Chapter Text
The infamous Survey Corps, Scouting Region or Scout Regiment, whatever you want to call it.
Not the most promising of branches for cadets of the 104th Training Corps to choose from, as one of the best graduation classes to date. A division where eventual comrades made along the way meeting their demise was a constant reminder of its deadly nature.
Did you care enough? Not in the slightest.
As long it meant freedom from abuse, which put it very nicely, back home, you would take a perilous position within the military. The worst that could happen was death in a way you wouldn't regret.
So you'd take it in stride no matter what, no matter whose side it would be by.
General beginner training, from enhancing body core strength while hanging in the air, to strict dummy runs with blades that wouldn't allow even the slightest errors, to moving around boundlessly within aforementioned air with the aid of an Omni-Dimensional Manoeuvre Gear, more commonly known as the ODM-gear to everyone here who came before you.
To say none of it was easy would be the understatement of the century.
Because it was torture in the form of physical exercises meant to transform you from 'canon fodder', as your head instructor Keith Shadis would call all participants during harsh bouts, to a competent warrior able to slay the enemy without ifs and buts, no hesitation allowed whatsoever.
Since that would translate into losing your life immediately. Knowing that, your determination never wavered once, concentration high whenever precision, strength and perseverance were required of you.
Body core strength tests? Successful, not having fallen down once.
Target practice? 24/25, only missed one once, during a session where sudden unfavourable weather conditions occurred, which decreased accuracy rate with hitting bullseye significantly.
ODM-gear training, flying through the air including minimal support with the objective being to continuously propel towards certain surfaces? Stellar executions every single time without fail, a rarity amidst all cadets.
Hand-to-hand combat lessons with other cadets? Came out on top every time among a few others, though occasional flinching showed itself, which was quickly written off as 'accidents' that could be overlooked in favor of your outstanding work.
It can be said that your extraordinary, remarkable even, performances in every field could be attributed to natural talent, which wasn't commonly found in women in this time, especially not in the fighting scene.
However, to you, there are other reasons.
Agonising anguish, the desire to break out of the metaphorical shackles tying you to a past filled with nothing but suffering for as long as you could remember and a wish for freedom from what kept you trapped, just to name a few.
Would you name any of this, which was part of your background, as motivations?
Hell no, if only to avoid risking those vulnerabilities being used against you for whatever messed up reasons. Everything is possible in an environment such as the military.
That is what you firmly believed and a notion that wouldn't change or waver.
At least you believed in your resolve to remain firm no matter the future circumstances.
After three long, more distressing than pleasant, years consisting of training sessions, it was 850 and the time for you to choose one of the three available military branches had finally come.
It was done in a very formal fashion and the ceremony itself did not last long, though the Commander's speech was.. very lengthy, to say the least. Not really unexpected but still something you noticed nonetheless.
Once you had made the decision to join the Survey Corps without any trace of uncertainty left in your heart, Commander Erwin Smith, an imposing leader that no doubt had guided soldiers such as you or rather who you would become in a matter of time, into several expeditions and missions, took you to his side right after the formalities for each cadet and commanding officer were over.
It confuses you to a certain degree why he himself would call you over, but you assume it was for a valid reason on his part. It had to be.
"Cadet [FN] [LN], I assume you do not know the reason as to why I called you over here?"
As the man speaks in a calm, steady voice that betrayed nothing of his true emotions, his blue gaze was directed at you the whole time, giving you a silent order to stay for as long as he would talk with his eyes only.
Risking early discharge was not in your plans, so you obeyed him without question.
"No, Sir. I am not aware of it. Would you mind explaining the reason to me, if I may ask?"
You ask back without much emotion, no hint of nervousness visible in neither your face nor tone of voice.
He can be very shrewd when it comes to observing people, as you have come to been told by veterans on occasion.
Sensing your compliance, a hum of what cold have been contentment leaves the older man's lips and soon enough, he is speaking again.
"I figured as much. Well, let me enlighten you then, Cadet. As you may or may not know, commanding officers have been keeping track of every trainee here in the past three years of preparation for today, the day you decide which division of this military to choose."
As anticipated, Commander Erwin spares no words in explaining the situation to you.
