Chapter 3: Possible Future
'This is getting awkward... haha. I should put on a shirt first — then I'll explain. Hopefully she believes me.'
"Umm… excuse me. Could you look away for a second?"
'Damn, why am I even embarrassed right now? This body is technically the same as Eve's, but… I can't think of myself as a woman. Not yet. Huft…'
"Ah! Yes, of course," Eve replied quickly, turning her head away politely.
"Okay, it's safe now."
'I guess it's natural. Feeling embarrassed when someone of the opposite sex sees you like that — yeah, that checks out. Even if technically… oh never mind.'
Eve glanced back, her curiosity unmistakable. Then she asked innocently:
"Big Sister… umm, are you an angel? Why are you wearing Brother Lucius's clothes? Are you maybe… his girlfriend?"
'Huh?! An angel?! Oh—right, the wings. I forgot they were even out. I haven't looked in the mirror yet since the transformation. Do I really look that different?'
'Hmm… I guess I should check. I'm curious how I look from someone else's perspective.'
Lucius hesitated. He wanted to explain, but realized nothing about this situation made any real sense — not even to himself. So he gave up trying to sound logical.
"Eh? No, I'm not an angel. And actually… I'm your brother. Yeah, I know it doesn't make any sense."
He held up a hand before Eve could react.
"But! Please wait here for a minute, I'll bring sister Sophia. She can help explain everything."
Eve tilted her head skeptically, clearly not buying it.
'Yeah, no one in their right mind would believe that. If someone told me this, I'd assume they'd hit their head or gone crazy.'
Still, Eve was curious enough — and the "angel sister" seemed sincere. So she nodded and sat back down, waiting for whatever explanation was coming.
Lucius left the room, his expression somewhere between anxious and exhausted.
Before waking sister Sophia, he paused by the mirror beside the bathroom sink — the one they used to wash dishes.
He stepped in front of it. What he saw stunned him.
'W-What the hell?! This… this is me?! I look nothing like before!'
'Okay, yeah… the transformation really did its job. Not just the body — but the face too! This face…'
He leaned in.
'Haaah… no way I'd lose in a beauty contest now. If I stood next to a top gravure model, I might actually win.'
'This face is dangerous. I can't stop staring at it… It's addictive…'
He shook his head violently.
'No! Snap out of it! Lucius, you are a man! You hear me?! A MAN! Enough of this — go wake sister Sophia before Eve gets even more confused.'
Tearing himself away from the mirror, Lucius gently knelt beside Sophia's mattress and gave her shoulder a soft shake.
"Sister… sister Sophia, please wake up. I need your help."
Sophia stirred slowly. With a sleepy expression and clouded mind, she blinked at him.
"Uhh… mmm? Who are you…?"
'Right… with this face, even sister Sophia doesn't recognize me? Did she forget because of trauma? PTSD? P…T...SB? What was it again? Never mind — this could be a huge headache if she doesn't remember last night.'
Sophia sat up and rubbed her eyes. Her face shifted as though something clicked into place — then her expression suddenly lit up with recognition.
"Aaah! Lucius — sorry, I forgot about your new look. What did you say before? I wasn't fully awake, hehe…"
Lucius let out a sigh of relief.
'Thank god. I really didn't want to make a second round of "please believe me" speeches today.'
Smiling, he explained everything that had happened since waking up.
Once he was finished, both of them sat in silence, trying to think through the best course of action.
After a moment, sister Sophia spoke up.
"Let's just tell her honestly. There shouldn't be a problem. She's old enough to understand — and if we explain it seriously, she'll probably believe us."
She gave Lucius a reassuring smile.
"You can also add proof — like questions only you'd know the answers to. That should help."
'Of course. Sister Sophia — always calm, always wise. She never disappoints.'
"Alright," Lucius said. "Let's do it. I just hope everything goes smoothly."
As they turned toward the bedroom, sister Sophia paused and glanced at his back.
"Wait — Lucius, where are your wings?"
"Oh! Right. I can actually summon them or hide them at will. I'm not sure if 'hide' is the right word… maybe 'dismiss'? Or 'retract'?"
He shrugged.
