The Despairful 104th Cadet Corps: Annie and Mikasa.
Much to her dismay, Mukuro ended up being right about the nightmares.
Whether it was because there was just too much from where to pick up now that she sees her memories with Junko in an awfully new light or mere 'luck', her grim dream wasn't about anything in specific.
It was simply her other half reminding her of how much of a failure and disappointment Mukuro has been not only to her but also to all those she left behind. How many opportunities to make a change for the better she wasted, the abundant chances Mukuro had to put an end to her sister's machinations discarded in favor of enabling the madness.
Basically, what has consumed most of her thoughts since coming to this world.
If Mukuro was honest with herself, the truly tormenting part about it was hearing those trademark laughs Junko did from time to time, and how, even after two years, her brain vividly remembers the image of her sister with near perfection. As if the despairful claws that Junko called nails refused to let go of her, not even by an inch.
It makes sense.
Deep inside Mukuro knows that it's a fool's errand to hope she could forget about Junko in that period frame. If she remembers every single one of her classmates as if it were her first day at Hope's Peak, then it makes absolute sense that her own flesh and blood is the exact same, if not a worse case.
Although she would've been grateful if it weren't.
While it goes without saying that she didn't had the best of sleeps, she would be lying if she said that it was close to being the worst one she had in her life…on both of them. As terrible experience as it was, Mukuro is confident that unless she was ordered to fight a titan with her bare hands right here and now, she will be ready for whatever instructor Shadis throws at her, the shower she had in combination with the rations from this morning making up for last night incident doing wonders in that front.
For now, though, she will focus on what's happening right at this moment.
"Are you prepared to try this test one last time, Jaeger?" The ominous but firm voice of her drill instructor asked.
Just like promised, today was the second and last day for trainees to prove themselves with the 3DMG preliminary test. The routine has already been going on for almost an hour already, with varying results between those that managed to correct their failure from yesterday and those who with tears in their eyes, did nothing more than give a shaky nod as instructor Shadis dismissed them one last time.
Whether it was done on purpose or not, the last recruit left to make his attempt was Eren Jaeger, and it appeared that everyone was looking forward to it. At least, that's what she could gather from how quiet though full of anticipation everyone was.
Meanwhile, despite Eren still having a determined look on his face, the telltale signs of nervousness were there, nevertheless, he didn't let it get the best of him as he gave his confirmation to instructor Shadis.
Their drill instructor stared at the boy for the briefest of moments before his gaze flickered to the blonde cadet in charge of the platform. Instructor Shadis gave that same boy a nod, and that's where Eren's last opportunity to succeed began.
Regardless of what happened yesterday, Mukuro observed that when the harness began to lift Eren, he followed the instructions she gave him to the letter. The brown-haired boy adjusted his body in a way that granted him the best balance while using his hips as a focal point…
…And much to her surprise…
…It was working this time.
When he was previously lifted, he fell as soon as he was midair. Even if it only has been ten seconds, everyone could feel the difference as if it were light night and day.
Something the entire trainee batch made known with a chorus of victorious screams and praises at Eren.
Even the green-eyed boy himself was basking in his own victory, wolfishly grinning as he―
"ACK!" ―Bashed his head into the dirt.
There were multiple gasps at that, Eren himself among them.
As instructor Shadis began to approach him, the brown-haired boy tried to recover his posture, though try as he might, it was as futile as yesterday "N-Not yet! I…I still can go on!"
The drill instructor stared at the boy for a few seconds, and then spoke calmer voice than what you would expect from him "…Release him"
Once the cadet hid his order and put Eren out of his belts, the green-eyed boy got on his knees while refusing to look at instructor Shadis "…I…I…" The despair in his voice quickly made an act of presence.
…
…He…
…He might not be among the list of her favorite people in this place thanks to his commentaries last night 'He didn't know I would react that way, but even so…', and she already expected this to be the end result, seeing how much he tried and failed the previous day…but that didn't mean she found any joy in this sight. Sure, it might be far from breaking her heart, but having your hopes and dream broken before you twice in a row is not something she would wish on anyone here.
"Wagner, exchange belts with Jaeger"
…Eh?
Mukuro numbly blinked as the cadet who now knows goes by the name of Wagner quickly bid to his superior orders and began to undid his equipment. From the corner of her eye, she could observe that everyone was as confused as her.
When the change of belts was finally done and Eren was lifted again, it was like seeing a different person in its entirety.
Whereas even when he was managing to keep his balance for a few seconds in his previous attempt, he still looked as if he was struggling like his life depended on it.
Now?
An entire minute has passed, and his body looked way more relaxed than ever before while keeping his balance. Eren 'Along with everyone else' had an understandable expression of surprise as the brown-haired boy himself was not believing how well he was doing.
While this was enough for Mukuro to understand what has been the problem all along 'And to want to slam my head into a wall for not noticing it before…', instructor Shadis took the liberty of voicing it out loud "It appears your equipment has been broken this entire time. The fitting on your belt was broken to be more specific"
Defective equipment.
