Anari Idaho travels with Manford Torondo to Ginaz, pleased because Emperor Salvador has granted Manford 230 Army of Humanity ships and because Manford expects more trained Mentats. As the shuttle descends, Anari remembers her own years at the Swordmaster School, but she keeps her attention on serving Manford and carrying him with dignity.

At the landing area, Anari recognizes former instructors but deliberately remains silent so Manford can take precedence. Manford addresses the gathered Swordmasters, presenting the Butlerian cause as a new holy battle to protect humanity from dangerous technology. Master Fleur, speaking for the school, says the Swordmasters have long wanted a worthy challenge and are receptive to Manford’s mission.

On a grassy hill above a black-sand beach, Master Fleur arranges a combat demonstration against a salvaged battle mek. The deactivated-but-still-deadly machine unsettles Manford, though he accepts its use as a necessary training evil. Watching the trainees, Anari recalls her brutal entry into the school, her rivalry and former relationship with Ellus, and how her devotion to Manford has replaced ordinary attachments.

The trainees attack the battle mek with pulse-swords, but the machine injures several fighters and mortally eviscerates one trainee. Anari longs to join the fight, and Manford, noticing her desire, quietly gives permission. Anari charges in, damages the mek’s armor and optic threads, and creates an opening that allows the trainees to strike into the machine’s core.

With Anari’s help, the trainees topple and dismantle the battle mek, reducing it to useless fragments. The wounded trainee dies, and Master Fleur treats the death as part of the Swordmaster calling. Manford asks for hundreds of Swordmasters to serve aboard his new fleet and police worlds against forbidden technology, and Fleur pledges that Manford will have as many as he needs.