Yes, as the story progresses, people start to like him more, the npcs will go from calling him, “that strange, skinny kid,” to calling him a strong, handsome young man. And he gets stronger and less shy
As he continues through his journey, he starts to gain muscle weight and he is no longer dangerously underweight like when he was younger. People start to recognize him and his friends as heroes, and people who once were rude and mocked them now are respectful to them. Enemies whom he once was too scared to fight will run away in fear of him when he draws near