After a morning full of math problems and listening to Sheldon interrupt the processor over every tiny detail about errors, the much-anticipated recess for all the students finally arrived.
Jimmy found there was no need to leave the classroom to focus on his own work since no one asked him anything or called him out for spending his time on something else. As long as he didn't bother others, interrupt the class, or cause a scene, no one paid him any attention.
For the teachers, this was a relief. After all, having one Sheldon in the class was already enough to handle another brilliant mind like Jimmy's. However, few knew that he was a normal boy—very smart, of course—but interested in playing games or watching movies like any other kid. His way of doing things was different from Sheldon's.
"So, you're saying you built that robot dog piece by piece by yourself in your home workshop?" Tam couldn't believe the crazy story Jimmy had just told them about his best companion, Goddard.
"Yeah, isn't it amazing?" Jimmy was helping a few special people with their homework. Even though money wasn't necessary right now, he feared for his safety, so he helped those who could potentially get him out of trouble at school someday.
Sheldon ignored this fact and asked while looking at a math equation, "Why are you solving this?"
"I'm creating solutions to future problems that will give people headaches—in simple terms, easy ways to make a lot of money," Jimmy replied as he focused on solving math problems, just for fun.
Sheldon looked at the dark red book on the table, approached it, and opened it.
As expected!
The first page of the notebook contained countless numbers he couldn't understand. He could only tell that they weren't random scribbles as anyone else might have assumed by looking at the notes Jimmy had been working on during class hours.
As he glanced through Jimmy's records, Sheldon narrowed his eyes.
Each page had a simple introduction to a particular invention, which made Sheldon's eyes light up.
Product Introduction: Eliminates most computer viruses, malicious code, and invasive programs capable of silently extracting information.
Product Introduction: Lightweight, non-conductive, heat-resistant, and ductile ceramic material. Suitable for suitcase shells, mobile phone cases, computer cases, and video game console cases.
Product Introduction: A much-improved rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
…
The book mentioned all kinds of technologies that didn't exist yet, but the level of comprehension and learning needed to even begin to understand what Jimmy was working on was something very few possessed.
Still, it was enough to astonish Sheldon. If the technologies in the book were published, they'd be enough to revolutionize global technology.
Seeing so many innovations, Sheldon was torn: Was Jimmy really so smart that he could surpass him that easily?
Any of the technologies in the book could bring Jimmy great wealth—something he clearly desired. There was too much to take in, and it left Sheldon very unsettled. He didn't understand the dangers of real life.
"Jimmy, are you really going to try launching a video game console instead of all these amazing technologies?" Sheldon looked at Jimmy, who was now eating while rereading the contents of his writings.
"You're wondering why I'm not rushing to launch these things?" Jimmy asked, understanding Sheldon's curiosity to some extent and wanting to share a lesson he'd learned in his hometown. "Many of the technologies here could bring you a lot of wealth, right?"
"Yes, a lot of wealth—and academic recognition," Sheldon nodded, still frowning.
"What do you think is more important? Academic recognition or safety?" Jimmy asked again, this time looking up.
"My safety," Sheldon answered without hesitation.
No matter how much money you have, if you don't have a healthy body, everything is meaningless. Everyone knew this logic—especially Sheldon, who protected himself from any risk of getting hurt.
"Wait a minute—are you testing me right now?" Sheldon asked, visibly annoyed.
"Ha, ha, ha… What you said is interesting." Jimmy laughed and continued: "Let me ask you this: Take one technology from the book and release it to the market. For example, this lithium battery technology. You've never seen it before, right? If you suddenly released it and people asked where you got that technology from, what would you say?"
"That I invented it myself."
"Then, if someone tried to steal it by force or accused you of plagiarism, wouldn't that cause a ton of trouble?"
Sheldon nodded slightly at Jimmy's words. He hadn't thought about that.
"Besides, the human heart is dark in every way. If the technology is taken from you or bought by force, others will ban it and keep it for themselves. On the other hand, if your technology is stolen, what would you do? You're a regular person—no power or influence. Do you really think you can stand up to major competitors?" Jimmy asked, referring to all the things he'd questioned himself about countless times.
"No."
Sheldon shook his head. He genuinely didn't doubt Jimmy's words this time. Sometimes, life was more melodramatic than a TV drama.
"That's why I'll first build influence and raise my security. Then the mass of my creations will come."
"So, how are you going to start?"
"There are two ways. First, I'll choose a technology that can generate money easily, so I can then expand my empire across the world." Jimmy's eyes sparkled like stars. He knew life was fragile and humans were all too susceptible to death—it only takes vanishing to be forgotten.
Maybe that was one of Jimmy's fears… Dying without doing something worth remembering.
There's a saying that one doesn't truly die until they're forgotten. If Jimmy became the most amazing man of his time in terms of scientific creations, maybe he could be immortal.
Even Jimmy had his idols. The greatest of them all, for him, was Nikola Tesla, who left him an incredible lesson—and that was to become disgustingly rich.
Only with money could he bring his ideas to life, and only with power could he defend the creation of those ideas.
That's how simply Jimmy imagined his future. Only that way could he move forward without being labeled as a bad person.
"So, which one will you use?" Sheldon flipped through the book. His expression was grim. There were too many brilliant ideas that could bring Jimmy a massive fortune. He had no idea which was best.
"I want to launch my video game console—I'll do it once I have my company. But the product I'll use to generate money will be in computer protection."
"Protect them from what?" This idea sparked a lot of interest in Sheldon.
If there was something he had wanted more than anything else since he began talking—according to his mother—it was a computer.
And it made sense, since we're talking about a tool that would allow him to advance rapidly in his research, open the doors to a world of discoveries. It was only natural that Sheldon wanted to be on top of all technological innovations. He also knew exactly what a computer of that time could help him do.
"There's nothing I don't know about computers," Sheldon said with total confidence.
Jimmy smiled mysteriously and asked: "What if someone created a virus capable of completely destroying your computer? Data, backups, software—everything corrupted—and you'd never even know who did it."
"Something that sinister exists?" Sheldon's eyes widened like plates. "Oh God, that would be worse than a cold for computers—who would enjoy hurting a poor computer?"
"Enemies." Sheldon wanted to open his own cybersecurity company to protect large corporations.
At some point, someone would create something that simple, spreading it—intentionally or not—to other computers, damaging billion-dollar companies just to slow their innovation.
Jimmy knew that in a few decades, battles would no longer be fought on traditional battlefields but in cyberspace instead.
"What are you two doing?" Tam sat in front of her friends and greeted them both.
"Talking about the end of the world…" Sheldon muttered, quite shaken by what he had just learned.
Tam looked at Jimmy, and he said, "He's probably having an epiphany."