Entry 2

The Orientation

"Where were you Levi?"

Hange seemed to possess an extra sense that allowed her to detect Levi's presence within a 10-meter radius, for there was no way somebody could pounce on him so fast as soon as he showed up.

"Hurry up. No time for excuses. Your pitch is about to begin." He was being dragged inside a tent by his comrades, which proudly bore their crest, and forced to sit down behind a desk with a row of Survey Corps merchandise, from napkins to cups to pens each adorned with tiny Wings of Freedom. Nanaba, Gelgar and Mike each had under their arm a bundle of leaflets, no doubt ready to hand them out to a unsuspecting cadet as soon as they stumble upon their pitch.

"Make sure to give them the best impression of the Survey Corps," Hange said, with all her usual amount of solemness and cheer. "We're counting on you."

This was not how Levi imagined things would be when he'd joined the Scouting Legion, or what he had ever envisioned he'd have to do in order to fight for humanity. Publicity was Erwin's department, not his. Levi could be counted to execute impossible physical manoeuvres on the battlefield to cut down the Titans, but he could not be counted on not to sit rigidly in a darkened tent, waiting for the first batch of eager-faced, snot-nosed brats to enter and regard him like some sort of freak show.

"Remember, the point is to impress them, not scare them away." Hange's useless reminder echoed through the tent after her back had disappeared through the flap.

He sat uncomfortably for a moment, listening for approaching footsteps outside. The tent was a standard in the military, and was made up of thick woven fabric that made it difficult to discern any sound from the outside. But he could still hear Hange discussing things animatedly with Mike and the others, and thus waited expectantly for something to happen.

Nothing did.

His brows creased into an increasingly impatient scowl. The first trainee should've entered by now. He'd rehearsed his 'pitch' with Hange for over a week now, and he can't let all that torture be for nothing. With his sharpened senses, he strained to hear non-existent footsteps.

A short while later a mop of brown hair (filthy) and glinting goggles poked through the flap, eyes looking apologetic into Levi's angry ones. He'll just have to wait a bit longer, she said, Mike and Nanaba are doing everything they could in order to catch the attention of potential recruits.

"We've never exactly been popular," she said sheepishly. "But we have Humanity's Strongest Soldier with us! That should count for something, right?" She gave Levi a loud slap in the back, which earned her glare, but nothing more.

After an even longer while, during which Levi felt like ants were crawling through his skin and thinking he'd rather be taking care of his manoeuvre gear, the first trainee's head poked through, looking highly uncomfortable, like they had been looking for the bathroom and had somehow fallen into a thug's den.

Finally!

"Um, I'm here for the pitch." The recruit said in a growingly alarmed voice after introducing himself.

The male recruit was tall and lanky, and covered in cold sweat, probably terrified by the sinister smirk on Levi's face. "Looks like you're a frail one. Sit down. We'll talk."

"EEEP!"

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"...You're-"

"Eh? Levi, you guys know each other?" Hange said, glancing at her companion. (At some point, somebody had realised it was probably a wise idea to chaperone Levi during his pitch, and to intervene when necessary) Even a weird four-eyes like her could see how tense the atmosphere had suddenly gotten.

The cadet was staring at Levi, no longer wearing that shocked expression, but now held a more calculating one. Levi honestly didn't know which of the looks he disliked more.

"No," she retracted. "Sorry, for a moment I mistook him for someone else..." Frieda said, making herself look as guilty as possible.

Levi narrowed his eyes suspiciously - something's not right - while Hange burst into laughter.

"Ha ha, really? How can you possibly confuse Levi? How many people are there with can match your short-tempered look and brooding attitude?"

Levi grit his teeth. "Shut up, four-eyes."

"Anyone would be thrilled in their first encounter Humanity's Strongest Soldier," she said with a placating smile.

Liar. His instincts were telling him. Liar.

Levi may not be book-smart, may never lead scientific investigations like Hange or come up with deadly strategies like Erwin, but he was certainly street smart. And his years in that dark hole called the underground had taught him to read a man by his face, not his words. And to know when he is lying.

And she was lying.

