Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death.

Imelda Beru and her best friend, Farian, go to Martial’s ranch before sunrise. Because they are Dividian and discriminated against by the Ashlords, it is hard to find a place to practice riding phoenix horses. Martial built the ranch after winning the Races 20 years ago, and it is the only Dividian-friendly ranch nearby.

Imelda enters Martial’s storeroom and takes out a list of racing components that she wants to gather. She is leery of the price of unborn ash but decides to purchase it. She gathers her components into cubes and straps them onto her riding belt. Outside, Martial comments on the success of Imelda’s last video, which brought in enough money to pay him for components and buy Farian a new lens. Talking with Martial makes Imelda nervous because he thinks that Imelda has a chance of being the Qualifier at this year’s Races.

Imelda and Farian prepare to make a video of her practicing rebirths under her online name, “the Alchemist.” She takes a box of ashes from a nearby phoenix stall and finds Farian climbing a tree to get a good angle.