As the water trials near their end, Tané spends a restless midnight oiling her sword in preparation for the final trial. On her way back to her quarters, she observes Onren and Kanperu together in the courtyard, their easy intimacy a contrast to her own relentless focus. Dumusa finds Tané and offers counsel, sharing that she once sacrificed everything—painting, relationships, city outings—to become principal apprentice, only to realize that obsessive practice was consuming her rather than strengthening her. She advises Tané that a sword does not need constant whetting to stay sharp and urges her to rest.

The next morning, the Sea General announces the final trial: sword combat, first blood. Tané is paired against her rival Turosa of the North House. As they face each other in the rain-soaked courtyard, Turosa tries to provoke Tané with insults about her peasant origins, calling her "village chaff" and threatening to bar all commoners from riding dragons once he commands the riders. Tané refuses to be rattled by attacks on a family she never knew.

The duel is fierce and fast. Turosa gains the upper hand when he feints and punches Tané in the chin, then kicks her to the ground. He taunts her, telling her to stay down where chaff belongs. But Tané deliberately lowers her head as though defeated, baiting Turosa into stepping closer. She then sweeps her legs toward him, springs to her feet, and catches him off guard. Her blade shaves his jaw, drawing first blood just before his sword gashes her shoulder.

The Sea General declares Tané the victor. Turosa, humiliated by falling for a trick born of his own arrogance, realizes that dismissing Tané as a peasant only proves a peasant can surpass a noble. In a moment of grudging respect, he bows to her more deeply than he ever has before.