She had looked like she had seen a living ghost. For a moment her eyes darkened with resentment, fury and disgust, like she had seen the devil appear in front of Levi. There was no way he could mistake that look. He had grown up looking at it.

But long before he could ask her any questions, the cadet composed herself and sat down. Her face showed no trace of that earlier hatred, and now contained palpable curiosity as she asked question after question. Hange, encouraged by this rare enthusiasm, indulged her to the fullest. They talked like they had just discovered they were lost sisters. Realising it was no longer the time nor the place to bring it up, Levi leaned back, and sat quietly listening, albeit disgruntled, to one of Hange's incessant chants.

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Catching sight of Nanaba, Gelgar and Hange, Erwin quickly approached them. His old friend Nile, curious, followed him along. "How's everything?" He asked after they gave each other proper salutes. His subordinates broke into wails.

"Squad Leader Erwin," Nanaba sighed. "it's been a flop, as always. Most recruit go for the MP's pitch, despite only the top ten being able to sign up. The Garrison, as usual, holds a lot of interest as well."

Erwin calmly waited for her to finish. "Nothing out of the usual. Did you do as I ask?"

"We did. More cadets have shown interest compared to the last year, thanks to the monicker of Humanity's Strongest. But Levi's attitude scares them away!"

"Right, as I was saying, it was no better with Mike, since he freaked about all the female cadets by sniffing them!"

"I see," Erwin said calmly. "We must adapt our strategy then. During the next rotation, I'd like you, Lewin and Cohen take the pitch. You have a stable personality and the other two have a talent for lightening the atmosphere. Put them next to Levi as well."

None of them looked the slightest bit surprised to see Erwin come up with a plan on the spot, one that possibly overrode their commander's in terms of efficiency.

Nanaba looked up at Erwin and contemplated her next words carefully. "Are you sure this is a good idea, bringing him to a reception after this? Can we really get him to attract sponsors?"

"It will be different with the sponsors, as long as he does as I say." Erwin waved off their concerns.

Still unconvinced, but slightly more reassured, Nanaba tapped her chin and continued. "Well, there was this talented female cadet who seems totally interested in us. So I suppose he couldn't have done too bad." She frowned.

"That's her over there, Squad leader." Gelgar quickly pointed.

They all cast an eye out into the training field, where a shadow was practicing industriously with their 3DMG. Most recruit would stop by the pitches briefly and run off to spend the rest of the free afternoon for themselves.

"Whoo, she's still training even at this hour. What a trooper!" Hange cried in delight; it seemed she was particularly impressed by the cadet, had almost felt an instant kinship, judging by how she'd launch off into a string of chatter.

Black hair flying through the air and caught in a tight braid, the cadet was practicing with her 3DMG. She performed with a grace that bellied both her skill and her determination. Erwin had no doubt she would make a fine addition to the Corps.

Struck by the familiar scene, his mind travelled back to an evening, nearly three years ago. He was standing at this exact spot in the training fields, watching the same cadet attempting perform 3D manoeuvres in the air with frustration, and none of the ease and efficiency right now.

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YEAR 841

The girl seemed startled. He could see her visibly trying to pull her thoughts together. "Good evening, sir."

Her eyes were begging him to leave. No doubt hoping he'd leave after she gave him the correct salute.

"Would you mind if I sit?" He asked calmly, which only seemed to bewilder her more. He'd already taken a seat before she gathered her wits.

She sat back down, without saying a word or nodding her assent, looking out onto the training field with a haunted look in her eye. It was that look of melancholic despair that had resonated with something in the chamber of Erwin's heart, if only just enough to override his mind of work and make him pause in his steps, and decide it would be worthwhile to spend a few minutes in the open air.

"Why would such a promising young cadet like you look so despondent?" From what he's seen, she's having trouble righting herself on the 3DMG gear. Her hair was matted with sweat, and the white of her soldier uniform colored brown from the dirt of the training ground. He could tell from just a glance how she was tittering on the brink of exhaustion.

His question seemed to be the last straw, the final chip that allowed water to burst through the flood gates. She let out a hollow breath, which sounded more to Erwin like a choke than anything.