That has been Eren's problem all this time.
"Hmm, how strange, this piece of equipment in particular has never shown problems before…" Instructor Shadis stared intently at it before sighing "…It can't be helped, I will have to add it to the maintenance checklist…"
While that does help explain why she didn't even had a suspicion about it, it didn't make her feel any less of a fool for allowing for such a possibility to go past her. She's not even referring to the fact that an omission like that would've guaranteed her a punishment of the worst kind back in Fenrir, but that a mistake of such kind could be the difference between life and death on the battlefield.
It may be wrong for Mukuro of all people to need it, but this should work as a reminder to always inspect her equipment with fanatism.
But leaving aside her feelings on the matter, the green-eyed boy turned to their drill instructor with a glimmer of hope both in his eyes and voice "Does…does this mean that I pass?"
"…Yes, you did well enough. Make sure you don't waste this opportunity you've been given and continue doing your best"
The brown-haired boy stared at instructor Shadis in disbelief for a few moments before raising his arms victoriously. At the same time, people began to give their respective praises, both because he surpassed expectations with today's performance and for the fact that, even if it was for just a few seconds, Eren managed to stay in the air with broken equipment.
Even she had to admit that was no easy feat.
Regardless, the cheers died with instructor Shadis's commanding voice "It is too early to celebrate, maggots! There are still three years of hell waiting for you all, do not let this small victory, if it could even be called that, get into your empty heads, am I understood!?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Good, then move your useless asses to the training ground in the west area! It is time for you pigs to break a sweat with some anti-human training!"
After giving a salute, Mukuro broke formation and began to move in the instructed direction.
"Mukuro, wait!" Or at least that was the plan until she heard Krista's voice.
Ugh.
It's not like there's now some bad blood between Mukuro and the blonde girl…or with Ymir, after all, neither of them had anything to do with her reaction from last time.
That didn't mean things didn't become awkward, though. Or at least that was the impression Mukuro got since the day began.
Bidding good morning, walking towards the dining hall, eating at the same table as usual. They did all of that…but even she could notice the sense of discomfort. During all of those events, she could feel Krista trying to act as if yesterday didn't occur 'Something she terribly failed at if even I could notice it…'. Mukuro couldn't know if Ymir was doing the same or not, but the fact that the other freckled girl didn't act as her snarky usual self was making Mukuro lean into believing it was the former.
Be that as it may, it seems the blue-eyed girl wasn't going to allow for things to stay like that if that concerned look was anything to go by.
"Mukuro, about last night―"
"It doesn't matter" Mukuro quickly interrupted Krista "…It…it was nothing…"
"Eh? Is that so?" Surprisingly, it was Ymir who replied "I didn't know that leaving outta nowhere while looking as you were about to murder someone was nothing"
While slightly frowning at that, she opted to protest some more "…I was tired…"
Ymir didn't look like she bought that, the narrowed eyes on the dark brown-haired girl told that much. While crossing her arms, the other freckled girl was about to say something…
"Um, in any case…" Only to be cut off by Krista at the last second "…It's true that we haven't known for very long, so obviously it's not our business to pry on your personal matters. I won't force you to talk about it, but…if you ever felt like doing so…"
…Huh.
A part of Mukuro's mind was finding amusing that Krista thought she could force anything out of her, not insulting, just…amusing, like seeing a puppy trying to be intimidating and failing miserably while looking adorable at the same time.
The other was confused.
Mukuro just couldn't picture what was leading the blue-eyed girl to put this much effort into her. It didn't seem to be some kind of deception to gain something 'That sounds more like a Ymir thing to do', and neither they are friends.
Was it just Krista's natural kindness?
That…that seems like the more plausible answer, the blonde girl seemed altruistic enough to be willing to starve herself for Sasha's sake even though she didn't know the brunette at all, so it makes sense she would do the same for her.
"…Alright, I…I will think about it…" That was a lie, Krista showing this much concern is already more than what Mukuro deserves. She only told her that to lift the weight afflicting the blonde-haired girl since this morning.
Which fortunately seemed to do the trick "Mhm! You can count on both me and Ymir any time you want!"
…Ymir?
"Hah!? Why are ya dragging me into―" Before Ymir could finish that sentence, Krista nudged the dark brown-haired girl with her elbow "…Well, if she were to give her afternoon rations, perhaps―" Another nudge from the blue-eyed girl "Hey, stop that! Half her rations and that's gonna be my best offer! I'm not doing charity, ya hear!?"
For some strange reason, Mukuro couldn't prevent snorting at that.
Something the two girls in front of her seemed to take notice of "Hehe, I'm glad you are in a better mood, Mukuro!"
"E-Eh? T-That's not…I…I don't…" She really isn't used to people sending smiles in her direction, less so one as dazzling as the ones Krista is capable of.
"Yeesh, what's up with ya, freckles? How could ya make looks like the one from last night and then act all shy and nervous?"
Mukuro refused to answer that.
