Chapter 18: Attack On Titans, Part 7

Three years passed, and our time as trainees was nearing its end.

‘The top spot is decided.’

Instructor Keith Shadis believed that Eren would secure the first position.

No one else had demonstrated such flawless performance.

[Eren Yeager: Perfect in all aspects. Composure, intelligence, and overwhelming combat prowess. This combination allowed him to achieve perfect scores in all evaluations.]

Shadis’s gaze shifted to Eren.

‘The only drawback…’

[Note: Occasionally loses his composure when Armin or Mikasa are involved.]

‘Well, it’s hardly a flaw.’

[However, his exceptional combat skills compensate for everything.

He can be considered the best when composed and the strongest even when emotional.]

An undisputed first place.

No one could argue with that. They had all lived and trained together for the past three years.

Shadis’s gaze moved to Mikasa, who was currently practicing cutting down Titan dummies.

[Mikasa Ackerman: Also demonstrates near-perfect combat skills. She would have easily taken first place if not for Eren’s existence. Her intelligence seems lacking, and her judgment can be questionable at times. However, her combat prowess covers for these shortcomings.

Her only real weakness is her devotion to Eren, which can cloud her judgment.]

Having finished his notes on Mikasa, Shadis’s attention turned to Armin, not Reiner, who held the third position.

[Armin Arlert: Possesses abilities completely opposite to the previous two. His combat skills are lacking, but he has exceptional intelligence. Even Eren’s intellect is inferior to Armin’s. He is worth observing.]

‘Is that everyone…?’

In that moment, the final rankings for the past three years were determined.

“First place.”

“It was inevitable.”

Mikasa nodded, a proud expression on her face. I looked at her, bewildered.

“You seem more excited than I am.”

“Because you’re my everything, Eren.”

“What about Armin?”

“I like Armin too.”

“But you just said I was your everything.”

Mikasa laughed.

“Are you jealous, Eren?”

“No, it’s just that Armin is also a precious friend.”

Mikasa chuckled.

“Yes, a precious friend indeed.”

As Mikasa and I were talking, Armin was conversing with Annie nearby.

“Annie, you’re amazing. You’re in the top 10, and not at the bottom, but fifth!”

“It’s nothing special.”

“You might think that, but I think it’s incredible. You should have more confidence, Annie.”

“Y-Yeah.”

Armin, when did you become a man? Flirting like that. I have nothing left to teach you. Go on, graduate.

“Your expression is strange.”

“Huh, what?”

“You look…content. Is it because of Armin? Because he’s with a girl?”

“That’s right. I honestly didn’t expect Armin to be so bold.”

Mikasa nodded.

“Eren, you could be a bit bolder too.”

“What?”

“You’re manly enough, but…compared to Armin…?”

“Haa… I see.”

I approached Mikasa.

“What is it, Eren…?”

Mikasa stumbled backward, flustered, but it was too late. I had already grasped her with both hands.

“You started this, Mikasa.”

I prevented her escape. Then, I kissed her. In front of everyone, to show them that she was mine.

“Mmph!”

Mikasa was caught off guard by my sudden kiss.

‘He’s crazy…! Kissing me in front of everyone…!’

But she didn’t dislike it.

Perhaps it was because Eren was attractive. Other girls had their eyes on him, but now they would realize.

Eren was hers.

Mikasa decided to enjoy it.

She pushed her tongue into his mouth.

‘Eren is mine!’

Meanwhile, Jean, who witnessed the kiss, cursed.

“Shit…”

“You have three options before you!”

After three years of training, the trainees could choose one of three branches of the military.

The Military Police.

They served the King and had access to the innermost district, Wall Sina. We lived in Wall Maria, the outermost district, now a desolate wasteland overrun by Titans.

Humans now only inhabited two districts: Wall Rose, where we currently were, and Wall Sina, where the King resided.

The Military Police was a cushy job. No need to fight Titans, just lazing around in the best district while collecting a paycheck.

However, only the top 10 trainees could join the Military Police.

The Garrison.

They were the largest branch, responsible for protecting the walls surrounding humanity.

With around 30,000 soldiers, they maintained order in the towns where civilians lived, guarded the walls, and constantly reinforced them.

