Four days have passed since Violet last saw Xaden, and his mental shields have kept them distant. Their squad descends into the Infantry Quadrant’s magically warmed amphitheater, where Xaden, dressed in sparring gear, leads the inaugural Signet Sparring session for Violet’s squad and Caroline Ashton’s First Wing squad. The arena is heavily warded to contain signet effects to the mat.

Violet briefly reconnects with Xaden via shadows and asks if he can slip away to Chantara over the weekend, but he refuses, citing the difficulty of being near her in public and tight constraints on his movements. She notes her current regimen of daily lightning practice with Tairn and intensive research into Deverelli and dark-wielder lore.

When Loran Yashil from First Wing questions Xaden’s suitability as a teacher, Xaden challenges him. Without drawing a weapon, Xaden disables Loran with superior hand-to-hand technique, then, during a second pass, uses Loran’s blade shadow to snare him and force him to his knees, demonstrating precise shadow control.

Xaden explains the amphitheater’s wards and the class philosophy: unlike secretive cadet sparring, he will reveal tactics and help cadets learn to counter specific signets and dark wielders within a safe, contained space. He emphasizes that opponents will not hold back in real combat and neither should they here.

He then defeats a series of volunteers with tailored counters: dodging and tripping a fire wielder with shadows; collapsing Quinn’s projection by sweeping her legs; disarming Rhiannon with a shadow-held blade; blasting Caroline off the mat; and catching Neve’s levitated daggers in shadow to return them threateningly. He states, “I never need to draw a sword because I am the weapon,” framing his signet as the primary offense.

Questions arise about non-wielders, and Cat asserts the lethality of mindwork, with Xaden advising everyone to learn shielding to counter mental attacks. He claims only one person—Violet—may one day be able to take him down, drawing attention to her.

Further bouts show Ridoc trapped by his own ice, and Sloane submits without earnest effort, leaving bound by shadow. Trager bluntly challenges Cat’s lingering feelings for Xaden, stirring interpersonal friction. Finally, Xaden calls Violet with “No exceptions,” and Violet steps onto the mat, securing her conduit and opening Tairn’s power, warning Xaden not to let her hurt him. The scene cuts at the moment of their impending clash.