"You are going to keep doing this," she said.
It wasn't a question; it was a condemnation. "Whatever this is... The Academy... The Underlayer... The masks you wear..."
"You are going to keep playing these games, and most people are never going to know what they are actually looking at."
"You're still accusing me for all the things you said, huh?" Rex chuckled. "Well, it's fine... I feel honored for you to think of that because that means I'm stronger than before."
"For your question, well yeah, most people," Rex said, his voice smooth as silk, "are not looking at all!"
"But you are the one who's probably so keen about it, thanks to your Dragon's nature, I guess... That is the only difference that matters."
"Is that meant to be a compliment?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of exhaustion and rising heat.
"It is an accurate observation," Rex said. "Whether it is a compliment depends on what you think looking clearly at things is worth."
