Before the two could go far away from Aton's room, they noticed Seila frantically running toward them. Both were confused, but it was Augustus who asked first.
"What happe-"
"Young master is alive! I felt it and saw it! I am not hallucinating!"
Augustus had not even finished his words when Seila immediately informed them without hesitation. He flinched and paused where he stood as soon as he heard what she said. On the other hand, Physician Wang, although surprised as well, was able to compose himself immediately.
"Are you sure about it, Lady Seila?"
"Yes! Please, I beg you, Physician Wang. You need to come to the room again and check the young master's condition!.."
Hearing this, Physician Wang only looked at Augustus for a second before going back to the room with Seila. Augustus finally snapped back to reality after seeing the two frantically running back to the room, and he immediately followed them.
After entering back into Aton's room, Physician Wang went directly to the bed and checked the young master's condition. This time, he was shocked. He could feel Aton's faint heartbeat as he pressed his fingers onto the latter's neck. Astonished, he quickly opened Aton's shirt and pressed his palms onto the latter's chest. A bluish luminescence spread around his hands as he quickly called upon his power, carefully inspecting Aton's body. The result made him gasp out loud.
"M-my lord, the young master is alive! I can feel his heartbeat! And his organs are regaining their vitality! This is unbelievable! A miraculous feat!"
Hearing the words coming from the frantic physician, Augustus could not believe it either. But his skepticism was immediately overshadowed by greater ecstasy. His son is alive, everything else does not matter anymore. He went right beside Physician Wang absentmindedly and held the latter's shoulders while still shaking.
"Aton... Is Aton really alive, Mr. Wang!? Had my son not actually died earlier!?"
"I... No, m-maybe I was wrong earlier... Y-yes, that's right! I believe t-that's what happened earlier, my l-lord! We have mistaken the young master's lack of heartbeat as being dead, but the truth is that he is still alive and fighting for his life! The young master's resilience and survival are one of a kind!"
Hearing those answers from Physician Wang, Augustus let go of the latter's shoulders and tried to reach out to Aton, wanting to confirm it himself. However, his hand froze midair and he swiftly retracted it, afraid of disturbing his son's critical condition. He turned his back to the physician and hurriedly asked.
"What should we do now, Mr. Wang? What can I do for my son!?"
"T-this..."
Physician Wang kept on stuttering because of the situation, and right now, he himself did not know what to do. This was his first time knowing someone who died from the curse was brought back to life. Of course, what he said to Augustus was not actually what he truly felt. He truthfully believed that the young master had died, but somehow managed to regain his life. As for how, that was also what he badly wanted to know.
Fortunately, it was at this moment that Seila interrupted their conversation, saving Wang's predicament. She saw that the physician was having a hard time processing and understanding everything, so she made a bold decision to answer Augustus's question.
"M-master, I don't think we need to do anything! I mean... The young master managed to defy death itself on his own. If we try to do something without truly understanding the cause and effect, it may have a negative impact on the young master's critical condition!"
The answer that came from Seila made Augustus think twice and calm his nerves. Physician Wang also saw the patriarch's reaction, so he immediately affirmed Seila's suggestion.
"Y-yes, Lady Seila's words are practical! I have no existing knowledge about this kind of situation, so I cannot just blindly help the young master without fully understanding his condition. For now, what we can do instead is to monitor the young master's condition and ensure it stays stable."
Augustus finally calmed down and also understood what the two implied. He took a deep sigh of relief and replied, "I understand now. Thank you to both of you, and I have to apologize for my frantic behavior just now. Especially to you, Physician Wang, for calling you mister earlier."
"No, no, it's fine, my lord! In situations like this, honorifics are the least of our concerns."
Physician Wang quickly answered as he subconsciously wiped the sweat from his forehead. Having one of the city lords apologize was something absurd for him. He immediately changed the subject before the atmosphere could turn awkward. He turned his attention to Seila and made a request.
"Lady Seila, can you help me call my assistants? We need to set up some medical equipment to precisely monitor the young master's condition."
"Yes, Physician Wang! I'll call them for you."
Seila did not waste any time and immediately ran off after answering. Augustus saw this and realized he too needed to prepare many things for Aton's eventual recovery. So, he also bid farewell to Physician Wang and left the room, leaving the doctor alone as he monitored Aton's heartbeat and condition.
...
