"A good division of labor."

"I'll let you know if we have any updates."

"I'll do the same."

"Until next time."

And they can part ways.

She heads back to Chengsu.

"Something troubling you?"

Thoughtful hum. "The Higgins sisters approached me," she's still a bit ??? about those two being sisters, but it hasn't really been something that's shoved to the front of her priority list yet, "They want to set up a network to protect the independents who aren't associated with an enclave - even after they graduate, it sounds like."

"Unexpectedly altruistic of them."

"They've been protecting at least some younger students for a while... But they're hard to get a good read on. And doing that would line up with Gwen Higgins' reputation. Still..."

"They don't really have a history of going out of their way to do that, though."

"And they normally get something from helping younger students." Food at meals, pretty notably, and she's aware of at least some exchanges for mana.

"So what's changed for them?"

She huffs. "What hasn't? They've been - off, ever since that day in the library."

They didn't get much for going into the graduation hall to fix the machinery, actually - Xunyu's heard they turned down any offers of guaranteed spots in enclaves, and her sister told her they didn't even demand additional payment from the seniors. Just what was offered initially, alongside a chance to protect everyone in the school. 

"That was a bad day for everyone."

"It was."

It'd been the worst day of her own life - even just being in the room had changed a lot for Xunyu.

"Got a taste for saving lives, maybe."

"Or re-evaluated their priorities in some other way..."

"Whatever it turns out to be. They want help?"

"Yes - with coordination, and with advice. Though they were clear they don't want this dominated or taken over by enclaves - and they want our help with that, too."

"That'll be a trick to pull off. Owning an initiative like this would be good leverage for the big players, even over smaller enclaves."

"And even though I'm inclined to focus more on protecting the students, even if we don't get the glory - most of those who'd succeed me won't see things the same way."

"So the question that has to be asked- do you care if it gets taken over, as long as it keeps going?"

"I care that it - or some other idea - works."

"That makes my job easier."

"Fewer restrictions and a clearer goal?"