Chapter 6: Graduation.
Wall Maria, New Lescatie. Year 820.
...
"Is this the place?"
"Yeah, no doubt. This place is settled by the people of the outside world."
"I heard they can make a good fortune to sell them off at the Underground."
The human trafficker grinned maliciously as they rode their wagon to their way into New Lescatie. The traffickers then saw several people working on the fields and caught some individuals who have unusually colored hair, unlike people with hair and eyes within the walls who have black, ginger, brunette, albino and blonde; the outsiders have gray, green, red, and blue. Many slave traders see both the human outsiders of New Lescatie and the beastkins that settled in Daemonia are totally worth a price.
"Look! That one has green hair!" One man points out to a girl holding a basket full of flowers, walking into the settlement. "She's a beauty and must've worth a prize, I am sure of it!"
"Don't get cocky. This settlement is under the protection of the local government." The older slaver hushed while keeping the tone down. "We have to make sure these people won't notice a thing. If we succeed to capture her, then it's our luck."
...
Ash looked at the billboard in the newly constructed town hall of New Lescatie, showing several papers of missing persons. There had been seven people who got missing, and that incident started not so long ago. Every three days or a month; several individuals go missing. In fact, the Military Police tried to investigate several cases and not a single clue was found.
The Scout then perked up his ear that caught some footsteps and turned his gaze around. A blonde-haired woman with a bob cut-hairstyle, dressed in a military uniform, comes up behind him and has the insignia of the Military Police Brigade.
"Hey, Ash! Long time no see."
"Oh, Elaine. It's been a while since we've seen each other." Ash greets with a warm smile. "I mean, it's been two years since graduation."
"Yeah, and I'm surprised you're still kicking in the Survey Corps!" Elaine said with a cocky grin. "You must have got a lot of luck going out there and fighting Titans."
"The working in the Corps isn't easy." Ash sighed while looking down with a nervous scratch in the back. "Especially when we still have high fatality rates, despite our slight logistical improvements using the Centaurs."
"I see. So it's barely the same, huh." Elaine said with a sympathetic look. "I've heard from the scouts about my older brother has gotten improvements in his strategies."
"Yeah, as you can say that." Ash nodded in agreement before turning to the window and sees Sasha heading inside her wooden cottage. "I bet those kids are doing well in their military training."
Elaine then raised her eyebrow in question. "Who?"
"The kids from the outside world," Ash replied with a proud smile on his face. "It's been two years and I'm wondering what they're up to."
"Ah-huh, I see," Elaine stated in wonder before they noticed three men came in front of Sasha's cottage. "Hey, those fellows... are they her friends?"
"Friends?" Ash then looks down and sees closely through the windows.
He saw three individuals, three men, and roughly in their late thirties. All the three approached in front of her house while no one was around before one of these men brought out an axe and chopped down the door entrance. Both the Scout and the Military Policewoman widened their eyes in shock until Ash cursed and exited the room from the town hall in a hurry.
...
"Alright! We got her!"
"Hehe! We're fricken' rich boys!"
The human traffickers dumped the unconscious Sasha Fullmoon into the carriage before embarking on the transport for a fast escape. But just before they could flee the scene. One slaver heard the sounds of steam coming on their way until a boot slammed his head into the ground, knocking him down. The leader of the slaver saw a Military Policewoman had apprehended one of their goons before another one descended from the air. A scout sends a hard kick, taking out another one.
"Boss! We got to flee!"
The leader of the slaver group cursed as he whipped the leash, letting the horses run off before Ash and Elaine would react. Another slaver brought out his musket and aiming. Ash caught the sight of a gun and pushed Elaine to the ground before a bullet whizzed over them.
"Damnit!" Ash cursed before running for the nearby stable. "Elaine, apprehend those two and call for immediate backup! We have slavers to deal with!"
