In Battle Brief, Professor Devera introduces the daily course and its purpose: preparing riders with real-time intelligence. She and Professor Markham describe a midnight raid near Chakir after wards along the Esben Mountains falter, resulting in thirty-seven civilian deaths, one dead rider, and one injured dragon. Markham admits it is not the first ward failure, but frequency is withheld.

Prompted to analyze, Violet Sorrengail highlights the raid’s altitude and the rapid response time, concluding the wing must have launched pre-alert because a dragon sensed the ward failing. Devera confirms her reasoning. From the back, wingleader Xaden Riorson asks about the village’s condition and infers the attackers were searching for something rather than establishing a foothold. Devera agrees the motive remains unknown and stresses asking the right questions amid fluid threats.

After lunch, combat assessments begin under Professor Emetterio. Aurelie and Ridoc fight hard; Aurelie wins and is sent to healers. Rhiannon proposes a mutual-aid pact—she and others help Violet in combat if Violet helps with history. On a nearby mat, Jack Barlowe snaps a first-year’s neck, killing him, prompting instructors to refocus the room on functioning despite death.

Rhiannon defeats Tynan decisively. Violet is then matched with Imogen, a second-year bearing a rebellion relic, who taunts Violet about her mother. Violet tries to exploit Imogen’s anger to keep distance. During the bout, Dain warns Imogen not to use her powers, and Violet spots Imogen re-sheathing a dagger; Violet’s concealed armor stops the strike.

Imogen overwhelms Violet, taking her to the mat and wrenching her arm. Despite Dain’s calls to yield, Violet initially refuses. Emetterio declares the yield, but Imogen continues the hold until Violet’s shoulder dislocates with an audible snap, ending the assessment with Violet injured and the brutality of training laid bare.