Only I Am A Reader-Chapter 555: Villain Origin - Finding Happiness - 1

Once upon a time, there was a very lonely orphan with a bright mind.

Despite becoming one at a very young age, the unfortunate orphan had some understanding of the harsh reality of life.

'I know.'

Losing his parents as an unaware child was indeed sad, losing the blurry memory he had of them was more sad. However, the world was full of such sad stories.

After all, an orphanage was a vacuum that put together those who suffered from similar tragedies. It wasn't too hard for the little child to glean this fact as he observed those around him.

'That's just how life works.'

Yet, while he readily accepted his fate, that barely helped fill the void in his heart. The orphanage wasn't exactly a terrible place, but they were an establishment that sought to achieve the bare minimum.

The place was barely able to run with the help of the state's aid, but that was it. It could only cover food, accommodation, clothes, and management.

Spending the constantly depleting resources to provide education and direct childcare was impossible… Unless someone personally used their own free time to provide such services.

Considering that the orphanage's personnel were not only few but also very swamped with work, the possibility of free guidance was almost impossible. However, help didn't always have to come from a direct source.

"This is where it all started?"

Thankfully, while he was unaware of it, the little child's life was about to completely change just when he managed to endure growing past the age of 8!

It was a day no different than normal, but all of a sudden, a surprise visitor made its way to the grayscale orphanage. Just like the sunlight that rarely entered the building, this was a very uncommon situation.

At the very least, this was the very first visit that the orphanage received ever since the lonely child's arrival!

It wasn't that people of the city were intentionally unwilling to help, but the times were harsh on everyone. The majority of the working force had to go beyond 12 hours of work per day just to afford common necessities like food and shelter.

Somehow, however, the surprise visitor wasn't just one person, it was a married couple!

Although the lonely kid didn't receive proper education he was still able to learn what this meant by listening to the older kids' conversation… This was their one chance at leaving the orphanage for a better life!

Without anyone to accept the children, the orphanage's policy was to kick out the young adults to fend for themselves once they reached the age of 20, but now, this harsh reality could be avoided as long as they were picked.

This was the chance of a lifetime!

However, this was barely the start of the chain of surprises. Against everyone's expectations, the couple wasn't here for a quick visit to pick someone before leaving. This was an 'orphanage visit' in its truest sense!

Despite the large number of children, the couple went through the entire resident list, checking up on every kid, both young and old, and even going as far as to have a short conversation with every single person.

When it was finally the lonely boy's turn, the only emotion he felt was curiosity, but once he conversed with the couple, the frost that he encased his heart's void with couldn't help thawing out.

Unfortunately, unlike the neverending impression he felt during the conversation, once it actually ended, it felt like nothing more than a fleeting passing of warm wind.

At the very end of the day, the couple left without much fanfare, but they left the boy overtaken by confusion.

Being shown the light he lacked made him feel dreadful. After all, the only thing that kept him going until now was a state of unconditional acceptance, once he started desiring something…

He might not be able to handle the possibility of losing it!

Yet, at the same time, the boy couldn't stop himself from feeling the embers of hope. It was an infinitely small possibility, but from the way they treated everyone well, just like the other kids said, it seemed like everyone did have a chance, including himself!

Thankfully, just as the boy guessed, the couple's first visit wasn't their last. Just a week later, they came back bearing gifts.

While the concept of gifts was completely foreign to the residents of the grayscale orphanage, that didn't stop the kids from feeling excited when receiving something out of the ordinary. Especially when it was decorated with colorful ribbons.

'This is a…'

Of course, once they discovered the identity of the gift, the older part of the group quickly lost their excitement.

'Book?'

While they received no basic education, those who grew past the age of 15 learned most of what they needed to learn the hard way. An all-purpose teaching textbook wasn't the fun they desired.

However, for the little kid who was still unsure of his feelings, the gift was extremely fascinating!

As lacking as he was, he could only satisfy his curiosity by searching for the colorful pictures inside of it. Of course, after a few days, his engrossed browsing quickly lost its flavor… Until it was time for the couple's third visit.

Unlike the rumor that the old kids spread, the couple didn't seek a single instance of self-satisfaction by distributing random handouts. They were truly there to make a difference!

Their third visit was nothing other than group teaching.

'This is…'

Naturally, even with the help of the textbook, the only thing the young kids could do after a few hours of careful instructions was create some scribbles, but it wasn't without meaning.

'Writing?'

At the very least, in the lonely boy's case, his grayscale view started to take on another shade. Unlike the temporary joy that the initial gift had given him, understanding that there was more to life other than eating and sleeping was the start of a major change.

'B-O-O-K. A Book!'

Although he only managed to write the word that represented the gift he received, his heart learned a lot more.

An unknowing observer would say that only learning that much as an 8-year-old made him a very slow learner, but as someone who lived in an enclosed environment like the grayscale orphanage, this was already great progress.

