"Ugh," the man's hand moves from his cheek to his forehead as he groans, "I suddenly see why you're together."

Robin laughs softly, giving Phalanx's shoulder a soft squeeze. Tonic continues to watch them change while Robin waits, but the demigod isn't surprised when the man shakes his head again in defeat.

"I don't know. I've heard of some new mages blooming in the lower layers, but none like this."

"That's a shame," Robin says, shrugging like it doesn't matter much one way or another. "And you haven't heard of any strange rituals involving soul bonding in the last month or so, have you?"

"...What?" Tonic leans back, mildly alarmed.

"No then? All right." Robin reaches back into one of the pockets of his jacket, looking for something, "What do I owe you?"