Bulat laughs, but in a good natured sort of way. She's trying her best, he gets that much. From how careful she is about not suddenly drawing a blade, he judges that the common tactic of a surprise attack to jump into the lesson wouldn't be ideal. Plan B, which stands for branch. He finds a good shortsword-sized branch and snaps away the associated twigs and such while he talks.

"Painting and writing are both ways to improve fine control in your wrist. It doesn't take much of a change in angle to get knocked off balance. Someone your size can easily take down or disarm someone my size, even if we're equally armed."

He notably does not say that he thinks that she specifically could beat him specifically, because he does not believe in giving people unrealistic expectations.