The silence stretched for just a heartbeat too long, long enough for every cadet in the hall to notice that something wasn't right.
Vanguard Rebecca's gaze had briefly darted toward the crowd of cadets, her expression unreadable as her mind processed the message she had just received.
She had been about to announce the third rank, Elizabeth.
But just as she opened her mouth, a silent notification from her interface flickered across her vision:
[Notice: Cadet Elizabeth Queen has been extracted from the arena under executive clearance. Not currently within Arena premises.]
Rebecca's brows subtly drew together.
"Extracted? Without my knowledge?" she thought, eyes scanning the crowd again just to be sure.
And indeed, Elizabeth was nowhere in sight.
"What could be important enough for her to leave in the middle of the ceremony?"
