– Eren Yeager. Originally from Shiganshina at the Maria wall.
After saying my performance, I immediately hid my left hand behind my back, and clenched my right fist and put it on my chest in the heart area. The sharp eyes of a man called Keith Shadis were boring into me, my stance, my face.
"Ah?"
"Is that true?"
"Wow, I didn't think there were any of us like that."
Annoying whispers around exceeded the degree of noise from time to time, but I tried not to pay attention to it. After all, when the instructor's intimidating face is right in front of your eyes, this is not the case when you should open your mouth without permission.
– I see.
There was not a single emotion on his face. A man like him couldn't help but hear about the greatest defeat of humanity in the last few years. A lot of people have died and more will surely die in the future if nothing changes. This only means that our instructor has seen a lot of terrible things in his life. I wonder if he fought the Titans?
– Then tell me, Yeager, why did you come here? Why do you want to become a soldier?
It turns out that the instructor did not read my introductory explanation in writing? Well, then it's no wonder why he called out to a few more people along with me. Really, why did he walk past everyone else?
Although it doesn't really matter anyway. I have a task now. I need to answer a surprisingly simple question. That's why I opened my mouth and forced my vocal cords to work in tandem with my tongue and lips. At the same time, the cautious glances of all the cadets around were directed specifically at me, and not at the instructor, as it was before.
– I want to destroy all Titans. I'm going to join the Survey Corps and fight for the freedom of humanity!
Throwing my head a little up and forward, I began to wait for the reaction of my superiors. For some reason, my heart is pounding harder than usual, and my body is tense as if my whole life depends on these words. But still, this is really an important moment, this is the very moment when I clearly declare my goals and intentions.
– I see.
After saying just that, the instructor walked away from me, heading to the next person in the row. I looked there out of the corner of my eye and didn't see anything unusual. Further, the instructor only sought different answers from different recruits. But he didn't ask anyone a similar question. But why?
Moreover, I noticed something else. Almost every person from time to time throws a glance in my direction, as if I'm some kind of abnormal. Although they have been doing the same since I announced my goal. Are they so surprised that someone is going to join the Scout ranks? Well, from what I've heard, almost no one really wants to go there.
It's too ironic. The only chance of mankind for salvation is not needed by anyone at all. And this despite the fact that now the danger of Titans has been proven for all people.
– Hey, Eren.
– Mm?
A girl turned to me from the side. Her dark hair was braided in two small ponytails on both sides of her head. She also looked at me not quite normally, although her gaze showed a sense of concern for me more than anything else.
– The instructor has already moved away from you. I don't think it's worth holding your hand like that any longer.
She shook her right hand slightly, as if telling me to pay attention to her own. I looked at my right hand and realized that I was still holding it to my heart, as well as the left one from behind, just above the waist. Heh, and I didn't even notice.
As a thanks, I nodded slightly to the girl on my left and relaxed both hands. Along with this, I also realized that my whole body was still tense, so it became a little easier for me when this realization came to me. Really, why am I so excited?
– You're welcome.
When she saw my gesture of gratitude, she smiled happily, after which she made her usual face again, trying not to express unnecessary emotions. In the end, if the instructor notices that something is wrong, then the situation may escalate, and then this girl will be asked who she is and from where. And this is only in the best case.
– Sasha Braus!
– Yes?!
I heard two screams, one louder than the other. Turning slightly back, I noticed how the instructor was standing in front of a girl holding a potato in her hand. Has she gone completely crazy? Even from here I can see uneven marks, as if from teeth on this root crop. Is she... is she eating potatoes right here and now?
– Well, you'll run around the polygons. Run until your legs fall off!
– Aa... and what about lunch..?
Huh? Is this girl completely obsessed with food? Why did she join the army at all? Doesn't she know that it's impossible to feed herself here while studying?
– Didn't you hear me?! As a punishment, no dinner tonight. And now running, now!
– Yes, the instructor, sir.
And she ran. She was a very strange girl, although, it's worth paying tribute to her, thanks to her, looks finally answered from me. I hope no one else will look at me like that.
Keeping this fragile but unimportant desire in my heart, I waited for the evening, looking around my new room where I will live. Moreover, I'm not alone here at all, three other guys live with me. Their names are Reiner, Berthold and Connie. Well, I talked to them a little and I can say that they seem to be adequate. Only Connie asked me about the Titans, but quickly fell silent under the gazes of the other two. In any case, I would have told him, but I decided it was better not to say anything, since these two don't want to.
I don't know what their feelings were. Maybe they were afraid of Titans? Although, of course, Reiner didn't look like someone who could be easily intimidated. I guess these two just showed sympathy for me, that's all. I wonder if they have seen the Titans with their own eyes, and not just on the pages of history textbooks?
– Guys, dinner. If we are late, they will eat everything and leave us nothing.
