Chapter 3 – The Researcher's Shortcut
Rion didn't move for a long time.
The glowing cylinder on his desk pulsed gently, like it was mocking him for being too dumb to understand it.
He sighed. "Alright, enough guessing. If I can jump into a world fifty years ahead… why not just ask that version of me what this thing is?"
He leaned back, focused, and whispered, "Let's go."
The world flickered—
and suddenly, the cheap ceiling light was gone, replaced by a curved glass roof and the quiet hum of machines.
He was back.
The room looked the same as before: clean, metallic, everything glowing faintly blue. His other self's desk still had that half-finished cube sitting in the center.
He walked toward the console. "Alright, Mr. Future Me, let's see what you've been up to."
The holographic screen lit up the moment he touched it.
Instant recognition.
> [User: Rion Vale – Quantum Division Authorized]
Folders appeared. Dozens of them — research logs, AI notes, prototype reports.
And thankfully, all in plain English.
He opened the one labeled Energy Cell: Type-03 Prototype.
Lines of text scrolled across the screen:
> Compact quantum battery. Infinite self-sustaining loop via vacuum field manipulation.
Energy output constant. Zero decay. Hazard: unstable when improperly grounded.
Rion blinked. "...So yeah. A battery. An infinite one. That could probably power a city."
He scrolled further. Schematics, diagrams, equations he didn't fully understand — but the principles made sense enough for him to copy the visuals.
He took out a small digital pad from the desk, hit EXPORT, and watched it compress into a crystal-shaped chip.
He slipped it into his pocket, smirking.
"Thanks, Future Me."
Before returning, he glanced around the lab again. There were dozens of other projects — drones, chips, transparent displays, even what looked like a robotic arm with living tissue.
He wanted to explore more, but something about the thought made him uneasy.
If I stay too long here, what happens to the other me?
He backed away from the console and muttered, "Go home."
The world flickered again.
He was back in his messy apartment — chip still in hand.
It shimmered faintly under the morning light.
He turned it over, watching it catch the glow.
"Alright," he muttered. "So it's real. And I just robbed a genius version of myself."
He laughed quietly, shaking his head. "Guess I'm the low-tech clone now."
He placed the chip carefully on his desk and opened his notebook again.
New Rule #3:
If you can search for answers in the future, don't experiment in the present.
He stared at it for a while — then smiled faintly.
"This might actually be fun."