We can wish and hope for otherwise, but no, it isn't new.

[ He won't linger on the thought, however. In this, he and Erik are of a similar mind. He has enough of war lingering in his thoughts everyday, there's no need to dwell on it out loud. And with what he'd heard from Erik's mind — no, he'll spare him having to think on it anymore if he can. All the civilizations in all the universe, all they've lost and all the terrible things they've ever done to each other and they never learn, they never stop. He would wish to spare everyone from it, he's tried, but sometimes he just can't run fast enough to stop it. ]

You know, in another life, I once thought of magic as superstitious rubbish. [ He smirks briefly to himself. ] And here we are! Keeping an open mind. In the Free Cities, they've even worked out blending magic and technology together. New Magic, they call it. They encourage freedom of thought, the arts, creativity. There's a lively, almost...hopeful veneer, but scratch the surface —

[ He gives a little shrug. ] I stay curious, cautious.