Colonel Kaori

Kaori’s dragon scholarship comes with open curiosity about rare dragonkind. He closely studies Tairn after Threshing, reacts excitedly to talk of a possible newly spotted black dragon in the Vale, and later admits that his trip to Aretia is partly a selfish chance to see how that Empyrean functions.

Kaori treats Violet after Threshing and respects her request not to summon Nolon for injuries she fears will make her look weak. When Jack threatens her, Kaori warns him back by invoking Tairn’s power and Baide’s aggression.

Kaori opposes Varrish’s treatment of Violet during a search ordered against her. He supports Violet’s Code argument, says Varrish abuses power, reveals that he gave Panchek an expert opinion clearing Violet of punishment, and challenges Varrish over Solas burning bonded riders after Parapet.

Kaori is aware of Xaden and Violet’s possible Code of Conduct problem. Before Aetos intervenes, Kaori believes they may be able to obtain an exemption.

Kaori uses his signet to project exact miniature versions of dragons from his mind during class, a projection ability unique among the quadrant's professors.

Kaori can use common lesser magic to amplify his voice across the flight field. He also teaches mounted riding technique by demonstration, sprinting up Smachd’s foreleg during the first formal flight lesson after Threshing.

Violet later cites Kaori as an example of a rider whose signet has uses beyond direct killing, saying that he can bring his imagination to life.

Kaori can turn his illusion work into operational planning support. During the defense of Basgiath, he creates an overhead illusionary map of the academy and surrounding area, then adds gridlines and squad insignia for the sector defense plan.

Kaori continues adapting flight-field instruction to the new war, explaining the battle-mount’s purpose and using a robed projection as a target. He warns that time on the ground endangers both rider and dragon, then lets the remaining riders proceed after Violet and Tairn’s improvised method succeeds.

For the Draithus plan, Kaori creates a roughly scaled three-dimensional projection of the city and its surrounding terrain. The image gives planners a shared view of the plateau, mountains, valleys, river approach, and enemy-held eastern field.

Kaori's Field Guide to Dragonkind is a cited source on dragon lore. It records information about hatching grounds, Dreamless Sleep, dragon independence from human command, shielding expectations for third-year riders, and the lethality of dragonfire.

Kaori also has a handwritten manual used in a first-year exercise. When a squad presents with a map from it, he asks how they know the map is current, which leads Violet to reveal that they stole it from General Sorrengail's office.

Before Threshing, Kaori gives the final instructions to the 147 first-years. He explains that a choosing dragon may call through feeling rather than ordinary sound, warns cadets to follow instinct, cites statistics showing groups are more likely to be incinerated than bonded, and says unchosen cadets will be brought out by nightfall.

After Violet bonds both Tairn and Andarna, Kaori tells her that no one has ever bonded two dragons before. He also makes clear that human leadership does not decide the matter.

Kaori accompanies the squad to Aretia and tries to observe Andarna and the local dragon society. Andarna snaps at him when he comes too close, and Violet tells him that Andarna will not let him study her, even in Aretia.

During the battle for Draithus, Kaori and the other officers are assigned to hold the city’s eastern, southern, and western territory. That zone becomes the battle’s epicenter because of the winds, and Imogen cites it when refusing to chase a bluefire wyvern outside their assigned airspace.