[And they're already needling him. He already regrets every life choice that brought him to this point.]

Just don't expect me to be your replacement dweeb squad. I don't cheerlead.

[No, but he apparently goads them into fighting harder. Which doesn't count for some reason. He pinches the bridge of his nose, then lowers his voice before continuing.]

And that isn't the only reason for discretion. We still don't know if we can trust the school's word. I've noticed an unusually high number of students who had some position of power in their own worlds, and I'm beginning to suspect that isn't a coincidence. They may be trying to mold us to another purpose.

And to the conniving mind, personal relationships are a weakness to be exploited and manipulated when one needs to exert control.