Elaine acknowledges and nods before apprehending the two unconscious slavers with steel cuffs. The refugees of New Lescatie heard the commotion from the sounds of gunfire and saw a scout hurriedly hopped on his horse near the Town Hall before following the trail where the slavers had left off.
...
Within the dense forest, the slavers' carriage rushes through the dirt path of the wilderness while the goon watched out if anyone is following them. The leader grinned with confidence that no one would pursue them after escaping from the settlement filled with outsiders. As everything seems quiet and the Slavers cheered for victory to get their rewards once they'll return to Mitras. The leader of the slavers perked up his ears and turns his gaze around and sees a cloaked rider.
The slaver cursed in disbelief that this rider wore the cloak of the Survey Corps. Unlike their encounters with the incompetent Military Policemen who've gone through their security, they heard these soldiers of the Corps were the real deal and the masters of their 3D Maneuver Gear. However, a slaver like himself hasn't faced a scout in his life.
"Damnit! Shulz, take him out!"
The goon named Shulz nodded and aimed before pulling the trigger. Ash noticed a slaver is pointing a gun directly at him and activates his 3DMG. A single hook shot into a nearby tree and soared into the air before he heard a loud bang. A bullet whizzed behind him and missed its target and Schulz widened his eyes in disbelief that a scout evaded his shot. Ash swung his gear and heads for the driver section of the slavers' carriage before kicking the goon off the transport. The leader grits his teeth in frustration and pulled out a knife. Ash caught a glimpse of the blade and evaded his lethal swing. Thus the scout counterattack while knocking off his knife with a kick before sending another one against the slaver's groin.
The leader of the slavers hardly takes a breath as he curled down in pain. Ash looks down at him disdainfully until he noticed the horses of the carriage are heading off into a sharp course from the path at speed. He didn't waste time and find Sasha inside the carriage, then to his relief; she's unharmed, except there was a bloody blow she received on the head. He carried her in a bridal style before jumping off from the carriage's rear while activating his 3DMG, which shot a hook into a nearby tree and reeling into the air.
Ash looks back at the carriage before the horses took their sharp turns until the carriage rolled over from the path with a loud crash.
"Phew~, that was close." Ash exhaled in relief before looking down at Sasha, who's groaning in pain. "Hey, you're alright?"
"Hngh!... Ah... Wh-Where...?" Sasha slowly opened her eyes and slowly looks up to see a familiar face. Her cheeks blushed wildly once realizing she was being carried like a rescued princess by a scout. "A-... Ash? Wh-What's going on...? A-And why are we up here on a tree!?"
The scout then smiled awkwardly while letting out a nervous chuckle. "Ehehe... Well, It's a long story."
75th Training Corps, Military Barracks, Northern Division. ME 1031/ Year 821.
...
"HYAAH!"
Luciana screamed her war cry while aiming her wooden knife towards a Cadet in front of her, who's taking a defensive stance. The male cadet then caught her opening and ducked under to avoid the wooden blade and caught her arm from beneath until she was thrown to the ground. The trainee then grabbed Luciana's right arm and apprehend her on the ground.
"Ow~ OWww~! Okay! Okay! You got me!" Luciana cried out before the trainee let her go. "Sheesh~, why couldn't you get soft on me, Frank? I'm a girl, you know."
"Hahaha! Ri~ight." Frank laughed sarcastically with a smile before helping her up on her feet. "At least my move has improved from the previous training session."
"Yeah, you improved alright," Luciana said unamused while stretching her wrist. "But you, Frank, never let your guard down."
"Wha-!?"
Without warning, Luciana did a swift kick against his legs, which caught him off guard, and fell to the ground. Frank groaned in pain as his rear turned stiff.
"Ouch! Damn, didn't expect you to do that."
Luciana chuckled in amusement before helping him up. At their surroundings, the trainees of the 73rd Training Corps were doing Close-Quarter-Combat lessons. Hugh looks observed every trainee present in the field and making sure not a single tomfoolery going on.
