Darrow joins House Mars in an opulent dining hall and sees his name leading the initial merit tally toward Primus. He notes Antonia au Severus, Cassius au Bellona, and the immaculate Premier, Priam, whose House Bellona ties are powerful. Cassius mock-nicknames lower-ranked students, but Priam defends them as the future “spine” of the group. Darrow spots Sevro at the far end, isolated.

Cassius presses Darrow about cheating on the exam. Darrow boasts he didn’t study, then realizes the insult and danger of provoking a duel. He quickly reframes it as humor, crediting hard study and flattering Cassius; tensions ease, and Darrow notes that these Golds are proud but not foolish.

Working the table as Matteo taught, Darrow flirts with Quinn, bonds with Cassius and the upright Priam, tests strength with the hulking Titus, and meets the poetic Roque. Julian arrives, theatrically reveals Darrow’s unfashionable fauxWar allegiance, and leaves buoyed by Cassius’s kindness. Antonia remains icily contemptuous.

Director Clintus delivers a curt welcome and declares the Passage will begin tomorrow, heightening stakes and urgency.

In a lavish dorm, Darrow receives a massage and declines sexual Pinks, sending them to Cassius. He cools himself with a shower and a mining holo of Corinth, wraps his scarlet rag, and eats, feeling guilty for his family’s hunger. Clutching Eo’s locket and wedding band, he wrestles with grief and anger before reaffirming his love and purpose.