4 The Test and the Truth

As you walked , you looked around. There werent many paople. They were mostly eating or talking so you guessed that it was lunch break. Knowing that Erwin would be informed in a short time by the soldier who was guarding you from days now , you walked with a normal speed to the place where th nurse described. It was a big place outside with some dummies but you could see that the soldiers would usually train in partners. The outer side of the place had no plants and as smoth as the floor which made you think that the soldiers were run regurarly . Which was understanble for a Corps which had to be strong and in condition. You stood facing the main road and started to wait. The weather was nice . Not cold or hot with a mild wind . You looked but at the sky.

" It ıs a beautiful day isnt it dad ?" you said in a low voice. You saw 4 figures walking towards you. Erwin at the front. There were Levi and another woman with glasses following her. And you saw the girl who probably killed the Duke. You werent angry towards her and thought Erwin brought her to see your reaction. Probably you will be fighting her. When Erwin came closer you saluted him which shocked him but he said with a calm and jokin manner

" I dıdnt know that you were that eager to fight again. Anyways this is Levi but i guess you know him. This is Hange . She is one of the best and incharge of our research department. This young lady is Mikasa who is one of the best cadets . You will be fighting her first." he explained with clear words. You bowed your head to each of them showing your respects. Levi was clearly uncomfortable but Hange on the other hand was excited which was clear as the day. Mikasa set in front of you. You turned your attention to Erwin and ask

" How should ı fight her Commander?" your simple question puzzled Erwin adn the others. Hange who couldnt keep herself ask you :

" What do you mean ?" in a excited tone. Her eyes were light up as she examed you with her eyes. After looking at her you turned your attention back to Erwin who was also waiting for an answer

" Which technique? Which weapon ? When should ı end fighting Commander? " as you asked the questions Erwins face changed as he understood your actions and guessed that you were not an ordinary soldier. He touched his neck as he answered you

"No weapons for now. You will fight until ı say stopp. And for technique ... Fight in a way that you are comfortable." His orders were clear and you saluted him which made everyone a bit more shocked. You can see clearly that Erwin wasnt comfortable but you decided to ask later.

You turned to the black haired girl. She was wearing the normal uniform and a red scarf. Although you were in your own clothes from the morning you judged the scarf as a hinderance. You would use it to your adventage. She took her stance for fighting. While preparing yourself for the fight you sensed a similar auro like Levi's. Hers were delutated but it was similar with addition of something else. ' So they are making me fight for not only to see if i will lose my control but also she is similar to Levi.Interesting Commander.' You smiled which catched by Hange. Levi with a bothered and annoyed tone

" Why is she so abnormal?" he was not only annoyed by your actions but also shocked by your unique questions. Although your stlye had a bit similarity to the Underground yours was different. And he couldnt totally understand it. Hange smilled and explained

" She should be trained like a dog. She had to have orders for everything. And Erwin is his new master ı guess." Although Erwin is bothered with Hange's remarks which he totally agrees he doesnt responses and gives sign to start the fight. Levi sees that your stance is a little bit different for the morning. The distance between your feet are bigger but the overall position is similar.

" tch. She understood that Mikasa is also an Ackerman" which came as a suprise to both of his friends.

Mikasa made the first move . While you dodge it, you became conviced that Mikasa and Levi had the same blood to an extent which meant that she was strong. You made a mental note and continued to analyse her. Although her technique was perfect she lacked the experience you and Levi had which meant that you find the opening you were lookign soon. Knocking her out in a single move to her left feet send her straight to the ground. You turned your head to Erwin to if the fight is over. You could easily continue but you knew that this fight wasnt meant to kill. Erwin put his hand up and giving the clear order to end the fight. You saw that there were a group of cadets watching you and Mikasa . Guessing their reaction they should be part of the Levi's squad and friends of Mikasa. You extended your hadn to Mikasa to help her. Erwin was pleased by the outcome but wanted to see her fight more. Hange sensing his thoughts and desires said

" Now Mikasa can use your blades but you have to fight barehanded." Erwin turned his head to Hange but understanding her intentions he nodded and started the fight. Now Mikasa having a clear upperhand meant that you had to be more careful. She was using the blades for killing the Titans which meant that they werent durable but they were very sharp. Taking a single cut might be problematic to you. Still you took your stance knowing that you fighted when the odds were much worse. Mikasa striked first again. Although her hand to hand combat was decent you felt that her skills with the blade was perfect. You thought that if she had much more exprience with fighting people your possibilities for winning would be slim but for your luck she was inexpreinced. Her fighting stlye was reckless showing like she is fighting to a Titan. Although Titans are dangerous they dont block your strikes but humans do. Which meant that you had to give her an opening to strike you comfortably and using that opening you could dissarm her. Getting a few injuries was expected but you decided. If you had luck you woul they would be minor things. Acting as if you are scared you made her think that she had an opening. As she strike you dodge it and kicked her in the belly as she cut your arm and the shoulders. Hange shriked as she saw the blades touching your skin. Your blows were enough to send Mikasa to the ground once again. You put your right feet on her back to pin her to the ground. You bend down and picked the blades. Your hands tingled with the sensation of the cold steal.

