Chapter 5: The Training Corps

Disclaimer: I do not own Shingeki no Kyojin

Previously: Levi decides to join the military, specifically the Military Police. He asks Ms. Biel to watch Rascal for him, who says her parents can look after the dog for Levi.

Hills and mountain ranges surrounded most of the area. There was a large, barren courtyard in the middle of the training camp with a dozen or so brown, one-story buildings to one side, three buildings in one corner, and a watchtower in another.

Two lines had formed in front of one of the larger buildings. Levi joined one line, listening to the quiet chatter of nervous excitement around him. He saw people ahead of him enter the building and exit with a short slip of paper in hand.

Inside were two desks. Between them was a blackboard stand asking them to have their application, birth certificate, and proof of citizenship ready. He opened his trunk and quickly pulled out the necessary paperwork before his turn came.

The man behind the desk scanned the documents, keeping the application and returning the rest. "Take this and go to Building 6 for a medical inspection and if you pass, pick up your uniform and boots from the quartermaster in Building 8." He handed Levi a short piece of paper. "Do you have a medical card?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Then you're set."

Building 6 had several stations separated by curtains that Levi assumed were for privacy. He joined the shortest line and waited. When his turn came, he handed his medical card to the doctor, taking a seat on the wooden barstool, reminded of times when doctors would visit the orphanage every year to administer vaccines and perform a general checkup on the kids. Though Levi couldn't understand the need for a privacy curtain. Presumedly it was going to be a general checkup.

It went as he expected. Or it did until the doctor said, "Only thing left is to check for deformities. Take off your clothes."

Levi gave him a startled look. "What?"

"Don't worry, you don't have to take everything off. Strip down to your underwear. You'll get over any shame about nudity soon enough."

The hell did that mean? Thoroughly uncomfortable, Levi began to undress as instructed. Fortunately, it was quick and easy to determine he had no physical abnormalities thus the doctor declared him fit for active duty. Levi eagerly pulled his clothes back on. Being naked, or almost naked, made him feel extremely vulnerable.

Next stop was Building 8, where he was measured and provided with the standard military brown jacket with an insignia of two crossed swords, white pants, and a pair of long brown boots. The boots were the highest quality of clothing he had ever owned. For shirts, he was told he could wear his own. "Come back after you've tried them on," the quartermaster said. "See if you can move and run around comfortably. If so, then we'll get you more in the same size. Otherwise we'll go up or down a size."

Levi packed up the uniform in his trunk and carried the boots in his other hand, heading for one of the men's barracks, the one which he was supposed to be sleeping in according to the little slip of paper.

The bunks, it seemed, were on a first-come-first-served basis so he got to choose where he slept. Apparently, he had arrived early enough to have a decent selection available. After debating for a few seconds, he concluded that making the effort to climb up to a top bunk after a grueling day of training was unnecessary torture and claimed a bottom bunk.

Lockers to store their clothes and secure other personal items lined one of the walls of the room. On the slip of paper was his locker number and the combination. He emptied out his trunk in there, neatly placing his folded up clothes on the shelves, and shoved the trunk under his bunk to one side, leaving the rest of the space for his bunkmate and his trunk.

Uniform in hand, he went to the building with the showers and toilets to change. Suddenly the doctor's words made a whole lot more sense. Ten stalls stood on the right side of the medium-sized room with a long shelf running along the opposite wall to place their clothes while they showered.

There was no door or a curtain for privacy on the stalls.

The other shower room was the same. Nothing was on the stalls for privacy. It was enough to almost make him want to quit right then and there.

How was he supposed to get through this? Levi's only consolation was that he wasn't the only one fidgeting uncomfortably at the thought of having to get naked and shower in full view of others. Many of the boys shot nervous looks at the stalls, appearing intimidated, their faces paling. Levi fled. He'd deal with it tomorrow. Mercifully, the two rooms with the toilets had stall doors—very short ones, but at least they were there.

