[ Such a comment stops him short. The last time he'd acted this way had been with some major exams and he hadn't taken them seriously, and massively failed them because of that. The stakes were much higher here, so he had to seriously consider things weren't going to be easy to handle when it was out of his range of knowledge. ]

...It already has. Not here, but... I'd prefer it not happen again.

[ Frustration briefly flashes across his face. Debating something for a moment or two. ]

Perhaps I am a little... hesitant to try and deal with whatever's coming.