A/N: This took a couple days to write cause I had a little writers block and the New Risk of Rain 2 update came out and I was trying the new character. I am sorry if the beginning chapters seem slow or you just want to get to major plot points soon, but I'm really trying to establish character connections as well as properly build the MC cause it's kinda annoying to see a perfect OC without them being established to have these abilities or knowledge. Anyways hope you enjoy this chapter.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

Journal

Narration

2. A Trost Refugee

Year 845

It's been around 2 weeks since Wall Maria fell and I've become a refugee. I must wait 2 years before I can join the military. Although I am generally smarter than my peers I have almost no physical capabilities to speak of. Due to my limitations I have decided to learn more about the ODM gear from the guards. The problem is they won't just give out information to a 10 year old, but I haven't been idle these 2 weeks. I found out most of the garrison guards drink while on duty. So now I just need to get my hands on some booze.

Logan was dragged out of his concentration when he heard some grunting and the sounds of an obvious fight. Logan stood up and looked around before his eyes set on the usual brown haired boy named Eren getting in a fight with a tall black haired kid.

"Screw off and stop picking on Armin" Eren yelled at the other boy.

"What did you say you dirt, he shouldn't have gotten in my way." The black haired teen snorted

Eren had then launched a punch directly into the teens stomach and walked over to the blonde haired boy named Armin huddled on the ground. The teen had looked up with pure fury in his eyes and shoulder checked Eren into the wall next to him. Eren had slammed into the wall and he used the wall to propel himself towards the teen shoving him back as well. When the teen recovered they began to slowly circle each other. When Eren had made a 180 with the teen his friends came walking down the street surrounding Eren. Eren began to taunt all the boys when a certain raven haired girl came running through the crowd.

"You three take the girl she won't be able to take you three at once, I will deal with this brat." The teen had commanded.

As the girl started to fight the three kids the teen had lunged at Eren who deftly dodged him. The teen had stumbled after the lunge and fell to the ground. Before Eren could pounce on him he heard someone's voice.

"Use this!" an unknown voice had said. Following the voice a wooden dowel bounced on the ground behind Eren with a thud. Eren had turned to see the dowel and looked up to see the owner of the voice but could not see anyone. Eren had picked up the dowel and used it to assault the bully.

Mikasa POV

When Mikasa had finished the other 3 bullies she turned to see Eren attacking the large teen with a wooden dowel by repeatedly attacking his back while he was down. Mikasa hurried over and grabbed Eren and Armin and dragged them into the nearby ally before any garrison could arrive to yell at them. Mikasa looked over Eren for any injuries with Eren struggling all the same.

"Eren I told you not to jump into fights like that, at least wait for me." Mikasa pleaded Eren

"I'm not your kid brother Mikasa. I can hold my own, like I did today." Eren retorted, proud that he beat the larger teen.

"Eren just because you won this one doesn't mean you will succeed in the next fight." Mikasa stated protectively. "In fact you only managed to get out relatively unharmed because of that dowel in your hands." Mikasa stated as she eyed the object Eren was holding

"I didn't need your help because someone gave me this."

"Really now, who gave it to you then?" Mikasa replied still suspicious of the origins of the object.

"I don't know if someone in the crowd threw it to me. I couldn't see the face of who threw it." Eren recalled the incident.

"Did you see what they looked like at all?" Mikasa replied curiously.

Eren had shook his head to what Mikasa asked. Mikasa began to ponder who would even help them but decided it didn't matter. Mikasa began to escort Eren and Armin to the camp so they could rest up before waiting for their rations. Usually they didn't need to since Armin's grandfather would bring them their bread, but he said he was going to be busy today so they would have to do it themselves.

"Armin do you know where your grandfather is?" Mikasa asked

"No he said he was going to the Den." Armin replied.

'Why would Armin's grandfather go to the Den? That's where the refugees go to gamble in the hopes of hitting it big.' Mikasa tried to think of why Armin's grandfather would be going there of all places but was soon snapped to attention with Eren's angry mumblings.

Armin's Grandfathers POV

Armin's grandfather was caught off guard when he saw a young boy no older than Armin playing chess against his usual partner from the Den. He watched quietly as the boy proceeded to put the Den worker into a back rank checkmate. Upon placing the rook on the back rank the kid stood up and shook the Den workers hand. The den worker looked up and saw Armin's grandfather watching the game with an impressed face.

