I have been skimming through the novel, so I missed a lot of the details and probably got things wrong too. But early on in the story, the ML was searching for the right stone that resonates with MC using a device. They found a transparent-looking one hidden deep within some granite. They kept it in a box until MC was able to learn more about perception(?) in order to carve into the stone without the stone rejecting him. MC first transforms for like a minute or less around chapter 40 or something. He reverted back to his leopard form and immediately calls ML, saying, "I'm not ugly! I'm handsome!" ML was confused about why MC sent him these messages, but he agreed with him regardless. A couple of chapters later, MC transforms while ML was in the mansion and asks, "I'm not ugly, right?" And I think ML immediately kisses him. Lol. Then MC reverted back. The transformation is still unstable since the stone is not completely sculpted yet, but MC is slowly working his way up.
MC opens up an online shop and puts up a raccoon cat figure for 100 stars, which apparently sold immediately. They have technology, where it's kinda like Amazon previews where you can zoom in on the product and stuff, except it's in 3D. People praised the craftsmanship and the high level of activation (which, I think just means affinity) for a figure made of low-level stone. I think even for other "engravers" (as MTL calls them), the highest they have gotten was like 30% (I think this number is totally off, but the point is that the activation level was so low that people kind of just use those stones for practice.) MC's works hover around 100% or little lower. But MC literally only has that one thing in the store, so people became impatient. They just want more of MC's works. That's where the "laziness" comes from. People saw how little was in the store, that they believe that MC is rich and doesn't need to work that much. Something along those lines. But MC works pretty hard, I'd say. But part of the time spent was on creating figures of the black dragon (ML). There is a very high demand to the point that MC only takes custom orders. So people would literally watch for when MC comes online because his availability is taken super quickly. MC did one for a peacock beast that loved his work so much that he asks one to be made for his lover(?), who is a fox. They both send him red envelopes worth 2+ million stars, wishing him a healthy sex life or something. Lool. The peacock was some kind of model or some other public influencer that helped advertise MC's work. People from the military also watch MC's work closely. They have a mission against the zergs or something that only allows low-level stones to be brought in. Not sure about this. But because of that, the activation/affinity levels are so low that beasts tend to enter manic periods really easily.
There was someone who tried to splatter mud on MC's name by forging his work and saying that it was fake and cannot be used and whatnot. But MC always leaves a signature in his work. That and other buyers come to his aid and clear his name. Not like MC cares. Lol. MC is either at school or just doing his work. So when he comes online, he's like the last to know when such a thing comes up.
There's some drama involving his father (Duke of Oran). I think his family is also a line of "engravers" or something. I think the father found out the MC is alive and is trying to find him??? The housekeeper/butler I think is the same as the nanny bot that helped bring him the nutrient packets in the beginning of the novel. The ML found out early on who MC's father was through a DNA test, so he knew about the housekeeper and how it tried to attack the Duke of Oran's house, but couldn't kill him. So I think the ML brought him along. That's what I think since the housekeeper acts with familiarity around MC. It is really attached to the MC. As mentioned in other posts, it tries to separate MC from the ML but always fails. I don't think the MC recognizes it though.