Max's interest deepened, and Anna caught it immediately.
"Don't start picturing yourself clearing all ten."
"I didn't say anything."
"You don't have to."
Max smiled faintly.
Anna shook her head before going on. "The eighth shadow is already something most participants will never reach. The ninth is something even top-ranked geniuses struggle with. As for the tenth, you should treat it as being well beyond your expectations for now."
Max looked at the records again. His expression stayed calm, but something in his eyes had clearly changed, and Anna definitely noticed.
She sighed. "Don't think about it too much."
This time Max answered honestly. "I won't."
Anna briefly closed her eyes. "Good."
Max sighed and started looking through the other details, though his mind kept drifting back to the Ten Shadows Trial.
