Chapter 16
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Overview
Xaden teaches the first session of Signet Sparring in a protected amphitheater arena, demonstrating his shadow-wielding mastery by defeating cadets one after another. Violet steps onto the mat to spar against him, opening herself to Tairn's power and challenging him not to let her cause injury.
Summary
The squad descends into the Infantry Quadrant's amphitheater, a magically warmed half-dome arena carved into a northern ridgeline. Xaden, dressed in sparring gear, introduces the class as Signet Sparring and explains the protected wards preventing damage beyond the mat. When Loran Yashil challenges Xaden's qualifications as a teacher, Xaden quickly defeats him in unarmed combat, then demonstrates his shadow-wielding ability by restraining Loran with shadows around his throat. Xaden then systematically spars with cadets from both squads—fire wielders, projectionists, blade manipulators, and levitation users—defeating each opponent to expose weaknesses in their signets. He explains that his role is to teach them how to counter dark wielders by practicing against him in a controlled environment. Throughout the session, tension exists between Violet and Xaden due to their limited contact over the past four days, though they exchange glances and banter. After Xaden declares no exceptions to the sparring rule, Violet steps onto the mat, unfastens her conduit, and opens herself to Tairn's dragon power with a challenge for Xaden not to let her hurt him.
Characters
- Violet SorrengailCadet who sparks with Xaden during the lesson and steps onto the mat to spar against him while wielding Tairn's power
- Xaden RiorsonRecent graduate and new instructor who teaches Signet Sparring and demonstrates shadow-wielding abilities against multiple opponents
- Loran YashilCocky third-year metallurgist from First Wing who challenges Xaden's teaching credentials and is defeated twice
- RhiannonViolet's squadmate who observes the sparring session
- Ridoc GamlynSquadmate who comments on Xaden's abilities and ends up caged by icicles of his own making during his turn
- SloaneSquadmate who retreats from the arena without attempting to fight
- LynxFirst-year who remains seated during the lesson
- AaricFirst-year seated behind the line who questions whether Xaden can teach them to defeat him
- BragenThird-year flier in the squad
- NeveThird-year flier who uses levitation magic in her sparring attempt
- ImogenSquadmate who is referenced regarding mindwork abilities
- QuinnCadet who creates projections of herself during sparring
- TragerSquadmate who makes a comment to Cat about moving on from Xaden
- CatSquadmate with mindwork signet who faces off against Xaden and shows devastation at failing
- MarenSquadmate who sparring against Xaden
- BaylorSquadmate present in the arena
- AvalynnSquadmate present in the arena
- KaiSquadmate present in the arena
- Caroline AshtonFirst Wing cadet from another squad who bounces excitedly before Violet's turn and asks about non-wielders in the class
- TairnViolet's dragon whose power she accesses during her turn to spar