The 'Anti-Human' training, as instructor Shadis called it, consisted of a one-versus-one confrontation under different scenarios; being either unarmed against an opponent who does carry a weapon, fighting through unconventional odds like using a rifle as a make-do weapon, or something simpler, like straight up bare combat.
Today was going to be the last one.
Her drill instructor explained that we first needed to acquire an understanding of how well we do the most basic stuff before getting into more advanced lessons.
Actually, his exact wording was "You worms are so fucking useless that I don't doubt at least half of you would lose an eye if we don't begin at this level!" but the message was there.
Anyway, seeing that she needed a partner, Mukuro choose to ask Ymir.
Only to see that she was already away with Krista practicing on their own.
With the other freckled girl out of the picture, she opted to look for anyone available and willing to spar with her.
Easier said than done, though.
No matter whom she approached, either they made an excuse before running in the search of someone else or straight up squawked when they caught sight of her and scurried away.
Mukuro knew that since the first day, people were beginning to act wary of her. She just didn't know it was to this level and this soon.
After looking around for a bit more with no results to show for it, she was about to give up and play with the idea of asking instructor Shadis if he could act as her combat partner.
Disrespectful as that was, it was a better alternative than slacking off during training and getting scolded for it.
At least that was the case until something caught her attention.
From the corner of her eye, Mukuro caught sight of a lone figure sneaking around under the guise that was the multitude of cadets doing the exercise.
Deciding to give that person a chance before approaching her drill instructor, Mukuro chased after them.
Getting closer, Mukuro got a better sight of what now recognized as a girl, a blonde blue-eyed girl of short stature.
Annie Leonhart.
Like most people so far, Mukuro got her name from the 3DMG assessment test. The only other thing she knows about the blonde girl besides how is she called, is that she's the person Mukuro shares a bed with.
One would think that a basic greet between the two had occurred at the very least with that fact into account…but that's not the case. Not even once they have said a word to each other so far.
It appears that's about to change…
"Annie!" Once she got close enough to the blue-eyed girl, Mukuro called her out.
Said blonde whirled in her direction with a look of slight surprise, though toned back into neutrality when she saw Mukuro "…Oh, it's you. Last night you were shifting too much that it was hard to sleep"
A blunt way of beginning their introductions as it was, Mukuro couldn't avoid wincing at it "S-Sorry, I―"
Before she could finish that sentence, Annie raised a hand "Don't, it was something out of your control, and I'm not interested in prying what was that or the incident in the mess hall about. It's not my business…unless you are going to make it a daily thing. In that case, you should find somewhere else to sleep"
Again, blunt, but it seems that also reasonable. Mukuro is fine with that "Mhm, it won't happen again" and if it does, she will sleep outside so she doesn't become a nuisance. Camping in the wilderness it's okay too.
The blue-eyed girl gave her a nod "Anyway, what do you want?"
"Well, I was looking for a partner for the training, and seeing that you are the only person available as far as I can see…" Mukuro trailed off.
"You want me to spar with you?" Annie inquired with a raised eyebrow. Though not hostile, her tone was as cold as ever "Is that what you were suggesting?"
Mukuro gave a simple nod in response.
Instead of saying anything immediately, the blue-eyed girl began to look around, inspecting her surroundings with a narrowed glance.
Whether Annie found or not whatever she was looking for, Mukuro wouldn't know. Although the slightly resigned look while sighing as Annie positioned herself, informed Mukuro that her answer was most probably an affirmative one.
"Fine" The blonde-haired girl reluctantly conceded "Just a single round, you understand?"
Mukuro highly doubts a single spar will make do to satisfy their drill instructor…but this is also the best opportunity she has gotten so far.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth…
"Alright" Said Mukuro while giving a nod to the blonde.
Annie returned the gesture in kind before taking a fighting stance. The blue-eyed girl brought up her arms to eye level while clenching both hands into fists and sliding her left leg slightly forward with the other one behind her rearguard.
Muay Thai?
Mukuro would be lying if she said that it wasn't a pleasant surprise to see someone who apparently practices martial arts. From what she had seen so far, people doing some basic workout before enlisting into the training corps was the biggest expectation she could have in someone.
Double so when she could see from the corner of her eye that Sasha and…Bonnie? Something like that, were doing weird postures in place of actual training.
Anyway.
Not wanting to waste Annie's patience and neither be left behind, Mukuro took her respective position.
While using the same stance as Annie.
"What the…?" For some strange reason, the moment Mukuro did that, the blue-eyed girl gave her a confused look "What…what are you doing?"
That made Mukuro mirror Annie's confusion "Huh? I'm just taking a fighting stance"
"…Yes, I can see that…" Annie said slowly, with both cautiousness and…Mukuro could swear there was also suspicion in her voice.
"What's the problem, then?"
"The problem is…" Before finishing that sentence, the blue-eyed girl stopped herself as she shook her head "…It's nothing. Let's just get this over with"
A single one of Mukuro's brows perked up at that, but seeing that whatever that was came to an end, she left it be without saying anything else, and instead, steeled herself, with the blue-eyed girl doing just the same.
