Tané arrives in Ginura, the capital of Seiiki, along with the other sea guardian apprentices. She marvels at the city's grandeur—its shrines, canals, season trees, and the magnificent Ginura Castle, designed to resemble the Palace of Many Pearls. The procession ends at the Ginura School of War, where the sea guardians will undergo their final sorting and trials to prove their worthiness for a place in the dragon-riding clans.

While bathing and resting before the trials, Tané reflects on her friendship with Susa. She recalls how, as an eleven-year-old, she rescued Susa from urchins beating her in the snow for stealing food from a shrine, earning the fishhook-shaped scar on her cheek. Susa was adopted by an innkeeper, and the two became inseparable friends. Tané acknowledges that her heart has hardened over the years as she focused on becoming a dragonrider, yet recognizes that the compassionate part of her younger self—the same impulse that led her to hide the outsider on the beach—still persists.

The first water trial begins in a courtyard, with the Sea General presiding and the dragons watching from above the rooftops. Tané is matched against Onren, the principal apprentice from the East House, in a halberd duel. The fight is intense and skillful. Tané, observing that Onren favors one side due to an old horse-kick injury to her left knee, strategically takes a hit to create an opening. She strikes Onren's weak knee, bringing her down, and wins the bout decisively.

The Sea General declares Tané's victory, and the spectators applaud. Tané helps Onren up, and the two share a respectful exchange. A green Lacustrine dragon grins at Tané from the rooftop, and Tané smiles back, elated. Onren warns Tané that their rival Turosa now looks both angry and determined, recognizing that Tané has proven herself a formidable competitor for the coveted place in Clan Miduchi.