"Wow!" Northern yawned as he got up from the large bed. He caressed the mattress, a soft sigh escaped his lips before grumbling... "...If one ever told me that one day, I'll live such a luxurious life, I'd say they are lying because never would I have imagined that I will one day live this kind of life. It's quite a shame that I have to enjoy these things all in the name of another person. Earlier, I was reluctant to accept who I have become — But... I have thought about it throughout the night and I have decided to accept who I have now become. Not only that, I will make use of this body, become the strongest character in this world, complete my task, and return to my real world... Lucas Hilton — I'll make this name the most-feared name before I leave."
"Young master, what are you talking about?"
Northern jolted as he looked up.
Mia.
She was standing at the door with some folded clothes in her arms. She looked surprised and confused at the same time.
Northern blinked rapidly, trying to cover up the awkwardness in his expression. "Mia… how long have you been standing there?"
Mia tilted her head, still holding the neatly folded clothes. "Long enough to hear you talking to yourself again, young master," she replied with a faint smile. "Were you practicing some sort of motivational speech? You sounded… different."
He scratched his head, forcing out a small laugh. "You could say that. Just trying to keep myself focused, you know? Self-discipline."
"Self-discipline?" she echoed, clearly puzzled. "Young master, are you feeling unwell? You've never used that word before."
Northern coughed lightly and looked away, pretending to examine the tall mirror near his bedside. "People change, Mia. I decided to be… responsible from now on."
Mia's eyes widened slightly. "Responsible?" She stared at him for a few seconds, as if trying to determine whether he was joking or possessed. "Young master, did something happen yesterday? You've been acting strange since you came back."
"Strange?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "You refused wine during dinner, you didn't flirt with any of the maids, and now you're talking about… becoming responsible." She pursed her lips. "That's not like you at all."
Northern smiled faintly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Maybe it's time you get used to a new version of me."
Mia blinked, unsure how to respond. She finally walked forward and set the folded clothes on a nearby chair. "If that's what you want, young master… then I'll support you." Her tone softened, genuine warmth in her voice. "I'm happy to see you smiling again."
He glanced at her, her pink hair glimmering under the soft sunlight that filtered through the curtains. "Thanks, Mia. That means a lot." His gaze soon shifted to the folded clothes in Mia's hands.
"School right?" He mumbled, gazing at the attire. It was the same one he wore when he woke up in the new world.
"Yes, young master. And today happens to be another awakening day," Mia replied.
Northern narrowed his eyes. 'This is my luck. I will — no, I must awaken today. It is today or never!'
"By the way, Mia, there is something I'd like to know about," he said to Mia.
"What could that be, young master?" She asked.
"It's about the Devil's bloodline. Do you know something about it?" He asked her.
Upon hearing it, Mia's face turned grim. Her hands trembled slightly, the folded cloths slipping from her grasp. Her lips parted, but no words came for a few seconds.
"The Devil's bloodline…" she finally whispered, her voice low and uncertain. "That's not something you should even speak of so freely, young master."
Northern frowned slightly. "Why? Is it that dangerous?"
Her eyes lifted to him, fear and pity blending in her gaze. "It's not just dangerous, it's… cursed. Those born with that blood are unlike anyone else. They carry power beyond comprehension — power that can rival the world itself. Even the strongest of heroes and kings fear them."
Northern's interest deepened. "Power that can rival the world…?"
"Yes," Mia said, taking a cautious step closer, as though afraid the shadows might be listening. "But that same power destroys everything around them. The legends say the Devil's blood rejects the concept of companionship. Anyone who stays close to them too long — family, friends, lovers, all die. It's as if fate itself punishes them for trying to belong."
Northern went still. His gaze dropped to his own hands. "So they're destined to be alone."
Mia nodded solemnly. "Yes. That's why people call them a curse. No one dares to associate with them. Even the Church believes their existence invites calamity. Entire kingdoms have fallen just because one of their kind appeared."
For a moment, silence filled the room. The air grew heavier, almost suffocating.
Then Northern let out a faint, humorless chuckle. "So they're powerful enough to destroy the world yet doomed to live without it. That's… ironic."
Mia frowned, clearly uneasy with his tone. "Young master, please don't say things like that. You sound as if you admire them."
He looked up, his expression unreadable. "Maybe I do."
"Why?" she asked softly.
Northern's lips curved into a faint, cold smile. "Because anyone hated by the world usually has a reason for it. You know, not all villains are made, some are born."
Mia looked at him, speechless, as he turned away and glanced toward the window. The morning sun spilled faint light across his face, but for an instant, his reflection in the glass looked darker as though he isn't human.
Seeing the tension in the air, he chuckled faintly. "That's by the way," he said, turning to face Mia. "There is something else I want you to do for me."
"What is it, young master?" She asked.
"You will be coming to school with me," he said. 'I will have a difficult time dealing with some people because I do not know them and they'll think I'm acting suspicious. But with her by my side, I won't have such difficult time. Besides, I do not want unnecessary attentions again.'
"Mia frowned slightly. "Young master, I am your servant, and also the Hilton family servant... I can not decide for myself what to do."
"You don't have to worry about anything else. I only need your concent, forget about the rest."
Mia hesitated at first, lowering her gaze to the floor. "Young master… you truly wish for me to accompany you?"
Northern nodded with quiet confidence. "Yes. I trust you more than anyone else here. You're the only one I can rely on."
Her heart skipped a beat. For a brief moment, she forgot to breathe. 'He trusts me…?' Those simple words made warmth rush to her cheeks. She quickly turned her face away so he wouldn't notice.
"I…" she started, struggling to find her voice. "If that's what you want, then I'll go with you, young master."
A small, genuine smile formed on Northern's lips. "Good. Then it's settled."
Mia's fingers tightened around the fabric of her dress, trying to suppress the fluttering in her chest. She had served the Hilton family for years, but this was the first time Lucas had ever looked at her like that. Not as a servant, but as someone important. Deep down, she had always wished to stand by his side, even if it was only as a shadow.
"Go prepare," Northern said after a moment, his voice snapping her back to reality. "We leave soon."
"Yes, young master," she replied quickly, bowing slightly before hurrying out of the room. Her footsteps echoed softly down the marble corridor, fading into silence.
As the door closed, Northern exhaled slowly and ran a hand through his hair. "Well, that went easier than I thought," he muttered, stretching his arms. His gaze soon shifted toward the bathroom door. "Guess I should clean up too."
He stepped inside the spacious bathroom, where the polished tiles gleamed like silver under the morning light. Steam filled the air as he turned on the bath, and for the first time since waking in this world, he truly took a moment to look at himself.
And then he froze.
The figure staring back at him in the mirror wasn't the same person he remembered from Earth. A young man with beautiful dark hair stood there, strands falling effortlessly over sharp, well-defined features. His eyes—light red with deep silver glints—looked calm yet dangerously mesmerizing. His skin was fair, smooth, and flawless, and his lips carried a faint reddish tint that made him look both noble and unreal.
"…Damn," he breathed, blinking at his reflection. "So this is the face of Lucas Hilton?"
He leaned closer to the mirror, studying every detail. The boy staring back had the kind of beauty that could silence a room—elegant, cold, and untouchable.
Northern couldn't help but chuckle softly. "No wonder this guy was popular with women. If I had this face back home, I'd have ruled the world already."
He splashed water on his face, letting the coolness bring him back to focus. "Well then, Lucas Hilton," he said to the reflection, a smirk forming on his lips. "Let's see how far this face and this body can take me."
With that, he turned away from the mirror and stepped into the bath.