Thus, marking the start of their confrontation.
A second passed.
Then two.
The two seconds turned into ten.
And those ten turned into a minute.
Besides locking eyes with each other, neither girl was making move…though it wasn't for a lack of wanting to, instead, they were waiting for the best opportunity to do so.
Their fighting style takes advantage of proactive opponents who can't help taking the initiative. Punishing the excessive aggression of whomever it is they fight, in their favor.
And both girls were aware of that.
"Weren't you just begging me just a moment ago to fight me?"
"…" Mukuro didn't replied to that.
"Why the cold feet all of sudden? Are you…scared perhaps? All bark and no bite?"
Instead of saying anything, Mukuro couldn't help a corner of her lip twitching upwards.
Though they still hadn't exchanged blows, it was clear as day that Annie, at the very least, had a genuine understanding of how does this martial art works.
I…I know it's wrong, someone like me doesn't deserve it, but…but maybe I can indulge myself a little bit…
Their lack of action didn't appear to make the blonde-haired girl nervous, but the slight grimacing on her features when Mukuro did that gesture didn't go past her.
She isn't going to make the first move no matter what, isn't she?
Understanding that nothing was going to happen unless she began, Mukuro charged forward with a fist ready to slam into Annie.
When Mukuro was mere centimeters away from the blonde, she pivoted away, narrowly dodging by just a fraction of a second the kick aimed at her shin.
That gave Mukuro a window of opportunity. Making use of it, she charged again, though this time she raised her right leg into a roundhouse kick aimed at Annie's head.
Although the blue-eyed girl didn't allow herself to be left unprepared for that, as she maneuvered herself to do a crescent kick just in time to block Mukuro's own attack.
They struggled like this for a few seconds, neither of them conceding any territory to the other.
Seeing that this wasn't going anywhere, they both disengaged at the same time, lowering their legs as they stepped back to their original spots.
"…You actually know what you are doing" Annie pointed out with the barest hint of surprise.
"Mhm, and the same could be said about you"
Rather than a verbal response, Annie only nodded numbly as she regained her combat posture.
It seems Annie decided to change tactics, as this time, it was the blonde-haired girl who charged.
Dashing in her direction, Annie began her assault with a kick aimed at her kidney, something that Mukuro blocked with a raised-up knee. That didn't mean Annie was done, though, as she didn't waste any time aiming at Mukuro's opposite side twirling up to form a spinning kick directed towards the light violet-eyed girl that had to fend off with a raised arm.
That led to Annie acting on the offensive while Mukuro went towards a defensive path of action in which the blonde-haired girl continued her assault, making versatile use of her kicks in an attempt to break through Mukuro's defense.
They keep at it for a pair of minutes, where no matter in which direction the blonde aimed, Mukuro was ready to block, dodge or launch a defensive counterattack to repel Annie.
The blonde-haired girl didn't restrained herself to only kicks, though. There were some hooks here and there, but they were deceptions most of the time so Mukuro was to neglect her lower defenses from low kicks. Something Mukuro never allowed to be, as she always was ready to pivot away from them just in time.
As far as Annie could see, Mukuro was an impenetrable fortress.
While Mukuro kept at it, she began to notice that the blue-eyed girl was shifting into an aggressive stance, with her attacks becoming more erratic. Not only that but there was also the look on Annie's face.
Besides the obvious signs of frustration at not making any progress with her offensive, Mukuro could tell that the blue-eyed girl was getting tired. The sweat drifting from her face, the rapid mouth breathing, and the fact that her attacks were getting slower with each attempt against Mukuro, told that much.
This has gone long enough…
Mukuro blocked a pair more of Annie's leg strikes, then when a third roundhouse kick was coming her way, she began to raise her arm as if to block one again…
…Only to hold Annie's leg when it was about to impact, effortlessly stopping its momentum, then after pushing the leg away, Mukuro kicked off the ground like a bullet towards Annie's personal space with her left hand readied into a fist.
"What!?" Having fallen prey to Mukuro's feint, Annie tried to lose distance between her and the light violet-eyed girl, but with the time wasted in that previous kick and the lack of balance Mukuro's last stunt caused, Annie just barely managed a desperate attempt of defending herself from that attack by gripping the fist charging in her direction.
Before having time to celebrate that she was capable to do so, she quickly raised her other arm to block the other incoming punch.
Good as it would seem that she had managed to prevent those attacks from striking, Annie knew better. Even though it was her who was holding Mukuro's fists, while doing she was pushed back with enough force that she could see the dirt marks on the ground her boots left. Besides, the freckled girl has already proved her superiority in both stamina and reaction speed. It was only a matter of seconds before she was overpowered, leaving her open to either a headbutt or a fast hook.
That left her with nothing but a single option.
Putting her all into this, Annie made a sweeping move to make Mukuro lose her footing.
Only the freckled girl saw that coming from a mile away.