"So, in the next five months, we'll be graduating," Frank said while playfully twirling up the wooden knife. "Then which branch are you signing up for?"
"Branch...? Well, the Survey Corps, no doubt." Luciana replied while raising her brow curiously. "What about you? I heard from the others that you will join the Military Police because of your grades."
"Ugh, to hell with the Military Police. I've heard those blokes are the laziest out the three." Frank groaned in displease while rolling his eyes. "Unlike the Garrison, I've seen them gambling around in Trost District and doing some illegal drug smuggling. Even when I tried to report them when my dad is on the verge of debt, they didn't seem to take their jobs seriously."
"Oh wow, sounds like they're a bunch of douchebags." Luciana then speaks up in surprise while placing her hands on her hips. "So Garrison is what you're signing up for?"
"Um, no. But, I'll choose the Survey Corps." Frank spoke up, which made Luciana felt her heart went silent. The male cadet's expression then turned grim. "Look, we've been training to be soldiers for almost three years..."
Then Frank turns around and saw the cadets were busy training around the field while their drill instructor is preoccupied.
"Most of our guys here aren't fully ready, to encounter Titans outside the walls." Frank sighed with a downcast. "And I can really read their eyes. In fact, they only join the Military because they don't have other options and find comfort behind the walls."
Then Frank continued. "Thus only a few who wanted to become proper soldiers... are the only ones who wanted to go outside with bravery."
Luciana remains silent until Frank tossed a wooden knife at her, which she unconsciously grabs it. She gazed around and saw Drill Instructor Hughes is coming in their way.
"I never knew you would come for the Scouts, huh," Luciana whispered with a smile as she took an offensive stance. "I was surprised to hear that from you and I thought you won't join them."
"Heh, I knew it isn't easy for becoming a soldier." Frank laughed while raising his arms for defense. "Now, let's continue our training."
...
After three years after I joined the Military of the Walled Kingdom with the others. We had met a lot of difficulties and hardships and learned how we train our weapons, knowing Titan's weaknesses, walking on long distances, horse riding, and performing other training courses that befit for being a soldier. But becoming a soldier isn't actually easy, and our true test lies beyond Wall Maria.
...
75th Training Corps. Military Barracks, evening.
...
Today is the day, the Night of the Disbanding Ceremony. In the last three years, around three hundred trainees have enlisted into the military training, and today, about one hundred and fifty cadets passed through their hellish training courses. Hugh stood on a wooden stage along with the other drill instructors and gives out a salute. The Trainees responded the same.
"Three years ago. Our lives are changing within this walled world of ours." Hugh said openly spoke out loud with a sympathetic tone. "People from the outside world sought refuge within our walled nation. When I first met them during my time in the Survey Corps; I've seen their faces. They were stricken with terror and exhaustion because the Titans out there have ravaged their homes."
"As we once thought that humanity outside of the walls went extinct. But in truth, the Titans didn't fully take over the world." Hugh then continued after taking a slight pause. "With the existence of these people, it shows us that we are not alone! Then today, among you cadets, I know some of you were outsiders! Now look at them, they sought to join us and we trained them how to fight Titans!"
Joshua Simons then gazes towards Elt and Wilmarina with a proud smile on his face.
"The reason they join us, is they want to take back their lost homes!" Hugh declared loudly with a proud tone, despite keeping his glare. "As for now, after this graduation; here are the three branches where you can sign up for your future military careers!"
The Military Police Brigade: Those who maintain law and order among the people within the walls, which includes serving the King.
The Garrison Regiment: Those who maintain the walls and provide defense against Titans.
The Survey Corps: Those who want to explore the outside world while expanding our territories and engage in direct Titan combat.
"Only the ones with higher grades or whoever reaches for being Top Ten only have the privilege to join the Military Police!" Hugh informed loudly to the trainees. "Now, let me announce the Top Ten Cadets of this Training Corps; those who had trained hard for the past three years!"