"We found out that your skills and strength are extraordinary. More than that, actually. It has been years since capabilities such as yours were recorded here."
His words strike you as surprising, very much so. Your eyes widen marginally, yet an expression of calmness and composure takes over quickly in order to conceal the genuine feeling of bewilderment you were feeling while listening to your Commander's words.
"So, in order to get the most out of your potential, I have decided to assign my best soldier, a Captain, to your side. He will be a personal mentor, to put it in easy words."
"Huh. That sounds like an hour, Sir. I did not anticipate this outcome."
Your eyes never stray from his as you reply to him, still trying to come to terms with what would be your upcoming future within the Survey Corps.
"Levi? Can you come here for a moment?"
Then, out of the corner of your eyes, you see another man, at least a head smaller than Erwin, with an aura that exuded authority with every ounce of his being, stepping out from behind the Commander.
Immediately, you sense a hint of annoyance from the newcomer which did not help in making you feel at ease in the slightest.
So, that was the aforementioned Captain that would be your adviser?
He didn't look scary like you thought he would be.
Yes, he seemed very commanding.
Frightening, though? Eh, not that much.
"What's it now, Erwin? I don't have time for shitty chit-chat, y'know that."
The man, whose name was apparently 'Levi', says to the Commander before his eyes eventually land on your figure with a blank expression adoring his youthful features.
"They important or something?"
Before he can inquire more, the Commander speaks up again:
"Yes, as a matter of fact, they are, Levi. This cadet, who goes by [FN/LN], will be put under your supervision for reasons that I'll disclose to you later on."
With that being stated, Erwin looked between you and the Captain, seemingly waiting for either one of you two to talk.
Levi, who cannot be bothered with small talk, immediately turns to face you directly.
From your point of view, he is just barely your height, smaller than you even.
"Listen up, brat. I'll make this quick. Just because you're under my wing now, does not mean you get special treatment from me. Get used to cleaning and relentless training on a daily basis from tomorrow on. Got it?"
Every single one of his words were spoken in a brusque manner, his tone betraying no hint of emotion whatsoever except for maybe a little bit of annoyance.
If that is true, though, you couldn't te. At least not for now, that is.
Feeling intimidated, something you would never outwardly admit, you just nod.
"I understand, Sir."
What astounds you is the lack of etiquette or formality Levi displayed while speaking to you.
A polar opposite to the Commander. Almost as if former did not care for it at all.
In response to your words, a mere hum sounds in the Captain's throat as he continues staring at you unwaveringly, his ocean blue-greyish eyes analysing your every movement, whether that is a twitch of lips or furrow of eyebrows on your part.
Then, after what felt like several minutes, Levi was being vocal again.
"Tch. We'll see about the understanding part, brat."
Just a moment after, he was leaving quickly without any further comment or anything of the sort, arms folded and the stoic expression never leaving his face. From what you could tell.
That is it? That is person you were being going to be monitored by for an indefinite period of time starting today. Or tomorrow, who knows. It could be as much of an unpredictability as this Captain's whole demeanor.
Grumpy, blunt and vulgar were the only adjectives coming to mind as you were thinking about describing his personality in a few words.
Not fazed by whatever the hell Levi's introduction was, Commander Erwin sends you a curious glance, as if to ask 'So, how was that?'
"As candid as ever, that is the Captain for you."
Silence starts to set in again after those words which made it sound like the man was used to the other man's behavior.
"For now, you are dismissed, Cadet. Levi and I will see you tomorrow in my office for further discussion of details about him being directly responsible for you. Any objections so far?"
Like previously, you do not have anything to say, at least nothing that would have made any sense.
Your perplexed mind had yet to catch up.
"..No, Sir. I do not."
Hearing that, he proceeded to nod, signaling you could leave and head towards your assigned barracks's quarters.
However, more questions than answers swirled through your mind as you walk, alongside fellow cadets who chose the same fate as you.
Questions about Captain Levi, his whole demeanor which is an enigma to you and the Commander's nonchalant at former's whole approach of informing you of your future as, basically, his mentee.
"What the hell was that? He didn't even bat an eye when the Captain talked that way to me, almost as if he's used to it by now or somethin."
Only time will tell if any of your internal turmoil caused by today's events will either get assuaged-
..or just intensify.