MARCO
He's always been thick headed, impulsive, yet...he had a sort of kindness to him...this understanding. This is my goodbye to Jean.
CHAPTER 1
We were all starting our first year at Sina Academy, named that because they said it had 'giant success'. It was true though, Sina Academy was a direct pipeline to jobs in Sina, where the rich and successful lived. Sina was part of Shingeki County, comprised of the three towns: Sina, for the rich; Rose, for the middle class; and Maria, for those who were not rich, but not poor. Besides Shingeki County, was the Kyojin County, which was notorious for having militias, and was extremely dangerous to enter, especially if one did not go around those areas often. The town Sina was extremely sheltered, being surrounded by Maria and Rose. In the not so likely event that the militia would come to Shingeki County, Sina would be safest, then Rose, then Maria. There's even a line of police on the border, making sure that the militias don't attack our county, but that hasn't happened for a hundred years, so we had let our guard down. A mistake.
Looking back at all of this, I felt a smile playing on my lips as I toured the campus. I know why I came to Sina Academy. It was an elite school, and only the top ten graduates of every class could get jobs in Sina, where we could help the government. Imagine, helping keep the order within our county! I imagine myself, dutifully helping create laws to improve the system, and to make it better for humanity.
However, the program was rigorous, yes, and it even broke some who decide to leave after the first week even. But leaving means that you can never go back. You'd have to go to one of the other two major schools: Rose Academy, or Maria Boarding School.
Today could not be any prettier, and though everything was perfect around here, I walked around with slight hesitation. I knew that each class was so small, that eventually, they say everyone grows closer together. I hope it's true, because I wouldn't mind having a friend later on when I enter the cities.
I pulled down my blazer just a bit, feeling uncomfortable in clothing like this. The academy has such a strict dress code…
I found the auditorium, a sign posted on the door. FRESHMAN ORIENTATION. I swallowed hard. I've never been particularly imposing, but I hope I'll make a good impression. I pulled open the large doors, and enter a large theatre, almost reminding me of an opera house. All the seats were empty, and only the stage lights were lit. I walked down the aisle nervously, my hands clenching, then unclenching as I made my way towards the stage, where most people were already standing. They weren't milling around though, they were all standing in rows, almost ranks, like we were all going to war against Kyojin County.
I took each step slowly, and carefully, feeling the nerves gradually seep away. It seemed like no teacher was there yet, and everyone was talking. Even so...I'd better get in formation.
I joined the ranks, passing by rows of new students. Despite having idle chatter, the stage was so quiet, I could hardly believe it. I glanced around, then next to me. The people next to me both seemed to nervous. In fact, most people are quiet. Nerves I guess. I smiled, feeling the light cut part of my vision. It was okay though, it wasn't like I was going to be here everyday.
Then, silence. A tall man stepped on stage. He had a mean expression, and paced slowly up front. I expected words of encouragement, but he wasn't wasting any time. "YOU may all think that attending Sina Academy will be fun and games, but it WILL NOT. I swear, each and every one of you conceited idiots will be broken by the end of freshman year. It is thoroughly expected that MANY of you will chicken out of this program. I KNOW, IT WILL HAPPEN." Then calmly, he wiped his sleeve on his mouth, pausing. The tension in the air was almost palpable, and I glanced around me. I saw one person quiver slightly. "I AM KEITH SHADIS, BUT YOU WILL ALL CALL ME MR. SHADIS. I WILL BE YOUR HOMEROOM TEACHER, BUT DON'T EXPECT ME TO BABY ALL OF YOU, BECAUSE I AM NOT YOUR MOMMY!" He paused once again. Mr. Shadis began to pace once more, and I couldn't help but feel like instead of being at the elite Sina Academy, training to help the government, I was at a military school.
Mr. Shadis paused in front of a boy with longer blond hair. "WHO ARE YOU?" He shouted. I jumped, not expecting all of this.
"Armin Arlert!" He cried out.
"WHERE ARE YOU FROM?"
"Zhinganshina District!" I felt a slight amount of shock once he pronounced those words. Recently, Zhinganshina had been attacked by militia from Kyojin County, and so many lives were lost...Armin, was alive though. Many had been able to escape, so I shouldn't be worrying. At least there were people who were alive.
"WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU WILL BE A PART OF THE 104TH GRADUATING CLASS?"
Armin shouted back his answer, and Mr. Shadis continued his ceremony.
I watched him, trying to think up what my own answers would be, but they're obvious, so I shouldn't be worried. I know why I'm here, and obviously who I am.
When Mr. Shadis came to me, I couldn't help but feel a little confused. Why had he skipped so many others? I saluted him, a natural courtesy. "WHO ARE YOU?"
"Marco Bott!"
"WHERE ARE YOU FROM?"
I smiled at him. "Jinae Town!" I couldn't help but think back to my family, and I felt some emotions overcome me for a brief moment.
"WHY ARE YOU HERE?"
"So I can help serve the government!" I heard someone snicker at my remark, and I felt a little hurt. What was wrong? That was why I was here? Mr. Shadis, satisfied, moved on, at least.
The rest of orientation was nothing less than intense, and I left the room, feeling a little uptight and uncomfortable. I checked the time. I had about thirty minutes until my next class, so I figured I could walk around campus, and maybe get something to drink.
I found the campus' tea parlor, and entered the shop. Inside, plenty of older students, and even some teachers were inside, taking a break. I saw some research students who relocated to Maria. The crests on their blazers were different, and they all had ties, marking their high rank. Probably students who want to research Kyojin County. I took a seat in a table near the window, and waited for a waiter to come by. I sat there, twiddling my idly, when I heard someone say my name. "Hey! Marco, right?" I turned around, and saw a group of kids in my class all cramped together on a small circle table. "Come sit with us!" A boy told me. What was his name...Connie! The one who saluted on the wrong side. Even though Mr. Shadis thoroughly punished him for that, he looked like he had recovered, and was smiling. I walked over and joined them, my cup of tea in hand.
"Hey guys." I said, smiling at them. At the table was Connie, and a few others: a short blond girl, Armin, and two others whose names I didn't know.
The blond smiled at me pleasantly. "I'm Crista. That's Armin, Eren, and Mikasa." Armin said a shy hello, and Eren acknowledged me. Mikasa, glanced up at me, holding a mug of tea in one hand. A distinctive red scarf was around her neck, falling past her shoulders.
"Hi, you're Marco, right?" Armin asked. I nodded.
"Hey Armin, I heard you're from Zhinganshina District." Connie said, obvious that he was tired of all these introductions. He nodded.
"So's Eren and Mikasa." He said. He took a scone from the plate in the middle, and took a large bite, almost like he didn't want to say anything more.
"Eren, Mikasa, did you guys see..." Connie's voice trailed off, and he immediately turned a slight red. "No, wait, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."
"No," Eren said. "It's fine." He had a slight cocky grin on his face, but I noticed that he wasn't making eye contact with any of us. He took a bite of a scone, and wiped the crumbs from his face.
"I saw the militia, with all their big scary weapons and everything." He said cockily. "They weren't that intimidating."
"Oh yeah?" I turned my head around just as a chair screeched, falling to the ground. "Are you that tough?" Eren looked up.
"Hey, you're the one who wants to work in Sina, to hide from the militia, aren't you?"
The boy—Jean, I think—laughed. "And you're the one who wants to 'go lose their life for humanity', right? God, at least I'm not full of shit, I tell the truth." Eren stood up, and walked over to Jean, who was a bit taller. Mikasa stood up with him, and held his arm back.
"Eren, it's not worth it." She uttered. Her voice was strong, and I saw Jean's face turn bright red.
Eren, who obviously wasn't dumb, caught sight of it. "Is it not, Mikasa? I'm not surprised, given that Mr. Truth is in love with you."
Jean's face turned redder, and I saw Mikasa's face grew ashen. "Really, Eren?" She murmured.
Suddenly, for no apparent reason, I stood up. "Stop guys. This isn't the place for this." I said. I was surprised at what I said, and the fact that the tea parlor was completely silent. Everyone had been listening.
"Whatever, bastards." Jean finally said, stretching his arm out, and hitting Eren in the face. "I'm out. You guys can be late, and I'll work in Sina." He took confident strides out of the parlor, slamming the door behind him, letting the bell ring us back to reality.