At last, Will sets foot in the tower where Elfaria awaits. His excitement at seeing the town on the first floor is short-lived. The Bloom begins and Sion, Colette, Lihanna, and Wignall, who were all scouted as students, are welcomed into their respective factions. Will and the others learn the truth-without a faction, they will spend their lives as cogs in the machine supporting the tower.