AFTERWORD

Chapter 25

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Overview

Second Squad executes a daring midnight heist to steal a classified military map from General Sorrengail's office as their final task in the Squad Battle competition. With their squad leader Dain absent and under tight time constraints, the squad uses their various signet powers to break into the commanding general's quarters and retrieve the map showing all Navarrian outposts and troop positions—a theft that causes chaos when discovered.

Summary

The chapter opens with Second Squad celebrating Liam's wrestling victory in the Squad Battle, which advances them to third place overall. Commandant Panchek then reveals a surprise: the final task will begin immediately rather than the next day. Squad leaders have been sequestered, and the squads must complete a mission without leadership—acquiring something most valuable to enemies regarding the war effort. Violet proposes breaking into her mother's office to steal classified information, specifically a military map. The squad uses their combined signet abilities—Quinn's astral projection to scout, Nadine's ward-breaking, Sawyer's metal manipulation, Ridoc's ice wielding, Rhiannon's retrieval power, and Emery's wind control—to infiltrate the fortress. They encounter a guard whom Emery knocks unconscious; Violet administers a sleeping tonic to ensure he remains harmless. The squad escapes with the map showing all Navarrian outposts, troop strength, and recent skirmish locations. During the presentation, Violet reveals they stole the map from General Sorrengail's own office, causing uproar among the leadership and professors. Xaden observes the theft with apparent approval, and Violet considers the mission a personal victory regardless of the official judgment.

Characters

  • Violet SorrengailSquad member who proposes and leads the heist to steal the map from her mother's office
  • LiamSquad member who wins the wrestling match and serves as lookout during the heist
  • ImogenTakes command of Second Squad in the absence of Dain and helps execute the theft
  • RhiannonSquad member with retrieval signet power who helps transport the stolen map
  • RidocSquad member with ice-wielding ability who participates in the heist
  • SawyerSquad member with metal manipulation signet who locks doors and helps carry the map
  • QuinnSquad member with astral projection ability who scouts the guard position
  • NadineFirst-year squad member with ward-breaking signet who unlocks Sorrengail's office
  • EmeryThird-year with wind control signet who uses his power to incapacitate the guard
  • HeatonThird-year squad member with underwater breathing signet who guards Quinn's body
  • Commandant PanchekAnnounces the surprise final task and oversees the Squad Battle competition
  • Professor EmetterioAnnounces Liam as winner of the wrestling match
  • XadenWingleader who observes the theft presentation with approval and tips an imaginary hat to Violet
  • DainSecond Squad's absent leader sequestered with other squad leaders
  • CiannaExecutive officer mentioned as absent along with other leadership
  • General SorrengailViolet's mother whose office is broken into; letters in her office reveal military intelligence about raids and provincial unrest
  • MarkhamLeadership member who reacts with shock to the revelation that the map was stolen from the commanding general's office
  • DeveraLeadership member who reacts with shock to the map theft revelation
  • KaoriQuestioner who asks how the presented map is confirmed to be current
  • The Basgiath GuardGuard stationed at the hallway who pursues the squad and is incapacitated by Emery's wind signet
  • AndarnaSpeaks encouragement to Violet during the heist, expressing fearlessness
  • TairnViolet's dragon referenced in her criticism of her sky race performance