So...MC wants help with his friend's condition, expresses hesitancy when ML gives him and talisman, and then later ML reveals that he knew the situation would eventually escalate and didn't bother telling MC because he basically had to pressure MC into taking the talisman. This doesn't sound like an "I don't believe you" situation from MC, but moreso a "I wanted you to be more compliant" situation from ML. Plus I feel bad for MC because he's mainly doing this for his friend, and ML has already shown a shifty side to himself.
So...MC wants help with his friend's condition, expresses hesitancy when ML gives him and talisman, and then later ML reveals that he knew the situation would eventually escalate and didn't bother telling MC because he basically had to pressure MC into taking the talisman. This doesn't sound like an "I don't believe you" situation from MC, but moreso a "I wanted you to be more compliant" situation from ML. Plus I feel bad for MC because he's mainly doing this for his friend, and ML has already shown a shifty side to himself.