Changes

Leaning against the headboard, Julian quietly ate his breakfast. Beneath the blanket, his elegantly shaped calf curved upward, lifting the fabric into a dreamy, suggestive silhouette.

His favorite breakfast had always been a bowl of thin porridge with a bit of pickled vegetables.

Of course, there was no such thing as pickled vegetables here, but Losiya, ever thoughtful, replaced it with shredded dried meat. The taste wasn't bad at all.

Alice stood to the side, watching him with eyes like she was observing a squirrel nibbling on a pinecone.

"Julian, here you go." Noticing his glance, she kindly helped hand him the rest of the breakfast from the table.

"Thank you..." Julian awkwardly tugged at the collar of the shirt he was wearing.

When he woke up that morning, Losiya had tossed a piece of clothing to him from the side of the bed. He hadn't thought much of it and just put it on. Now, he roughly understood her intent...

The shirt's collar was just high enough to cover the skin at the base of his neck, conveniently hiding the fact that his clothes had been swapped out. At this rate, he probably wouldn't be leaving Losiya's room at all today...

Alice chuckled softly. When she entered the room earlier, he had been barefoot, and Losiya's body from the previous night had been covered in varying degrees of 'plum' marks.

"This toast was freshly made this morning. Does it taste alright?" she asked gently.

Julian took a bite. The buttery aroma immediately filled his senses, and the taste was nearly identical to what he'd had in his past life.

"It's delicious," he said softly, his jaw slightly lifting with the motion.

Alice couldn't help but lower her head, unconsciously clasping her hands in front of her as a ticklish warmth welled up in her chest.

"Alice, have you eaten yet?" Julian's voice sounded by her ear. She looked up, smiling and shaking her head.

Julian didn't think much of it. He pushed the breakfast tray in her direction. His appetite was never large — normally, he couldn't even finish one bowl of porridge. His unusually good appetite today was probably due to how much he had... exhausted himself the night before.

Alice, however, didn't dare overstep, quickly waving her hands and saying, "This is Master's room. I don't have the right to eat here."

Julian couldn't quite understand. His own status was technically even lower than Alice's. She was the head maid of the estate, while he was, after all, just a slave of Losiya.

Thankfully, he only thought this and didn't say it aloud — otherwise, Alice would've surely lectured him seriously about something called "Grace."

Seeing that Julian had finished eating, Alice promptly carried the tray out of the room.

Julian lifted the blanket and stepped barefoot onto the floor.

Standing before the mirror, the oversized white shirt hung loosely all the way down to his ankles. Faint red marks were still visible on the tops of his feet. After some hesitation, he picked up a light blue, slightly wrinkled long skirt that Losiya had prepared for him.

Tucking the hem of the shirt into the skirt's waistband, Julian pulled it tight. In the mirror, his waist looked as if one hand could wrap around it.

As the clothes enveloped him, a quiet sense of security gradually spread throughout his body, and Julian let out a soft sigh of relief.

Reaching up, he smoothed back his slightly messy hair, tucking a strand behind his ear. Only then did he open the door and step out.

After the Holy Mark awakened, he could clearly sense changes in his body, his five senses, and even his mental state.

He could now hear every movement in the estate maids' quarters if he paid attention — no wonder they were so terrified of Alice. If anyone so much as showed the slightest rebellious intent, they'd be swiftly suppressed by her before even starting.

The most obvious change was in his body. Though previously weak and fragile, last night he had astonishingly endured nearly an hour before finally surrendering to Losiya — something the old him would have collapsed from after one hold.

Mentally, he could now stay focused for long periods, and any fatigue faded quickly afterward.

This was still just the beginning. It was hard to imagine how powerful Losiya and Alice must be now, having awakened their Holy Marks from a young age.

Descending to the first floor of the estate, Julian's appearance left the maids completely stunned. Their eyes widened, followed by a flurry of suppressed chaos.

One of them, holding a kettle, didn't even notice the water overflowing until Alice scolded her harshly. Only then did the rest snap back to their senses, quickly lowering their heads or looking away, trying desperately not to glance toward the staircase where Julian stood.

Absentmindedly brushing a strand of hair behind his ear, Julian walked past the parlor, completely unaware of the 'influence' he now held over everyone around him.

Originally, even though he had delicate features, he still resembled a child — poorly nourished, thin, and pale. People looked at him with a kind of gentle pity.

Now, with no worries about food or clothing, and bathed in affection, the emotional void he once carried had long been filled.

His complexion had improved daily. His soft, pretty face now glowed with a healthy pink radiance.

After the Holy Mark awakened, the magic within his body began circulating. His physique was gradually improving — still slender, but no longer frail, and brimming with youthful vitality.

Stepping outside the estate, the fresh air filled his lungs. Julian furrowed his brows in delight, narrowing his left eye.

'Life.'

The word brought to mind his Holy Mark. He immediately opened both eyes, his face full of confusion.

A higher-grade Holy Mark was undoubtedly powerful and full of potential — but far more complex to comprehend than a lower one.

For instance, the lower Holy Mark "Healing" was straightforward. Even someone uneducated would understand its basic effect.

But "Life"? Its implications were far too broad. "Healing" was merely one aspect of it.

Step by step, then. Julian thought to himself.

He'd start by testing the simplest "Healing" function first.

Looking around, he realized another issue — to heal something, there needed to be a target.

As if something had heard his inner voice, Julian suddenly felt a tickling sensation at his ankle. Looking down, he saw a small white-furred creature rubbing against him.

Curious, Julian bent down. It was a tiny white kitten.

Lifting his skirt slightly to avoid the dirt, he crouched and gently scooped the friendly kitten into his arms.

Man and cat stared at each other. The kitten let out a soft "meow," its voice sweet and delicate.

"What beautiful eyes," Julian whispered, admiring the kitten's sapphire-like gaze.

He smiled faintly, stroking its fur. The kitten purred and meowed again, clearly content.

"Ah… It's you!" a surprised voice came from nearby. Julian looked over to see a young, bashful maid.

Noticing her expression, Julian immediately understood.

"Is it yours?" he asked, still gently petting the kitten, then reaching it toward her.

The maid blushed, lowering her head and nervously taking the kitten with trembling hands. As they made the hand-off, her fingers brushed silently across the back of Julian's hand.

Cradling the kitten to her chest, she quietly glanced at Julian. Seeing no change in his expression, she finally let out a breath of relief.