In fact, excluding the older kids who quickly lost interest and ran away, the lonely boy was the only one to write a single proper word. That being said, he was too fascinated by the process of learning to notice his point of excellence.

Regardless, it went without saying that this wasn't the couple's last visit either. Rather, they made it a habit to visit every week, teaching the kids as much as they could.

As time passed, the teaching group quickly got smaller and smaller. Whether it was those who were impatient about being taken away as soon as possible or those who preferred to submerge themselves in meaningless acts of playing.

The couple could only advise but not force anyone, so in the end, less than a fifth of the orphanage's residents retained the desire to learn. However, they were so fascinated by it that they grew excited for the next visit as soon as an ongoing visit came to its end.

'What's next?'

As the teachings started branching out to basic math as well, the lonely boy specifically looked forward to what he would learn next.

However, as soon as the majority managed to get a grasp on the basics that they should have learned long ago, the promised day had finally come.

After an entire four-month period of dedicated teaching, the couple took a long pause after the 17th lesson as their eyes scanned through their students. Most of the kids didn't feel anything different, but the lonely boy could just tell.

The couple was finally picking someone to join their family!

Understanding this notion, the boy could only feel conflicted once more. He felt that his fleeting moments of happiness were about to come to an end.

This was only natural. Compared to someone as gloomy as him, the other kids, especially the younger ones, still had some cheerful spirit in them.

'I wouldn't pick me.'

If he was the one doing the picking, he felt like he just wouldn't pick himself… As these thoughts floated in his head, he still tried to remain calm.

'But it's okay.'

Getting to learn and feel this much joy was already a lot. Who knew? Just as such an impossible chance to learn was offered in this unexpected place, perhaps, another chance would also present itself.

Perhaps, the next time, he might just be picked up. Rather than completely letting go of the hope he received, he tried to hold it from the hem, just to the point where being let down wouldn't hurt too much.

However…

'Me?'

Just when the boy bitterly dropped his eyes to the ground, he was surprised to feel the couple's lingering stare!

The boy couldn't get himself to confidently back, he still stole a glance to confirm his doubts, and just as he guessed, both people were really looking at him!

'Really?'

Could this really mean that they picked him? Was he truly meant to leave and experience one of the things he secretly longed for? Was he even allowed to think like this?

The boy's countless doubts couldn't really stop the bouts of excitement that rushed through his body. Yet…

'Or not…'

After a few more minutes, the couple bid them farewell before leaving just like every other day, throwing a bucket of cold water on the boy's expectations.

'I must have made it up.'

Even after the kids were sent to bed, the boy was still wide awake in the depths of the night, completely occupied by thoughts of self-blame.

Did he really have to hallucinate an entire 'alternate ending' to the usual meeting just so he could satisfy his greedy desire? Was this really any better than losing hope in a normal manner?!

He wasn't really much of a crier, but he was just a single hair away from crying himself to sleep.

'Hmm?'

Thankfully, before his crying marathon could start, one of the orphanage's staff entered the joint bedroom and tried to shake him awake.

Seeing that he wasn't asleep just yet, the staff member didn't react any differently, only gesturing for the boy to silently follow him.

'...'

Unlike earlier where he felt like he overreached, the boy stopped any attempt at assuming what was about to happen in fear that he would break himself even further.

However…

"Would you like to become part of our family?"

What waited for him in the end was as exact as he would have guessed it. This wasn't just another normal visit, and he was truly offered the chance of his lifetime!

"Yes!"

The boy tried to answer as calmly as possible so as not to ruin his chance, but the leaking excitement was evident. Of course, rather than deterring them, that only made the couple happier.

"Perfect."

Not many more details were discussed, nor was there a need to. As the desires of the three participants of this proposition matched perfectly, the couple quickly did all the necessary paperwork before…

'Hah… hah…'

Even as excited as the boy was, his steps greatly slowed down as they approached the exit. To him, getting past it was no different from an astronaut's first moonwalk.

Seeing this, the couple didn't rush him. Instead, they gently pressed on the hand that each one held to bring him assurance.

Tap. Tap. Tap…

'I'm really out.'

His footsteps were heavy, but the boy still managed to make it out at one point. Naturally, his mind was still in a state of disbelief.

However, while he was still unsure of what was real and what wasn't, the boy already found himself standing in front of the couple's humble home.

"Now that you are here, it's the perfect time to open a new page, no?"

The man holding the boy's hand smiled as he paused at this hallmark of a moment, suggesting a fresh start.

"A new page."

"Yes. The best fresh start I can think of would be a new name. Let's see…"

After announcing his intent, the man held his chin before closing his eyes to contemplate.

"I got it! Cassian. What do you think?"

"...I like it."

"Great. Then let me say this for the first time... Welcome home, Cassian."