The horse drawn carriage rocks back and forth on the dirt path, jostling the cadets riding in the back. All two hundred and two graduates of the 101st Training Corp Western Division were on their way to the Survey Corp Headquarters to see if they, too; want to serve humanity. One girl is looking forward to this trip more than the others are. This is because she wanted to join the Survey Corp since hear early years of life.
Her name is Nadiya Melnyk and she joined the military strictly for the soul purpose of becoming a member of the Survey Corp. Nadiya's grandfather once told her about the outside world before his passing. Her grandfather was once a soldier for the Survey Corp when he was younger. He retired from the military after his older son's horrific death left him a mess. It was then he told Nadiya all about his time in the Survey Corp and what he was able to witness.
The carriage rocks again, shaking the Ukrainian girl out of her thoughts. Nadiya just sighs and looks over at the other cadets until her bright green eyes met warm brown ones. The boy she locked eyes with turns away quickly, murmuring under his breathe. Nadiya didn't understand the reason for the boy's reaction. In fact, the boy started to act like this just last year. She just left it as a "boy thing" and continued doing what she is suppose to do.
" We're here cadets!" The Training Corp instructor yells to the carriage full of cadets. Slowly the group of soldiers started making their way out of the wooden wagon, including Nadiya. The building is large and very sturdy looking, which impressed some of the cadets. " Now everyone file into the Mess Hall and salute your superior!" The mob of graduates did as their instructor ordered. In front of the new cadets is a tall, blonde man with blue eyes and pretty thick eyebrows.
Next to the blone man is an extremely shorter man with ebony hair and piercing grey eyes that made many of the other cadets nervous. " At ease, soldiers." The blonde man orders the lesser soldiers. The cadets dropped their salutes as the blonde continues to speak." It's a pleasure to see so many young faces in our headquarters. I am Commander Erwin Smith and the soldier along side me is Lance Corporal Levi Akerman, you may know him as 'Humanity's Strongest'."
Levi just clicked his tongue in irritation as Erwin continued to speak. Nadiya just blinks as Erwin's speech went on, not bothering to listen to the details. She is joining to make her late grandfather proud from beyond the grave. The Ukrainian notices the other cadets exchanged some concerned looks as Erwin brought up the high mortality rate in the Survey Corps.
The cadets started to leave in droves as Erwin and Levi watch carefully. Nadiya watches the others leaving but she noticed that only a handful of cadets were still staying behind."...I see that you who stayed behind are willing to sacrifice yourselves for the sake of humanity. For that, I gladly welcome you to the Survey Corps." Erwin responds in a strong but welcoming voice. Nadiya and the other cadets salute to the Commander before leave the Mess Hall to get their new uniform jackets.
After receiving her new jacket with the 'Wings of Freedom' embroidered on it, Nadiya smiles with pride shining in her eyes. The girl rips her old Trainee jacket and slips her new one on. While the other cadets talk among themselves, Nadiya decided to leave the fortress-like headquarters for some fresh air.
As Nadiya got outside, she notices a small stable not too far from the headquarters. She slowly walks into the stables as her eyes widen in awe at the sight of the horses in their pens. " Oi, brat!" An irritated man's voice booms into the wooden building. Nadiya turns to see Levi looking over at the young girl with his arms crossed nd a brow raised. " Are you looking for Stable Duty on your first day, brat? What's your name, cadet?"
Nadiya quickly salutes Levi before answering her superior. " I am Cadet Nadiya Melnyk, sir." She says calmly. " I didn't mean to wander off sir, socializing isn't really my forte." Levi is quiet for a bit before speaking again.
" Are you related to Squad Leader Mykola Melnyk and Cadet Ruslan Melnyk?" The soldier asks Nadiya.
" Tak!" She responded too quickly. Levi blinks and gives Nadiya a puzzled look. " I-I mean yes sir. They were my uncle and grandfather. My uncle died before I could meet him and my grandfather passed away five years ago..."
Levi quietly listens to Nadiya tell him about growing up with her grandfather at home. " My дід- er, my grandfather used to tell me stories about his time here in the Survey Corps... So I joined to make my grandfather proud." Nadiya finishes as a horse lowers it's head to the young cadet. " Did you know my дід, sir?" Nadiya asks as she pets the horse close to her.
The corporal crosses his arms as he looks over at the new cadet. " Yeah, I did." Levi answers with a stoic expression on his face. " Your grandfather and uncle were decent soldiers..." He adjusts his cravat and turns his back to Nadiya. " I expect you to be just as good as your family was, Cadet Melnyk. If not even better."
" Sir, yes sir!" Nadiya shouts as she salutes Corporal Levi. The short man clicks his tongue and walks back into the headquarters. The girl sighed but smiles afterwards, glad that she's finally in the Survey Corp.