He does, and he lets Sothis have some flexibility.

"...just don't do anything too crazy. If you're in any doubt about a detail, ask me first," he stated.

She nodded, and once he made the wish, she snapped her fingers. "Done," she grinned, just a hint of mischief in her eyes, but she had taken his words to heart. She didn't tell him too much about what she added via a bit of creative interpretation, but she had effectively altered a sort of invisible aura about him. Anyone in proximity to him would feel exactly as comfortable as they should, getting an intuitive sense of his lack of malevolent intent. Hopefully that would help with Bernadetta in particular. Also, due to him making a mention of his preference for dominant roles, she added to said aura a certain, subtle mystical sense of authority that would specifically appeal to the submissive sides of those who had said sides, make them more inclined to listen to him. Not an outright compulsion, more of a nudge.

"Okay, good. Are you okay with going back into your lamp for a bit?" he asked her.

"I told you before Master, it's surprisingly cozy in there!" Sothis giggled. "I might even bring you inside sometime!"

"Would I be able to get out?" he asked, a bit wary.

"Of course you could, only I need outside help from a Master to exit!" she assured him. "It lets anyone else out whenever they want!"

He nodded, having Sothis return to within the lamp, before stowing it into his bag. He mentally noted that he didn't have much knowledge about genies in general, so put it on his to do list to look into them. He headed down into the reception hall, where Edelgard was waiting for him.

"I'm looking forward to having the chance to measure your worth as an instructor in this mock battle," Edelgard told him. "Think you'll rise to the challenge?"

"Not so sure about the instructing part in the classroom yet, however, I do have experience leading in battle, so I'm confident about the mock battle at least," Byleth admitted, being fully honest with her, the rest of the Black Eagles filing in.

"You guys also have me, and I'm pretty darn good!" Shez added. "I'm looking forward to improving under your tutelage, Ashen Demon!"

"Ashen Demon?" Caspar asked, looking towards Shez.

"That's the moniker our Professor has been given in mercenary circles," Shez replied, looking at Caspar. "Just like his father is called the Blade Breaker."

Hubert smirked, and crossed his arms. "Is that so? That information is... Interesting..." he noted, meaning it. Shez's info would certainly be helpful for Hubert when doing some digging into Byleth to assess whether he was a threat to Edelgard or not.

Byleth and Edelgard were continuing to discuss the mock battle, when Claude and Dimitri also came in.