Inside the Schmitz Orphanage in the Brooklyn area of New York, a boy with black hair and grey eyes was looking around. He picked up a bundle of twigs wrapped in newspaper not to start a fire, but to check the date on the newspaper.
Good, it was over thirty years ago, and Shiller was not yet ten years old. He had been too busy looking for the orphanage yesterday, and only now had the time to confirm whether he had traveled to the correct point in time.
The orphanage had a great reputation and provided excellent care, which Shiller had selected before his time travel. The orphanage was founded by the Schmitz couple who were scientists themselves. Therefore, it had always provided basic education in natural science to the orphans, which was very popular among scholars and scientists. Many childless scientist couples would come here to choose a suitable child to adopt.
Of course, this was also one of the government's public image projects. Most children who could enter this institution had passed some tests. They didn't need to be extraordinarily gifted, but they had to be at least bright, vivacious, and stably-natured.
Knowing this, Shiller headed straight for the orphanage. Although he now looked like a child, he was, after all, an adult soul, so passing the test was quite easy for him.
In the original timeline, the Hamilton couple had adopted little Hamilton, but the family of three was silenced by Hydra. Shiller was planning to replace little Hamilton, saving his life and also creating a plausible background for himself in the process.
There wasn't much detail in the reports about how the couple adopted their foster child, nor the exact timing of the murder case; it could only be confirmed to have happened within that year. Therefore, Shiller could only wait in the orphanage.
But he wasn't idle, having scouted the whole orphanage, especially paying attention to the Hall of Benefactors, which housed the founders and past benefactors of the orphanage, mostly renowned scientists. There, Shiller saw quite a few familiar faces.
And most importantly, Shiller, with his good behavior, stood out among all the children in the orphanage, greatly endeared to the teachers and the head of the orphanage. If there was a good adoption opportunity, he would definitely be the first recommended.
After an excruciating fortnight, Shiller finally received news that there was a couple, notable in the field of electronic engineering and computer science, who were willing to adopt, and they had requested a list of all the children just the day before.
Shiller had done his research beforehand and knew the couple's fields of expertise. Thus, he brought Ultron with him and had also demonstrated remarkable talent in computing, solving many computer-related difficulties for the orphanage.
Indeed, the next day, the deputy head of the orphanage invited Shiller to her office. She was a kindly, plump lady whom Shiller had previously assisted with her computer troubles, and she had taken a particular liking to him.
"Come here, little Xier," the deputy said, leading Shiller to her desk, "Mr. Hamilton just called me to confirm if what the headmaster said about your interest in computers is true."
Looking up at her, Shiller replied, "Of course, I've always been very interested in computers. But the ones here are too old. If I take them apart, I might not be able to put them back together, so I haven't dared to try."
The deputy head's face lit up with a cheerful smile. "I know you're a sensible child, but we shouldn't waste your talents here. If the Hamilton couple wants to adopt you, would you be willing?"
Although Shiller very much wanted to nod immediately, he mustered a hesitant expression to avoid seeming abnormal, saying, "I'm quite happy here; can't I stay forever?"
"Oh, of course not. Though the orphanage staff must do their utmost to teach and nurture you, we can never replace the role of parents. The most responsible thing for us to do is find you a good adoptive family."
"Don't be too sad, Xier. It's our common desire. Even if you leave, you can come back to visit. I can't make heads or tails of these electronic components. I might have to rely on you, after all. You're going to be a great scientist, aren't you?"
Shiller nodded. Being more reticent, he wasn't doubted for his lack of reply, and the deputy head patted his head, "The Hamiltons will come to see you tomorrow. I'll introduce you to them. Don't be too nervous; they're very kind people..."
The deputy head gave many instructions, most of which Shiller committed to memory. After all, he had never been through the adoption process before and really didn't know much about it.
The Hamilton couple had an older son who had been studying away from home for a long time and had not returned. Finding themselves somewhat lonely, they decided to adopt a younger son. Originally, they were interested in another child from the orphanage, but now they seemed to prefer Shiller.
The following day, as Shiller had predicted, the Hamilton couple arrived at the orphanage. Both had black hair, and Shiller's advantage over the other boy was his matching black hair, which made him look more like their biological child.
Moreover, Shiller demonstrated many skills corresponding to their professions. After talking with Shiller, they were very satisfied and nearly ready to sign the adoption agreement on the spot.
But the orphanage, being rather professional, knew that some couples experiencing long-term childlessness might impulsively wish to take home a lovable child they meet. This immediate decision, prompted by impulse, could harm both parties.
So no matter how much the adoptive parents liked a child, they had to wait for a week before signing the formal adoption agreement. This week served as a cooling-off period for the parents to confirm they truly liked the child and had the ability to raise and educate them before signing the formal agreement.
