[The first thing he's doing when Viktor returns is casting a soundproofing spell on the room. That should keep prying ears from listening in on their conversation, especially if Viktor remembered to lock the door.

Brad visibly perks up when he sees the hex crystal. He definitely knows what that is, yep.]

Oh hey, that's a natural-growing mana stone! I'm amazed you got that to work at all, those things are notoriously unstable.

[Maybe it's roundness has something to do with that.]