"Mm, immersion is a funny thing," Mephisto said, his head tilting subtly to the side as he looked over at the alchemist. For what it was worth, he felt proud of the man. "You don't sound so pleased about it, however. Is all well? Would you like to take a short break from it, to collect yourself?" Of course, Mephisto knew that there was no way that Ariel would approve of that for himself. He was a man who sought to strive onward, even if the end of the road meant discomfort for him. But the offer stood.
"Do realize that you have no particular deadline, though at this rate, I would put the culmination of your learning leading to ascension on, appropriately enough, Epiphany." Ariel was raised Catholic, the man would know when that was.