Suddenly someone broke in here to us. The door wasn't locked, so it could have been anyone. But judging by his words and uniform, he's just another cadet, just like us. In any case, he seems to have been sent to inform all the other cadets. Well, then it's understandable why he's in such a hurry. That's who can really lose their food if they don't hurry up.
– Okay, thanks.
Reiner said this after the man who had already run away. Well, we quickly packed up and headed to dinner. The uniform wasn't mandatory there, so I just threw on a loose shirt and put on light dark pants. Heh, I looked about the same a month ago when I was working in the fields, waiting for recruitment to the training corps.
In any case, we came to a noisy canteen where the recruits were talking to each other and eating food. Reiner and Berthold went to get food together, and Connie... Where did he go? Although what's the difference. I'm used to eating alone more, for that matter.
That's why I took what was offered for us today. It was good-looking bread, although it seems to be a little stale and something like soup. Well, I'm not sure what it is, but I think they call it chowder here. However, I begin to have doubts about whether it is edible or not. A glass of drinking water was attached to all this. Well, I hope at least that's okay.
Well, to be honest, I don't have much choice, which is why I almost immediately started eating all this, almost without feeling the taste. However, the longer I ate, the more looks were directed at me. Not again..! It's annoying, which is why I looked with mild aggression at the few people who suddenly sat down at my table. There was Connie, the girl who spoke to me at the line-up, and other guys I didn't know. Those who could not sit in front of me remained standing.
Since no one wanted to sit on my right or left, it was clear that they had not come to have lunch at all. I wonder what they even want from me?
– Hey, Eren...
– Hm?
Chuckling, I urged him to continue, but the guy sitting to Connie's right seemed to bite his tongue and did not want to talk further. I stared at him for a while longer before going back to eating. However, as soon as I scooped up this soup with a spoon, I immediately heard the voice of my roommate.
– Is it true that titans eat people?
– Ah...
At that moment, the silver spoon slipped out of my hand. I inadvertently dropped it into my soup, although for some reason my right hand didn't move. It froze in the same position in which I was eating, as if nothing had changed. But why..?
– Connie!
– I'm sorry, so sorry... Just...
– We know, but don't be so direct...
– I'm sorry, Eren.
In the end, several guys besieged Connie, and that dark-haired girl apologized to me, as if she was guilty of something. In general, Connie himself was not guilty of anything, only I screwed up here. But still I managed to pull myself together, after which I picked up the spoon and scooped up the soup again, continuing to eat.
– ...
– ...
– ...
– Eren...
– It's okay.
I interrupted them, watching their gazes. Well, they really regret their choice of words, so I have no complaints about them. In general, I would just like to eat in silence, as usual, but it seems that I will not be able to carry out this plan.
– Titans eat people.
– Ah...
– This is...
Everyone was quiet for a moment and began to whisper very quietly to each other. I could only sigh and continue talking. After all, if we plan to face the Titans, these guys need to understand the course of things in the real world.
– They devour them without mercy or regret. They take them in their big hands and tear apart, and then they eat them almost entirely.
– Eren...
– I think I'm going to throw up..!
The guy, who seems to be addressed by the name Thomas, has now moved slightly to the side, bending over the floor. One of the cadets was next to him and lightly stroked him on the back, saying something. Well, that's fine. I used to feel that way too.
– And at the same time they have such unchanging expressions. Hah, I still remember how it smiled when it devoured my... sorry...
I stopped when I noticed the expressions of utter horror on the faces of everyone who was listening to me. No, even the other cadets at the other tables were listening to this, and they didn't seem to be feeling particularly well. Maybe I overdid it a little.
– N-no... You don't need to apologize...
– Forgive us, we shouldn't have touched this topic.
– Yes, we'll probably go. Sorry again.
Most of them left, only three remained, as they were sitting. The guy on Connie's right slowly stood up, as if afraid to disturb the wild animal next to him. I wonder if he thinks that about me now? Is he scared?
– Connie, are you coming?
– ...
– Connie?
– ... Yeah...
Connie seemed somehow different from usual. Although, of course, he can be quite understandable, since this is the first time he has heard about such a story. As far as I was able to hear at the construction today, he is from some village behind the Rose wall. In a way, he was lucky because he didn't see the Titans like I did. Although it's bad if he's really going to kill them.
– What about you?
I looked at the last girl who was sitting here from the very beginning. She never showed that she was going to leave, although it was difficult to say the same based on her facial expression. Part of the fright was still perfectly visible.
– Ah... do you want me to leave?
– If you want, you can stay.
After answering her briefly, I decided to continue eating my dinner. After all, if this stew gets cold, it will become harder to eat. This should not be allowed, that's why I decided to finish everything. After that, I have another piece of bread and a glass of water waiting for me, so it's not so bad. But while I was with her, this girl didn't touch her food, which she took with her. It was as if she was just looking into the void and trying to understand the meaning of life. I wonder if this is true?