Top 10: Yuriy Karelstein
Top 9: Olivier Amaltia
Top 8: Eristia Vitral
Top 7: Joshua Simons
Top 6: Merse Dascaros
Top 5: Luciana Sausare
Top 4: Frank Moller
Top 3: Alameria Crescentria
Top 2: Elt Arner
"Then the last one; Top 1, Wilmarina Noscrim!" After hearing Hugh called out for her, Wilmarina stepped out from the formation and stood among the Top Cadets. "Those who receive the position of Top Ten are based on your grades! However, fighting Titans is another matter, and that's where your true tests lie! I will expect you all to become soldiers from your hard work!"
"Damn, I hadn't reached Top Ten," Paula grumbled in dissatisfaction while looking down. "I wished I've gotten better."
"Don't be such a downer, Paula." Paula heard a whisper to her side and turns her gaze to the left to see Francesca. "At least you can still join one of the three branches like the other two on your right."
Paula then gazes to the right and saw Kirsch and another female cadet, who has blonde hair, which she remembered the cadet's name is Vermut Rosnair. These two individuals remained still before Hughes made his last speech.
"That's all for today, and I wished all of you good luck," Hugh stated before giving out his farewell salute. "I hereby to this day, the official disbandment of the 75th Training Corps! DISMISSED!"
After his declaration, the Cadets saluted in response. Hugh gave the trainees one last nod before leaving the stage before the cadets left off the area for their celebration.
...
Holst District, Later evening.
...
Later, inside the grand messhall, the graduates cheered as they brought up their beer mugs high in the air. It's been three years since they've been training to be soldiers and their reward after graduation is gaining the luxury of civilian cuisine.
"WHOOO!"
"Congratulations!"
"So which branch are you going to join?"
"I'll be joining the Military Police."
"Ugh, my notes aren't that high. But oh well, I guess I'll join the Garrison."
While the Cadets were busy celebrating, Alameria joined with one of the jolliest cadet groups to share their stories from their training. On the other hand, Kirsch remains silent while eating a salad while Paula is drooling over a huge chunk of roasted pork.
"Uuuuhhh~! Finally~! Fresh, roasted meat~!" Paula cried out in tears. "It's been three years since I was properly fed with a well-roasted meat~!"
"We have the same feeling too, Paula." To her right, Vermut snickered towards Paula before the airhead ravaged a sizeable chunk of pork, which made Vermut break a sweat out of her surprise. "Uhh... are you feeling alright?"
"Ordinary people won't handle military food for three years, especially how they missed such luxury." Vermut then turns around and sees Eristia, who's busy munching a roasted chicken leg with a blank look on her face. "Also Vermut, congratulations as well."
...
Outside of the grand messhall, Wilmarina, Elt, and Yuriy raised their beer mugs for a toast in their celebration before drinking up. Then they breathed out in refreshment and great relief.
"WHOO! I feel refreshed while drinking this!" Elt raised his mug jovially. "Like I want to have another!"
Yuriy agreed while raising his own mug. "Hell Yeah!"
"Huh, this beer doesn't actually taste that bad." Wilmarina smiled while wiping off the beer foam from her lips until she sees two familiar figures approach them. "Oh, hey... isn't that...!?"
"Hey everyone!" Elt and Yuriy heard a familiar voice and turned their gazes on a particular person who waved his hand. "It seems you've successfully graduated from your military training, congratulations you three!"
"Ara Ara~ And you three are celebrating while drinking beer? Ash, is that normal after graduation?"
"Certainly, yeah."
"Ash, Sasha!" Elt smiled cheerily while throwing his hands up, along with Yuriy and Wilmarina. "It's been three years, and how were you two doing?"
"Oh! We're absolutely fine! This year was wonderful for me and Ash." Sasha made a warm smile with a blush on her cheeks. "You three didn't know what we've gone through and it was so romantic~!"
