What he's about to do will probably change things between the two of them. Jade isn't afraid (he thinks), but there's a strange sort of tension building up in his chest, something like the excitement of trying out a new spell but not quite. He lets out a soft sigh, and focuses on answering the question. It's as good a lead-up to what he wants as any.

"I've been distracted lately," he admits. "I think the tournament made things worse."

If there's one thing he dislikes, it's not knowing. The task is meant to be a secret. He fully intends to find out what it is before the day of the task, but for now, he's in the dark.

"But that's not the main thing," he continues, an edge in his voice that's rarely there. Professor Rammsteiner had moved closer to him, and now Jade moves forward as well in precise, calculated steps, closing the distance between them. He reaches up, fisting his hand lightly into the front of Professor Rammsteiner's robes, looking at him with a hint of challenge in his eyes.