"I kind of just absorb them into my body. If you're curious about how it works, let's talk after we finish explaining things to Eve. She'll probably want to hear it too."
Satisfied, Sophia moved toward the bedroom door and placed her hand on the handle.
"Sounds good. Are you ready now?"
"Yeah. Let's go."
She opened the door and stepped inside, Lucius following closely behind.
Eve looked up as they entered, smiling.
"Good morning, sister Sophia!"
Then she stole a quick glance toward Lucius, still looking half-skeptical but half-fascinated.
'Haha… yeah, I see you glancing at me, Eve. You're curious — especially with a body like this. I mean, where else are you gonna find someone who looks like me now?'
'Wait. Not "me" — this body. Yes. This body. I need to keep my thoughts in check. I am Lucius.'
Sophia sat beside Eve, smiling warmly.
"Morning, Eve. I can see you're waiting for an explanation."
---
After getting comfortable, Lucius, Eve, and sister Sophia sat around the small round table in the center of the bedroom — the same table they often used for breakfast and dinner. Sometimes, Eve also used it to study.
Sister Sophia began explaining the situation carefully. Eve listened intently, occasionally asking questions after a moment of hesitation, still trying to piece it all together.
Lucius helped by chiming in with personal details and facts that only he and his sisters would know — proof of his identity and memories.
After a long explanation, they finally finished.
Understandably, Eve looked stunned. Her eyes were wide, lips parted slightly, as she processed everything. It was clearly hard to believe, and she looked like she wanted to deny it — but couldn't.
In the end, she let out a breath and gave in.
'Will she really believe this? I'm scared… If things go wrong, I might have to pretend to be a different person in front of my own family. I can't imagine how painful that would be.'
After a tense silence, Eve finally spoke up.
"I mean… I get it now. I almost believe it. But—HOW?!"
Lucius chuckled nervously.
'Huft… she actually believes it. Haha, yeah… I'd be the same if the roles were reversed. It's finally time to tell them what I've experienced — though I won't mention the pain from that nightmare transformation. No need to make things harder for Eve.'
Trying to stay composed, Lucius shared the rest of his experience: the strange status panel, the awakening of mana, and the abilities that came with his transformation — all based on what he'd discovered so far.
While he talked, though, he noticed something… odd.
Eve looked different.
Her skin was glowing. Her cheeks looked plumper, healthier. Her complexion — smooth, even, and clear — was something he hadn't seen before. She used to have light freckles and some acne, common for her age, but now her skin looked airbrushed.
'Wait a second… does Eve look… different?'
He squinted slightly.
'She looks more radiant than usual. Of course, Eve is always beautiful — no question about that — but now… there's something else. A glow? A presence?'
Lucius looked closer. She wasn't just pretty — she was evolving. He could feel it.
'Could it be…? Is Eve also experiencing something similar to me? Maybe not as extreme… but still…'
It made sense. Their family had strong genetics — their father being European, and their mother a mix of Indonesian and Chinese descent. All three siblings inherited striking features. But this… this was different.
Lucius paused, then gently asked:
"Eve… I just noticed — you're looking kind of different."
Eve tilted her head, confused.
"I mean… funny as it sounds, coming from someone who's had a complete makeover… but you look healthier. Like you've become more beautiful overnight."
Sister Sophia looked at Eve closely. After a few seconds of intense staring, her eyes widened.
"Oh… you're right. When you really look, Eve has changed. Her face is glowing. Her skin too…"
Then she glanced at Lucius with a smirk.
"And how did you notice it before I did, Luci? You're usually pretty dense when it comes to appearance."
Lucius scratched his head sheepishly.
'Uhh… yeah, she's not wrong. I was dense before. I didn't really pay attention to how people looked. But now… it's like everything feels clearer. I see more. I feel more…'
He glanced around the room — and then froze.
Something tingled behind him. Without turning, he knew there was movement on the wall.
He looked over his shoulder.
A small jumping spider was crawling silently along the plaster.
'What is this… this feeling? It's like I have… Spidey Sense or something. Wait! STATUS!'
The translucent panel appeared instantly. He tapped on one of the abilities he hadn't checked earlier — and his suspicion was right.
