CHAPTER - 4 { Training Period Part-2 }

Next day___

On one side of the field, there were a few large pillars set up for training.

These had three pillars joining at the top which is connected to a string below.

One had to connect to these strings to do the training for learning to balance themselves when using the ODM gear.

"First, we will evaluate what you have!"

"Anyone who is unable to do this can't even serve as a decoy!"

The commandant lectured the cadets with his loud voice. Some cadets were already disheartened by his words.

Pretty soon, all the cadets were made to showcase their balance at this basic and not moving version of ODM gear.

"This year we have a lot of potential cadets."

The officer incharge of overseeing the cadets and storing their data, said with a smile.

Then the attendant pointed towards the young man, who was extremely still in the ODM gear.

"He has already learned what's needed to do. If this continues, he might be the best cadet we had in history."

The officer said with a grin on his face but as he turned to look at the other cadet, his eyes stopped on Eren.

"This one is what we should keep an eye on. No matter how determined you are, if you don't have talent, you are useless."

The officer sighed at Eren, who was upside down on the basic version of the ODM gear.

"What are you doing, Eren Yeager! Pick yourself up!"

The commandant lowered himself and encouraged Eren but it was futile as Eren was simply unable to balance himself.

Out of all the cadets, the best performance had to be Mikasa Ackerman, the female friend of Eren, and the young man, Vlad Birsha.

* * *

Vlad sat on a rock, his eyes stared at the sky filled with few white clouds.

Not far from him, Eren was practicing to balance in the ODM gear.

Mikasa and the yellow haired boy, Armin Arlert, stood on opposite sides to help.

"Stick to the basics, and you should be fine."

"Don't worry about doing well. Watch the balance and stay centered."

Mikasa slowly shared her experience and also explained the steps she performed to be able to stay still.

"Stay calm, and you can also do it. I was able to."

Armin said with a smile. This made Eren believe in himself even more as they started practicing.

But as soon as Armin raised the strings, Eren lost his balance and crashed his head on the ground.

Seeing this, Vlad had a ugly face.

"No matter what, it must have hurt alot."

Said Vlad. He already knew Eren's progress but some things just make you feel sympathy for others.

It wasn't that Eren was talentless, it was just because his gear was defective. But Vlad was not interested in giving this info to them.

Because of getting hurt, Mikasa and Armin took Eren back to his bed.

Vlad watched them leave. After some time, the sun had already set so he also headed back to his room.

Time passed and it was already dinner time.

Vlad took his plate and sat down on his corner seat. No one was sitting with him, which he was grateful about.

"Isn't that the kid from yesterday who said he'd kill all the titans?"

Many cadets were already making fun of Eren's performance today.

Eren himself was stunned, he was shocked to find that his talent was not high. No, his talent was too normal.

"Eren…"

Only after Mikasa shook him, Eren was able to compose himself.

Vlad didn't care about them anymore as he ate his meal and headed back to his room to get a good rest.

But before that, Vlad headed toward a certain direction.

An hour later, Eren, Armin, Reiner and Bertholdt wearing green capes came to the edge of the hill.

Past the hill, was a huge lake which reflected the sky completely.

Vlad was hidden in the trees, sitting on a branch and looking at them.

"What a brotherly relationship!"

Mattered Vlad. A smile formed on his face as he listened to their entire talks.

Sometimes he wanted to laugh, sometimes cry. But he sure was enjoying this memorable scene.

* * *

The next day, Eren wore his gear and gulped hard. In front of him stood the commandant and all the cadets.

The pressure was huge. Almost making him unable to look up at them.

"Eren Yeager, are you ready?"

Asked the commandant, Eren nodded his head in affirmation.

"Rise him."

Ordered the commandant. The soldier on the side pulled up the springs connected to the gear that Eren wore.

'I can do it!' Eren thought as he clenched his fists tightly and gritted his teeth.

Vlad stared at Eren with an emotionless face. His eyes was not expecting any changes to the following scenes.

Later, the commandant asked to change Eren's belt which was defective.

Finally, Eren was able to balance himself on the strings because of the new belt.

The day went by, a few weeks later it was the time for the real use of ODM gear.

Vlad tightened his belt and looked up at the tree top. On his hands were switches for the release and pulling of the two strings.

Press.

With a burst, two strings connected to hooks launched up on the treetop and pierced it.

With another switch, high pressure gas was released from behind to boost Vlad.

Releasing the switch to the strings, Vlad pulled himself up from the ground towards the treetop.

Wuss!

Vlad could feel a force on his waist, but because of training with the basic version of ODM gear, he was able to withstand it.

Thud.

Landing on a tree branch, Vlad looked down on the ground where multiple cadets stood staring at him in admiration.

"Very good, Vlad Birsha. Your performance has already reached the level of a genius."

The commandant praised without hiding his impressed look. The other cadets felt envious and jealous.

But there wasn't any happiness or excitement on Vlad's face. Even the commandant could only give a bitter smile at this.

Press.

Vlad shot the hook towards another tree, then leaped from the branch he was on.

Wuss!

As the strings were being pulled, Vlad swung in the air in an arc. Wind pushed his hair behind, while he felt the cold.

Thud.

On that tree, Vlad settled down. The hook had already come back to his ODM gear.

Behind him, Mikasa showed her skills in her control of the ODM gear. Due to being more flexible than Vlad, she moved her body to form curves in the air.

Even Vlad was impressed by it. Of course, if Vlad was a woman he would have also been able to do that.

But Vlad was tall and stronger than most of his age, so he had to have more muscles than others.

This caused him to lose some amount of flexibility in place of strength.

Still, Vlad wasn't sad about it. He jumped to another tree and then used his gear to swing around the trees.

Mikasa wasn't much lower in talent compared to Vlad. It was the work of that variable, the unnatural power that Vlad had.

He was able to see the future.

And yes, there was a price to pay for using this ability. Vlad found it not long ago.