Chapter 11

"Well, my name is Armin. Please guide me in the future!"

Armin hesitated, his voice shaky as he mustered the courage to speak. His face reddened slightly as he glanced at the calm figure of Ryo Akira. Seeing Ryo pause to look at him, Armin felt compelled to introduce himself, though his nerves threatened to hold him back.

Ryo turned to face the boy and smiled gently. "Ryo Akira. I'll be your comrade after graduation. Let's work together and help each other out."

Armin's anxiety eased almost instantly. There was something disarming about Ryo's smile. He looked approachable and far from the aloof or overly confident type Armin had expected.

"Yes, of course! No problem at all!" Armin quickly extended his hand to shake Ryo's. "I'm glad to have someone like you around."

Making a friend like Ryo seemed like a smart decision. Armin didn't know him well yet, but they had three years of training ahead of them. He figured this was the first step to building trust and camaraderie.

---

In the distance, several instructors observed the recruits' progress. One, draped in a green cloak, held a steaming cup of coffee. He leaned against the railing, his sharp eyes scanning the training grounds.

"This new recruit, Ryo Akira, has exceeded all expectations," one officer said, flipping through a clipboard filled with reports. "In combat skills, physical fitness, and even situational awareness, he's performing far better than anyone we've seen in years. With proper training, he could become a figure like Captain Levi—or perhaps even surpass him."

The green-cloaked officer raised an eyebrow, setting his cup down. "If that's the case, we should accelerate the training schedule. Initiate the three-dimensional maneuver gear training immediately. The sooner we test their limits, the better."

"Yes, sir!"

Unaware of the impact his performance had already made, Ryo stood among the recruits as they prepared for the next phase of their training.

---

When the announcement came that three-dimensional maneuver gear training would begin early, it stirred mixed reactions among the trainees. Some were thrilled, believing it would bring them closer to graduating and joining elite units. Others were apprehensive, knowing this step was a grueling hurdle that many failed to overcome.

Ryo stood calmly amidst the chatter, his gaze fixed on the unfamiliar device before him. The three-dimensional maneuver gear was a masterpiece of engineering, designed to grant mobility in battle against titans. He'd always been intrigued by it, but now that it was strapped to his body, he couldn't help but notice its flaws.

"This thing looks cool, but it's heavier than I expected," Ryo muttered under his breath.

He adjusted the straps, feeling the weight settle across his body. Unlike the smooth, effortless movement depicted in training manuals, the gear required precise knowledge of physics and mathematics to master. It wasn't just about reflexes or physical strength; understanding the mechanics was essential.

Ryo listened attentively as the instructor barked out orders. "Today's focus is balance training. This is the first and most critical step. If you can't master balance, you won't move on to the next phase, and you'll be reassigned to reclamation work outside the walls."

The instructor's tone was stern, his eyes scanning the recruits with unyielding authority. "For those of you dreaming of the Military Police Brigade, forget it if you can't even stand straight on the gear. This is your last chance to back out. Once you fail here, your fate is sealed."

Ryo noticed some recruits glancing nervously at one another, the weight of the instructor's words sinking in. Reclamation work outside the walls was a death sentence for most. Stripped of their dignity, they'd live as refugees, scavenging for survival in dangerous, unprotected areas.

Failure wasn't an option.

The recruits began stepping forward to test their balance on the gear. Some wobbled and fell immediately, while others managed to hold steady for a few seconds before collapsing.

Ryo took his turn. He adjusted his posture, feeling the pull of the gear as it tested his center of gravity. His movements were fluid, each shift precise as if he'd been doing this for years.

The instructor's gaze lingered on him, a hint of approval flashing across his otherwise stern expression.

"Impressive," the instructor muttered to himself.

Ryo stepped off the platform, his expression calm and collected. Inside, though, he couldn't shake the thought that this was only the beginning. The gear, while innovative, wasn't perfect. Its limitations in open areas were clear, and in a real battle against titans, mistakes could be fatal.

Still, Ryo felt determined. He had chosen this path, and he wasn't about to let it defeat him.

---

By the end of the day, exhaustion weighed heavily on the recruits. Many had fallen short, their dreams of glory slipping through their fingers. Those who succeeded knew they still had a long way to go.

Ryo sat with Armin in the mess hall, quietly eating as the sun dipped below the horizon.

"You made it look easy out there," Armin said, his voice tinged with admiration.

"It's not as easy as it looks," Ryo replied. "But we'll figure it out. Together."

Armin smiled, reassured by Ryo's confidence. In a world filled with uncertainty, having a comrade like him felt like a beacon of hope.

Unbeknownst to the recruits, their journey had only just begun. For Ryo, the challenges ahead would not only test his strength and skill but also his resolve to protect those he cared about—and to uncover the secrets hidden within the walls.