Special Forces: From the very beginning, I can upgrade the entry-Chapter 21 - A Lone Promotion—Zhuang Yan’s Moment of Reflection

Chapter 21: A Lone Promotion—Zhuang Yan’s Moment of Reflection

“Zhuang! You’re back?!”

Chen Xiwa’s startled exclamation instantly grabbed the attention of everyone in First Squad.

Even Lin Yi, who had been quietly absorbed in thought, opened his eyes and turned towards the door, a faint smirk curving at the corner of his lips.

Standing awkwardly in the doorway was Zhuang Yan—back from confinement.

Zhuang Yan’s eyes scanned the room. “Xiwa… you guys got your ranks?”

His gaze fell on the new shoulder patches on every recruit. A dark green background with a single gold stripe—Private rank.

They weren’t recruits anymore. They were now official soldiers.

Chen Xiwa grinned, puffing his chest proudly. “That’s right! We’re full-fledged soldiers now!”

The room erupted with excited chatter, but Zhuang Yan’s chest tightened.

Everyone has been promoted… except me. Is this it? Is this the end of my military career?

……………………………………………………………………………………………

“Zhuang Yan! Attention!”

A powerful voice boomed across the barracks.

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Zhuang Yan’s instincts kicked in before his mind could catch up.

“Here!”

He snapped into position, standing straight as a board.

The entire squad fell silent as Lin Yi strode towards him, his expression unreadable.

“Normally, a squad leader or officer would handle this. But due to… your ‘unique’ situation, I’ll be the one taking care of it today.”

Lin Yi reached out and removed the blank patch from Zhuang Yan’s uniform.

Then, with precise deliberation, he fastened a brand-new rank insignia in its place—a Private’s badge.

Zhuang Yan stared down at his shoulder, dumbfounded.

“…What?”

Lin Yi chuckled. “What’s wrong? You think I’m not qualified to do this?”

Zhuang Yan opened his mouth, then closed it.

Before he could respond, Chen Xiwa grinned and nudged him.

“Bro, do you even realize how lucky you are?! You’re the only one in the entire regiment who got promoted by our Vice Squad Leader!”

Zhuang Yan frowned. “Why does that even matter—?”

Then he froze. His eyes landed on Lin Yi’s shoulder. A dark green patch. But this one had a gold stripe AND three thinner stripes. Zhuang Yan’s mind went blank.

“…Wait.

You’re an… Upper Sergeant?!”

Before Zhuang Yan could process the shock, the squad burst into laughter.

Chen Xiwa clapped him on the shoulder. “Hahaha! Didn’t expect that, huh? While you were locked up, our Vice Squad Leader here became a living legend.”

“He shattered multiple ALL-ARMY records during the fitness and combat assessments. The Military District awarded him a third-class merit, and they promoted him straight to Upper Sergeant.”

Zhuang Yan swallowed hard.

A third-class merit? A promotion from Private all the way to Upper Sergeant in three months?!

That meant Lin Yi had jumped four entire ranks in one go.

Zhuang Yan felt like he had been hit by a truck.

He had spent days brooding in a confinement cell. Meanwhile, Lin Yi had climbed to the top of the entire military district.

The gap between them had become astronomical.

Zhuang Yan had always believed in talent and hard work.

But for the first time, he wondered if some people were just born different.

Lin Yi clapped a firm hand on Zhuang Yan’s shoulder.

“You’re back now. Rest up. You’ve had a rough couple of days.”

Zhuang Yan nodded absentmindedly.

“…Yeah. Thanks.”

He still felt like a fish out of water. Lin Yi wasn’t the same guy he had met three months ago. There was a presence around him now—calm, immovable, and utterly commanding. It was a leader’s aura. And suddenly, Zhuang Yan felt very, very small.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

The next morning, at 9 AM sharp, the recruits gathered outside the barracks. Their unit assignments were about to be announced. A stern-faced officer stepped forward, holding a clipboard.

“Liu Tong!”

“Here!”

“First Battalion, Second Company.”

“Cai Xiaoming!”

“Here!”

“First Battalion, Third Company.”

One by one, names were called, and recruits were assigned to their respective infantry units.

Until—

“Chen Xiwa!”

Chen Xiwa stiffened.

“…Here!”

The officer barely glanced at him. “Reconnaissance Unit.”

Chen Xiwa’s eyes widened. Then his face split into an ear-to-ear grin.

“YES, SIR!”

“Vice Squad Leader Lin Yi!”

Everyone turned their heads.

Even Zhuang Yan snapped to attention.

The officer straightened his posture.

“Reconnaissance Unit, First Platoon, First Squad.

Vice Squad Leader.”

……………………………………………………………………………………………

The assignments continued…

And continued…

And continued.

Until—

The officer snapped his clipboard shut.

But Zhuang Yan’s name was never called.

“Sir! Reporting a missing name!”

Zhuang Yan stepped forward.

The officer raised an eyebrow.

“Explain.”

“My name wasn’t called.”

The officer flipped through his clipboard again, shrugged, and said,

“Your name isn’t on the list.”

Zhuang Yan stiffened.

“What…?”

The officer snapped his clipboard closed.

“Your company commanders will arrive shortly to escort you to your new units.”

He paused.

“Soldiers, from this day forward—you are no longer recruits.”

“You are full-fledged warriors of this army.”

A moment of silence.

Then—

“SALUTE!”

Every recruit threw up a crisp salute. The officer returned it.

“Good luck, soldiers.”

Then, just like that—he walked away.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

The recruits broke into excited chatter.

They were gathering their belongings, preparing to march towards their new units.

But Zhuang Yan stood frozen in place.

What is Happening?

I haven’t been promoted.

I haven’t been assigned a unit.

I am not on any list.

Zhuang Yan’s hands clenched into fists.

Is this it? Am I… really being discharged?