The Paper User: Exiled for a ‘Trash Skill,’ Awakens True Power and Rises with Two Unique Skills ,Volume 2 - Chapter 3

Chapter : Orphanage

Two days later, I made my way to the northern district of Tansa, heading toward the orphanage.

It was the same orphanage where I’d grown up.

As I stepped through the weathered gates, a familiar figure came running toward me—my childhood friend, Lilith.

She was the same age as me, sixteen, with long, pale-golden hair, and wearing a cream-colored dress patched in more places than I could count.

"Yakumo-kun! What’s that?"

Lilith’s blue eyes were fixed on the paper bag in my hands.

"Cookies. Bought them from a confectionery in the central district. Share them with everyone. I know you’ve got a sweet tooth too."

Her eyes lit up as she accepted the bag.

"Thank you! But… aren’t shops in the central district expensive? Are you sure it’s okay to bring this much?"

"I just got a big payout. I’ll be making a hefty donation today as well."

Her brows knitted in concern.

"…You’ve been taking dangerous jobs again, haven’t you?"

"Well, it was a dragon hunt, so… yeah, a bit dangerous."

"Dragon hunt?!"

"Mm. A Needle Dragon."

At my answer, her eyes widened slightly.

"It’s a dangerous kind of dragon, but my party’s strong—we had it under control."

"If you say so… Just don’t push yourself too far, alright?"

"I know, I know. You worry too much, Lilith."

I smiled and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"So, is Director Flora in?"

She shook her head. "No. She’s gone to see Baron Ganok."

"Baron Ganok… the landlord of the orphanage?"

"…Yeah."

Her expression clouded over.

"Listen, the other day Baron Ganok announced he’s raising the rent on the orphanage."

"Raising the rent?"

"Mm. By a whole large gold coin a year."

"What? That much?"

The words slipped out before I could stop them.

"That’s way too sudden."

"Exactly. That’s why Director Flora went to negotiate—to ask him to lower it. But…"

Lilith trailed off for several seconds.

"I don’t think it’ll work. The baron wants to tear the orphanage down."

"Why?"

"He’s planning to build a new mansion here. His son’s getting married, apparently."

"I see… So that’s why. If the rent goes up high enough, the orphanage won’t be able to pay—and he can shut it down legally."

I looked up at the old building.

Cracks ran along parts of the wall, and the curtains visible through the windows were faded and threadbare. Director Flora worked herself to the bone to keep this place going, but running an orphanage was expensive enough as it was. Now the rent was going up on top of that…

I reached into my magic pouch, pulled out two large gold coins, and pressed them into Lilith’s hands.

"Give these to Director Flora."

"Eh? Two large gold coins?!"

Her eyes went round.

"You’re donating this much?"

"Yes. Tell her I’ll come back with more."

I tightened my lips into a firm line.

I’ll earn more money. No matter what it takes.
And I’ll be the one to protect the orphanage where I was born and raised.

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