Mark changed

The rest of the day passed on as normal as York went to gather some firewood, seeing that Mark wasn't coming back anytime soon, while Katherine stayed and took care of the hut. No matter how small, the home was home for the three of them.

As the sun was starting to set, York returned home carrying a sizeable amount of firewood unfit for someone who looked the age of 16. York realized that possessing training gave a boost to his body's capabilities. Even Katherine could lift more than the average man.

"I'm home," uttered York as he entered with the pile of firewood.

The three's living conditions became much better as York always took some magic stones out of his inventory when necessary to win the brothers' gratitude more and more.

So, now and then the three can have a proper meal. He was also able to buy more comfortable beds, although second-hand, for the three and get better utensils and plates to eat out of. Overall, you could say that their living conditions had improved.

Seeing the worried look on Katherine's face, York reassured her as he ushered her off to bed after enjoying a meal together.

Although Katherine may have feelings for him, both Mark and York thought of her as someone that they needed to protect. As Katherine drifted off to sleep, York started meditating while lying down.

Time gradually passed by and there was still no sign of Mark as soon as York thought that he wasn't coming, a faint sound of footsteps traveled to his ears.

There was a certain heaviness to these footsteps, but they were undoubtedly Mark's. As Mark entered the hut, he gently placed his collected firewood with the others and walked towards his bed.

No change could be seen on his face apart from the lack of a smile but Itsuki can feel a trace of killing intent being emitted from Gin.

'He must've seen Adolf.'

York said nothing and continued to pretend to be asleep as Mark laid down and drifted off to sleep with York following not long after.

The following days, this situation repeated itself and although Katherine didn't show it, York could tell that she was worried.

There were times when Mark never came home at all and only arrived in the morning and sometimes, he came home smelling of blood. Although he tried to hide it, York with his heightened senses was still able to perceive it.

Finally, York could take it no more and decided to do something. So, one night, after Katherine fell asleep, York stayed up and waited outside the hut for Mark to come home. He didn't wait long as he saw Mark coming out of the forest.

Mark noticed a figure standing outside the hut, waiting for something. As he got closer he came across a familiar face as a small breeze hit his face. Piercing ice-cold eyes bore into him while he felt the atmosphere becoming colder as he came to a halt waiting for the opposite party to speak.

"Where have you been?" Interrogated York as he tried to discern Mark's thoughts.

"Out." was the only reply he got, not continuing any further as Mark returned to his usual smiling face.

Irked by the response, a small twitch found its way to Mark's mouth as the silent stare-off resumed.

"We've been worried, especially Katherine." Continued Mark, "Is there something you're not telling us?" He tried to get Mark to speak but alas failed to do so.

Unknowingly, York had come to see Mark as a brother and best friend explaining his worry alongside Katherine. Although he had a good impression of him before, that was only to a character in his previous life.

The same could be said for Katherine as he now thought of her as someone that he needed to protect. His being an introvert in the past and his distaste for crowds, preferring to be alone in a quiet place, made it difficult for him to make friends.

Along with his new life, there was a slight fear he may harm another being.