"Romantic? What do you mean...?" Wilmarina raised her eyebrow curiously until she realized what she means before a slight shade of red appears on her cheeks. "W-Were you two... dating?"
"W-Well... more than that you expect... we... um."
Ash made a pause with an awkward smile on his face while nervously scratching the back of his head for a moment until he slowly held up his left hand, showing a silver ring on his ring finger. Then Sasha came up close to the Scouts' left side and raised her left hand as well.
"Elt... Wilmarina and Yuriy..." The three then looked at Sasha's face, which had blushed out in embarrassment. "It's three months from now... that me and Ash... we got married."
At that moment, the world that surrounds Elt and Wilmarina felt their bones freeze after hearing her words. Between the dumbstruck couples, Yuriy felt dumbfounded for a while until he slowly clapped his hand that broke the silence between the two.
"Uh... umm... yay?" Yuriy congratulates the married couple in confusion until snapping out from his mind. "I mean, ahem! Congratulations on your wedding, Sasha!"
"YOU TWO GOT MARRIED!?" Elt and Wilmarina then yelled out loud in shock while Yuriy jumped back in fright. "WITHOUT US KNOWING!?"
At this moment, Sasha waved her hands apologetically. "Uh-Uhm, sorry for not sending you a message. The military didn't want us to disturb your training-"
"SERIOUSLY! What have you two been doing while we were gone!?" Wilmarina interjected while pointing her index finger, agitating, at the older green-haired woman. "For the past three years?!"
"W-well, a lot has changed in New Lescatie," Ash spoke up with a deep sigh. "Sorry, I was quite busy with my work and I forgot to send you a letter from four months ago that Sasha and I have declared our wedding."
"Yeah, I apologized for also not reminding Ash to send a letter in a likely time." Sasha then bowed in apology before straightening herself up with a smile. "So, from that aside, I heard from your Drill Instructor named Hugh told us you three reached the top ten, right?"
"Huh? Uh, yeah we did." Elt replied heartfelt before turning to Yuriy and Wilmarina with a proud smile. "In the next two days, we'll be joining the Scouts."
"The Survey Corps, huh." Ash then smirks while stroking his chin. "Your eyes seem to have shown some dedication. I like that. But you three know what it means by joining the Scouts, no?"
"Of course, we do!" Elt replied with full determination. "We trained ourselves to fight Titans and we're going to do our best so we can see our homes again!"
"Haha! I like that spirit of yours, bravery and wits are mostly needed in the Scouts." Ash smiled before he made a salute to the three. "Well then, see you in the next two days, you three."
"Yes, sir!" Elt, Wilmarina, and Yuriy saluted towards Ash with voices full of pride.
"Oh! I nearly forgot what I was about to say." Sasha then turns to Ash and looks up at him. "Ash, dear~ I have something to tell you~"
The Veteran Scout then raised his eyebrow curiously. "Huh? What is it?"
For a few moments of silence, Sasha gripped his left arm in his embrace. Her husband then noticed the excitement and joy has filled her eyes.
"W-... We're having a child, Ash."
At this moment, Elt, Wilmarina, and Yuriy gawked in disbelief before turning their gazes towards Ash and at the same time, Sasha's husband froze in his place.
"Oh, right... we got our workout at night from a month ago." Ash coughed out in a brief pause. "So... since when?"
"From a week ago. Remember that I got a minor fever from before?" Sasha replied.
"I see, so that wasn't just an ordinary fever." Ash then made a deep breath and smiled proudly before looking back at the Cadets. "Alright, I think this evening is getting late and you three can celebrate with the others. We'll meet each other again soon, okay?"
After the couple left, Yuriy waved his hand to bid them a farewell and Wilmarina turned to Elt.
"So, let's get back to meet up with Eristia." Then she asked. "I bet she's joining the drinking contest."
"Yeah, I bet this news might surprise others," Elt smirked mischievously before raising his fist. "Now then, let's continue to celebrate!"
Chapter 6: Ends