As Agnes entered Chihika’s shed (this time not wearing any jewelry), she saw how her friend has set everything up. All the books she lent from Agnes were stacked neatly in a corner – apparently she did not get to pack them into the boxes yet. Kitchen utensils were all packed into containers except for one or two plates to spend the rest of her days in Bormen with. Chihika also collected all the things she will leave behind for Agnes to keepsake.

“So you decided to just go with a backpack and one suitcase?” Agnes looked at how little her friend was carrying considering her upcoming 3-4 years journey to Iluskia.

Chihika nodded. “Yea, I think I will just buy the other things there. I got the essentials, and if I don’t have much to carry around, I can still be mobile. Just in case. I keep the most important things in my backpack, so that if something happens, I don’t have much to lose…” She shuffles with her hands. “You wanted to bring me something?”

Agnes started up. She almost forgot the main reason she came to her friend’s place. All the documents are settled, Chihika also already got a dorm-room. She is almost good to go, except for “the gloves.” And Agnes pulled them out and handed them carefully to her.

The timid girl shone as she saw the beautiful, glistening gloves. Zachary made the extra effort to make them as visually neutral as possible so that they can go with any outfit she decides to wear. Well, actually, it was Agnes who insisted he made the extra effort. Chihika admired them for a while until Agnes nudged her to try them out.

So she did. But then came the next question. “How do we test it? Do you have something with you?”

“Oh! Actually…” Agnes realized that she might be very nervous herself. She also forgot another important she was supposed to give Chihika. “This was an afterthought, so it slipped my mind… The others decided to equip you guys with a net plate, and a corresponding casing.” She handed Chihika her new net-plate. “But the thing is, the casing has the same technology as the gloves, so you won’t be able to use the touchscreen when you have it on. But it works if you have the casing out and use your gloves. It’s a bit of a quirk, but I hope you can get used to it.”

Chihika nodded again, and received the net-plate very carefully. It was the first time she ever held one in her hands. She tried removing the casing with the gloves. It was a struggle, but she figured it out. Then she touched on some of the icons, saw what they did. Her eyes shone and Agnes could see how much she tries to contain her joy. Then she looked up. “And you can communicate with them? How do you that?”

So Agnes showed her the ropes. She felt a little bit embarrassed to admit that she left her net-plate home. It was am important day for her, and she felt how she has been acting out of character. Maybe Chihika also knew. So they sat there, in an awkward atmosphere. No one really wanting to admit that it might be the last time for a long time that they are this close together. Both knowing that in two days, Chihika’s life will change, and also most probably Chihika herself.

“I’m a bit nervous.” Admitted Chihika. “It is all legitimate, but it still feels like a crime to go out like this.” She played around with the empty net-plate casing, and thought that she has one of the first exemplars of the first product-line allowing Children of Thunder to use technology. “I was always told to stay in this hut, and only go out a little bit if I have to, and now I am suddenly let go to another island. Sometimes it does feel wrong. Though I know it’s a good thing to do.”

“I have to admit, I am nervous too.” Agnes also tried to feel on the net-plate casing. She hasn’t really observed them herself. “How was the talk with Corlux?”

Chihika nodded a little. “It went well. We went through my courses, and he told me which he would wish me to take, which he recommends me, and he also asked which courses peeked my interest. We got quite a rough program for me, but of course I will have to talk to my mentor there too. And things could change, my interests could change. So we try to keep it all open.”

Agnes stayed silent. She wanted Chihika to continue.

“I would like to first learn about electric magic. But the university requires us to get a good grip on the basics first – especially those who didn’t go to formal school. And after I figured that out, I want to extend it to physical enhancement magic. Corlux also seemed to be interested by it.”

“And how does the Walking Phoenix scholarship come into play? Did Corlux explain to you?”

Chihika nodded. “I have to report to them every semester on my progress. There are other students receiving the scholarship – from all around Ivengard. I heard there are some others from Bormen too. We will have some monthly gathering. But the university will take care of the most part of my studies – mentorship, internships… If I run into trouble, I have to notify both though. And Corlux gave me a contact person from the local Walking Phoenix institute – the one in Iluskia.”

Agnes’ eyes widen. “Oh, so they *are* legitimate!”

Chihika laughed. “Crazy, isn’t it? The Walking Phoenix is even one of the most prestigious magical institution in Ivengard! So much for being a technological state!”

“We miss out on so many things! Oh, imagine what kind of new things you will discover! Maybe even things not written in the books I brought you!”

“Yes, yes! I am so excited! All my life, I thought I am missing out on the things that are happening in Bormen. But now that I will travel to Iluskia, I will get to see what Bormen misses out by not fully supporting magic. I am so excited!”

And so the two friends went on talking about the future, what was and what could be. Knowing it will be last time they will have such an exchange. At least as long Chihika is doing her studies in Iluskia.