The light violet-eyed girl did a counter of her own, maneuvering her lower limb so her own leg connected with Annie's. From there, it became a contest of strength…that Mukuro quickly won without breaking a sweat.
Being both overpowered and pushed by Mukuro's regained momentum, Annie let out a yelp few would expect from someone so stoic as she fell on her back, with Mukuro quickly onto her as she locked both upper and lower limbs with the blonde girl, making any attempt to recover futile.
Sure enough, Annie tried to free herself for a few moments until she saw the uselessness of it. With an annoyed grunt, the blue-eyed girl stopped her struggling "…I give up"
Accepting the blonde-haired girl's surrender, Mukuro got up and offered a hand to Annie.
The blue-eyed was about to grab Mukuro's hand…only to stop in the middle of it, when, almost as if frozen, Annie stood still as her eyes slightly widened when she saw her tattoo. It was at this moment that Mukuro thought for a moment that Annie wasn't going to do anything but stare at it, and perhaps attempt to pry about the mark on her hand. A possibility that, even if now she had an excuse, it admittedly irked her a bit.
I know that people around here are not used to seeing something like this, but it is truly that entrancing to look at?
In the end, her concerns ended up being unnecessary, as, with a sigh, the blue-eyed girl brought herself out of her stupor and accepted her hand while not bringing up Mukuro's Fenrir mark.
"…You are a beast" Instead, that was the first thing Annie said once she was on her feet.
There wasn't any edge on her voice, and neither she looked annoyed or worse, so Mukuro took that as a compliment "Um…thanks? You did well too"
At that, Annie scoffed while crossing her arms "You made me eat dirt, almost literally. Besides, look at you" Annie said as she lazily gestured at Mukuro "You don't even look, and I highly doubt you are, tired at all"
"I…I defeated you, that's true" Mukuro conceded "But, I mean it when I said that you weren't bad at all" Mukuro truly did.
Granted, she's nowhere near close to the best Mukuro has fought in her previous life, but the fact that Mukuro didn't had to hold back as much as she initially thought she would require, proves Annie's skill.
Additionally, it would be unfair to compare Annie with Saku―Ogami. Mukuro honestly doesn't doubt that the Ultimate Martial Artist could be capable of defeating a Titan with her bare hands.
"Is that so?" Whether Annie accepted her compliment or not, will be left a mystery with her face that seems always a centimeter away from turning into a scowl and her voice always so stoic "Anyway, now that we are done, can I ask you something?"
…Huh?
Mukuro didn't saw that coming. She fully expected the blonde-haired girl to just go away or dismiss Mukuro after being done with this spar, as Annie previously suggested. Plus, she's admittedly a bit wary about what the blue-eyed girl would ask.
Although…
"…Okay, what is it?" With some hesitation, Mukuro decided to allow the question. Annie hasn't given her any reasons to choose otherwise, if anything, it has been the opposite so far. The blue-eyed girl was blunt, yes, but not necessarily rude.
With her permission granted, Annie turned to face her directly, with a glint of what appeared to be…interest? Curiosity? It was something among those lines, Mukuro could tell that much "Who trained you?"
"…Trained me?"
"Yeah" Annie confirmed "It's true that you have stamina, speed, and strength…way too much of all three if I'm honest…" Annie muttered that last part, almost as if saying it to herself "…but you didn't used that to make up for a lack of skill, if anything, you managed to combine the two without a problem, the way you saw my movements coming ahead of time and used them against me tells that much. Like I said before, you truly are a beast"
"Uh…Thank you, again?" Mukuro was about to stammer that answer out. Seriously, the last thing she expected from the blue-eyed girl was to go around giving her praises, not even if they sounded as apathetic as Annie usually seems to talk.
"That's not a compli―…" Annie stopped halfway through that sentence as she began to blink owlishly "…I guess it kinda is. Either way, what I'm saying is…you must've had one hell of a teacher, someone who taught all that, right?"
…Well, if Mukuro was honest with herself, this topic was one she didn't truly mind talking about 'It certainly is a better alternative than those other subjects…'. Although she will have to be careful about how she brings anything related to it. It would be problematic if Mukuro were to say something considered weird or suspicious by this world's standards.
"…Something like that" It's true that she learned most of what she knows from other members of Fenrir, so it kind of counts as them teaching her about it "My…erm…family trained me since I was a kid" She was part of the mercenary group since she was a child, so it truly wasn't that much of a lie…if you stretch the part of her regarding them with such intimacy.
Should I be worried about how fast that lie is becoming easy to say?
"Your…family?" When Annie said that, Mukuro could see that the blue-eyed girl's expression turned into one of understanding "…So it was like that for you too, huh?"
Something about that caught Mukuro's attention "Too?"
