She is forced to deal with hazing from her all-male peers, including derogatory writing on her walls, the destruction of her belongings, and discrimination from the training master. This is in addition to Kel being the first female to openly try to become a knight within the century. Throughout the novel, there is the ever-lurking question of whether the training master will let her continue to train, because he, like many, does not believe that women can equal men in combat.
She is subjected to hazing from her all-male peers, including offensive writing on her walls, destruction of her belongings, and discrimination by the training master. This occurs alongside Kel being the first female to openly attempt to become a knight in centuries. Throughout the novel, there is an underlying concern about whether the training master will allow her to continue training due to his belief, like many others, that women cannot match men in combat.