For the first few moments after suggesting for the group to avoid meddling with the suspicious object, it seems his words were being heeded as Arryn stepped back. But almost as soon as that happened, the Teann Chi’I alchemist stepped forward with one of the inane comments that he’d heard out of an alchemist, let alone what seemed to be a reasonably competent one. The worst of his former students were brighter than her. 

Before Jean could object, Luthica was already beginning to cast a spell in a foreign language, and the former professor decided to make good on his earlier statement. If they didn’t listen, that was their problem. They’d learn from their mistakes. 

He started stepping back slowly, before gradually picking up the pace such that he was retreating backwards at normal walking speed.

In the next moment, his fears were confirmed. A dull thud emanated from the crystal. Then, another. And another. And another. Jean was halfway across the field. He looked back, and bit his lip as the massive white tree began to move. It was a treant. In a flash, his hands were at his waist, and in another, his sidearm was unsheathed. Preparing for the possibility the monster might rush at him, the professor held the weapon in a defensive position. Somehow, he found the need to reinforce the fact that attempting to alchemize the crystal was a horrid mistake.

“I don’t want to come off as rude, but I [i]did[/i] warn you guys.”

The tendrils of the monster continued to reach outwards as Jean spoke, spreading through the field. One came too close for comfort, and unsure of its disposition, hacked at the root of the beast. Unfortunately, it seemed Arryn had misconstrued his admittedly belittling statement as being directed towards her, from what he gathered from her stinging retort as they both retreated. 

He shrugged. He’d dealt with worse threats from rowdy college students before. Empty threats in a mutual combat situation would just hurt them both. After all, it seemed he was the only skilled medical practitioner amongst them.

“Sure. It’s my job to talk about smart things. It’s also my job to keep you alive, so please keep that in mind as well.”