On New Year’s Eve, Anden delays leaving the Academy for the Kaul house because he knows Hilo has asked something grave of him. With the final Trials finished, Anden reflects that the Academy, once a harsh place of chores and discipline, was also a refuge where jade and Green Bone honor could exist in safety. Anden passed his exams and combat testing, but the achievement feels minor beside the real test awaiting him.

Anden arrives late to the Kaul family dinner. The meal is rich but subdued, and the gathering feels more like a vigil than a celebration because Lan is absent, the clan is in danger, and everyone is tense. Hilo alone tries to act cheerful, welcoming Anden warmly, serving food, joking, and insisting the family begin the new year in better spirits.

Kaul Sen suddenly focuses on Anden and cruelly invokes Anden’s mother, calling him “Mad Witch’s boy” and questioning whether Anden will carry jade better than she did. Hilo immediately cuts off Kaul Sen and has Kyanla take him away, then explains that losing jade tolerance has damaged the old man’s mind. The incident wounds Anden, especially because Sen had once accepted him as part of the family.

After dinner, Shae privately apologizes to Anden. She admits she was wrong not to listen to him before and says she argued against Hilo asking Anden to do what he is about to do, but Hilo believes it is the clan’s best chance. Anden tells Shae that he understands and that the decision is his choice.

Hilo sends Wen away with her brothers and takes Anden to the training hall, a place that reminds Anden of the last time he saw Lan alive. Hilo asks if Anden is still willing to carry out the task, and Anden commits himself. Because Anden has completed the Trials and is acting for the clan, Hilo has him take the Green Bone oaths early. Anden swears loyalty to the clan, the Pillar, and his brothers-in-arms, and Hilo embraces him as “Brother.”