The protagonist spends two weeks refining a plan he needs Emissa's help with, eventually persuading her to assist.
The plan involves targeting Belli, a competitor in Class Three, who is lower in the ranks but has something belonging to another character, Callidus.
In an attempt to facilitate the plan, the protagonist manoeuvres an impromptu game of Foundation with Belli - with the stakes being the protagonist's pledge to Governance if Belli wins, or Belli's spot in Class Three if the protagonist wins.
The protagonist uses his knowledge of Belli's playing style and manages to bring the game to a levelled status in spite of him playing with a disadvantage. He then launches an attack that puts Belli's status in jeopardy.
When Belli realises her impending defeat, the protagonist offers a draw in exchange for what she took from Callidus, which she reluctantly agrees to.
In the end, Belli concedes, making the protagonist the victor and earning the protagonist her spot in Class Three; the protagonist warns Belli not to retaliate further due to the lack of evidence supporting her claims and the potential consequence of her expulsion from the Academy.
The protagonist leaves the crowd victorious and shares a moment of relief and satisfaction with Callidus.