Bleak. Bleaker than he expected, perhaps; this version of Benedict is so different from the carefree version he’s used to seeing.

“And you still felt fine joining, after that?” Strange asks.

If he were a different man, he’d feel guilty for continuing to press on this wound, except that it’s granting valuable insight. Adding context to people’s reactions after Julius’ poisoning, the way he’d heard the young mage described— Noted traitorous coward and weakness of the organisation. It’s hardly the first time his loyalties have been dangerously in question.

Now he knows. He likes to know things.