"...But..."
Gwen tried to struggle and explain, but received a threat from Alicia instead—
"Hmm?"
"Fine, fine, fine..."
Gwen raised his hands in surrender.
"I got this through my own efforts after being chosen by Alicia, all right?"
"It sounds like you're very unwilling?"
Alicia's voice softened somewhat, though she still asked with a hint of displeasure.
"Of course not. It's only natural."
Gwen shook his head and answered decisively.
"Hehe, that's more like it..."
Alicia let out a smug laugh...
The Big Three successfully graduated from the preparatory class and became official Valkyries, beginning to choose squads like the other Valkyries.
However, due to their special circumstances, they had no choice but to join Gwen's newly formed squad.
Besides Gwen and the Big Three, the squad also accepted an application from an A-rank Valkyrie, bringing its numbers to five.
However, because of that, Raiden Mei, who was also A-rank and even stronger in combat, ultimately failed to become vice-captain.
The vice-captain was Anna Schariac, who had more experience than the three recent graduates.
The three of them had no objections to this. After all, Anna had helped them greatly during their previous training and could even be considered half their instructor.
Even so, this squad, likewise built around an S-class core, still had far too few members compared to Immortal Blade.
Otto's explanation to Gwen was, "Immortal Blade is a sharp blade with Yolandale as its edge, while you are the arrow shot toward the sun. You must be able to endure the sun's scorching heat."
What Otto did not say was that, if not for certain considerations, he had even intended to reject Anna's application.
Gwen neither agreed nor disagreed.
When it came to Otto's nonsense, believing half of it would already be the limit.
Rather than guessing