Paedyn dances with Kitt at the ball and takes in the spectacle of the ballroom, aware that her silver dress has made her impossible to ignore. Kitt asks whether she is ready for the Trials, and Paedyn challenges him on whether the Trials are fair. Kitt avoids answering directly and leaves to get drinks, signaling that he does not want to confront the question.

After Kitt steps away, Paedyn dances with other men until a rude noble comments on her origins and appearance. Kai cuts in before the dance ends and takes Paedyn into his arms. Their exchange quickly turns flirtatious and competitive, with Kai teasing her about watching him and joking about the number of times they have saved each other. While dancing, Paedyn notices Kitt watching them from across the room and then spots the dark-curled servant boy from Loot moving through the crowd, which revives her suspicions about the note she stole from him.

The mood shatters when screams erupt and a throwing knife tears into Paedyn’s forearm. Kai immediately tackles her to the floor and shields her from exploding bombs, flying knives, and falling debris. As the ballroom descends into panic, Kai shifts into command, issuing orders and raising a forcefield around them while guards and Elites fight the masked attackers.

Pressed against the wall under Kai’s protection, Paedyn studies the assault and realizes the attackers are not using powers. When she sees the glass bombs and the leather gear worn by the masked figures, she understands that the attackers are Ordinaries using homemade weapons and armor instead of abilities. She begs Kai to let her help because she wants to get closer and learn who they are, but Kai refuses and, when she resists, throws her over his shoulder to remove her from the fight.

As Kai carries her through the chaos, Paedyn locks eyes with the dark-curled servant boy, now masked and clearly part of the attack. She realizes he had been making leather armor for the group and that he recognizes her as well. Kai brings Paedyn to a guarded area where Kitt is arguing with Imperials and refusing to hide. Kai and Kitt clash over duty and survival until Kitt reluctantly agrees to withdraw. Kai then leaves both of them in the guards’ care and runs back into the battle, settling on fire as the power he will use.