He doesn't blame her for her reaction - he knows exactly the kind of person he tends to seem like to others, and in a way, that had been what he desired. But part of that facade had already been chipped with his mage status being general knowledge now, and he didn't want people trying to cover for him because of what they thought was true. If push came to shove, he could and would take care of himself.

"I'll do my best." A wry smile crosses his face, but the words are still genuine enough. "I'm not here to be a burden for you and everyone else, Delacroix. You don't have to worry about me."