Chapter 3

A lone silhouette sped through the forest, the maneuver gear propelling the figure forwards, deeper into the grove of trees.

Jean glanced around, his eyes set with determination as he bent his knees slightly. The scenery surrounding him blurred into a mess of colors and the occasional flash of sunlight, dotting his uniform with splashes of light. The blades in his hand gleamed silver, the maneuver gear vibrating against his legs as the grappling hooks flew again and again, impaling nearby trees.

I have to find the dummy first. I will make it into the top ten! Jean gritted his teeth, his toes curling in his boots as he flew forwards again. Light flooded his vision as he burst into a clearing.

There! Jean's eyes sparkled with pleasure as he spotted a large figure standing among the trees, the pale wood contrasting from the shades of green swirling in the forest.

He raised his blades, joints locked for the kill as he fired his grappling hook onto the wooden titan, ready to spin. However, a whoop of delight stopped him, and Jean watched with shock as Connie materialized from the trees, an excited (and fairly idiotical, as Jean thought) grin of delight spread across his face

"Thanks Jean! I knew it was right to follow you!" Connie called out, a large smile plastered over his face as he lept from tree branch to tree branch, but his triumphant expression faded abruptly. Sasha appeared in front of him, her brown ponytail swinging from the momentum as she laughed, readying her blades to strike the titan's neck.

But just a millisecond before Sasha's blades penetrated the dummy, a flash of light exploded in Jean's eyes, paired with a swirl of dark hair and pale skin. His eyes widened as the sound of metal against metal reached his ears, and the next thing that came into his vision shocked him: a deep gash marking the titan's neck.

But it wasn't from Sasha's blades.

Eun stood, perched on the wooden head of the titan, her eyes stoic as she pulled her blades free of the titan's neck, the chunk of fabric falling back to earth with a spray of dirt. Using the fallen dummy as leverage, she crouched, springing free, airborne for a millisecond before aiming her grappling hooks at a tree several meters off, the clanging of metal lingering in the white gas trail she left behind.

Keith stood on a nearby tree, a sheet of paper clenched in his calloused hand. His sunken eyes followed the brisk movements of the raven haired soldier, and he nodded to himself, his pen scratching over the brittle paper.

Eun Kim. An expert in both physical and mental agility, and widely considered a prodigy in combat. But her lack in teamwork hinders her, as she tends to isolate herself.

Keith's pen hovered over the paper for a second, but he let his hand to drop to his side, watching Eun zip through the trees, cutting through one titan after the other. But the blank expression never changed, never faltering.

The commander sighed, his eyes softening slightly.

Kai, your sister is finally a soldier. She can fight them.

She can avenge you.

"Dedicate your hearts!"

The yells of the trainees of the 104th thundered through the crowd as each soldier saluted.

"Today, you trainees will be given three choices. You can join the Garrison, protecting towns and reinforcing the walls. Or the Survey Corps, who risk their lives beyond the walls, in titan territory. Or the Military Police, who serve the King, lead the people, and protect internal order."

The air was thick with excitement as all eyes strayed to the first row of trainees.

"Of course, only the top ten students, whose names were just announced can join the Military Police."

Eun's eyes were unreadable as she stood in her place at the top ten, placed at number 2. A small smile worked its way to her mouth as her eyes flashed, reminding one much of an animal that had just cornered it's prey.

I did it.

Her heart thrummed under her clenched fist as she stood, her back straight, eyes staring straight ahead.

I'm in the top ten.

The cold had long claimed the stone steps, chilling the sitting girl. Eun gritted her teeth to prevent from shivering, sufficing to blow into her hands to keep warm.

It's so cold...

Sighing lightly, Eun glanced back at the hall the trainees were celebrating in, the party she had refused to join. Eren had looked at her with confused eyes, not understanding her reason for excluding herself of the celebration, but Mikasa understood, and dragged both Eren and Armin into the tavern without another word.

However, a sudden ruckus of yelling caused the girl to jump, and she bolted to her feet, hands flying to where her blades would normally be. But all she saw or heard nothing more, but she refused to relax as she sat back down on the stone steps. Not a minute later, Eren stormed out, followed closely by a pleading Armin and stoic as ever Mikasa.

Eren took a seat next to her wordlessly, but Eun didn't turn her head to acknowledge him. She knew he was there, and he knew that she was there. There was no need for any clarification.

"Eun. What are you joining?" Eren's voice vibrated from besides her, but Eun kept her eyes fixed on the sky. Normally, a question like that would have confused the normal person, but Eun had picked up the small nuances Eren tended to drop, including his blunt speech. She knew exactly what he meant.

"The Survey Corps."

She could hear the small intake of breath, the way Eren arched his body away from her. He was surprised.

"Are you sure?" Eren asked wildly, his voice loud with disbelief. Eun kept her eyes on the peak of Wall Rose, her eyes baring no emotion.

"Yes." Her voice was firm, unwavering. It was clear that her decision was set. For how long she debated this, Eren had no clue. But that didn't stop him from protesting.

"But Eun! You're the combat prodigy! Join the Military Police!"

"Eren."

The said boy had wanted to say more, but Eun stopped him. She turned her head so that her stormy eyes met Eren's turquoise ones, her poker face unbreakable as always.

"Eren," She repeated. "Are you trying to change my decision?" Eren fidgeted, growing nervous under her unbreaking stare.

"D-Dameda! It's just that—" Eun cut him off again.

"Then I'm joining the Survey Corps."

Eren fell into silence, until Armin spoke up, his blue eyes quivering.

"I'm joining the Survey Corps too." The blonde said, his voice shaking slightly. Eren bolted out of his seat, gaping at his friend.

"Armin?! You got the best written test score! Use that!" He shouted. Armin ducked his head, and this time, his voice didn't shake.

"I won't hold you back, even if it kills me."

"B-But..."

There was the rustling of fabric as Mikasa stood up, her scarf fluttering in the frigid wind.

"Then I will join the Survey Corps." Eren seemed like he didn't even have the energy to protest, instead sufficing to stare wide eyed at Mikasa.

"B-But Mikasa! You're the valedictorian! Join the Military Police!" He cried futilely. Mikasa only stared at him, giving a small shake of her head.

"If you're joining the Military Police, then I will go. If you are joining the Garrison, then I will go," She paused for a second before lowering her eyes. "I don't want to lose any more family."

Eren seemed at a loss for words, his green eyes flickering from Eun to Armin and then Mikasa.

With a sigh, the boy admitted defeat, "Then I guess we're all going to the Survey Corps."

Mina san! I'm so sorry for being away for so long! And here is my present, an extra long chapter! :DD (lol i know its not that long, but bear with me) 33 Please review/subscribe/favorite if you like this story, no silent readers pleaseee /puppy eyes/

Arigatou mina san! I'll see you when i next update :DD