Louise quietly walked beside Shil'ka as the two of them left the threshold and walked along the streets of the ichor hub. After the overlord had given Louise her mission she had become completely quiet to the point that it was actually beginning to worry Shil'ka. "So what is your plan?"

Louise looked up at Shil'ka, her face full of both determination and worry. "Pardon?"

"What is your plan for your world? You're going to go after the dreadnaught, correct?"

Louise nodded and turned her gaze head of her. "Of course, but I'll need to find it first. And I'll need to find out if anything has happened while I was gone."

"Why would you worry about that?"

"Because it could make my objective easier or harder depending on how things go. But I suppose the first thing I'll need to do is to return to my world . . . is there a threshold there by chance?"

"Of course not. You did not make it to the world you were found on by one, so why would there be one on your planet when there has only ever been a momentary Scrin presence on your planet?"

"Then how the heck do I get back!" Louise suddenly demanded in a panic.

Shil'ka let out a loud laugh. "The way you got to the world we found you on, of course. The same way my forces often flank our foes, by wormhole."

"By wormhole? So by a stabilized tear in space-time?"

"Artificial tear in space time, yes. My forces spent cycles creating working wormholes. We use them quite a lot. When the Prodigy Saw'veleesh found you, he had noticed a wormhole energy signature."

"Wait! I got here from a wormhole and hadn't even realized it?"

"It is likely yes. Considering what you've just become capable of, I believe you may be able to create one yourself like I can."

"Oh I . . . . Wait, what?"

"Hmm? What?"

"You can create wormholes?" Louise asked.

"Yes, and you likely can as well I'm guessing. Why?"

"You could have made us a wormhole to where Kevris was and e never would have had to go through those shallows!" Louise screamed suddenly, catching Shil'ka completely off guard.

"No I could not. We must know what the destination looks like, or the wormhole cannot function. I had never been t that planetoid so it was impossible, but you should be able to create a wormhole to your world because you know what it looks like."

Louise looked at her for a few seconds before calming down and muttering something about being sorry before growling a bit. "Even if I can create a wormhole, is there anything you suggest that I do? You've done this before after all."

Shil'ka was silent for many moments before turning to Louise. "Other than helping you learn how to create wormhole back to your world, I'm not sure what I could do for you. What is your home world like, anyway?"

Louise hung her head low for a moment before turning to Shil'ka as they continued to walk toward the hub's outer edge. "Early civilization I'd guess, by Scrin standards. Those that can use what they call magic are considered superior and can summon up creatures from other worlds to serve them. Wait, that's what I'm forgetting. How long has it been on my home world?"

Shil'ka looked up to the stars for a moment before glancing to Louise. "I'm not entirely sure, but I'd wager quite a while."

"Damn. If the familiar summoning ritual is over already I could have a problem." Louise said as her Polaron cords pulled from her hair and began poking her shoulders lightly.

"Why is that? And what are you doing?"

"Confirming something, and I'm right. My biology has changed to such an extent I likely will not be able to use my species native, 'magic'. I'll likely be unable to summon a familiar in the expected way as well, it may get me found out."

"Why is that?"

"My physical appearance has yet to change all that much, so I'll get noticed if I'm seen by any noble. If that happens it will seriously put a dent in any plans or objectives I decide upon.

"Why is that?"

"The nobility control everything. If they find me they'll round me up and send me back to the noble's magic academy, or worse, keep me locked up in my family manor."

" . . . . Why don't you use that to your advantage?"

"What?"

"Use it to your advantage, hide among them until you find your ship, then turn around and use them even more until you have no use for them."

Louise was quiet for many moments before a nearly vicious smile crossed her face. "Yeah, that's a good idea. I like it!"

"I thought you would, I have thought of a way to help your other problem as well now."

Louise looked to Shil'ka. "How?"

"I've called for the Prodigy that first found you. He's a prodigy of one of my supervisors that I've asked to assist you. You can use him as you see fit, for support, or even to trick your home worlds people-,"

"Into thinking I have a strange familiar, that none of them will question," Louise finished with a grin.

"Yes, he should be here momentarily and once he is you can try your hand at creating a wormhole to your world.

"Yes," Louise said as she clenched her fists and raised them to the sky, an action that her Polaron cords mimicked as well. "And then things will really get going!"

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Tristania Academy of Magic

"I have to hand it to you. Without your help, the Ostrand would never have been completed so quickly and thoroughly." Mr. Colbert said happily as he stood before the completed Ostrand, staff in hand.

Lady Montmorency smiled as she stood beside Mr. Colbert. "It's not just me, with the help of your Ostrand my expedition can go ahead full force, for that I have to thank you!"

Mr. Colbert smiled. "And due to your expedition, more nobles decided to back the Ostrand, and many of their children are coming along as help as well."

"Our little joint effort helps us both very well then, does it not?"

"Indeed it does. Is your daughter going to join in on the expedition as well?"

"Of course, she's my pride and joy after all, hardworking and greatly trustworthy, I only wish I could spend more time with her.

Mr. Colbert let out a laugh. "You'll have much time to spend with her I would guess, after all you're heading this expedition."

"Heading it beside you, partner!" Lady Montmorency said slyly.

"Indeed. In merely two days it all begins!"