A Lesson

Mike Zacharius was angry and looked at Takashi, "Boy, do you think the world revolves around how you see it? This is the real world, you'll soon learn that not everything is pretty." 

Mike Zacharius is an excellent soldier. His strength and record warrant comparisons to Captain Levi, easily one of the most important soldiers within the Survey Corps.

Moblit Berner of Hange's squadron was also annoyed: "Understand something we can quite possibly never understand? Reasonable, something very interesting." 

Auruo Brossard of Levi's squadron couldn't hold back his words and said, "I'm very strong, it's just a matter of standing in front of the titans that attacked Trost's gate to cut them to pieces."

Takashi, who inadvertently underestimated his understanding of the situation, was surprised to be forcefully rebuked by the soldiers of the Survey Corps. 　　 

Feeling that his words were correct, Takashi said, "Am I saying something irrational? I can keep my words in the future, I think Eren is someone special for our future, why not see it that way?" 　　 

Takashi wanted to show them with words that Eren was not evil or an enemy, and that real enemies still remained out there. 

Erwin now understood Takashi's way of thinking better, looking at the discussion in the surroundings he kept silent. Hange and Levi did not care. Rita, Anka and Gustav didn't want to stop this discussion either, it was no secret that Takashi was a very thoughtful boy with great aspirations to join the Survey Corps.

In the two big battles during the day today, either covering the civilian retreat or the recapture battle of the Trost district, Eren, a newly graduated cadet who can transform into a titan, was not much mentioned. Many instead talked about Takashi, they even intended to join the Survey Corps in order to fight alongside him. 

Auruo Brossard couldn't help but say, "Little warrior, no matter if there are two or three people who can change their body to that of a titan, I will take care of eliminating them all." 

Takashi sighed and said, "That's all I can say." 

The woman named Nanaba said, "It's hard to believe without being able to fight and closely observe those titans, we need to capture them or directly confront them with all our might." 　

She understood that young man's point, but it was very overwhelming to understand everything immediately.

This is also the reason why many soldiers were upset, and also because of the way Takashi expressed himself as if they were idiots.

He had also mentioned the special titan that suddenly appeared in the city, the female titan rather, who had a strange behavior very similar to Eren.　 

"It's only a matter of time before we learn more about the titans, we're very close to starting a change." Takashi said. 

"The question is not one of trust, you can be on the enemy's side for years without realizing it. Young Takashi, you have excellent observation skills, but you are still a child." Erwin Smith said with a calm expression. 

"You focus so much on other people that you completely neglect how vulnerable you are, what can you do for yourself?" 

"Huh?" Takashi was silent. 

"The truth, which many times no one wants to talk about, is that it feels good to be considered heroes, everyone wants to excel in making a change, the seductive allure of heroism, it strips away any care for your vulnerability." 

After saying that, Erwin pointed out, "There's just one little problem with you Takashi, you focus so much on helping other people that you neglect the care you should take personally." 

"I think there is a mistake..." Takashi felt as if something that amnesia hid was released. 

"I don't need you to understand these words, just understand that you should never be the only one who thinks he has the truth in his eyes and thoughts. Understand this, will to live and goals are the same, but in the end one will end up ruining your life." 

"I understand, I was too hasty without considering your thoughts." Takashi looked at everyone and said, "I completely forgot that I'm not the only one who wants a change in this world, I apologize for being so outrageous." 

"That doesn't matter, it's been a while since anyone showed up with your skills, you'll make a great soldier in whatever corps you decide to join." Hange said relatively calmly. 

Auruo Brossard said arrogantly, "Well, I should teach you well then, you still make rookie mistakes so I'll be your teacher. " 

Takashi was not angry and said, "Then I will learn well, about tomorrow's battle, is there anything we should know?" 　　 

Tomorrow's mopping up would be a slow and calculating fight, no one wanted to lose numerous soldiers again.　　 

Commander Erwin, who had taught Takashi a lesson, said, "Tell us about the plan."

After a brief look around, Anka, Gustav and Rita detailed the battle plan and it is as follows: 　　 

The garrison corps soldiers will again attract the attention of the titans as decoys, drawing most of the titans to the walls and then the Howitzers would do the job of smashing the titans' heads, even if the hits are low, sooner or later they would all be eliminated.　　 

But there would still be surviving titans not attracted by the decoys, and these few titans must be killed by the Survey Corps and a part of the garrison corps.　　 

The new graduates were not assigned dangerous tasks this time. The last two times were for lack of manpower. After two major large-scale battles, only 163 out of 227 of the cadets fresh graduates survived to join a corps successfully. 

The survival rate was too low, many died even helplessly. At least they successfully defended the city of Trost and will be remembered for that. 　 

Although after the victory, no one was happy and morale remained low. Even if the recapture was a success, many have mixed feelings. After all, many lost friends and comrades, even witnessed the death of many of them. 

Therefore, no new recruits were organized for this battle for the purpose of eliminating the titans from the city. Of course, if you really want to participate, no one will stop you. You can temporarily join the garrison corps. 

However, Takashi will continue to participate in this battle. Rico and Ian have invited him to join his temporary team. In his words, engaging in battle within an elite squad ensures minimizing losses on the front lines without putting less experienced soldiers at risk.

In fact, he could refuse, he is only a newly graduated cadet who has not yet chosen a regiment, so he does not need to participate in this war. His problems with Captain Kitz had already been forgotten, but Takashi still wanted to participate, to accumulate more combat experience, to learn step by step how scout corps soldiers move, and to learn how to save fuel. 

By nine o'clock in the evening, things had been settled. 

Levi looked at Takashi before he left and said, "Takashi, wait for me outside for a moment." 

"Yes." Takashi replied with a serious expression. 

At this time, there were only four senior members of the Survey Corps left on the second floor, and the others also left, namely Commander Erwin, Captain Levi, Hange and Mike. 

Captain Erwin suddenly asked, "Which ones do you think are better?" 

Captain Mike raised his eyebrows, "Eren or Takashi, Mikasa or Armin?" 

"All of them." 

Mike thought for a moment and nodded, "Although Armin Arlert is young, his wisdom has been outstanding from the rest, a rare talent. Eren Jaeger cannot see much of reality at this time, but his hatred for the titans is evident, that hatred cannot be faked. As for Takashi Ackerman..." 

Mike looked at Levi, who had no expression on his face, "Strong, agile, a very lively young man, but he still needs to experience more, at least he is a good fighter. The girl with the same last name is obviously also very good, this group of recruits is good." 

After lasting for a moment, Mike said to Levi, "Looks like Takashi or Mikasa have something to do with you, right?" 

Levi's expression was indifferent, "No, but it may be that that Takashi boy is the son of someone he knows." 

Seeing this, Mike knew that he actually knew humanity's strongest soldier quite well. 

It had been sixteen years since Levi had joined the corps. He and Erwin seemed to become very close, he vaguely remembered that somehow Erwin knew Levi long before he joined the corps. 

Rubbing her hands together, Hange was a little excited, "They are all very nice people, except Takashi, who already made it clear that he wants to join us, it's hard to tell. I really hope Eren can stay with us, I really want to study the amazing composition hidden in his body!" 

Hange talked non-stop, her words were full of various research methods and experimental plans for little Eren, she didn't stop until Levi stood up. 

"I'll be right back." Levi said dryly. 

"Okay." Erwin said as he looked deeply at Levi, he was aware of what Takashi means to Levi.

After Levi left the building, he walked next to Takashi to a secluded place.