Chapter 112: Joining the Cadet Corps
Two years passed. For the refugees, it was a long and arduous time.
…
A residence on the edge of Trost District.
The faint light of dawn had not yet dispersed. Eren had already finished his daily training session with Mikasa and Armin—though it was mostly focused on Armin.
Over the past two years, Eren's physical strength had grown steadily. Occasionally, when helping neighbors move things or wrestling with his father, he would inadvertently reveal surprising power. He carefully controlled this abnormality, avoiding attention. This strength didn't come from exercise, nor from the Power of the Titans. It stemmed from the dormant, emerald Soul Gem. It acted like a miniature core, subtly optimizing his body under his conscious direction.
A more hidden change occurred late at night. When extremely fatigued or deeply focused, a faint green light would sometimes seep from between his clenched fingers, flashing and then disappearing, like an unconscious energy leak. The first time Eren noticed it, his heart nearly stopped. But he kept this secret locked away.
His active magic abilities remained dormant. Energy beams, magic barriers, the Magical Girl form—those powers felt slightly less distant, but still unreachable. Perhaps the only ability that remained was the passive pain suppression, which had become second nature. No, maybe "passive" wasn't the right word. The Soul Gem was the essence of his soul. If he treated his body merely as a tool, then naturally, he wouldn't care if the tool felt pain. He could endure the bumps and bruises from training Armin without flinching.
"Eren really has a high pain tolerance."
"That boy… it's like he doesn't feel pain."
Carla would sometimes say worriedly. Eren would just smile and say nothing.
For two years, he had never stopped "training" Armin. Under the pretext of preparing them to "join the Military Police," he subtly taught Mikasa and Armin the combat techniques and intricacies of using the ODM gear, conducting simulated training sessions. After all, the Military Police was a place where the more skilled you were at killing Titans, the farther away from them you could be stationed. This was the only reason he could give that would put his family somewhat at ease.
"Eren, how do you know so much about using the ODM gear?" Armin had marveled more than once. "And you've gotten so much stronger these past two years."
"Well, it's where we're headed, right? And maybe I just grow fast," Eren would always reply. He wanted them to be stronger, safer. Even a little bit might change the future.
…
Finally, the day arrived. The Southern Division of Wall Rose, the 104th Cadet Corps, enrollment ceremony.
Dust swirled on the training grounds. Hundreds of boys and girls stood nervously in formation. The air smelled of sweat, dust, and fear.
A stern-faced older man paced before the lines. Keith Shadis. Commandant of the Cadet Corps. And one of the men who had once pursued his mother. His infamous "welcome ceremony" was about to begin—a process of using psychological pressure and humiliation to weed out the cowards and intimidate everyone else.
Eren stood in the ranks, his twelve-year-old body straight. His face showed none of the typical recruit's anxiety, only calmness. Beneath that calm, however, currents churned. Two years of preparation, two lifetimes of memories. He was no longer the impulsive boy solely focused on revenge.
His gaze swept over the surrounding faces, familiar yet different.
Connie, swallowing nervously, eyes darting—still the same goofball.
Sasha, furtively hiding something, probably food, ready to sneak a bite.
Jean, looking defiant but unable to hide his nervousness, his eyes drifting towards the interior.
And—Eren's gaze hardened slightly.
Ymir, arms crossed, face impassive. Beside her, the small, blonde girl—Krista Lenz. The future Historia. The Queen… Eren's mind stirred. Royal blood, the Founder, the Coordinate… so many secrets. Ymir and Historia were key. Ymir held some secrets of the outside world. He could potentially use her to reveal the truth to everyone, with himself filling in the gaps. But the time wasn't right. For now, just observe. Watch history repeat itself, yet subtly deviate under his influence.
His gaze moved on, landing on three young faces carrying vastly different destinies.
Reiner Braun. Bertolt Hoover. Annie Leonhart.
The Warriors from Marley. Armored Titan, Colossal Titan, Female Titan.
Seeing them still made Eren's heart clench. But the feeling that surged was no longer the all-consuming rage that wanted to tear them apart immediately. His mother was alive. His home was intact. The tragedy of the breach had been averted by him. More importantly, the slaughter in Liberio, the experience within the Coordinate space… had given him a more complex understanding of the "enemy." Reiner, Bertolt, Annie… they were also cogs in the tragedy of war. They weren't so different.
But understanding didn't equal forgiveness. And it certainly didn't mean letting his guard down. He knew their purpose, the destruction they would cause. Expose them now? Foolish. No proof, premature exposure would only alter their plans and nullify his current intelligence advantage.
But Eren already had a strategy. Observe. Wait. Build strength. Maintain a facade of peace, even limited contact, until they transformed into Titans. Then, he would take them down in one swift, undeniable strike, caught red-handed. Until then, play his part. The part of… a perfect genius.
"YOU!!!" Commandant Shadis's roar exploded, breaking Eren's thoughts. He had stopped in front of a blonde boy. Armin. Armin trembled, his face pale.
"WHAT'S YOUR NAME?!"
"SIR! ARMIN ARLERT! FROM SHIGANSHINA DISTRICT!" Armin yelled with all his might, his voice shaking.
"IS THAT SO?! I'VE HEARD OF YOU! YOU'RE A LUCKY ONE, AREN'T YOU?! DIDN'T EVEN SEE A TITAN BEFORE FLEEING TO THE INTERIOR!" Shadis leaned in close, spittle flying. "ARLERT! WHAT ARE MAGGOTS LIKE YOU DOING HERE?! FODDER FOR THE TITANS?!"
Armin gritted his teeth, tears welling, shaking even harder. Eren watched calmly. He knew Armin could endure it. His friend looked frail, but his spirit was strong.
Shadis's "initiation" continued. He humiliated Connie, mocked Sasha's hidden potato, questioned Jean's dream of joining the Military Police. Everyone called out endured immense pressure.
Finally, Shadis stopped in front of Eren. He paused, his sharp eyes examining the child of the woman he once loved, the boy he didn't want to see on the battlefield.
"YOU! STATE YOUR NAME!"
"SIR! EREN JAEGER! FROM SHIGANSHINA DISTRICT!" Eren's voice was clear and loud, betraying no nervousness. His gaze met Shadis's steadily, without flinching.
Shadis frowned slightly. Her child… seems to have already resolved himself. His expression softened for a fraction of a second, then immediately hardened again. "TELL ME, WHY ARE YOU HERE?!"
Eren took a deep breath. Here it comes. He knew the standard answer. Drive out the Titans, get revenge… But that was the previous life. This time, his goal was clearer, and heavier.
"To drive out… ALL the enemies!"