At Kaul Dushuron Academy, the year-eights take part in the public Pre-Trials, a one-day preview of the final Trials. Anden had once been excited for the event, but after Lan’s death he treats it only as something to endure before graduation, jade, clan service, and vengeance. He competes with detachment, uninterested in scores or praise.

Anden performs exceptionally in the tower event, using Lightness to reach the top platform in the best time of the day. From above, he sees Janloon laid out peacefully and remembers the previous year, when Lan promised to attend Anden’s Pre-Trials. Lan’s absence makes the event feel empty, and Anden focuses instead on the future he believes he owes his family.

Anden places second in knife throwing, then wins the Channeling event by killing five mice faster than anyone else. Although his skill secures the coveted First of Class award, Anden feels sadness and guilt rather than triumph. While waiting for the awards, Anden thinks about Lan’s death, blames himself for not speaking up about Lan’s condition, and turns his remorse into hatred of the Mountain, shine, and everyone who made Lan vulnerable.

After Grandmaster Le presents Anden with the First of Class jade stud, Anden overhears Lott Jin saying that No Peak may not get many new Fingers because wartime service is too dangerous. Anden angrily confronts Lott for disrespecting the clan and spreading cowardice in public. The argument nearly escalates into a duel until Hilo arrives, immediately changing the mood with his presence as Pillar.

Hilo praises Anden and the year-eights, flatters Lott by invoking Lott’s father, and encourages the students to enjoy their last months before graduation. Once alone with Anden, Hilo explains that Anden’s anger may have been righteous but was poorly aimed: future leaders must know how to discipline men in ways that inspire loyalty rather than resentment. Hilo uses Lott’s insecurity about his father to show Anden that giving people something to live up to is more effective than shaming them.

In the parking lot, Hilo attaches Anden’s new jade stud to his training band. Anden experiences a surge of power and heightened perception, briefly feeling joy and possessiveness over the stone. Hilo warns that the first stones are unforgettable but that every Green Bone eventually reaches a limit, after which more jade can become destructive. Anden worries about Hilo’s increasing jade, but Hilo sadly says he no longer feels anything.