A blue door of light opened, and Ryan stepped into the Tim Hortans grocery store, followed closely by a chubby white robot. Curie, driven by curiosity about other worlds, had asked to follow Ryan, and he gladly brought her along.
"Oh, this area is so small, and there aren't even windows for ventilation. Do you actually live here?" Curie asked the moment she stepped into the store.
"No, no, I live in my own world. This is just a transit station. Turn around for a moment—I need to change clothes," Ryan said, slipping into the suit he wore within Tim Hortans.
Using magic, he trimmed his hair back to the length it was before entering. Then, Ryan turned his attention to assessing his haul from the recent adventure. The biggest gain was undoubtedly the offset points. The 68 points he collected in pieces brought him a sense of immense reward.
When added to the 85 offset points he already had, Ryan's first thought was to increase his strength. Having previously undergone natural baptism, his body could now withstand another infusion of spiritual power. Injecting two years' worth of power required just 25 and 30 offset points, respectively.
"Time really is money," Ryan muttered with emotion as a beam of light shot down from the ceiling, enveloping him as he sat in a chair.
A golden glow filled his vision. The warmth was comparable to soaking in a hot spring. A few minutes later, the comfort faded, and Ryan checked his body. He was relieved to find that the energy circulation system granted by natural baptism not only remained but had strengthened further, enhancing his magical energy flow.
Testing it out, Ryan transformed spiritual power into magic and cast several spells. He estimated his magical reserves now matched those of an average Hogwarts seventh-year graduate. This meant he could now perform a majority of spells with ease.
Curie, observing beside him, remarked, "After that beam ended, your body stats improved significantly. You're now nearly at the level of a standard adult male. That's impressive. I'm glad I chose to come with you."
With his upgrade complete, Ryan sorted through the rest of his spoils. He had managed to use academy equipment to inject himself with a range of language skills and knowledge in electronics and mechanics. (Given the human brain's limited capacity, he chose an ancient language gift pack instead of absorbing the distorted science knowledge from the radiation world, which likely wouldn't transfer well to other worlds.)
Besides knowledge, Ryan obtained several useful items: nutritional supplements, acupuncture tools that could heal disabilities, Xiaofuning to cure radiation sickness, an addiction solution, and a muscle-enhancing drug named Ba Li Pill that could significantly boost physical strength for short periods.
However, he chose to avoid mental-altering substances like Jet and Minda, as they affected the soul and disrupted magic-casting abilities.
Of course, Ryan didn't stop at medicine. He also brought back several bulletproof suits and advanced weapons, which would prove beneficial for future adventures. Even more valuable was the manufacturing technology, which could inspire Dave in the world of Plants vs. Zombies to rebuild that world more effectively.
But above all, Ryan had gained precious real-world experience. From the shock of watching his first raider fall, to the nerves of taking down an enemy on a museum rooftop, and eventually growing accustomed to combat—these experiences left lasting impressions.
Ryan disliked killing, especially his own kind. But the wasteland was full of depraved beings—humanoids in name only. Raiders who merely plundered were rehabilitated through labor and eventually released. But some dens revealed horrors that couldn't be ignored: imprisoned civilians, tortured victims, even pots filled with human organs. For such atrocities, Ryan decreed execution.
Through this, he came to understand the intoxicating nature of power—of deciding life and death. But he was a man of two lifetimes. That awareness pulled him back, and he realized that power comes with immense responsibility.
It made him think of Professor Dumbledore, a leader capable of guiding an entire school on the right path, uniting fractured forces, and leading the ragtag Order of the Phoenix against the well-equipped Death Eaters. Even when he calculated, it wasn't for self-interest, but to fight evil. He was ready to sacrifice his life. Whatever his flaws, Dumbledore was a worthy leader.
Voldemort, by contrast, ruled through fear, relying only on spells like Avada Kedavra and Cruciatus to control his followers. The Death Eaters, despite their individual strength, were mentally erratic (Bella) or self-serving (Malfoy), failing to function as a cohesive unit. Voldemort never invested in his group, which is why they lacked true loyalty.
Ryan hadn't thought deeply about these contrasts before. But over a month in the wasteland, especially while leading militias, matured his outlook. These hard-earned lessons would serve him well in the future.
With his prestige in the Fallout World now high enough, Ryan could access the dimensional gate to that world directly from outside Tim Hortans. He could now communicate and trade with friends from that world during peaceful moments.
After reviewing everything he'd gained, Ryan turned to Curie. "So, where to next?"
"I'd like to go to that world where humans rely on plants to fight zombies. I imagine my medical skills could be useful there."
"Alright," Ryan nodded. Spending 5 offset points, he brought Curie to the Plants vs. Zombies world. Dave, upon hearing the news, warmly welcomed the trained doctor.
Curie was assigned to the medical ward in the fortress, which was treated against electromagnetic interference. As long as she stayed indoors, she'd be safe from Dr. Zombie Bruce's electronic attacks.
Still, her time inside wouldn't be dull—Dave installed a computer connected via fiber optic to the next room's switchboard, giving her access to information and communication.
Ryan soon noticed that Curie and Dave were deep in conversation about biological science. Dave was impressed by Curie's research expertise and expressed interest in welcoming more like her. He also updated Ryan: the valuable items Ryan had delivered were already being put to good use, with the fortress's first batch of factories beginning operation.
After thanking Dave, Ryan visited Curie's room. She smiled and told him how happy she was to help people and work with intellectual peers.
Satisfied that everyone was content, Ryan cheerfully returned to the Tim Hortans grocery store.
FOR MORE CHAPTERS
patreon.com/STEPHENHART427