[ The alternative is a sobering reminder. One Claude knows well, considering the many implications it has that he's learned the hard way from things he'd never dreamed was possible before arriving here. Something to turn over literally and figuratively with the gears as he moves on to comparing two different ones like they'll reveal more to him that way. ]

I'd say that's better than anything else then, yes.

[ Not that Viktor needs confirmation of that, but - for whatever it's worth. The smaller gear in his hand is set down back where the other man had placed it originally, and Claude turns the remaining one between a couple fingertips by its teeth. At the mention of the academy, he glances up without lifting his head all the way. ]

I did. Petra and Sylvain attended the same one, and we were all there at the same time. [ On the topic of people they know from home, or a slight tangent back to it briefly since it feels relevant as Viktor's met them also. Now he does sit up the rest of the way, contemplating for a moment. ] One of the better parts of the academy was that it brought a lot of us together from all different locations and backgrounds in a way that probably would've never happened otherwise. Not to say it was perfect since there was a lot about it that could've used improvements, but I'm hoping those can be made when it reopens someday.