Max went quiet, his gaze drifting toward the far end of the hall where the chambers lay hidden in shadows. After a short pause, he spoke in a low, thoughtful voice. "I'll check out the Chamber of Concepts before I leave the Lost Continent." The words hung in the air like a whisper carried on the wind.
"Leaving?" Alice, who had been silently standing by his side, turned toward him in surprise. Her brows furrowed slightly as she asked, "Where are you going?" There was a trace of concern in her tone, a flicker of something unspoken in her eyes.
"I…" Max hesitated, unsure of what to say. The words caught in his throat. He didn't want to lie, but he definitely couldn't tell her the truth either.
He hadn't told Alice about his soul problem—not even once—and he had no intention of doing so. If she knew, she'd worry, and that would only slow down her progress in comprehending her Concepts. Max didn't want that. She needed to focus on her own path, not carry the weight of his burden.
