"Everyone, let us welcome the new trainees!", Commander Erwin Smith shouted to his troops.

It was just a few months after Levi was officially enlisted in the Survey corps, not as an assasin nor with any hidden agenda, but on his own free will. He was a former gangster back then but has changed ever since an unfortunate incident came to his 'family'. Right now, he is one of the best members of the corps and is welcoming the new trainees.

A relatively short woman with blonde hair and brown eyes, together with her droopy-eyed classmate stood infront.

Salute.

"I am Petra Ral. A graduate of the 100th trainee corps. And I- n-nice to meet you all!", Petra nervously introduced herself.

"I am Oluo Bozado of the same batch."

"Both of you will be under Levi's squad.", Erwin firmly stated.

The rest of the soldiers were quite surprised and had varying opinions on letting Levi handle his own unit despite being a relatively new member.

"Be quiet!", Erwin commanded then faced the two new recruits.

"Please proceed to your squad leader."

Petra and Oluo did the salute and fell behind Levi's line.

The newbies were clearly afraid yet enthusiastic in joining the Survey corps. It was a mixed feeling really but right now they feel more scared that they were assigned to a scary-faced Captain.

Few instructions were discussed by Erwin right after that. He also said that training among squads must be done so that when the next expedition comes everyone is well-prepared.

Levi squad (composed of three members) headed to their room to arrange their stuff and put on their uniforms (for the newbies).

Petra and Oluo just kept eyeing each other, without a single word, afraid that Levi might cut their tongues if he hears a single letter from them. Funny enough, they used sign language in communicating.

Oluo: Talk to him Petra

Petra: You idiot! He might kill me! Look at his eyes! Its so scary! *crying face*

Oluo: You scaredy cat!

Petra: YOU TALK TO HIM INSTEAD!

Oluo: C'mon use your woman charms! *draws a sexy figure in the air*

Petra: What the hell is a 'woman charms'?!

Tch.

Both Petra and Oluo yelped upon hearing a faint word from Levi.

"What is it?", he asked piercing his eyes to the pair.

"N-n-n-not-thing, sir.", Petra stutterly answered, sweat dripping down her face.

"Don't stutter."

"Yes!", Petra quickly replied. She is so close to crying right now.

"If you got any problems with me, say it on my freaking face, runts."

Both of the nodded and proceeded to clean their beds.

Levi has short, straight black hair styled in an undercut, as well as narrow, intimidating dull gray eyes with dark circles under them and a deceptively youthful face. He is quite short, but his physique is well-developed in musculature from extensive vertical maneuvering equipment usage. He is usually either frowning or expressionless; that, plus his extremely calm demeanor, often makes it difficult for others to guess what he is thinking. (Wikia)

It was difficult for the three of them to get along, or even just to talk. Levi was just there sitting while the two of them trained their stamina and strength. Days went by following the same routine without Levi telling them something. The two newbies were actually skilled in using the 3D Maneuver Gear, close to mastering it already and in terms of physical combat, one could classify them as above average. Their swordsmanship was also remarkable as a result of their training back in the days and continued practice once they entered the Survey corps.

"Let's call it a day Petra. I'm tired already and my blades need to be changed.", Oluo stated as he catches his breath.

Petra slids her blades on her gear and fixes her hair, "Okay okay. I'll prepare some coffee for us to sip."

Levi was just there outside, watching Oluo go inside the building to get a change of clothes and Petra starting a bonfire and heating water for coffee.

Petra looked at him from time to time. Once she had finished brewing the coffee, she placed them on the table. She prepared three cups for the three of them but Levi wasn't slightly interested in approaching the table. Petra then made her way and offered Levi a cup of coffee.

Levi looked up to the small figure standing infront of him. Petra squealed at his scary look.

"C-captain, here's your coffee.", she nervously said.

Levi kept his piercing stare at her but nevertheless, accepted the cup.

Whooo.

Petra was beyond nervous at that moment. What if he splashes the coffee on her face? Or throws it away like trash or steps on it like an insect? These were the uneasy thoughts roaming her mind but Levi took a sip from the cup, unexpectedly.

Did he like it? she thought.

