Shallan’s hopes collapse when Jasnah returns to the Palanaeum and furiously dismisses her. After a moment, Jasnah apologizes for her harshness, praises Shallan’s letter and persistence, but still refuses wardship, inviting reapplication only after substantial study in history and philosophy—an impractical delay for Shallan’s desperate situation.

Outside, Shallan meets Yalb, who buoyantly urges a third attempt. Realizing her only chance is rapid self-education, Shallan decides to obtain core texts. Yalb locates a reputable bookseller, and when the merchant overcharges and condescends, Yalb stages a rival-shop ruse to force a better price. Shallan purchases comprehensive histories and key philosophical works.

Shallan returns to the Conclave, rents an alcove adjacent to Jasnah’s, and begins late-night cramming, intending to present herself once more before Jasnah leaves the city. She fills her lamp with her remaining spheres and starts reading, committing herself to an intense, last-ditch effort.

Jasnah, having bribed servants to alert her, arrives and inspects Shallan’s belongings: sketches, notes, and tools. Concluding that Shallan pursues scholarship for its own sake—as shown by her meticulous natural-history drawings—Jasnah revises her assessment of Shallan’s motives while acknowledging some opportunism.

Moved by Shallan’s determination and evidence of genuine learning, Jasnah offers wardship at once. She instructs Shallan to sleep and prepare to divide her time between filling educational gaps and assisting Jasnah’s research. Shallan, exhausted but triumphant, sets arrangements in motion, recognizing this as the crucial first step in her larger plan.