[His grin stays on his face, unwavering, even in the face of the comment regarding laughter. He finds himself laughing more when he shouldn't, these days. As if it's an old habit that he didn't know he had; one he wasn't sure how to break, or was even sure he wanted to break.]

It's true. You're sitting here now because of your grades, and their sorry decline. I know you're capable of so much more.

[He always had been, hadn't he? Bursting with potential, even if he was hesitant to embrace it. Just like the Noctis in that other life. He remembers that much.]

So I want to know what's causing it. I know there's something there.

[Something twisting itself within the boy, much like something writhes within him. Ardyn is smart enough to infer that if he's getting memories of this world called Eos, this past life of theirs, then Noctis must be as well. Look at the boy. He looks almost scared to glance up at him now.

He's remembered something. Ardyn has a right to know what it is.]

You've recalled something, haven't you. [Phrased like a question, but it isn't.]