Levi kept his dark gray shirt and put on his new uniform, which fit, thankfully, so he wouldn't have to come back and try on a new size. Levi returned to Building 8 to get more sets of the uniform in the same size.

Back in the barracks, most of his roommates were settling in and some were already making friends. No one approached him and he didn't reach out to anyone either.

A man who looked way too old to be a trainee pouted when he noticed all the bottom bunks were gone and muttered "Excuse me" to Levi and climbed to the bunk above his. Levi hoped he wasn't a snorer.

He sat in his bed to test out the mattress before laying on it. Levi noted rather sourly that the military had no problem providing a curtain that ran around the bunk to hide him from the rest of his new roommates, but apparently, they couldn't be bothered to do the same for the showers.

Roommates at least he was used to after sharing his room back at the orphanage with at least three other boys at any given time. Voices picked up around him and he left his bunk to join the new trainees lining up in the open courtyard before the commander came. Being late on the very first day was not how he wanted to start his military career.

Rascal would love this place. Levi could imagine his hyperactive dog running around the large courtyard, barking excitedly, wanting to play fetch, demanding his attention. Levi sighed gloomily. He was missing her already. It's only three years, come 843 and your life will be set when you enter the Military Police.

It was another twenty minutes before everyone had arrived and fallen in line somewhere. Complete silence fell around him all of sudden. Levi was almost tempted to turn his head to locate the source that had caused them to tense up, but he resisted the urge to look, not wanting to get chewed out for acting like some gawking civilian. Levi heard the commander addressing some trainees in another row, scaring them shitless and making them splutter in panic. It was variations of the same questions: "Who are you?" and "Why are you here?" Not everyone was questioned. Only certain unlucky souls were picked on and he wondered if there was a reason behind it.

Then it was his row's turn. The commander walked past him, not sparing him a glance. She was a woman of medium height wearing a long, olive-brown coat with the same crossed swords insignia on the back. Per military protocol, her brown hair was cut short and kept out of her face.

Finally, once she was satisfied she had terrified enough trainees and almost made them wet themselves, she introduced herself as Commander Marina Lange and welcomed the 97th class to the Training Corps.

Reality really sank in at last. I'm a soldier, Levi thought. His life belonged to the government.

Running. Their very first task was running.

Levi wondered if it was to gauge their stamina. Maybe the commander and the instructors were trying to get an idea of where this training class was concerning physicality. His guess was proven right when the next set of activities had to do dealt with tests of strength, speed, coordination, and balance, even flexibly and accuracy were tested to some extent. It was tiring work and he cursed himself for not keeping in better shape.

He still outclassed his fellow trainees. Levi couldn't decide if all the attention he was getting from them was good or bad. Respect and jealousy showed on their faces when they watched him outlast every single one of them in every exercise they were put through.

When evening finally came, his muscles were weak and shaky. For the hundredth time, he berated himself for not maintaining a regular workout schedule. Sure there was no one around to practice hand-to-hand combat with, but still. In the Underground, he may have gotten away with picking fights in the streets, but here on the surface, it would mean getting arrested. Levi had no one looking out for him here and couldn't risk getting in trouble. But he could have still jogged every morning and evening—running around playing with Rascal notwithstanding—and done more push-ups and sit-ups at the very least.

He could tell his reflexes weren't quite up to par. Good but rusty compared to when he had lived with Kenny. He had let himself grow soft. His mentor would be disappointed and disgusted. So what? Fuck him and his opinions. Why should he concern himself with what Kenny would have thought of him getting complacent? Of letting sunshine and food and the peace and easy life aboveground soften him? If the asshole had given a rat's ass about him he wouldn't have ditched him without so much as a goodbye. Why should he care? In fact, thinking about how it would have annoyed Kenny made Levi feel almost glad about letting himself get soft.

"Do you want to sit here?"

Levi blinked, pulled out of his head. He realized he was standing in the middle of the mess hall, glaring at the tray in his hands. Around him, the trainees had loosened up and talked with each other easily, complaining and eating. Levi turned around to see who had spoken to him.