Similar to the police and the army combined in modern times. They were like the US National Guard, fulfilling police duties and also serving as a combat force, with artillery units, supply units, and other military roles.

The Survey Corps.

The most dangerous branch. Their mission was to explore the territories beyond the walls, which meant frequent encounters with Titans.

Hunting Titans was a secondary task, a consequence of their exploration.

Operating in Titan-infested territories beyond the walls, the survival rate for new recruits on their first expedition was 50%. In the past four years, while establishing a route for retaking Wall Maria, the survival rate was a mere 10%.

And we were joining the Survey Corps.

However, we weren’t afraid.

We were confident that we could overcome any obstacle together.

Everyone chose their branch.

Jean, who had wanted to live in the interior since the beginning, naturally chose the Military Police.

Annie also chose the Military Police.

Most others chose the Garrison. It was the most popular choice.

Everyone wanted to join the Military Police, but only the top 10 could apply.

And no one wanted to join the Survey Corps, with its 10% survival rate.

Aside from the three of us, no one else chose the Survey Corps.

“Are you sure about this? The Survey Corps is really dangerous! You could die!”

Connie, with his shaved head, expressed his concern.

“We’re fine. We’re confident we can survive. Besides, we made a promise. To see the ocean with Armin and Mikasa.”

“But no one knows if the ocean really exists!”

Sasha Braus, also known as Potato Girl, chimed in.

“It does.”

“How can you be so sure…?”

“It’s a feeling.”

“A feeling?”

“I just have this certainty that the ocean exists.”

Well, having seen the anime, I knew that beyond the ocean lay a world of enemies, but there was no need to tell them that. They wouldn’t believe me anyway.

As the time to depart for our chosen branches approached, we stood on guard duty atop the wall.

Sasha, panting after climbing the wall, pulled out some meat.

“I brought meat!”

“Where did you get that, Sasha?”

Connie asked, and Sasha grinned.

“From the officers’ pantry!”

We were shocked. Even for a crazy girl, stealing meat from the officers’ pantry was unexpected.

Only I wasn’t shocked by Sasha’s theft.

‘Well, I already knew, and it’s not important right now.’

It was almost time. Time for the Colossal Titan to breach the wall again.

‘There it is.’

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. The Colossal Titan’s face emerged above the wall.

“It’s here! Bertolt!”

My words were lost on my comrades. They were frozen in shock at the sight of the Colossal Titan.

‘Time to act.’

I had waited long enough.

It was time to reveal my power.

In the original story, the wall was breached again by the Colossal Titan before Eren transformed, so the timing wasn’t too different. To protect my loved ones from the threats beyond the walls, I needed to gain power.

Unlike last time, I had inherited the Attack and Founding Titans.

And more than anything, I didn’t want to see my comrades get hurt anymore.

I had grown close to them over the past three years, even if not as close as to Mikasa and Armin.

I didn’t want to see them die.

With resolve, I bit my hand. Lightning struck from the sky.

Crack!

[Titan Transformation]

I transformed into my Titan form and stood on the wall, facing Bertolt, who had transformed into the Colossal Titan.

His eyes trembled in shock at my transformation.

‘Time to pay for your sins, Bertolt.’

[Demonic Divine Art Demonic Heaven Splitter]

I channeled the power of Demonic Heaven Splitter, capable of shattering the sky, into my fist and struck the Colossal Titan’s face.

Although he was 60 meters tall, the power of Demonic Heaven Splitter was unimaginable. The Colossal Titan stumbled backward.

I leaped from the wall and descended towards him.

[Demonic Divine Art Heavenly Ascent]

Using Demonic Divine Art, I landed safely. Then, I unleashed Demonic Overlord’s Stride on the struggling Colossal Titan.

[Demonic Divine Art Demonic Overlord’s Stride]

An invisible pressure immobilized the Colossal Titan.

I approached him and ripped off the nape of his neck.

Rip

Bertolt emerged with the flesh of the Colossal Titan.

“Ah… What is this…”

Bertolt, dangling in my hand, was in denial.

On the wall, Armin, Mikasa, and the others stared at me in disbelief.