"Ren?" Liu's voice sounded distant, concerned, filtering through the haze of pain. "Brother, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Ren lied, forcing air into his lungs with conscious effort. Forcing his expression into something he hoped was neutral, schooling his features through will alone. "Just a bit dizzy. Must be the exhaustion."
Liu didn't seem convinced, concern written across his features, but he didn't press the issue.
Because around them, the celebration continued.
Some noticed something had changed in his mana.
Larissa, Liora…
And Zhao, whose eyes narrowed from across the room. The professor watched him with an intensity suggesting he knew something was wrong, professional instinct recognizing distress despite Ren's attempts to hide it.
But he said nothing.
And Ren closed his left eye for a moment. The illusion fragment had broken along with the bond, the crystal window shattering when its anchor was destroyed.