This is her chance to start a conversation, to slowly build a relationship in the squad. It was necessary to increase the success rate of everyone.

"Captain."

Levi chose to ignore her.

"Uhm, captain."

He ignores her again.

Petra is annoyed by being ignored twice but she holds it back and asks again.

"Captain?"

"What?", he blandly replied.

Yes, he heard me! Now what to ask.

She's got nothing to ask! She just wanted to start a conversation so she smiled nervously and asked anything that popped in her mind.

"Did you like the coffee?", she nervously asked out of the blue.

Levi twitched his eyebrow at the useless crap of a question she just asked. Petra did not expect any answer. She regrets that she even asked such a stupid question.

"If you're gonna asked stupid questions like that, you're lower than a titan bait. Might as well call you titan crap as well.", Levi rudely slapped the sense out of her.

Petra was stunned. And hurt. She was just trying to be friends with him but he said such awful words. At that moment, she remembered what her father used to tell her.

Don't let anybody hurt your feelings, Petra. I know you are a good girl. When such person comes, fight back.

Petra, furiously motivated, stood up and slapped Levi's face. It sounded like three thunderclaps combined and left Levi's face red.

"No matter how great you think you are, it isn't right to humiliate people who are just trying to be nice!", she blurted out before running away from the dumbfounded Levi.

Idiot.

Why would you slap your squad leader.

Punishment is coming your way.

These thoughts ran inside the head of the depressed Petra. She was now away from their building, changed her clothes to civilian clothing and shopped around the market. She thinks of never coming back to that stupid place again with that stupid guy called captain. She's better off this way. When the next day comes Petra promised to herself that she'll go home to his father.

While she was roaming around the market, she sensed five men stalking her. Muscular men wearing unsleeved upper clothes and ripped jeans. They also had chains, rings, and wide necklaces.

A gang.

Petra walked faster in order to lose them. But-

The guys shoved her to the corner of the dead-end street.

"Pretty face, huh.", one man said

"Offers a good price.", another one added while licking his lips.

"Miss, don't be scared. We won't hurt yo-"

Petra kicked the guy about to approach her, who was carrying a big sack to put her in. She managed to take him down but four other guys held her and punched her stomach.

"Hey, hey. We were just talking now. Don't be aggressive.", the fourth man joked.

The man who was kicked spat blood on the ground and collared Petra, "Maybe she likes to be more aggressive." He placed his hands on Petra's face, who was restrained by two guys. He was about to move it into places he shouldn't touch when a loud thud was heard from behind. One of their man fell down and a figure was seen approaching them.

"Tsk. Who the hell are you?!"

The perverted man ran and was about to punch this person when he was kicked and thrown away mid-air. The other two, holding Petra, released her and was about to gang on the guy when they were both punched right in the face until their mouths were bleeding and some of their teeth falling.

Petra was crying really hard at that moment. She was just so scared at the experience of being nearly kidnapped and sold in the black market. She was strong against one or two men but with her strength alone, she could never take down five muscular men.

She even cried more upon seeing someone coming to save her. She looked up to see his face only to find out it was Levi.

"Captain L-Levi", she stated his name in an unsure manner.

Levi just stared at her, "Dinner is coming. Let's go."

Petra nodded and stood up though her legs were still weak from the attack. Despite her pitiful state, she was happy inside. She always thought that Levi was a cold heartless evil bastard who never gave a crap about them but he was not.

"I knew their faces from my stay underground. I grew up there.", Levi explained.

Petra smiled. "Stop!"

Levi was shocked but still maintained his grumpy face. "What?"

Petra warmly smiled at the captain and looked him in the eye.

"Captain, you act all tough on the outside and not caring at all but you actually care for us!", Petra teased.

"What of it?", he annoyingly replied.

"Nothing. I'm just glad to have a captain like you.", Petra smiled before turning away and smiling widely to herself.

She knew in that instant that she had grown to like Levi. She admired his skills and his strength. Their training days were still the same but every now and then Levi would teach them some techniques in effectively using the 3DM gear. He would also encourage them to clean their room, the only noticable sentence he says every day.

Petra felt like their bond grows closer.

And these were the moments that she sent her father stating that she had devoted her life to Levi.