Well, it's difficult to measure. [Almost immediately, Waver had switched to a tone of one giving an academic lecture.] In terms of physical strength, I would say you're evenly matched. That may as well go without saying.

Mental strength is a different matter. While he and I reached a point of...understanding- [Waver hesitated before choosing that word; he'd always carefully avoided speaking about himself and Lancer in fine details. Whether that was out of respect for Diarmuid or out of the desire to avoid pain was anyone's guess.] -in hindsight, despite my wishes to the contrary I don't think he ever reached the point of valuing himself as more than a knight. Or for that matter, developing the capacity to have selfish desires as a human should. I can't find it any fault or failing of his--one can't really develop a normal sense of self in a matter of days.

I merely think all that takes strength he simply hadn't time enough to learn. Don't you agree?