Wow, this thread moves fast. Makes sense, though, quality game makes folks want to jaw about it.
Regarding the 'catching up bit', HSH-- by that I mean Cass is now an accomplished caster herself and no longer 'merely' an apprentince. Depending on how the cards go, she even has a student of her own (with the occasional snogging).
So given these developments, and how she is discovering just how thorny the path to walk is with the nobles, wealth, power struggles, and avoiding being outright enslaved, it lends a better sense of perspective as to all the cumalative b.s. Kyo, a former commoner, now noblewoman and mage besides had/has to deal with on a regular basis.
It doesn't change the past, but Kyo did lay the foundation for useful skills in the future. And it's not like she's supposed to be perfect-- Kyo has literally been fighting tooth, nail and dummy thicc to get where she is-- so it's not unrealistic that she would have difficulty lowering her barriers around anybody, let alone a fledgling mage that did not yet have the ability to defend themselves against this higher tier nonsense. Cass has the opportunity for a taste for this herself when training the pink wonder-- too much coddeling, they risk ruining the opportunity to grow from the challenge. Flipside, too little, and you end up with a unreceptive student teacher relationship. (Which is where Kyo definately fubarred a bit.)
I may be sugarcoating it a bit, but due to the schenanigans of Khiran they now have a chance to see more or less eye to eye, find some common ground, and possibly more. The fact that the author gave us the opportunity for Cas to dig in and take the higher road instead of using Kyo like a tool to vent her frustration is why it is most definately my favorite build up and scene thus far.
Because with this result among the many winding paths, this gives both Kyo and Cass a lover, a potential ally, and perhaps something of a friendly rivalry to boot. That to me makes the best of sexy times-- and luck willing there will be a potential epilogue somewhere down the line where the two of them end up guildmasters of the arcane craft, and preggo with eachothers kids by virtue of entirely too many futa potions and sultry nights (and days) of honing their arts.
If it's revenge pr0n, why, I'm pretty sure a certain blond noble has earned the delectible delight of being shoved up to the top of the list. Or bent over a barrel. Whatever works. Kyo is a flawed but mostly decent character. This fellow, though..