In Winterer, a rumor quickly spread:

"Theo Ragnar has set a record for the fastest promotion. He's become a Combat Swordsman."

Winterer was already in an uproar over Theo’s achievements during the Blooming Ceremony, and now this new tidbit was like pouring gasoline on a fire.

"A Combat Swordsman? Is that even possible?"

"Is it true?"

"It’s official."

"Crazy… And there wasn’t even a separate promotion test announced, was there? When did this happen?"

"They say it was a result of merits from a secret mission."

"If a few missions were all it took to get promoted, I’d be a …