As if just catching on her slip up, Annie's eyes slightly widened for a second, though just as fast they went back to normal "…*sigh* I guess it doesn't matter if I were to tell you" So she said, but even Mukuro could notice that there was this awkward aura on her as she spoke again "I also I've been training since being a kid, by…by my father"
There was a clear fondness in Annie's voice when she said that, Mukuro noticed. Fondness and…there was something else. If Mukuro had more confidence 'Or any at all' in her people skills, she would've concluded that it was melancholy.
Whatever the case it may be, not knowing how to reply to, well, that, Mukuro choose to answer with the first positive thing that came to her about it "At least he prepared you for this way more than what could be said of most cadets here. That's…good, I guess?"
"…I guess" Annie repeated "Anyway. We are done here, right?"
"Unless you want to continue?" Mukuro replied with a shrug.
Annie did a muffled snort at that "What? You want to kick my ass that badly?"
"Eh? No, that wasn't…"
"I wasn't being serious" Before Mukuro could continue, the blue-eyed girl interfered "Though about that other round, I'm not interested in this anti-human training thing, but…" The faintest of smiles formed on Annie's face "…Who knows? Perhaps another day…"
Mukuro nodded before parting ways with the blue-eyed girl.
While she does disapprove of Annie's attitude regarding this exercise, Mukuro understands that it is not her responsibility to supervise Annie's actions.
Regardless, Mukuro didn't expect her interaction with Annie to end on such a good note. It may be wrong to judge a book by its cover, but the blonde-haired girl didn't give the feeling of being a people person.
Not like I'm in any better position.
Sure, she's not intended in making friends here…but at the end of the day, these people here ARE her allies, the circumstances of this world make this a fact Mukuro can't refute. It's not like it has to get to the point of confiding her life to any of them, but if non-hostile relationships can be achieved with her peers, Mukuro should embrace it.
Just like she has done with Krista…and Ymir?
For now, though, she should go in search of someone else to spar with.
"Mukuro!" Turns out she didn't had to look for long before finding someone, or someone finding her in this case.
Turning in the direction of the voice that called her out, Mukuro had to fight the sudden urge to groan that was threatening to escape from her mouth.
"…Mikasa" Was Mukuro's dry response to the individual in front of her.
The silver lining, if it could be called as such, was that it was the Raven-haired girl instead of Eren. Although, if she had a choice in this, dealing with their blonde-haired companion would've been probably the best option out of the three of them, at least it seems that way for her.
In any case, seeing no use in thinking of what ifs, and that Mikasa was doing that annoying antic of just staring for the umpteenth occasion 'Though something about it…there was something slightly different from previous occasions…', Mukuro opted to address her instead "What do you want?"
At first, the grey-eyed girl didn't say anything while still looking at her, though Mukuro this time tolerated it because she could notice that Mikasa seemed to be thinking, as if formulating how she was going to express her next words.
"…I…I've always been confident of my strength"
"…" Mukuro didn't say anything, though she kept an intent expression to let know that she was still listening to Mikasa, for now.
"Confident in my skills to get me out of any situation" Which the grey-eyed girl understood "This force inside me, that assured me no matter what, I could be capable of facing anything or anyone that stood in my way of protecting those I care about"
…
"…I see…" Was Mukuro's response, though… "…Why are you telling me this?"
That was a genuine question, she just couldn't imagine a reason to bring this up to her.
Either way, when Mukuro asked that question, something in the way the other raven-haired girl was looking at Mukuro shifted. It wasn't necessarily hostility, but it certainly was among those lines.
"The reason I'm telling all this is that you are strong, which is why…" The other raven-haired girl said as she began a combat stance, eyes brimming with a fiery determination locked on Mukuro "…I must fight you and see if I'm as strong as I've thought to be"
Mukuro…she can't say she doesn't understand, neither can't Mukuro deny that she herself has been through it. Hell, she developed her talent for that very reason, to always be ready to protect that someone who meant the entire world to her.
Even if the same couldn't be said about Junko.
From what she has seen so far, it is not hard to guess who are these important individuals Mikasa is talking about.
"…And I suppose that you want me to fight without holding back, right?"
The grey-eyed girl narrowed her eyes as a genuinely offended look formed on her face when Mukuro made that question "If you want to have a chance against me, yes, you should"
Perhaps…
"…" Whether the other raven-haired girl sees Mukuro as a threat or a challenge to that objective, it doesn't matter. It appears Mikasa has made up her mind about how to approach this.
But even so…
"Even if you say that, I―"
"Hey, everyone! Mikasa and Mukuro are going to fight!" The sudden shout from Bonnie brought what Mukuro was going to say to a sudden halt.
Which was followed by the brunette beside the shaved kid "What!? I thought we were going to see this match happen until the last year! Not on the first day of combat training!"
The declarations coming from both Bonnie and Sasha put the surrounding spars to a halt as cadets conglomerated around the two raven-haired girls.
"Mikasa and Mukuro!? C'mon Armin! I can't miss this!"
"Those two? Who do you think is going to win, Jean?"
"Guh! On one hand, there's Mikasa…but Mukuro…ARGH! I don't know whom to choose!"
Mukuro could even hear Krista and Ymir…supporting her?
