It is indeed a fireball and will singe Elle if she leans too close, but luckily this particular demonstration isn't large enough to hold enough heat to burn her severely. Linhardt keeps the magic steady as she examines it, an undertaking that requires more skill than one might expect, as he has to manage the amount of air he's 'allowing' into the fire to keep it from burning itself out or flaring any larger.

"What is a 'Newtype' and what can they do?" Perhaps there is some similarity to Crests?

Her mention of war makes Linhardt frown, a shadow of understanding sympathy darting across his face before he quashes his expression once again into careful neutrality, "I would agree with you: In my experience those who are deranged enough to initiate conflict are also unheeding of consequences and will use anything for their war efforts."