okay, i think that works in terms of what i had in mind. maybe she applied at age 18 as well, thereby being in the same cadet cohort as he was. they bonded, all drift compatible, and then during that final test, something about it jumpstarted her x-factor for the first time, leading her to pass out. so she had to reapply and go through everything again later after she figures out a better system to cope with the abilities.