end. Today it begins. And each of us has the opportunity to write it however we choose. Personally, I am ready to do so."
Leonard closed with a phrase that resonated with everyone:
"Let this graduation not be an ending, but the beginning of our greatest adventure."
The auditorium erupted in applause. Some stood, others whistled with enthusiasm. Leonard stepped away from the podium, his heart pounding. He had spoken from the depths of himself, and they had listened.
"I did it," he murmured, returning to his seat.
The rest of the ceremony unfolded with laughter, hugs, and photographs. Leonard knew that day would be etched into his memory—not only because of graduation, but because he had proven he was no longer the same. He was a new Leonard, ready to face the world.
"Thank God… or the terrible family I have," Leonard muttered as he removed his suit at the end of the ceremony.
Neither his parents nor his siblings had attended. Each was busy with their own life, too distant to share a moment that, for him, meant so much. In truth, it didn't surprise him. He hadn't seen any of them in over six months.
"Not even a message… nothing." Leonard sighed, packing his belongings into the suitcase.
The university dorm, though small, had been a refuge. There he had found a space of his own, far from his mother's constant criticism and his siblings' indifference. It was a place where he could think, study, and—for the first time—feel free.
"Tomorrow I'll have to leave this place."
The thought struck him hard. The university had been a temporary home, but now he had to return to that cold house, where affection had never existed. Childhood memories mixed with the mental clarity he now possessed: endless arguments, hurtful remarks, the constant feeling of never being enough.
"But I am no longer the same Leonard."
He looked at himself in the dorm mirror. The black suit hung on the rack, the shoes gleamed under the dim light, and his new face reflected confidence. He was different. Stronger, surer, more prepared.
"They didn't define me before… and they won't define me now."
Leonard dropped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. The silence of the room surrounded him, but it wasn't uncomfortable. It was a silence of transition, a reminder that he was about to take the next step.
"Tomorrow I return… but not as the same person."
He knew facing his family was inevitable. His mother would remain critical, his siblings distant. But now he had tools he had never possessed before: an enhanced body, a brilliant mind, deep empathy. He could read their emotions, understand their gestures, and respond with calm.
"I won't run… I'll prove who I am."
The thought filled him with determination. Graduation had been a personal triumph, but the real challenge lay ahead. Returning to that cold house would be like entering an emotional battlefield.
"And this time… I will win."
Leonard closed his eyes, letting exhaustion overtake him. The day had been long, full of emotions and revelations. Tomorrow would be different. Tomorrow the true test would begin.