"Why are you in such deep thought?"
Lucia's voice pulled Max back from the depths of his contemplation. She had been observing him closely, and the sudden shift in his demeanor had not escaped her notice.
Moments ago he had been asking questions with calm curiosity, but now his expression had turned solemn, his eyes distant as if he were piecing together fragments of a much larger puzzle.
Max blinked once and allowed the intensity in his gaze to fade. The thoughts regarding Imperial Bloodline, incompleteness, and evolution settled quietly at the back of his mind. This was neither the place nor the time to reveal even a fraction of what had just taken shape within him.
He let out a faint breath and curved his lips into a light smile.
"I was just wondering," he said evenly, his tone relaxed as though nothing significant had crossed his mind, "you mentioned two disciples who could break records. I am curious who the second one is."