"Hey Arthur you need to play against this kid he's crazy." Armin's grandfather looked shocked to see the Den worker give up his spot so easily. Arthur looked down at the head of dirty blonde hair and had asked if the kid was up for it. The kid shrugged and sat in the Den worker's seat. Arthur had sat across the boy. Arthur and the boy agreed to play a no stakes game so Arthur could warm up. Arthur had easily taken many of the kids' pieces, Arthur began to realize that despite taking the light square bishop, rook and both knights from the kid his pieces were left unguarded. Arthur began to watch the boys queen wiping out all unguarded pieces each turn. After 8 more turns they agreed to a first game draw, but this first game brought around a crowd shouting for another.

"You up for another game kid?" Arthur had asked the boy.

"Yeah but you know they will gamble on us, right?" The boy responded. This made Arthur chuckle lightly but was caught off guard when the boy demanded a cut of the bets from the Den worker. they had worked out a deal of 15 percent of the winnings going to the boy. After all the bets were made Arthur and Logan began their game of chess.

'The kid is using an opening I haven't seen played before.' Arthur marveled at how the kid was playing. after 4 moves neither had left any opening for each other causing the tension to rise. After Arthur had moved his pawn to threaten Logan's dark square bishop the tension was thick enough to cut with a knife. The crowd watched with bated breath waiting to see how the boy would react. After a minute of deep concentration Logan had moved his knight to fork Arthur's queen and rook. The game lasted another 10 minutes with Arthur managing to promote his pawn to a queen and getting Logan to resign.

"Good game kid." Arthur put out his hand for the handshake.

"You too sir." Logan had responded.

"Before you mind telling me your name?" Asked Arthur.

"Isn't it a bit rude to ask for someone's name before giving your own." Logan had dryly said.

"Ah yes how rude of me. My name is Arthur Artlelt. Pleased to meet you."

"Logan Warner likewise."

Arthur had watched Logan talk to the Den worker who was currently handing out prizes. After that match Arthur didn't want to gamble so he picked up his catch and hung it over his shoulder. As Arthur began to walk out he felt someone tap on his shoulder. Arthur turned around to see the Den worker handing him a small pouch. When the pouch was placed in his hand he heard the Den worker tell him it was 150 coins and that Logan had split it with him. Arthur looked for Logan to thank him but couldn't find him anywhere, Arthur gave up and walked to the market to buy Eren, Mikasa, and Armin some extra food since the rations weren't enough for anyone.

Armin POV

It had been hours since the fight had ended and the sun was starting to set. Armin was worried that his grandfather wasn't back yet. The night could be dangerous if you were walking alone and given that his grandfather was older he would be a prime target for criminals. Armin grimaced at the thought of his grandfather being robbed and beaten in the dead of night. Armin jumped when he heard a sneeze behind him, he looked over his shoulder to see his grandfather standing there with some extra food.

"You thinking something bad about me Armin?" Arthur had joked

"U-uh no I was just worried about where you were." Armin shakily replied

"Ah I was over at the Den then I needed to do a little shopping." Arthur responded. Armin was going to ask his grandfather something before Eren came running over asking where he got all the food. Arthur sat everyone down and began telling them about how he went to the Den and played 2 games with a boy named Logan before coming home with 150 coins. Armin looked at Eren who was slack jawed at the amount of money. Armin's eyes darted to Mikasa whose face was scrunched up in deep thought and concentration. Mikasa then looked up to Arthur and asked what the boy looked like.

"Ah the boy had dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. Why?"

"Oh no its nothing just curious what someone our age is doing near the Den." Mikasa responded with. Although she kept up her usual emotionless face in her eyes Armin could see something like affirmation. Armin thought nothing of it and the bread was handed to him.

Logan POV

After receiving his share of the money from the Den worker Logan left the area with a goal in mind. Talk to Dimo Reeves. Logan didn't know what kind of person Dimo was; he only overheard people talking about how he was a merchant in the city. Logan had also heard people talking about how even though Dimo would do absolutely anything for more money he did truly care about his workers. Logan smirked to himself, knowing exactly how to get what he wanted from Dimo. Logan started to walk faster towards the Reeve's Business HQ. Once Logan had arrived he walked into the building. Upon entering Logan looked around the large wooden lobby, there was a large desk in front of him and off to the right there were some chairs and a coffee table with newspapers strewn about it. Logan walked up to the desk to see a lady sitting there fumbling with papers.

"Excuse me ma'am I was wondering if Dimo Reeves was here." Logan asked, catching the attention of the lady. The lady yelped in surprise to Logan standing there and muttered something about going to check. After about 5 minutes a large man with a suit came strolling around the corner visibly annoyed.