"Oi, freckles! You better beat that girl ass; I'm betting my dinner for this!"
"Ymir! That's wrong!"
"Why? Don't you see I'm cheering for her?"
"I…well, that's true, but…"
Something like that.
In any case, Mukuro sighed at this display. She couldn't say that Mikasa's dilemma is her biggest concern in the world, but neither did she wanted to make this some kind of show for everyone's entertainment.
It doesn't help that Mukuro could see from the corner of her eye that this wasn't going unnoticed by instructor Shadis, though strangely enough, besides staring from a moderate distance, he wasn't doing anything to stop this.
…Does he also want this confrontation to happen?
If that's the case…
"…All right, I will go with this…under one condition"
Mikasa's brows understandably furrowed with a not-so-subtle hint of suspicion when she heard that "What kind of condition?"
"The moment I get to subdue you…" Instead of taking a fighting instance like Mikasa was doing, or like Mukuro herself did back in her fight with Annie, the only thing she opted for, was to put her arms to the sides as her hands clenched into fists and steeled herself for combat. All the while, her voice became colder with each word that come out of her mouth "…You will surrender with no objections"
Ignoring the "Ohh's" and "Ahh's" coming from the surrounding cadets, Mukuro was solely focused on the grey-eyed girl as her eyes widened for a moment before her features receded into a scowl "It's too early for you to claim something that bold, don't you think?" Her voice was almost a snarl.
"…" Mukuro didn't replied back. After all, her ultimatum for this confrontation to happen with her going all out was already made.
"…Fine, I accept your 'condition'…" Mikasa conceded, though her voice and the looks she was giving to Mukuro, told it was only to get this started "…But don't expect anything different from me"
Mukuro only nodded, not moving any inch more than that.
And then there was only silence.
Even if such a gesture should've marked the beginning of their confrontation, the two raven-haired girls did nothing but stare, whether it was to gauge each other or trepidation to make the first move, only they knew.
What can't be denied, though, was the tension radiated between the two soon-to-be opponents. Reaching to the point of suffocating those of weakest will among the cadets, and even those of higher resolve, couldn't help the drops of sweat caressing their faces.
Yet, there was still silence.
This state of motionlessness kept its course for almost a minute.
Until it no longer did.
Everyone's signal that this fight finally began, was the sound of a foot kicking the ground as Mikasa shot out towards the light violet-eyed girl, with a speed few people could truly believe was humanly possible…
…Only to feel a soaring spike of pain reaching her abdomen as Mukuro cannonballed her fist straight into Mikasa's stomach.
The feeling of nausea was quickly becoming notorious as the air was knocked out of her, and the fact that her own momentum combined with Mukuro's made that strike twice as painful didn't help matters.
Such an attack, not only knocked her air out with an audible groan but also sent her away by a few meters. Although for all the damage it did, that wasn't enough to get Mikasa out of the fight.
Even so, the grey-eyed girl didn't have time to wonder how did Mukuro reached her personal space so quickly, as the light violet-eyed girl was already onto her once again.
This unfavorable position forced Mikasa into the defensive, with her bringing her arms up to mitigate the incoming strikes and wait for an opportunity to counterattack.
Such an opportunity never came.
Not only was Mukuro quick on her feet, but it was also just as fast with her hands, her punches turning into blurs while hitting so hard that it was no different from a barrage of heavy artillery.
Mikasa attempted to change tactics and recover some space between the two…but that didn't help either, if anything, every time she tried to, that left her with enough aperture for Mukuro to manage to connect a pair of punches on her sides and before she knew it, moving away ended as a fruitless endeavor as Mukuro was again assaulting her.
Kicks were a big no too, Mikasa might've not told Mukuro…but she saw her match against Annie, not since the beginning of it, but enough to know that if she were to do a movement as time-consuming with this closeness, Mukuro will dodge it easily and end the fight right there and then.
Mukuro's strikes might seem like uncoordinated and brute from an outsider's perspective, as if she were trading coordination and skill in exchange for raw power and ferocity, but as the receiver of them, Mikasa understood how that was far from the truth. How every single strike the freckled girl made wasn't wasted, and whether to lower her defenses or to prevent Mikasa from attempting anything back, every movement was with a purpose.
And if that wasn't enough, try as she might in reducing the damage, Mikasa was quickly feeling her arms weakening, desiring to give up more and more with every attack that she managed to block.
By this point, Mikasa knew that keeping on a defensive stance was only delaying a defeat, so instead she focused to commit herself to one last gambit.
The grey-eyed girl absorbed a few more strikes, and when the next came, instead of blocking it or attempting to gain space between the two, dodge it. Hoping that breaking out of the norm she established gave her enough time, Mikasa put her everything into a finishing strike towards the freckled girl…
…That Mukuro ducked, and not wasting even a fraction of a second, made use of the opening, lunged forward, and elbowed Mikasa in the face, thus, making the other raven-haired girl's body follow her head as it hurled away for a few seconds until falling into the ground.
