At an Order evaluation after the skies flashed—a sign of a breakthrough—students report their realms while rivals taunt Chase for relying on an innate vessel. Father forbids fighting as instructors check progress: most sit between second and fourth realms, then Hunter shocks everyone by declaring he's reached the fifth realm and mastered Blood Aether. The assembly reels; Chase expected to be superior, but his own cultivated blade rejects him and recognizes Hunter as its master. Chase is left stunned and humiliated, facing his blade's betrayal and an immediate threat to his rank and reputation.