' Kill her. Stab her. See the blood driping from her body. It has been long time since your last murder.' the voice inside your headd told you. You craved the blood. Yes it had been long. You missed the bloodshead. The fight with Mikasa wasnt enough for your desire. But you threw the blades away form you. No . It ısnt time to kill. You knew it and turned around to look at Erwin. His face told that he was satisfied with what he saw. Levi grunted as Hange looked even more intrigued about you. Erwin said with a calm manner

"Okey ıt is clear that you are a powerfull soldier when it comes to hand to hand combat. But do you have any experience with Titans?" His questions were fair considering you would be fighting against Titans. You answered directly

" Yes Commander. The Duke made me hunt Tıtans atleast once a month." Your direct answer made everyone curious. As a guard of a nobleman who never left the city there was no reason for you hunting Tıtans. Levi talked

" Oi brat dont lie. Why would he make you hunt Titans?" he asked curious and believing that you lied. You understood his thoughts which was understanble. The sword of a noblemen hunting Titans made nosense. But you answer with the same calm manner

" The Duke loved eating Titans. So ı would be hunting every month for his dinner with the king Commander" you answered as your gaze moved form Levi to Erwin. Erwin shing gave you a sign that he understood. Which meant that you were an experienced hunter for the Titans. He wanted to know more about you.

" Okey thats enough. Mikasa thanks for your help . You may go. As for you we will be talking upstairs about more on that. Follow me " As he gave you orders you bowed to Mikasa showing your respect and followed the Commander and the others as they walk. You kept your usual distance of 3 steps and walked after them with your gaze not wondering but following the Commander. Levi sensed your moves which annoyed him furthermore. He couldnt understand your actions. He thought that you were loyal to the Duke first but your sudden change and accepting Erwin as your master irritated him. ' Does she have any thoughts or just a dog without brain?' He hated most people who obeyed without any questions and you were the prime example of that. When they arrived to Erwins office you came in and scanned the room. It was a big room with 4 large pictures. The room was filled with bookshelfs and had a big round table where most likely Erwin had his commander sit and discuss the planns. Put they moved to the desk in fornt of the windows. As they sit you stop 5 stepps before the desk and looked at Erwin who was waiting you to sit. But as he remembered Hange's comments he understood that you were waiting your orders.

"Sit. Now ı can see that you are strong and experienced both fighting with Tıtans and human. So tell me who are you? Why the Duke had his guard?" His tone was calm but set some autority. You set down and started to explain everything without leaving any details.

"I was born in the the forest East the Wall Maria. My dad was a famous hunter because he provided expensive fur to the rich and noble. After his death the Duke found out that ı was an orphan so he send his man to kill me. But ı survived which made him think that i might be usefull to him as a guard. My mentors were his genearl guard at the time but in the years ı was thought by the high ranking soldiers of the army. Me and Darne were his weapons. Drane would be the one to take over the tasks consistiing plotting and sending messages and ı was the executioner. I never was a part of the plotting. The Master knew that Drane was loyal to him and would do anything. I wouldnt be trusted because ı had no loyalty to anyone, Commander." As you explained their faces changed. Erwin was right to think that you werent a part of the plans but only the mean of the killing. Hange was only making mental notes as you spoke but Levi's face was shocked which was unusual. He never was the one to show any emotion but hearing your words made it clear to him that you werent a brainless dog but a human who was put in a dogs leash. It made his blood boil.He knew how well it felt because of his upbringing. Erwin was using the information that you gave him to understand you and why you considered Drane as a problem.

" So thats why you send me the note warning about Drane. I am thankfull for that. Do you have any idea where he might be?" Erwin's remark of you warning him made Levi respect you. Although they wanted kill you a few days ago you were considerate enough to warn them ang give them information. This meant that you had some sense of respect and wanted to pay your depth. He let an annoyed tch and turned to the window.

" The Duke tould me that he send him to the city for some errands. But Drane would definitly went back to house after 4 hours because it is the procedure. If we dont get any orders in 4 hours we have to go back and check if anything is okey. So he either heard whats going on or went and saw the situation. For the errand i am clueless. I know that they started to plot something new but ı wasnt informed about anything. They would usually tell me who to kill or give enough information if there is somekind of a danger which needed my knowledge, Commander." Your answer were direct and short with enough information. Hange saw the pattern of your speech. ' It is spefic and contains the most important aspects without making it long. She gives her opinion only when she is asked and ends her speech with Commander. Interesting. She isnt a dog but a very clever soldier who can act like an obidient dog. She lives to survive. Considering her fight on that day and today her movement is precise showing her long training' She nodded to Erwin giving the sign that she understood her which made Erwin to ask his final question.

"Okey. My last question is : What is your name?" His direct question was straight to the point but your reaction shocked everyone. As someone who has been calm during the most lethal times you were shocked and stressed.You moved your gaze from Erwin to the floor. Everyone now was examing your every move. You said with a voice empty of any emotion

" Commander ı know that ı have no right to ask you a favour. But would you let me tell you my nickname and surname instead of my name. I can ensure that my real name has no secret meaning . I just ... am not that person anymore." You moved your eyes from the floor to Erwin. He understood that although you seemed not to be bother by anything you were still caring the scars of the past . Although he doesnt trust you fully there is no real reason for him to psuh you. He shaked his head as a yes. You stopped a second before you spoke

"Zande Connor is my name. "