Leon Vance faces hostile rejection and insults from noble students as he prepares to prove his worth in the Academy's trials. Despite warnings that seeking a title could brand him a heretic, Leon insists on showing his power through the trials alone. At the academy, nobles demean him, calling him a 'bastard' and threatening his school life. Elena Valerius, a noblewoman, is pressured to attend a party but refuses, drawing further tension. After a confrontation with her aggressive sibling, Elena unexpectedly offers a civil introduction to Leon, hinting at a shift in alliances just as Leon's challenge at the trials looms.