A hero indeed. The strain's already left his voice as he gives Popp a comforting pat. "It's fine, it's fine, I'm better suited to taking damage than you are."

A quick glance behind him confirms that the snail is headed in this direction and, okay, he knows what he should do. "You've done well up until now," he says as he extracts himself from Popp's grip. "But this foe is a bad match-up for you. I'll take care of it."

He pulls his glasses from his face and presses them into Popp's hands. "Hold onto these for me, would you? I wouldn't want them to get broken again."