"Squad Leader," she began, after a moment's hesitance. "I've been driving myself to the limit for so long, for the sake of my goals. It wasn't easy. I gave up a normal life to become a soldier. I've sacrificed so much and put up with everything." She took in a shaky breath."But it won't matter unless I master the manoeuvre gear. And I just can't do it!"

She paused to bury her head in her hands.

"Will my efforts be in vain in the end?" It was difficult to see in the dark, but Erwin was sure that gleam in her eyes was moonlight reflected off her tears, which she was fighting hard to keep in. "Is it really going to end like this, with me unable to change anything?" Another choke. "Am I destined to die without achieving something, regardless of how I live?"

Her voice was hoarse with despair. "If I'd known I'd waste a second chance like this, I would've... would've..."

She didn't finish her thought, and looked around hopelessly. The confession seemed to have taken a toll on her: she seemed humiliated, ashamed. Judging by her clenched jaw and shaking fist, she probably sorely regretted telling him anything. She clearly didn't expect him to understand.

What she didn't know was that Erwin was in a better position to understand than probably anyone. He understood completely: giving up a normal life, refusing to be at peace. After his father's death - an event Erwin had chosen not to think about for a long time, choosing the life of a soldier had been inevitable for the guilty son. He was intent on proving his father's theories, wholly focused on learning everything about the outside world. For that goal there was nothing Erwin wasn't ready to give, no roads he dared not to take.

Yet the thought of sacrificing much, and yet gaining nothing, plagued him, like it plagued the young cadet next to him. Hadn't he dirtied his hand, thrown away his humanity countless times to ensure the future of the Corps? And though they don't usually last long, there were moments of doubt, of weakness where he wondered whether he had thrown away it all for naught, and What am I even doing?

"What's your name?"

If she was ever surprised at his question, or simply didn't care, she was too downcast to express it. "...Fri-Freya Klein."

"My name is Erwin Smith. Tell me, Cadet Klein," he said. "do you have a dream?"

It took her a moment to reply in the same trembling, hollow tone as she did before. "I don't know."

Erwin watched her carefully, before putting his fingers together. "A dream can be simple, something you want more than anything."

"... I want to see my sister."

"How much are you willing to sacrifice to see your sister alive and well?"

"...Anything. She's all I have left in this world."

Ah, Excellent.

"I see." He said levelly. "I have no comforting words for you, Freya Klein." He told her bluntly. "Nor can I convince you will succeed. As humans, we carry on with our plans, with the hope that it will succeed, but even our best efforts don't always reward us."

He lifted his eyes to the sky, where the evening stars - far from the town light - were like scattered diamonds on a black mirror against the vast expanse of midnight blue, and the clouds were thin wisps of silk wrapped around the full moon. It wasn't anything out of the ordinary, and it was utterly magnificent.

"But the only real way you can know whether you will succeed, is to carry on, and move forward without letting doubt cloud your judgment. Or fear to hold you back. Perhaps it will all be in vain, in that case you must trust that you have inspired others to continue your work. That's your legacy, which will remain long after you are gone."

"You may not succeed now, but does that mean you'll never improve? Instead of doubting yourself like this, perhaps you should be focused on training and getting stronger, don't you think? You're a soldier, aren't you? You have to become strong to protect your sister."

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"What does the Instructor say about her?" Erwin asked out of interest.

Nile frowned at his friend's sudden attention. He had been silently observant of the cadet, and had not deigned to comment on it until now. "Who? Cadet Klein? She's received training to become an army doctor. A well-rounded trainee. Highly competent in the use of 3DMG, and one of the best hand-to-hand fighters. Excels at theoretical application, and possesses a firm mentality and flexibility. Well-liked by comrades and instructors alike." He said briskly. The MP must have been interested in her talent as well, Erwin concluded. "I think she's bound for a spot in the top ten, if not top three."

He paused there, his eyes sliding to Erwin meaningfully. "She reminds me of you actually."

Erwin's subordinates audibly groaned. "If so then we might as well forget her. She won't be joining the Corps when she can pamper to those incompetent MPs," said one of them in dismay, likely forgetting Nile's presence.