After two weeks of silence from the Lyn family's side, news finally spread out. The young master of the family, Aton Lyn, had survived and was now recovering after being inflicted by the curse of the surface. The news immediately spread throughout the city just hours after the announcement was made. Many celebrated, especially within the Lyn family's territory, since the family's only heir was finally safe. Meanwhile, some were skeptical and curious about how Aton managed to survive his predicament. There were also a few who were upset and angry that he had not died. A conspiracy was finally brewing and would soon unfold because of this news.
Back at the Lyn family's mansion, Aton had finally woken up from his coma three days ago and was slowly recovering his health little by little. His maid, Seila, had been delicately taking care of him for the past three days, giving him her utmost attention every minute, afraid that her young master would suddenly be gone again. This had made her look a little haggard, something her young master clearly noticed.
"You should take a little rest, Seila. My condition is already stable now."
"Don't worry about me, young master. Your health is more important than mine. Also, I'm already used to situations like this where I have to stay awake for several days. This is nothing to me."
Seila quickly answered as she came up with a reason not to take a break. Her young master had already brought this up a couple of times over the past few days, but she swiftly declined his request every time. For her, taking care of him was much more relaxing than resting and having nightmares about something happening to him while she was asleep.
"It may be nothing to you, but it is something to me."
Hearing these words, Seila froze for a second. Her hands stopped tidying up the plates she had used to spoon feed her young master earlier. Fortunately, her back was facing him as she stood beside the bed, so he did not see her flustered face. Her young master continued speaking without noticing anything.
"Go and take an afternoon nap, Seila. It's still early noon right now, so there's nothing for you to take care of. I also want to be alone for now. Just think of this as a simple request from me."
Listening to her young master's weak but calm voice, Seila finally understood that he truly wanted to be alone in his room, so this time she did not insist on staying anymore. She gently placed the plates onto the pushing cart in front of her and turned toward her young master before bowing slightly.
"I understand now, young master. Sorry for troubling you."
"It's fine. You can come back before dinner."
Seila saw her young master smile as she heard those words, making her feel reassured and stopping her from worrying about negative things. She then bowed once more before pushing the cart and leaving the room, finally leaving her young master alone in his bedchamber.
After Seila went out of the room, the young master who had appeared weak and delicate in front of her got out of bed normally. His bony and pale face that had carried a weak smile earlier was now replaced by a calm expression. He stood up and walked calmly toward the bathroom, locking the door behind him as he entered.
The bathroom was spacious and neatly organized, with walls covered in polished marble that reflected the warm glow of the lamps fixed onto the walls. Copper pipes ran along the corners of the room, connected to a large metal faucet above a wide porcelain basin. Beside it stood a tall mirror framed with dark wood and brass carvings, almost reaching from the floor to the ceiling. On the opposite side was a large bathtub supported by clawed metal feet, while shelves nearby held folded towels, bottles of scented oils, and bathing supplies arranged properly. The faint scent of soap and steam lingered in the air, giving the room a warm atmosphere.
He went straight to the life sized mirror standing near the faucet and took off his robes completely, revealing his naked body in full view.
"This body is already acceptable for my plans. Though, it needs to fully recover before I begin rebuilding its Yuan reserve."
Relict lightly said while taking a closer look at his current body through the mirror. Black hair, brown eyes, whitish purple skin, and two small bumps on his forehead that should have supposedly become horns, but in fact failed to fully emerge from his skin. His face could be considered good looking, but it was difficult to notice because of his current condition.
Meanwhile, his body was still extremely skinny, with his ribs visibly sticking out from his chest. His arms and thighs were thin, his hands so weak that even making a fist felt difficult, and his feet lacked enough strength to properly support his body for long. His height was only around 1.5 meters even though Aton was already eighteen years old. The curse had not only prevented him from absorbing the Yuan Energy in his surroundings, but was also likely responsible for his stunted growth.
"I also need to practice Aton's mannerisms and behavior so no one will become suspicious of my actions."
As Relict said those words, he stood in front of the mirror and contemplated his naked body for a while. Then, he started posturing and making movements similar to how Aton used to carry himself. The tired but determined look, the slightly bent shoulders, the movements of his arms, and even his standing posture were carefully studied and mimicked by Relict within a short period of time. Though, he eventually stopped and went toward the bathtub with satisfaction.
"A few practices here and there will naturally perfect my execution. I don't have to force this body for now."
Once he neared the bathtub, he opened the faucet and carefully laid down as the water started pouring onto his body and slowly filled the tub, soaking him completely.
This would become his routine for several days as his body gradually repaired itself from the inside out. Using the Yuan Energy supplied by his original vessel, Relict carefully accelerated the recovery of his organs, muscles, and bones.
...