Although Shiller wanted to hasten the process and wrap up his story, his previously established persona of silence did not allow him to express an eagerness to immediately move to the new home, but with only a week left, waiting was fine.
But something unexpected happened during the wait.
On the third day, the deputy head seemed rushed and somewhat flustered as she found Shiller, her expression complicated. She kept staring at Shiller, leaving him quite puzzled.
"What's wrong, ma'am?" Shiller had to ask.
"No, nothing, you couldn't possibly... never mind, it's not your fault, I mean... well..."
"What exactly is going on?" Shiller looked at the troubled expression on the deputy director's face and asked with great confusion, for he genuinely didn't understand what kind of problem could still arise.
"Well, I'm very sorry, little Shiller, the bad news is that the Hamilton couple has given up on adopting you. The good news is you've found a new adopter, and we couldn't refuse him."
Shiller's mouth gaped open as he asked, "Why? Why would this happen?"
The deputy director thought he was struck by the news and immediately hugged him, saying, "Please believe me, it's not that the Hamilton couple doesn't like you anymore. Instead, someone approached them before they signed the adoption agreement and convinced them to give up after discussing with them."
"And that person who discussed with them is your new prospective adopter. Apparently, they noticed your talent in computing and believe only they can properly nurture you. After negotiating, both parties agreed."
"They've sent me to ask for your opinion, but I feel... I mean, I know this is hurtful, and I would strongly advise against you refusing."
The deputy director's face was clearly troubled and somewhat pained as if she had much to say but couldn't find the words. After a few days of interaction, Shiller was sure the deputy director was a good person who was unlikely to give a dishonest answer out of self-interest or coercion.
"Who wants to adopt me?"
"It's the Starks," the deputy director said as she held Shiller's arm, "They are distinguished scientists, but most importantly, they are incredibly wealthy and world-renowned tycoons."
"I know you might really like the Hamilton couple, but they are just ordinary scientists with not so great financial conditions, but the Starks are different, the Starks are very, very rich..."
The deputy director rambled on and on, eventually falling into silence. After a while, she looked into Shiller's eyes and said, "I know you might not understand the difference between the two right now, but you will when you grow up. The Starks would be a better choice."
"Of course, if you really don't want to, no one will force you, but I do hope you'll agree. This is a rare opportunity," the deputy director urged, her voice becoming hurried. "Although many of the investors for this orphanage are famous tycoons, none compare to the Starks. Plus, this is the first time such a family is willing to adopt a child from here. They can completely alter your destiny. Even if you were to inherit just a tiny portion of their fortune, it would be more than enough to last several lifetimes..."
Shiller wasn't listening to the deputy director's prattling. Ever since the name Stark was mentioned, he had been in a dazed state.
No, wait a minute, how could it be the Starks?
Of course, he knew that in his era, the Stark would definitely be Howard Stark, Tony Stark's father, but wasn't Howard already with a son, Tony? What's going on with the adoption?
At that moment, Shiller suddenly remembered that in the majority of the comic universes, Anthony Stark wasn't Howard Stark's biological son. On the contrary, he was an adopted son.
The specifics are quite complicated and even involve aliens, but essentially, Howard has a biological son who can't be raised by his side. To protect his biological son, Howard decided to adopt another child, namely Tony Stark.
Furthermore, in many comic universes, Tony Stark's biological father is called Jude, who is a member of Hydra.
But Shiller knew that in his universe, Tony was indeed Howard's biological son, they looked very alike, and their relationship as blood relatives had been registered with Death, so there was no possibility of adoption. Then, what was Howard's reason for wanting to adopt him?
Hold on, Shiller suddenly thought, had the Starks also fallen victim to Hydra?
But that still didn't make sense, because if Shiller were adopted by Howard Stark, he would certainly meet Tony Stark earlier than intended, and that could alter the course of future events.
Just as Shiller was about to refuse, someone knocked and entered, saying to the deputy director, "Ma'am, the Stark family has arrived and is waiting for you downstairs."
"They really are in a hurry," the deputy director complained before turning to Shiller, "Well, it seems we should first—"
Shiller bolted.
If he wasn't mistaken, the person just mentioned the Stark family, which meant Tony Stark had also come. He couldn't meet Tony now, or things would become too messy. If not now, when would he run?
"Hey! Shiller... Shiller!!!"
Shiller turned a deaf ear to the deputy director's shouts from behind.
"...Shiller!"
A slightly familiar voice came through, and Shiller had to stop in his tracks.
He turned around and saw a young man with crossed arms, calling out a name that he should not have known, with an expression all too familiar to him.