Presentation

Presentation Day happens two days before Threshing in the fall of a cadet’s first year (or second year if they failed to bond their first year). On this day, cadets must climb the Gauntlet to reach the flight/training fields where the dragons sit and observe the cadets willing to bond. Presentation is one of the deadliest days for first-years, according to the Book of Brennan. During Violet’s Presentation, 22 cadets died from either the Gauntlet or the dragons.

During Presentation, cadets are encouraged to keep their distance from each other as to not get second-hand scorched. They are also encouraged to talk amongst their squadmates so the dragons can see their personality better. There’s a correlation between bonded cadets and level of chatter. They are also asked to abstain from eye contact, since it can be perceived as a lack of respect by dragons.