Nico investigates how Eilif, Gideon's mermaid mother, breached the Society's wards to appear in his bathroom. He reasons that the wards were designed to repel people, not creatures, whose magic operates differently. Through the library archives and Reina's help translating runes, Nico learns that creatures use magic more efficiently than humans—channeling it in refined, thread-like streams rather than wasteful "fumes." The chapter also reveals Gideon's backstory: his absent, possibly non-human father and Eilif's history of exploiting Gideon as a child to run dangerous errands in dream realms, stealing from people's thoughts until Gideon refused to continue.

Libby interrupts Nico and Reina's research session, curious about what they're studying and why Tristan's ability to see magic in use is relevant. Nico refuses to explain, and when Libby presses him, he lashes out, insisting they aren't friends and telling her to leave him alone. Libby departs visibly hurt, and Nico feels a pang of guilt but proceeds with his plan. He retreats to an unused drawing room in the east wing and begins inspecting the house's wards alone.

Nico discovers numerous weaknesses—bubbles, blemishes, and decomposition in the ward structure—particularly around the house's plumbing and wall insulation, caused by corrosion, hard water, and the natural entropy of magic over time. He begins repairing them: sealing cracks, reinforcing molecular structure, and purifying corroded areas. The work rapidly drains him beyond what he anticipated, as the house greedily siphons his power faster than he can control. He experiences convulsions, chills, blurred vision, and dehydration as his body is pushed to its limits.

Libby arrives after sensing a tremor caused by Nico's exertion. Despite his earlier cruelty, she takes his hand and joins her power with his. Their combined magic flows with unprecedented refinement and synchronicity—cleaner, more precise, and more efficient than either could achieve alone. Together they finish repairing the pipes and wards within minutes, completing a thorough sweep of the perimeter with no remaining faults.

Afterward, Libby tends to Nico, checking his pulse and urging him to drink water and sleep. She asks why he was repairing the house alone, and Nico, unable to reveal the truth about Gideon and Eilif, asks her not to press him. He reaffirms their alliance sincerely, promising to come to her if he needs help and to be there if she needs him. Libby accepts this, satisfied. She teleports Nico to his bed using spatial manipulation, and he collapses into exhausted, dreamless sleep, finding a glass of water waiting on his nightstand—courtesy of Libby.