"Out for a walk," Jack replied in a casual tone.
Although the excuse was blatantly weak, no one called him out on it.
Jack's condition had left them all feeling sympathetic.
Jack had somehow lost his powers after returning from the Shadow Trial.
It was a devastating blow for him.
Felix and Arthur sometimes noticed him crying when he thought no one was watching.
To support him, they tried to stay close, but sometimes, they gave him space, like now, to let him relax and sort his thoughts.
"Where have you been for the past weeks?" Jack asked. "And why didn't you come inside? Everyone would be happy to meet you."
Jack stared at Neo, holding Beelzebub carefully in his hands as the caterpillar grumbled and wriggled, soup dripping from its round body.
Neo had grown visibly.
He seemed a head taller, and his skin gave out a healthy glow.
"It's fine. I'm short on time, and they're tired. It's better to let them rest."
