Cadet Training (1)

[Cadet Corps Day 1]

The chief instructor Keith Shadis was still talking. Formerly he was the commander of the survey corps. Determined to uncover the truth of the titans, he had led one expedition after another outside the walls in an attempt to solve the mystery behind the titans.

Unfortunately, the difference between humans and the titans was too great. Even with Erwin Smith, a talented young man in his team with whom he would always consult in the planning process and assisting him, losses in titan territory were immense. He watched as his close friends and people around him perished, but yet he stayed alive. The turning point came during one of the expeditions, where a mega frenzied aberrant suddenly appeared out of nowhere and started attacking his team when they were inspecting the mysterious remains of a dead titan. It took the lives of over 50 men to slay the aberrant. Unable to bear with the guilt and agony any longer, Keith retired from being the commander of the survey corps and passed the baton to Erwin Smith.

As he looked over the batch of new recruits, he took a quick glance at a particular person.

" Carla… he looks just like you. Grisha, is that what u wanted? For your son to join as a soldier?... "

He inwardly thought to himself as he continued to speak and inspect the new recruits one by one, screaming in their faces to inspire fear. It was a standard practice that he would carry out for each batch of new trainees.

"You, what's your name? "

"Armin Arlet, Sir ! "

"How about you?"

"Reiner Braun, Sir! "

"And yo… ?" Keith was just about to continue his inspection when he noticed an unbelievable sight - there was a new recruit, desperately trying to finish a potato.

"Pfff… " Eren was trying so hard not to laugh. It was simply such a sight to behold. The new recruit was a girl, she had potato crumbs stuck around her mouth, it was apparently whoever this girl was, she was really trying to finish and gobble up the potato as fast as possible. She looked really silly. Was the girl dumb or what? Eating during a time such as this? He cannot even…

"What is your name" Keith Shadis walked over, staring intensely at the girl, who appeared to be unaffected by the intimidating aura the instructor was emanating. Without missing a beat, she replied " Sasha Braus, Sir! From Dauper Village. " and continued munching the potato without a care in the world.

"And what is it that you are doing?"

"I'm eating a potato, sir! I found this lonely potato lying by itself in the mess, so I thought I would relieve it of the loneliness it was suffering from with the help of my stomach !" Sasha replied, continuing to munch on the potato, half of it was already finished. Her eyes completely fixated on the brown object riddled with chew marks.

"No, what I don't understand is, why you're eating that potato he… " Keith said, raising his voice, it was clear he was beginning to get angry.

"Cause it's delicious! Would u like one Sir? Here I'll share some with you." Sasha replied, breaking half of the potato and handing it towards Keith.

".... "

"PFFFFFFFFFFFF , HAHAA UMMMM" Eten could barely control himself from breaking out in laughter. It was simply too hilarious.

"Eren Yeager"

Eren's hair stood up.

"It seems you and Sasha will be keeping each other company for a while"

….

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"Huff Puff Puff… r.o.u.n.d 9… one more… t.o g.o... Huff" Eren uttered heavily under his breath. Keith Shadis had ordered him and Sasha to run 10 laps around the entire training camp as punishment. Each lap was easily over 5 kilometers.

"Damn … why couldn't I have just kept that mouth of mine shut? My whole body feels like Jelly right now. Huff. Just one more lap… " Eren uttered to himself. Even though this body of his could be considered to be physically above average, he didn't have very good stamina. It was taking everything for him just to finish the final lap. He felt like passing out anytime now. But the determination to avenge his mother kept him going on.

"Eren. I can't… " Eren heard Sasha's fatigued voice as he turned behind, to see Sasha's body slowly start to collapse.

".Hey! Sasha, it's just one more lap, a bit more… if u don't finish this we will have to do this all over again tomorrow!" Eren worriedly said as he reached out to grab her falling body.

"DAMN IT! I have no choice now…" Eren gritted his teeth, carried Sasha on his back, and continued to run. He knew if either of them failed to complete the punishment. There would be another trip to hell the next day. He wasn't interested in going through it again. He had to see it through today!

"Eren… " From a corner, a young girl was looking at Eren piggy bagging the worn-out Sasha, her eyes were burning with concern and … a tinge of jealously. She would have gladly done the punishment with Eren just to be with him. But Keith had strictly instructed no one was to assist Eren and Sasha or to join them. She touched the red scarf wrapped around her neck.