"You can sit with me if you want," she said, gesturing to the spot across from her. She had the most beautiful hair he had ever seen. And her smile was so pretty. "Your food is getting cold, you know."

A warmth seemed to exude from her.

Levi's heart started to beat erratically and he couldn't think straight.

"Thanks, Petra." Someone suddenly took the empty spot.

Levi quickly fled before the embarrassment could show on his face. Why the hell had he thought she was talking to him? He found a seat in the corner of the mess hall where he could hide in shame and scold himself. Clearly she had been referring to the other guy who obviously knew her. Get a hold of yourself, stupid. He ate his dinner sulkily, still embarrassed.

Many shot him curious looks when they noticed him but refrained from approaching him. He realized he was probably not giving off the most friendly vibes.

Majority of the trainees were sitting in groups or with at least one other person they had befriended. Once again, he found himself eating alone while surrounded by people. It was like the orphanage all over again. Worse than the orphanage because before today, most of them were strangers to each other. They should have all been in the same boat.

Levi found himself missing Rascal. What was she doing right now? Had she been fed? Had her temporary new owners taken her running yet? She slept better if she had been walked in the evening, a few hours before bedtime, to get rid of any excess energy, making it easier for her to settle down at night. He couldn't wait to get her back, missing her terribly already.

Levi settled in his bunk that night feeling tired and sleepy. As crappy as he felt now, he knew when he woke tomorrow it was going to be hell.

It was even worse than Levi thought.

His muscles were sore and weak and trembling. Every part of him hurt. He felt like a walking bruise.

Fuck. I really shouldn't have let myself go, Kenny be damned. Levi took comfort in the fact his fellow trainees were probably suffering worse than him. At least he didn't have it as bad as they did. For most of them, it was probably the first time they had been pushed so far both mentally and physically.

Levi was simultaneously anxious and excited to get his hands on the 3D Maneuver Gear. It had fascinated him ever since he heard about it the first time. But the commander had told them they were long ways still from getting to even the stationary version yet, which dashed his excitement.

Some trainees dropped out within the first few days.

Levi noted there was no small redhead among the groups that left and felt some relief.

Physical improvement was slow and would take time so their instructors weren't overly concerned yet with how they performed in the exercises. Levi figured the secondary purpose of the harsh training exercises was to root out the weaklings to cull the herd so only the strong ones would make it through. Supposedly it was only going to get harder from here on out before it became easier. He still woke up with a sore, achy body the next few days but it became less and less horrible as more time passed.

Admittedly the toughest, most intimidating part of being in the military was still showering.

But at the end of the day, after a hard day of physical training and mental exhaustion, everyone was too tired to really feel that embarrassed flashing each other. The key to making it through was being quick and practical, remembering the other boys were also feeling the same awkwardness, and pretending no one was there. Eye contact was an absolute no-no that first week in the shower rooms.

Some of the boys had now started to grow accustomed and lost any sense of shame they had felt when they first arrived almost two weeks ago. Levi was also getting there. At first, he had doubted it would be possible. How could anyone feel okay being ass naked in front of a group? Especially strangers. Now he was certain he would be indifferent to nudity by the end of this week.

Every day started with PT. They had fifteen minutes to wake up and get dressed and be in line, ready for exercise before the commander and the instructors showed up. His fellow trainees complained it was torture, making them work on empty stomachs. Levi thought it was so they wouldn't throw up what they ate. Thus breakfast came after physical training.

"Jumping jacks, twenty-five," the commander called out.

Immediately, the trainees began jumping, counting as they did the exercise. "One! Two! Three!"

"Push-ups, twenty-five."

It was easy for Levi to fall back into shape. But even now he still wasn't at the level he had been when he was being trained by Kenny. Another couple of weeks of PT and drills and he was sure he'd be back in perfect condition.

