Vis wakes late, aching from the previous night’s ordeals, but finds his injuries superficial. In a subdued mess hall, Callidus tells him Feriun has died, likely by suicide under family pressure and the Necropolis. The news leaves Vis somber and conflicted as Callidus outlines the promotion chain: with Ava moving up from Class Five, a spot in Five should open for the top student in Six—widely considered Vis. Callidus also thanks Vis for friendship that might have kept him from similar despair.

During Class Six, Eidhin quietly checks whether Vis will still tutor him, testing Vis’s commitment amid anticipated advancement. Dultatis offers only a dry lecture and no mention of promotions. Near day’s end, Taedia enters, confronts Dultatis, and calls Vis forward. When Dultatis refuses to advance Vis, he offers Ianix Carenius as a better candidate based on swordwork; Taedia rejects the metric but agrees to settle it by a duel. She announces a formal training duel tomorrow before evening meal, winner to advance to Class Five. Both Vis and Ianix accept, and Dultatis—cornered yet pleased—returns Vis to his seat.

Eidhin warns that Ianix is the reigning Catalan Games dueling champion, raising the stakes. Before dismissal, Dultatis publicly reprimands Vis for inattention and assigns him stable duty that night, transparently meant to sabotage his preparation. Vis swallows his anger and leaves for the stables rather than risk giving Dultatis an excuse to cancel the duel.

At the stables, Emissa finds Vis, confirms the duel is the talk of the Academy, and informs him he will need Will‑imbued training armor—an Amotus—for the bout. Vis, unfamiliar with Amotus, accepts her offer to fetch sets from the gym so they can practice. Though bound by a promise to tutor Eidhin, Emissa agrees to wait an hour before training.

Vis heads to the dormitory, where Eidhin immediately declares practice the priority and hustles Vis to the gymnasium. Eidhin, experienced with the Amotus, joins the preparation, positioning Vis to train despite Dultatis’s interference.