Even after all of this, Mikasa refused to lose consciousness and with a titanic effort, attempted to get up.
Only for Mukuro to shatter any hope of that as she mounted her and locked Mikasa's arms with her legs, all the while pushing the grey-eyed girl back into the ground by the shoulders.
Similar to Annie, Mikasa tried to get out of her grip, though this time it was even more of a fruitless endeavor, as not only Mukuro was using way more strength than with the blonde-haired girl, Mikasa was also considerably more debilitated.
Truly, it was a feat of its own that she hasn't gotten knocked out from Mukuro's onslaught.
Nevertheless, when Mikasa finally accepted the lack of progress in getting free, she stopped struggling. Although instead of voicing her surrender or snarling one last protest, something else came out of her mouth.
"…I…I am weak?" It was barely a whisper, low enough for the surrounding cadets couldn't hear it, but sufficient for Mukuro to do it.
"You aren't" Was Mukuro's matter-of-factly response.
There was a look of surprise on Mikasa's face, most probably not expecting Mukuro to hear it.
Regardless of it, Mukuro continued "It is undeniable that you have talent"
"It's easy for you to say that, you defeated me without any effort" Mikasa retorted back, though it sounded less like an exclaim, and more like stating a fact.
"…I did…" Mukuro admitted, though before Mikasa could interrupt her, she continued "…But that's because you lack experience"
"…Experience?" The grey-eyed girl echoed, almost as if hearing a foreign concept.
Mukuro nodded "Mhm, tell me…how often have you challenged yourself to the last limit?"
Mikasa didn't do a verbal response, but how her mouth turned into a thin line, gave Mukuro all the answers she required.
That's probably Mikasa's, or more specifically, anyone with talent's millstone.
None of the multiple occasions that Mukuro had noted Mikasa was gifted was a lie, but good as that is, that's not all there's to it in a person.
If you rely only on the talent you were born to curb stomp everything on your way, that would be the same as denying any chance for growth.
Her training back in Fenrir, all the wars she fought, her spars with Ogami 'and Junko's murder attempts…', were the obstacles Mukuro constantly faced. The fact that Mikasa hasn't challenged herself against even half of all that, puts a clear advantage in Mukuro's favor.
It was strange that this new body remembered all of that, but honestly? That would be far from the weirdest of things about Mukuro's arrival to this world.
She doesn't know if Mikasa has the potential to reach the same level as Mukuro, but the fact that the grey-eyed girl was still capable of speaking and her bones didn't appear to be broken after containing so many attacks, makes the possibility to exist there.
In any case…
"…You should begin to look for those trials if you want to improve" Were Mukuro's last words before getting up and offering a hand.
Unlike Annie, Mikasa didn't opted to stare at her hand…though she did so at Mukuro's face instead, with a look that, if Mukuro were to describe it, resembled both realization and determination.
Be that as it may, at least it lasted less than with Annie, and in a show of good sport, Mikasa accepted her hand.
Although the moment both girls were on their feet, it was as if a spell was broken among the trainees.
"That was awesome!" Beginning with Eren.
"Mukuro…she…she defeated Mikasa…"
"And she doesn't seem tired at all…"
"Is that humanly possible…?"
"Is she even human?"
That and other similar murmurs could be heard throughout the circle formed by the other cadets.
As Mukuro focused on these new whispers with her frowns furrowed, from the corner of her eye she observed as Mikasa was about to voice something.
Only to be interrupted, by someone both expected and unexpected.
"I hope you worms enjoyed this break…" The imponent voice of instructor Shadis immediately put the chattering to an end "…Because you all gained four extra hours of training, it's only fair, don't you all think the same?"
"Yes, sir!" Knowing better by now, everyone replied in unison 'Even if some sounded shakier than others…' with the same answer.
"Then get you useless selves back into it! If I see a single one of you maggots slacking off, then it's no meals for every single one of you for the following week!" Mukuro could've sworn to hear Sasha squeak when instructor Shadis said that "AM I CLEAR!?"
Also knowing better, people understood that as a signal to break formation and resume the training.
Mukuro was obviously the very first among them…until it stuck into her head that Mikasa and Annie 'Kind of' were probably the only people willing to spar with her, which no doubt neither of them is available for another round against her.
…
…
…
…Maybe I should really ask instructor Shadis.
A/N: How's it going, everyone? Hope I didn't make you guys wait THAT long for this chapter.
As you might've noticed, this chapter is a bit shorter than previous ones, though that's because its focus is more on the combat segment that I promised, which I admit I had to take my time for it. Kinda because, if you have read my other stories, you might know that this is my first time writing genuine fighting scenes.
I don't wanna go around flattering myself, but I think they went pretty well, with one fight focusing on skill while the other on the raw power someone of Mukuro's caliber carries and how does she fare against the other individual in this world known also for being a 'Beast', though this one without all the challenges and experience Mukuro has accumulated in her past life.
Be that as it may, I will let you guys do the final verdict about this, see ya!