Most of the trainees managed the twenty-five push-ups but there were some who still struggled to make it to twenty. Sneakily, Levi caught sight of the pretty girl, Petra—whom he was still avoiding since the embarrassing mixup in the mess hall, though he never failed to notice her—she was still struggling to finish the set. She was small and skinny. Her body wasn't built for physical strength so it would take her longer to make it to twenty-five.

Her frustration had been clear the first few days, unable to improve at the same speed as most of the other trainees. Levi admired how dedicated she was at making small improvements every day and the bright smile that came when she met her goal every time. Sweat and redness covered her face from effort but the pride shining through at her success made her look very pretty to him.

Unfortunately, Petra always seemed to be in the company of a degenerate named Oluo, who slept in the bunk above Levi. Her asshole friend usually teased her about being too puny for the military. Sometimes Levi really wanted to punch him in the face. In all fairness, they ribbed each other equally. And Levi had to admit some of his hostility originated from the fact Oluo was close to Petra while he was stuck watching her from the sidelines, too intimidated to approach her.

"Ten laps!"

That sent some of the trainees groaning.

Commander Lange heard them and they froze in fear when she stopped and said, "Oh? If you have breath to waste on whining it tells me I'm not pushing you hard enough: twelve laps."

They wisely kept their mouths shut this time.

Two wide blades gleamed on the desk in the front of the classroom.

Like the rest of the trainees, Levi shot the swords a perfunctory glance before checking the room, looking for an empty spot to claim.

There were wooden benches that seated three people per desk. His eyes automatically found that easy to spot red-orange hair. She sat by herself. This is your chance. If he hurried, he could sit by her. A lot of the trainees were sitting by their friends and it didn't look like Oluo was in this class, else he'd be at Petra's side already.

Petra was friendly so he needed to hurry before more people came and claimed those empty spots by her, knowing she was nice. Another scan of the room showed most of the empty desks that remained had only one free spot left. They all knew him to be standoffish. It was perfectly logical for him to seek out a desk that had two spots open, he told himself.

Hearing more people coming in behind him, Levi hurried to approach her. "Mind if I sit here?" He was reminded of his first encounter when she had invited him to sit with her. He really hoped she didn't remember that.

"Go ahead," she accepted, smiling up at him. "I'm Petra Ral. You're Levi Ackerman, right?"

"Yeah."

"I don't think we had a chance to talk before."

"No." He scrambled to think of something to say to her but his mind remained blank.

"How's it going?"

"Good." Why couldn't he give more than a single word answer? She was going to think he was rude.

Petra went on cheerily, oblivious to his panic. "Are you excited about the lesson? I'm curious to learn more about Titans."

Finally, something he could latch on to. "Me, too. They almost don't seem real. I've heard stories but they only make them seem more mythical." Some of the things he'd heard about the giants just seemed too outrageous to be true. "They can't really shoot out steam, can they? That's just ridiculous."

"Guess we'll find out."

Levi was grateful when the entire class was here and seated and no one joined them, so it was just him and Petra at their desk. He hoped it stayed that way.

The bespectacled instructor entered and started the lesson after introducing himself.

Opening the brown notebook, Levi diligently took notes as he listened. He was surprised to learn many of the things he'd heard about Titans were, in fact, true. More than ever now he couldn't understand why the Survey Corps would willingly go fight these things when they didn't have to. Or more accurately, go get eaten by them. He saw no point in venturing outside the Walls. At the very least the Survey Corps should wait until humanity's weapons were more advanced.

They were also taught the theory behind the 3D Maneuver Gear. That was the thing he was most curious about and really anticipated learning about. The instructor explained the flesh parting blades on his desk and the reason for their wide design and flexibility.

"That will be all for today," the instructor wrapped up the lesson. "For our next class, we will delve more deeply into the three military branches."

"So Levi, do you know which division you want to join?"

"The Military Police. Nice comfortable life there." Perhaps he should have said something pretty like catching criminals, making a difference in people's lives, or serving the king. Those were the usual go-to answers he'd heard from trainees saying why they wanted to become MPs.

