[ He shrinks back slightly at the unsuccessful diversion, closing his book after marking where he was with a wayward piece of paper. ]

Do you want to talk about it? [ Not so much of another deflection as it is a genuine question. It doesn't take a telepatic connection to know Ayaka's upset about it, but he's not sure if talking it out right now would be better or worse for her.

He pauses, and clears his throat. ] Of course it's important – now that I know what I want to wish on the Grail, I very much want to see it through to the end.

But given our circumstances of arriving, and the fact that I can't use your magical energy or whatever reserves I have, I'm not sure walking into a situation we know nothing about is the best path forward. So I'm willing to wait for Witch's update, for now.

[ And when if it doesn't pan out, there's always time for stabbing! ]