---
[Sixth Sense]
You can feel your surroundings more clearly. This ability allows you to sense:
– Threats
– Killing intent
– Negative energy
– Subtle movement.
The area of effect depends on your mana capacity and mana core rank. It can passively activate or be extended through mana control.
---
"Ahh… that explains it," Lucius muttered.
He looked back at Eve.
"Actually, I just found out. One of my new skills enhances my senses. It's shown in my status panel — and maybe that's why I noticed the change in you."
He paused, then offered a hopeful suggestion.
"Eve, try saying 'Status.' You might be going through something too."
Eve blinked. "Huh? Okay…"
She took a breath. "Status."
Suddenly, a glowing translucent panel popped up in front of her. She gasped and recoiled slightly.
"Whoa! What the—?!"
She nearly jumped off her seat.
Then, blinking quickly, she leaned forward again and squinted at the panel.
"Wait… this looks like the stuff I've seen in those manhwa I read. No way…"
Her eyes darted over the screen.
"High Elf? Wait — Brother... Should I call you sister now? Uhh…"
She looked sheepishly at Lucius.
"Anyway, this screen thing just popped up. Can you see it?"
Lucius laughed internally.
'Haha, her reaction is exactly like mine. She looks hilarious. I wonder if I looked like that when it happened to me…'
'Ugh. Don't think about it. You were naked in the bathroom, remember? No need to replay that memory.'
'Also… she asked what to call me. Brother or sister?'
His thoughts grew quiet.
'Eve… I'm still the same person. Even if this body's different — I'm still a man inside.'
He glanced at her again and sighed.
'Still… the world won't see it that way. If she calls me brother in public, people are gonna look at her like she's crazy. I don't want that for her.'
'I guess… when we're outside, I'll need to act the part. A normal woman. At least on the surface.'
A smile crossed his lips.
'Luckily, I have two of the most beautiful women in the world to learn from… wait — three. Can't forget about Mom.'
---
Lucius had already expected Eve to have received powers as well, so he decided to probe a bit deeper.
"You can call me whatever you want," he said gently. "But I'd still prefer you call me brother, at least here at home."
Then he sighed and added, "Though… if we ever go outside together, maybe it's better to say sister. You know… for appearances."
He smiled awkwardly and changed the subject.
"Anyway, about the status panel — we can't actually see yours. Did it say High Elf for your transformation race? Anything unusual? Can you tell us about your race traits?"
---
Eve's Status Panel:
[ Name : Evelyn Mawarina Middleton
Default Race : Human
Transformation Race : High Elf
Gender : Female
Age : 16
Mana Rank : Knight (Sealed)
Mana Core : 1
Strength : 19
Willpower : 23
Dexterity : 28
Mana : 29
Transformation Traits : Spirit Bond | Nature Guardian | Dexterous Hands
Transformation Abilities : Spirit Magic | Wind Magic | Earth Magic | Elfen Archery
Default Traits : Cheerful Mind | Better Eyesight | Youthful Charms | Natural Genius
Default Abilities : Parallel Thinking ]
---
After skimming through it for a few minutes, Eve began to explain.
"There's this Spirit Bond trait in my transformation list. It says I have high affinity with spirits and can use Spirit Magic — but only after making a bond with a spirit first."
Lucius nodded thoughtfully.
"Ohhh, that's a pretty good trait. Sounds like a support-mage combo… but we don't even know if there are spirits in this world."
He crossed his arms.
"If they do exist, we'll need more info before figuring out how to meet one. Anything else that stands out?"
Eve blinked and frowned.
"This is kinda complicated, actually. Wouldn't it be easier if I just write it all down for you guys to read?"
"You're right," Lucius said. "Let me grab a notebook."
He stood up, rummaged through the bookshelf, and found a notebook and pen. He handed them to Eve.
She began writing carefully, copying everything from her status panel. After some time, Lucius and sister Sophia leaned over to read it together.
Several things caught their attention.
Sophia finally broke her silence, giving her first opinion on the whole panel.
"Ooh… Natural Genius, Youthful Charms, and Parallel Thinking? Those are seriously impressive. I admit, I'm a little jealous of that last one."
Lucius smiled inwardly.