"I suppose that makes sense. I'd say you have a good chance from how you've performed so far." Petra giggled and said, "But I didn't expect you to come outright and say it."

Levi shrugged. "It's the truth. Makes no difference to me what anyone else thinks. It's my life."

She contemplated his words before nodding slowly. "You know what, I feel the same way. Doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. I'm choosing my own path."

Her voice is nice. It was soothing to listen to. He could easily fall into peaceful slumber listening to her talk. Preferably with his head in her lap. "Exactly. It's your life. Live it how you want to."

"I knew I was going to like you."

Levi was in a great mood for the rest of the day.

"I'm sure this is what many of you have been waiting for." Commander Lange stopped before one of the stations. "This apparatus here is the stationary version of the 3D gear. It will determine your aptitude for the real thing. Suffice to say, if you can't pass this test then you'll be booted. Observe."

One of their instructors was hooked up to the machine with the wires attached to his hips. Another instructor operated the machine, lifting him.

"Not everyone will be able to get it today. But if by tomorrow you cannot remain upright on the stationary gear, then you're out."

They gathered at each station in small groups, waiting for their turn. Levi suppressed a proud smile at how fast Petra was able to get the hang of it. She wobbled a bit at first and needed to adjust her balance, but she received success fairly quickly. It earned her praise from the instructors and compliments from her friends and the other trainees who were watching.

"Next!" The woman that operated the machine he was in line for waved at him.

On the machine next to his, he noticed Oluo move to take Petra's place. Slowly, the wires began to raise Levi. It took him a second to figure how to distribute his weight but he became perfectly balanced almost immediately. This is easier than I thought. If the 3D gear was anything like its stationary version it was going to be a walk in the park mastering it and getting into the Military Police.

"Now this is the definition of aptitude," Commander Lange lauded, gesturing her hand to him. "Ackerman knows instinctively what to do. Very rare, very impressive. You pass."

Levi ignored the stares and the awed whispers. His eyes flashed briefly to Petra, who watched him with admiration. His cheeks felt warm. Whereas having everyone else's eyes on him could be annoying, her staring at him he didn't mind so much.

Once lowered, Levi moved to the end of the line. Those who passed were allowed to observe and give those who failed or were shaky more time to practice as well as provide any helpful hints. He could tell some of them wanted to ask him for tips but were too intimidated to approach him. But not Petra.

"That was amazing," she gushed, unaware of Oluo following her and trying to get her attention. Levi's demonstration had had everyone's attention and he'd been ignored. "How did you do that?"

"I just did what felt right."

"You really are a natural," Nifa remarked, who had also tagged along.

"Don't let it go to your head and get cocky." Oluo injected himself into the conversation. "We've only just begun. If you're already at your best now, you won't have much room for improvement. That number one rank is going to be mine."

Levi ignored him outright. "You were amazing, too," he said to Petra.

"Thanks," she said, ducking her head in embarrassment.

He liked how praise made her shy. It was cute.

"We'll see how well you do in CQC. I'm gonna guess you wanna join the wimps in the Military Police." Oluo rolled his eyes. "So you gotta take close combat seriously."

Levi tilted his head at him. "Oh. You're still here?"

Annoyance was clear on Oluo's face at his presence being dismissed.

Kenny had taught him how to fight both using his hands and a knife. Hand-to-hand combat was not going to be his weakness as Oluo was hoping it would be. "If you're so confident, wanna be my sparring partner? I could use a punching bag."

"C'mon now—" Petra began and was quickly interrupted by Oluo.

"Deal."

"So, how's it feel to be knocked into the dirt by a wimp going to the Military Police?" Levi stood over Oluo, taunting him.

As expected, it was easy for him to pick up CQC, close-quarters combat. His body still remembered how to fight and now that he was back in shape, it was hilariously easy to beat Oluo in a spar. Oluo was still just testing out the basics they'd been taught over the week.

"You've been trained in close combat before," Commander Lange observed from where she had stopped to watch them.

