Septimus gives her a sidelong, wry look. Plus, she did say 'if he wanted her to.' Still, in that moment she reminds him of little Alia, the sister-in-law who never quite stopped being in awe of him despite his best efforts. Internally he swears to do right by this girl as he didn't get to for his sister, and offers her a gentle smile.

"And if I said I'd rather you didn't, would you still want to?" He shakes his head. "Frankly, I don't, for any number of reasons, not least of which is wanting to spare you from it as long as possible." For a moment he glances away, expression distinctly pained, before it clears.

Quickly, he adds, "Not that I doubt your courage, or determination. But it isn't for everyone." Septimus sighs. "But your talent is also-- if it worked quickly enough, it could be excellent in the field, but an active mission is very different from self-defense in a tight situation. I'd rather you were safe here. That isn't why I brought it up."