'Looks like sister Sophia finally joined the conversation. I guess she felt left out before — the status panel stuff is very gamey, so it makes sense she couldn't relate until now.'
They kept reading.
---
[Nature Guardian]
You are a guardian of nature. You have a deep affinity for plants and animals.
– Regenerate mana faster when surrounded by nature
– Reduced fatigue while in forests
– Innate empathy toward flora and fauna
---
[Youthful Charms]
Your appearance will stay youthful longer than normal.
– Skin health and vitality improved
– Faster recovery rate
---
[Parallel Thinking]
Allows you to process and perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
– Consumes mana
– Requires strong mental focus and high intelligence for complex use
---
"Wow…" Lucius muttered. "That Dexterous Hands trait might sound basic, but don't underestimate good hand coordination. That helps with archery, swordplay, crafting — tons of stuff."
He smiled toward Eve.
"You really hit the jackpot, Eve. I'm jealous."
Eve beamed under the compliments and pointed excitedly at the Parallel Thinking ability.
"Brother! What about this one?"
Lucius tapped his chin.
"That one is seriously OP. With enough practice, you could fight with a bow and cast magic at the same time. That's huge."
He leaned back and exhaled.
"Honestly, you could probably solo a monster if you pushed yourself. Well… not that we've seen any monsters yet. But who knows? With all this magic and transformation stuff, a portal or gate might open next…"
Silence.
Both Eve and sister Sophia stared at him, blinking.
Eve suddenly shouted in panic.
"BROTHER!! You can't just say stuff like that! Haven't you read manhwa?! That's a death flag!"
She pouted dramatically.
"I don't wanna lose my school life! I haven't even met my prince on a white horse!"
Lucius flinched.
'Sike! Why didn't I keep that thought in my head?! Ugh, now I've spooked them both…'
Sophia crossed her arms.
"Yeah, Luci. Don't jinx it. But… you're not wrong. We should be prepared just in case. Maybe I'll start stocking up on emergency rations and supplies."
Lucius sighed.
'Dang it… sister Sophia's being practical now. I really messed up, huh?'
He looked genuinely remorseful.
"I'm really sorry, guys. I got carried away. This whole thing — learning new abilities — it kind of makes me think like I'm inside a game, and I forgot that this is real life.
"I promise, I won't say anything reckless again. Sister Sophia's right — we don't know what's coming, but we should be ready. Thanks for reminding me."
Feeling a little guilty for teasing her brother too much, Eve quickly tried to ease the tension. She waved her hands and shook her head with a bright smile.
"Ehh, don't worry, Brother Luci! I was half-joking anyway, hehe.
"But yeah… thinking about what might happen in the future… it's kind of scary."
Then, with a small voice, she added shyly,
"Though… not as scary as being hated by someone I love…"
Her cheeks flushed slightly as she finished her sentence, clearly embarrassed to say something so personal in front of the two people she cared about most.
'Aww… I heard that, Eve. You've always been this sweet. My little cupcake…'
Lucius felt a warm wave of emotion in his chest, but quickly snapped himself back to reality.
'Right… I really need to stop having so many internal monologues. I'm gonna end up narrating my life if I'm not careful.'
Sophia glanced down at her phone and raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"It's already 10 a.m.," she said. "We took up the whole morning with this. I should wash up and make us something to eat before lunchtime.
"Unless… you both want to skip breakfast? I can throw together some quick toast for a snack."
'It's okay, sister Sophia!'
"I'm fine with whatever," Lucius replied. "It's already past breakfast time anyway. Might as well wait and eat properly for lunch."
With that, Lucius stood up and stretched. "I'll check my phone — maybe I got messages from the guys or work."
"I'll take a shower," Eve said, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I'm all sweaty. I tossed around all night in my sleep — felt like I ran a marathon…"
And just like that, the three of them split off to go about their morning.
Sophia headed to the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared snacks and started thinking about lunch.
Eve went off to the bathroom to shower, still smiling about her new powers and what she might do with them.
Lucius returned to his room, phone in hand, hoping for a message or update — though a part of him just wanted to relax, maybe play some games or catch up on the web novel he'd been meaning to finish.