[ Oh. Oh, the figurative tail wag... Not that it's entirely unexpected -- Byleth seems to enjoy their rivalry every bit as much as Shez does -- but it is perhaps more of a reaction than he had anticipated. Guess it truly must have been that long for him... ]

In that case, I'll do you one better. [ And he's going to unceremoniously take that half eaten muffin off Byleth's hand and scarf it down himself. It'll be worth it, wait for it: ] How about we go at it all night long-- or until one of us drops? Bet that'll sharpen you back up in no time!

[ Maybe this is a lot of big talk for someone who had to claw his way up from the dirt and digest a bunch of information and then wander around all day but-- oh wait, this food is actually pretty nice, isn't it? Okay, hang on, hang on, he can sweeten the deal some more-- ]

Actually, no-- first we stuff ourselves with more of this delicious free food, then we spar. If I'm gonna be wiping the floor with you, better make sure you at least have the energy to keep up!

[ Listen, is he guilty of getting the figurative tail wag, too? Maybe. C'mon, he's never been this close to finally Defeating The Ashen Demon!! ]