Vis visits Principalis Veridius to submit his Iudicium team, naming Callidus Ericius and Eidhin Breac. Veridius approves the choices but warns that any recruit who shares details of their private briefing will be expelled and Vis disqualified. When Vis asks, Veridius confirms Belli will compete and advises avoiding her. Veridius then questions why Vis continues intense Labyrinth training despite having a secure Class Three position, hints at offering protection, and emphasizes trust, but Vis remains guarded, suspecting Veridius is using students to reach whatever lies beyond the maze.

Two days later, Eidhin pulls Vis aside and, in Cymrian, explains ddram cyfraith, his tribe’s code honoring death as sacrifice. He recounts the Hierarchy’s surprise attack, the tribe’s resistance, and his capture after killing three Praetorians. Most of his people chose death, but Eidhin’s father made a deal to become a Quintus and leader in exchange for sparing the survivors, with Eidhin forced to spend a year in a Sapper and to attend the Academy and later serve under him. Eidhin affirms friendship and shared hatred of the Hierarchy but refuses to join the Iudicium for undisclosed reasons; revealing more would risk expulsion and, if he joined, Vis could not trust him.

Accepting Eidhin’s choice, Vis approaches Aequa outside the girls’ dormitory to offer her the open team spot. He cites her talent, drive to win, and sincere apology for previously accusing him of cheating and endangering him. Framing it as a chance at redemption, Vis persuades Aequa to accept.

Vis and Aequa inform Veridius, who interviews Aequa privately and reinforces the secrecy rule. Aequa emerges shaken but committed to the team and agrees to join Vis and Callidus in their morning Labyrinth practice. With three weeks remaining before the Iudicium, Vis’s team is set—Vis, Callidus, and Aequa—and he resolves to keep training and wait.