Thump, thump, thump.

Theo barely managed to suppress his pounding heart.

“My own squad? But hasn’t the White Steel Vanguard always been limited to five squads?”

“It was.”

*‘It was?’

“But Evelyn recently expressed her intent to step down as a squad leader.”

“...!?”

Theo’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected revelation.

“She said she wanted to focus on completing the Yongmun Swordmaster promotion exam for the time being.”

“She hasn’t passed it yet?”

“Becoming a Yongmun Swordmaster isn’t an easy path. It’s not just about skill.”

It went without saying, but the higher the rank, the exponentially harder …