[ it certainly does take by surprise in the suddenness of it, even with the noted preamble ... heliobi, is it? a species of spirits, more or less, emotional vampires dependent on taking hosts in order to feel anything at all? ... it'd almost be pitiable, if it weren't for how bound they seem to be to the individual base desires they favor. ]

... quite the motley 'army' you had assembled. I would ask if their presentation wasn't specifically encouraged to, hm, induce a false sense of security and overconfidence in this Cirrus ...

Were it not for the fact that you clearly do simply just have that much faith in people.

[ though certainly, whether or not his army really was true in the way they conducted themselves prior to that engagement, he imagines that any competent strategist would be able to take advantage of his enemy's reactions accordingly.

... faith, hope, ideals. he does not in the least sympathize with the heliobi, outside of perhaps the faintest twinges of a detached pity from afar, but one thing in particular... ]

Were you certain that this student of yours would declare his challenge against Apyra?

[ 'or were you prepared to fight, if the child you'd once taught was not ready to and could not find his way on his own?' ]