(He doesn't have anything he fears losing. Yet. Such acquisitions take time to collect. He probably values his books the most.)

That can be hard to prove. I can only trust my instincts in that regard and since you are a practiced shinki, I think I could do far worse.

(One way of playing a game is surrounding yourself with allies that have been playing it longer.)

The world is dangerous. I lost my parents and my home four years ago. I can only rely on myself and my impression of those around me has not often been wrong.