Paradox The Life Circle

The weeks following his conversation with his mother felt like a completely new beginning. Ainz had started to adjust to this new version of himself, the one who wasn't solely defined by his parents' struggles. He had begun to embrace the joy that came with letting go of some of his self-imposed burdens. His life at college had been filled with laughter, growth, and the occasional carefree moment that he never allowed himself to experience before.

It was almost as though Ainz had entered an entirely different world—a world filled with friends who encouraged him to step outside his comfort zone and moments that weren't tinged with obligation. He had learned to smile for real, not just out of duty, and the joy in those smiles was infectious. Ainz began to understand something he had never known before: there was more to life than responsibility. There was happiness, laughter, and even spontaneity.

College became his playground. He made friends who shared his interests, people who didn't just see him as the guy who carried everyone's burdens, but as someone to be around because he made them feel good, because he added something special to their lives. His friendships felt easy, like they didn't require anything from him except for his presence. Ainz learned that he wasn't a walking wallet or a burden-bearer—he was simply Ainz, and that was enough.

One evening, Ainz found himself hanging out with Liam and a group of other friends at their favorite café on campus. The atmosphere was lively—laughter filling the air as students chatted about classes, random topics, and everything in between. There was a sense of lightness in the air, and Ainz, for the first time in years, felt like he was right where he was supposed to be.

Liam, as usual, was in the center of the conversation, making everyone laugh with his sharp wit and occasional impressions. But tonight, Ainz felt more connected than ever. He was laughing freely, his head tilted back as he took in the absurdity of the conversation. It was the first time in a long time that he didn't feel like he was just going through the motions of life. For once, he felt like he was truly living it.

"You know, Ainz," Liam said, nudging him with an elbow, "you've been laughing more than usual. You're practically a new person."

Ainz grinned, the words settling into his chest like a comforting warmth. "I guess I'm just getting the hang of this whole 'having fun' thing. I mean, what's the point of college if you don't enjoy the ride?"

His friends laughed, and for a moment, the world felt light. There was no looming weight of responsibility pressing down on him, no sense of guilt for wanting something for himself. There was just pure joy in the moment.

Later that week, Ainz found himself wandering around campus with his headphones in, a smile playing on his lips. He had gotten into the habit of walking to clear his mind, something he never did before. It felt good to simply be present in the world around him—no rush, no agenda.

As he passed the student center, he bumped into two of his friends from his psychology class, Jane and Mark. Both of them greeted him enthusiastically, and after a few minutes of conversation, they invited him to join them for a picnic in the park later that afternoon. It was the kind of spontaneous invitation Ainz had never been able to accept before. But now, something had shifted in him.

"Sure, why not?" Ainz said, feeling a rush of excitement at the thought of spending time with them.

That afternoon, the sun was shining brightly, and the park was alive with students lounging on blankets, talking, laughing, and simply enjoying the break from the usual grind of college life. Jane and Mark had set up a small picnic, and soon enough, more friends showed up. Ainz sat back, relaxed, as the laughter of his friends filled the air. There was no pressure, no expectations. They talked about everything and nothing—about the oddities of college life, the quirky professors, and even the best places to grab a late-night snack.

The conversations flowed with ease, the kind of effortless exchange that only comes when people are genuinely comfortable with each other. Ainz was no longer the quiet, distant observer. He was part of the group, contributing his thoughts and laughing at their jokes. He noticed how, as time passed, his jokes became funnier, his comments more confident. He was learning to enjoy the chaos of college life—the late nights, the spontaneous outings, the endless inside jokes that would live on long after graduation.

For the first time in a long time, Ainz allowed himself to just be. He laughed without holding back, enjoyed the moment without thinking about what came next. His life was no longer defined by the constant need to fulfill responsibilities. In this moment, he was simply Ainz—the guy who laughed, who found joy in the smallest things, who was allowed to have fun.

As the day drifted into evening and the sky turned a soft orange, Ainz realized something profound: he was happy. He had found his place here, not just in college but in his life. For the first time in years, he was truly living for himself. He wasn't constantly buried under the weight of other people's expectations. The world was full of opportunities, and Ainz was finally ready to grab hold of them.

The next morning, he woke up feeling lighter than usual. The sun poured through his window, and for once, he didn't feel the urge to pull the covers over his head and hide from the world. He was excited. Excited about the future, excited about the people in his life, and most of all, excited about himself. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel like he was waiting for something to happen. The world was happening, and he was a part of it.

That night, Ainz returned home, feeling more alive than he had in years. His parents were sitting in the living room, watching a show on TV. His mother waved at him as he entered, a warm smile on her face.

"How was your day, Ainz?" she asked, her voice filled with quiet affection.

Ainz grinned, dropping his bag by the door. "It was great, Mom. Just spent the day with some friends, had a picnic... honestly, I can't remember the last time I just had fun like that."

His mother's eyes softened, a knowing look crossing her face. "That's good to hear. You deserve that. It's important to enjoy life."

Ainz paused, realizing that his mother's words were exactly what he needed to hear. They weren't concerned about his work or his responsibilities. They were simply happy that he was happy. In that moment, Ainz understood that his parents wanted him to live fully, to embrace everything life had to offer.

That night, as he lay in bed, Ainz closed his eyes with a sense of contentment that had been absent from his life for far too long. His college years weren't just a break from the past; they were a new chapter, one full of possibilities. He wasn't just living for his parents anymore. He was living for himself.

He had made peace with the fact that he could still care for his family without losing himself in the process. There would always be challenges ahead, and there would always be things that needed his attention, but for now, Ainz was determined to live fully in the present.

And as he drifted into sleep that night, he knew that tomorrow would bring more laughter, more adventures, and more moments to savor. He had finally learned how to embrace life, and that was something worth celebrating.