"Oi, Gelgar! Watch your language!" admonished Hange.

"Ah! Apologies, squad leader Nile." The soldier rushed to right himself, heat rushing to his cheek.

Accustomed to the popular opinion of the Military Police, especially from the dedicated Scouting Legion, Nile wasn't too harsh on them. "You can be assured that if she's anything like Erwin, nothing you say will sway her from her path."

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Frieda had managed to graduate the Trainee Corps placing second. She thought back to her former life in the Capital with a hint of glee: if only those snobby boys could see her now, they'd think twice about picking fights with her. Who would've thought a lady from nobility like her would one day be top of the class in the military?

"Which division are you joining, Freya?"

"Are you still serious about the Survey Corps?"

"With your grades you can make a good life if you join the Military Police, then spend the rest of your life in the Capital."

Of course, the one her peers were talking to was Freya Klein, a girl who grew up in a farm in the east of Wall Sina. But Frieda had a different past. She'd lived in the Capital, and she'd seen enough of it.

The fact was there had always been but one option to Frieda. Graduating in the top 10 should earn her the right to serve as the hand of the King in the Military Police, but that would mean coming home. Too close. That could not be allowed. Frieda, no matter how quietly she'd lived in the past three years, would be eliminated just as quietly if she dared to return. Rod wanted no reminder of his old life, of his old sin. Home was the last place she was welcome.

And the Garrison wasn't any better. The Reiss family had been heavily involved in the Wall cult, had been one of its wealthiest patrons. And clearly the Walls were of great interest to them. Considering the Garrison's main duty is to man the Walls, she was sure they had already kept a close eye and a tight leash on the regiment's operations. She knew because she had been part of the Cult before she abandoned all faith.

Besides, the sight of drunken soldiers loitering about Shiganshina market had been enough to dissuade her. They were just as bad as the MP.

Why the Survey Corps?

Frieda Reiss was a kind girl, somebody who had a purpose and a goal. Beloved by everyone. And had a family. She would've fought for humanity, surely, with all her heart. Freya Klein had no friends, no allies in this world. No future to speak of, no desire to live. Except just to see her sister again. The last family member she had left whom she knew she loved. Towards whom she could bore no hatred, and owed every affection.

Her love for Historia was the only thing that tied her to Frieda Reiss. Freya Klein desired everything Frieda had, but could never regain. Why did she join the Survey Corps? It is the only place that would put her beyond the corrupting influence of her father, is what she tells herself in times of doubt. But could it be, that someone as hollow and as drifting as her, was dazzled by the conviction and the immovable purpose? Perhaps she wanted that light for herself. Perhaps she was tired of power plays and corruption. Perhaps for once all she wanted to pursue was a dream, one that is not marred by greed or selfishness, to fight for the future of humanity.

Or, said a different voice - the one that had whispered that she wasn't anything so noble, perhaps it was the fear. Perhaps a part of her that's deep and dark could not forget the ripper's silver blade, and that red corpse bleeding out on the forest floor. All it took was a word from father to give you back your life, and with a word he could steal it back just as easily. Should Rod ever change his mind, decide that it was much too bothersome to keep her around, to waste precious resources watching over her, would she be able to escape the dogs he'd send on her trail?

Nowhere to run. Nowhere to go. Nowhere to hide within these walls.

But what about beyond?

Some years later, when Frieda would reflect on her decisions during this period, she couldn't pinpoint the exact reason that led her to join the Survey Corps. Her father? Her fear? Her lack of freedom? Her need for purpose? Who knows. She only knew at the time, she had felt every confusion, every doubt. Every doubt, save one. There was one thing she desired above all, and that was to see her sister again. Surely, there is no way for her to fulfil her dream, without setting herself on this path.

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A/N: Old readers of mine will notice that chapter 2 (or chapter 2.1 as I call it) had been taken down. I wasn't satisfied with Frieda's introduction the SC in the original chapter. The truth is I was eager to publish something after so long and updated the chapter without thinking through the grand scheme of things. I've reflected on it now that the canon has given me new inspiration. Please forgive me for that, and thank you for your continuous support of the story! Enjoy chapter 2.2!

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