Back at his parents' place, Kilden asks if they're going to kick him out of the city of ardenth. He's been selected to go to the "city of elementals" , which is a fancy name for a place where young men can learn about their powers. Kilden's parents have given him permission to go, but he doesn't want to leave his mother in the lurch. He tells her that he thinks she should go, too, since she'll be able to try the city out for a while and see how it's all done. He also says that Kilden is a "genius" and that she should decide whether to go or not. He asks her if she's really in love with Kilden, and she apologizes for being so "distracted" the past few days. She can think it over for a few days, he says, and then decide whether or not to go. He says that he's not an elemental, but that he feels that the world has changed, and that he wants to be a part of it. He and Kilden plan to meet up at an athletic pitch the next day.