Well Gam was certainly taller so not quite eye-to-eye, but probably close enough. The Rifter would more than likely be rather surprised by how dangerous a mage could be regardless of their looks. Course Sam probably didn't look that dangerous, not with laughing and silly smiles for the most part.

"Technically it's both. You're locked up and taught to control your magic. The environment is... interesting to say the least. I don't like the Circles, but I cannot say all of it is terrible."