Isla designs the next Centennial demonstration to test each realm’s usefulness rather than each ruler’s personal power, partly because Isla cannot reveal that she lacks Wildling abilities. Isla wants Lightlark to see Wildlings as healers as well as killers, even though Isla’s guardians preferred a trial that would serve their strategy. Isla has already weakened that strategy by warning Grimshaw in advance.

In the arena, Isla explains that the audience will vote for the realm ability most useful to Lightlark’s future, with no one allowed to vote for a ruler of their own realm. Azul demonstrates a Skyling wind-based communication system, first sending a folded message to Isla and then having Skylings launch many folded papers along controlled air currents. The display impresses the crowd and shows a practical infrastructure for mass communication.

Cleo gives a deliberately spare demonstration, saying only that Moonlings have spent two centuries building ships. The Moonlings’ cheers and Oro’s surprised reaction suggest the fleet is real and that not even the king knew about it. Isla recognizes that the ships could reunite the realms after the curses, but could also be used for war.

Celeste and a group of Starlings show that they can pool energy to manufacture tools and weapons, creating a sword before the crowd. Oro follows by making a central fire and scattering it into harmless floating orbs that provide light and heat as long as the original flame remains lit. Grimshaw then shocks everyone by declaring that Nightshade has nothing productive to offer and leaving, making Isla furious because she had warned him and expected him to prepare.

For Isla’s own demonstration, Isla asks Oro to make a fire and then reveals a heart-shaped vial of crimson Wildling elixir. To prove the remedy’s power, Isla thrusts her arm into the flames until the skin is horribly burned, then pours the elixir over the wound. The injury heals in front of everyone, proving Wildlings can rival or surpass Moonling healing, though the pain remains and Isla knows Cleo will resent the challenge to Moonling power. Azul ultimately wins the vote, underscoring that the Centennial’s contests are not fair even when they seem public and orderly.