Vis arrives at the isolated Academy stables and notes their proximity to the eastern wall, gauging the feasibility of scaling it to reach the ruins he seeks. He judges it possible but impractical for now due to dorm scrutiny, deciding to wait weeks rather than risk immediate action.

Stable supervisor Septimus Ascenia brusquely instructs Vis on mucking out stalls and threatens consequences for any imperfection. As he works, Emissa from Class Three arrives, claiming “penance,” and joins in. Their conversation is easy and friendly, and her presence lightens the monotonous task.

Emissa cautions that Vis striking a Sixth without severe punishment will anger upper classes; Iro is already telling lower classes that Vis receives special treatment and that his naumachia reputation was politically inflated. Vis recognizes that his isolation during dinner hours will hinder his ability to counter rumors, even as Emissa affirms he did the right thing by stopping Eidhin.

Discussing advancement, Emissa advises that impressing Praeceptors is key: Ferrea can be won over quickly, but from Class Six onward Dultatis decides, and he is friendly with Nequias and biased against those from outside the Catenan heartland, like Vis from Aquiria. Despite a mutual spark, Vis reminds himself to stay cautious about attraction and notes Emissa’s pragmatic stance on social barriers.

They finish the stalls; Emissa reveals her “penance” was voluntary, driven by guilt for not helping more the previous day, then departs to study. Vis reports to Ferrea, who warns Ascenia will check his work, directs him to eat, and informs him of an immediate room change: he has been moved up a floor and must report to Praeceptor Dultatis in the morning—effectively promoted to Class Six while his punishment continues.