Patricia’s warning troubles Bree until training begins and the other Pages share new rumors. William stopped Sel from performing the Warrior’s Oath for Sar and Tor until Sel calmed down, and a later phone call among Nick, Sel, and Lord Davis ended in shouting, a scuffle, Sel smashing a chair, and Nick disappearing from campus.

Gillian and Sel demonstrate longsword work and fight to a draw, but Sel remains withdrawn. Bree then struggles badly with practice swords, first against dummies and then against Whitty, whose repeated disarms expose Bree’s poor stamina and lack of experience. After training, Bree cannot reach Nick, and at home she lies to Alice about the bruising, claiming Order training is only harmless initiation activity.

Nick later texts that his father sent a plane for him so he can appear at the Northern chapters because the situation is worsening there as well, with gates opening in unexpected places. Nick promises to return for Thursday’s trial and urges Bree to trust Gillian. Over the next two days, Bree loses repeatedly in dagger and weapon drills, suffers injuries that William heals, and tries to hide the damage from Alice.

As Vaughn, Blake, and Sydney watch and mock Bree’s failures, Bree cycles between telling herself the Order is not truly her life and pushing herself harder because she hates losing. Greer and Whitty try to show kindness during sparring, but the trainers punish any softness with extra conditioning. Bree’s frustration deepens as she remembers her real goal is to rise high enough to demand answers from the Regents.

On Wednesday, Sydney chooses the quarterstaff and Owen pairs Sydney with Bree. Greer warns Bree that Sydney will target Bree’s legs, but Sydney still outmaneuvers her, forcing Bree to yield with a staff at her throat. After the match, Sydney smirks instead of helping Bree up, and Bree realizes Sel watched the humiliating loss with his preferred weapon.

When practice ends, Bree stays behind because Sel’s attention feels deliberate. Sel asks whether Bree truly wants to become a Squire, then offers to train her, saying he dislikes bullies exploiting weakness and would enjoy seeing Bree’s attackers fall. Sel identifies Bree’s divided focus and uncontrolled aether as the reasons for her failures, and though he admits Bree is not close to winning, he offers to help Bree lose less terribly while conjuring blue aether in his palm.