The protagonist is running through the forest, exhausted and injured. He takes a short break, drinks from a stream, cooks a fish, and tries to use a locator needle but it doesn't work.
He hears a whimpering sound and discovers an injured alupi pup (a wild creature) trapped under a branch. Initially, he thinks of killing it for food but in the end cannot bring himself to do so.
He tries to help the creature, getting bitten in the process. He feeds it his cooked fish and tries to bandage its wounds, leaving it in his cloak when he departs.
The protagonist resumes his journey, and soon reaches a cliff leading to the sea. The locator now indicates a direction. He plunges into the sea swimming towards an anchoring point - a distant white monolith amid the waves.
He reaches a point under the Transvect, which is a large airborne vessel. He uses a stone cuff to attach himself to it as it flies overhead. The rapid ascent causes him to lose his breath and slam into the side of the vessel.
After reaching safety inside the Transvect, he dries off and dresses in fresh clothing just before it lands at the Academy. He encounters a teacher, who doesn't seem to notice his unusual state.
Back at the dorms, one of his roommates comments that he looks awful. Despite being bruised and aching, he falls into a deep sleep.