"Where's the brat that wants to see me?"

"He is right over there sir."

Dimo looked over at Logan with a look of pure confusion on his face. Dimo wondered why a kid would ask for him by name. Looking the kid up and down attempting to get a read on him Dimo had mulled over as many possibilities as to how this kid knew who he was and why he wanted to meet. This left Dimo without any answers so he decided to take the kid up and talk to him, he led the kid to his personal office so they could talk business.

"Alright brat what do you want to talk to me about."

"First my name is Logan and second I have a proposal I would like to make." The response had perked Dimo's interest but he remained stoic to the young boy.

"Lets hear what you have to offer then Logan"

"Firstly I have 450 coins on me and I would like to buy some of your expensive wine on discount." After hearing Logan's reply Dimo nearly started laughing. That was nearly a 200 coin discount for something minors couldn't even legally buy.

"Kid- I mean Logan that offer is preposterous. You are asking for wine for a huge discount. Why don't you just get wine from the market?" Dimo had a grin on his face but noticed that Logan's demeanor hadn't changed at all even while being insulted.

"I am well aware of that but I have more to offer." This had caught Dimo off guard. "I know you are one of the biggest merchants in the area and with such a big operation you need reliable workers to do the grunt work to keep the ball rolling. I can get you some cheap labor who can work off the books for much lower plus they wouldn't complain about the work they are given." Logan had finished his proposal leaving Dimo contemplating the use of cheap labor.

"How many workers are we talking about?" Dimo asked, gauging the boy's reaction.

"Depends on whether you give me that wine for less than 450." Coldly replied.

Dimo began to laugh to himself, he had gone into this conversation under the assumption that he was talking to any regular child. Logan was no regular kid; he would sacrifice anything to get what he wanted. The most recent example being this cheap labor he offered. It was definitely going to be Wall Maria refugees, and sure they may be getting a job and some money to help themselves, these workers were most definitely going to be exploited with long hours and near dirt wages. But Logan didn't care; he needed this wine to bargain with the drunkards in the garrison corp to take a look at the ODM gear.

"Alright Logan, Ill give you some expensive wine for 200 coins if you can bring me 15 potential workers." Dimo said while extending his hand out to the kid.

"Just one question Dimo can you keep a slot open to hire someone on the books just in case I need it?" Logan replied before taking Dimo's hand.

"Sure I can kid." Dimo and Logan had shaken hands confirming their deal. Dimo had grabbed a contract to write it down and grab the kid his wine, while Logan began getting 200 coins ready for the transaction. Once the contract was signed and Logan got the Firebrand Wine he made haste to where a small group of garrison troops would hide out on the ground whenever they were avoiding work. As Logan approached the small area where the soldiers where he could hear them talking about random things like women at the bar and Captain Woermann. They suddenly stopped when Logan had stepped on a broken piece of wood.

"Who's there?!" the least intoxicated one shouted. Logan stepped into the opening with his hands raised defensively. One of the Garrison soldiers muttered something about it just being a kid. Logan began walking towards the soldiers before speaking.

"Hello, I was wondering if you guys would be interested in a trade?" Logan had asked the slightly intoxicated soldiers. The soldier who Logan assumed to be the captain stood up and stumbled over to Logan. As he was walking he tripped and Logan caught him, using Logan as stability the leader looked at Logan.

"What can a brat like you offer us?" Logan could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"Well sir if you were to back away from me I could show you this expensive Firebrand Wine, all I want in return is to take apart your ODM gear and look at it, and for one of you to take me on a ride." Logan smugly said knowing the combination of alcoholism and them already being intoxicated meant he was all but guaranteed what he wanted.

"You got yourself a goddamn deal my boy!" The rest of the group celebrated knowing they just got some of the most expensive wine inside the walls. One soldier shed his ODM gear and let Logan open it up. They watched with split vision as the boy looked at the ODM and wrote stuff down in a notebook. After 30 minutes the soldier put his ODM gear back on and the least intoxicated person picked up Logan and took off. Sailing through the sky gave Logan a sense of freedom, the freedom to not be tethered down by the rules of society and nature. Once back on the ground Logan thanked the soldier and departed back to the refugee camp around midnight.

A/N: Well that's a completed chapter nearly 3,000 words. Next chapter we will see Logan talking with Arthur and Dimo some more the Reclamation of Wall Maria happens and they will get transported to Cadet camp. probably wont see any of the cadet camp until the chapter after the next one. If you want to recommend something go ahead I will try to implement it. I don't know when the next chapter will be out latest will be Sunday.