CHAPTER FIVE

Summary

• The chapter opens in a crowded lecture hall where students are attending their first "Battle Brief," a mandatory class for cadets led by Professor Devera.
• Professor Devera emphasizes the importance of understanding the politics of their enemies, strategies for defending their outposts, and having knowledge of recent and current battles.
• The professor reveals that in the past third-year students have been called to active service before they graduate, suggesting this might be a possibility for current cadets as well.
• The students are briefed on a recent attack on the Eastern Wing near the village of Chakir. The wards, a form of protective shield, faltered allowing enemy gryphons and riders to enter their territory.
• The students are encouraged to ask questions to better understand the situation. The protagonist, named Violet, asks insightful questions that leads her to conclude that a squad of riders had already been on their way to the village before the attack as they somehow knew the wards were breaking.
• There is a tension between the protagonist and another student, Jack, who mocks Violet's insightful questions. However, Professor Devera confirms that Violet's conclusion is correct.
• Later, the cadets are trained in physical combat. Violet watches as her peers spar and discusses the challenges of their academic and physical training with another student, Rhiannon.
• The chapter closes with a shocking incident where a student named Jack breaks another student's neck during a sparring session. This incident reinforces a threat Jack had made against Violet in a previous interaction.

• The chapter starts with Rhiannon pressing a boot into Tynan's throat after over-powering him in a fight. She stops when Emetterio calls out that Tynan yields.
• Emetterio then selects a pink-haired girl with a rebellion relic and the protagonist (narrator), who has silver hair, for the next fight. The protagonist is worried as the girl is taller and looks tougher.
• The pink-haired girl, identified as Imogen, mocks the protagonist about her mother, who is controversial within their society. The protagonist takes pride in her mother's service, causing tension between the two.
• Imogen is angry and attacks, accusing the protagonist's mother of killing her family. The protagonist manages to dodge the attacks initially and even lands a few jabs but then Imogen strikes her with a swift kick in the chest.
• As the protagonist hits the ground, Imogen lunges at her with a dagger. The protagonist's armor saves her, and she manages to punch Imogen and roll away.
• Imogen then traps the protagonist on the floor again, demanding that she yield. The protagonist refuses, and Imogen wrenches her shoulder, causing severe pain and injury.
• Emetterio intervenes and declares that the protagonist yields when she is unable to respond, ending the fight with Imogen's victory.