– Hey, Yaeger?
– What?
Someone from the outside turned to me. It was the guy at the next table, whose face was dominated by a smile. No, I'd even say it's a smirk, like he's mocking me right now. Well, to be honest, his face is a little nasty. It's like I'm looking at a horse, the same stupid eyes.
– Stop scaring people around. It's better to just finish your studies, join your damn corpse search corps and go wherever you want.
– Oh, Eren?!
The girl at my table exclaimed sharply when I also stood up abruptly, slightly pushing back the bench on which I was sitting. I turned to this guy on the right and looked him straight in the eye. For a second he seemed taken aback, but almost immediately returned to his previous mood. He even slightly got up from his seat and easily left the table, unlike me.
"Jean, don't..."
"You're just provoking him."
Two guys at his table tried to dissuade him, but he didn't listen to them, just waved his hand at them. Well, this guy is now to blame himself, since he does not know when to retreat.
– Eren, it's not worth it.
Suddenly I felt someone's fingers clenching on my wrist. It was the girl who was sitting across from me. She leaned her body across the table to grab my hand, trying to dissuade me. But as soon as I looked into her eyes, she immediately let me go with a slight fear on her face.
– Jean, right?
– Yeah, that's my name.
Recalling my recent speculations about his appearance, I came to the conclusion that this is exactly the right description for such a person. He really looks a little repulsive if you look closely. Really a horse.
– I'll call you horse face.
– What did you say?!
– I said I'd call you horse face.
– Say it again!
– I said...
Just at that moment, this guy finally lost his patience and rushed at me. He immediately raised his fist, hoping to inflict a lot of damage on me at the very beginning. That's why I let him do it, so that he would show me his anger and determination to pick a fight from scratch.
– Wow.
– Take it!
He hit me in the shoulder I was holding up, which made me stagger slightly. To be honest, I'm amazed because I thought his punch would be much weaker. To do him justice in this matter, although it is not worth rejoicing so early at all. A fight will not be considered as such if only one of the parties strikes.
– Now it's my turn.
– Eh?
At the moment, his surprised face stretched out, and then the pain was reflected on it, resulting from the fact that I punched him in the face. He didn't even realize what had happened before he fell to the floor. I heard everyone around me sigh in surprise. But there was nothing to be surprised about, we just exchanged blows. I've been involved in a lot of fights since childhood, so I'm used to hitting vulnerable places, even if it's mean. Although this guy is still lucky.
– Hey, Jean. I'll give you some advice.
– What is it..?
He clutched his nose as some blood flowed out. Well, it looks like it was worth hitting a little to the right, although it turned out well enough. He'll know how to run into me next time.
– Don't you dare talk about scouts like that! They risk their lives for us, no, for the sake of all mankind! On each expedition, they try to learn something new about that goddamn titans, looking for ways to defeat them and clear the lands outside the walls of them. If you don't even understand that, then you're just a fool.
– ...!
He obviously had nothing to say, and I just looked at him, waiting for something. But in fact, Jean was silent. Maybe he was thinking about my words, and maybe not. Although I looked around and noticed that all the people around were staring at me again. Their views are quite different, but still everything converges on me. That's why I went back to my desk, drank a glass of water in a few seconds, took a piece of some stale bread for the future and left the dining room.
I shouldn't draw any more attention to myself. So everyone already thinks that I'm some kind of strange, it's not worth just making the situation worse ... although what am I talking about? What does it matter what they think there, because it's not so important. I just want to learn how to be a real soldier and become the one who will eventually destroy all titans together with Survey Corps.
While I was walking alone to my place of lodging for the night, a girl fell to her knees a few meters in front of me. It was she who was forced to run all this time today. She seemed so exhausted that I was ready to believe that this girl was definitely not shirking. It looks like she really had to run and run all the time.
Especially now I can clearly observe her fatigue. She tried so hard that now she could not even keep her knees straight, which is why her body bent down and she, one might say, fell face down into the dirt.
– Hey... you're Sasha, right?
– Yeah...
It was practically a moo. She didn't even look up at me, but just seemed to be trying to eat the dirt on the ground. Is this girl really that obsessed with food? Although, she's just finished her runs, so it's not that surprising that she's hungry.
– They left you without dinner, so here you go.
– Mmm..? Oh, that...
Without even finishing, she immediately jumped up and attacked my hand, snatching a piece of bread from it. Where the hell did all this energy come from? Hasn't she been running all this time?
– Thanks.
She thanked me and chewed her food at the same time. There were a lot of bread crumbs on her face, as she ate like a pig, but at the same time I could also see happiness. I wonder why she's so obsessed with food?