"Yes, ma'am," he replied, standing at attention.

"Someone in your family military?"

"No, ma'am. The man who taught me just loved fighting and wanted to pass it on."

"Hm." She began walking away. "Keep up the good work."

"That's why you're so good," Oluo accused, climbing to his feet. "You started out with an advantage. And you have the nerve to act so high and mighty."

"Please," Levi scoffed at the accusation. "I'm years out of practice. But even if I'd joined without any prior experience, I still would have knocked your ass into the dirt."

"We'll see about that. I just need time to catch up to the advantage you have."

"Well, it's too bad Petra wasn't able to see you fail miserably today. Maybe next time I'll invite her to watch the show."

"Petra? Whatever, I don't care," Oluo lied, cheeks turning pink and storming away. Too harried, he accidentally bumped into another trainee.

What the fuck? Levi thought when Oluo clutched his mouth. Did he bite his tongue?

There were times Levi felt bad about continuously beating Oluo and embarrassing him in front of the girl he liked. Only a blind fool wouldn't be able to tell the boy, very understandably, had a serious crush on Petra—a crush that rivaled Levi's own, his sneaky inner voice pointed out. But then Oluo would open his mouth and say something stupid, pissing him off, and Levi would lose any sympathy he felt.

"Do you want to spar?"

Levi was pulled out of his thoughts when Petra walked up to him. No one was looking to join him after he'd already beaten three trainees earlier. As a result, he had started spacing off as he stretched his arms—in case an instructor walked by, they'd see he wasn't being totally lazy, just waiting for an opponent.

"I can be the assailant," Petra offered, holding up the wooden knife. "Then we can switch."

A chance to get close to her and touch her and smell her hair. Stop it, he scolded himself, embarrassed by his train of thought. You sound like a pervert. Composing himself, he accepted. "Fine by me."

Petra backed up and held up her knife. "Ready?"

Levi ran at her, easily disarming her and knocking her down.

"Hey! I wasn't ready!"

"No one is going to give you a warning or agree when to start before attacking you in real life."

She pouted but slipped her hand into his. "I guess you're right." Her hands were so small and fit well in his own.

He tried to dispel the pleasant feeling that tingled across his palm where their skin had touched. "This time, I'll be the assailant and—" She threw her fist at his face before he could finish. A quick learner, he thought, continuing to avoid her attacks.

"Aren't you going to attack?" Petra dropped to the ground and swept out her leg to knock him down.

He lifted his leg and moved back. "Why? When I can dodge easily and let you waste your energy." She came at him again and he caught her arm, sending her to the ground, twisting her arm behind her back and holding the knife to her neck. "Yield?"

She struggled for a moment, wincing at the pain. He liked her, but that didn't mean he'd go easy on her...much. "Okay, I yield," she gave up and he released her. "I really thought I'd catch you off guard." She tested her arm, rotating her shoulder.

"It was smart. The element of surprise can give a great advantage."

"But you saw it coming."

"From a mile away. You might want to work on your poker face."

She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Very mature, Petra." He held out a hand, feeling his heart jump when she slid her hand into his, and he pulled her to her feet. "Do you want to go again?"

Levi decided he liked sparring with Petra a lot more than Oluo, who was the only person that challenged him regularly. She was eager to learn and faster and craftier than Oluo, which made it more fun for Levi, too.

That night, all of his roommates were either settling in to go to sleep or finishing up their conversations so Levi hastened to wrap up the letter to Ms. Biel before it was curfew. He had promised to write once in a while. Now that he had some things he could write about and wasn't feeling like he was going to drop dead at the end of each day, he could send a proper letter. And he wanted to know how Rascal was doing. Out of habit he still found himself instinctively looking down for his dog at random times, to pet her or give her something from his tray that he didn't care for.

Tomorrow he'd take the letter to the administrative building to be mailed out before PT began. Slipping into his bunk, he closed his eyes, hoping to see a pretty ginger-haired girl in his dreams.

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