Dear Levi,

I apologize in advance for the brevity of this letter. I have last-minute plans for the expedition that I still need to finish.

Why, on the day before a major expedition, am I still taking care of logistics? Thank you for asking. I will tell you. I am woefully behind on my administrative tasks because over the past two days, I was forced to spend over twelve hours in four separate meetings. At each one of these meetings, would you like to know what the primary topic of discussion was?

If you guessed "Levi, the troublesome recruit from Section Commander Flagon's squad," then you would be correct.

I'd give you a prize, but forgive me for feeling as if I've already done enough for you in these past several days. I don't know if you have noticed, Levi, but in just a few short weeks, you have turned everyone in the Survey Corps against you. Everyone. Among the section commanders, I am the only one who still thinks that you are worth the trouble. If not for me, you would have been thrown back into the Underground weeks ago.

I'm tired. I'm tired, and I don't understand you. I got your backhanded technique approved. I convinced Commander Shadis to sign off on your absurd list of cleaning supplies. I practically carried you home when you were pitifully drunk, and then I persuaded your superiors not to punish you for it. Over and over, I have defended you and vouched for you and given you the benefit of the doubt—and still, you quite literally run away when I come anywhere near you. I truly don't know what more you want from me.

You expressed a suspicion that I might not hate you. But whether or not I hate you is simply not the point. I think I understand at least some small part of what makes you who you are. You have been mistreated, and I am genuinely sorry for that. But you'll have to forgive me for feeling as though you are missing the bigger picture. There are green fields and rolling hills and vast skies outside the walls, a world without a walled horizon, and I am trying to give it to you—all of it—everything your eye can see, and everything it cannot. Do you not understand what I am offering you? Do you not want it? Was I wrong about you after all, little bird?

You always seem to think that I am hiding something, that I am trying to manipulate you. Admittedly, in many situations, you would be correct to make that assumption—but in this case, I feel that I have been painfully transparent. I think you are extraordinary, Levi. I think you could change everything for the Survey Corps. I think we could save humanity, you and I. Is that dream really as foolish as everyone seems to think?

Forgive me. Perhaps I got a bit carried away there. I have not slept for several days, and I think it may be catching up to me.

Now—as for the tea you received, I must confess that I have no idea where it came from. It certainly was not a gift from me, and I don't know what would have given you that impression. As you have said yourself, we are not friends.

But since I recognize that you may be suspicious of this claim, let us make a deal. If you choose to believe that I did not break protocol by giving you a box of very nice, very expensive black tea, then I will also choose to believe that you did not steal Senior Team Leader Hange's glasses. Under the circumstances, I have a feeling these terms will be acceptable to both of us.

Your first expedition begins tomorrow. While I know that you do not want my advice and will probably spit it right back in my face, I am (quite proudly) an insufferable know-it-all, and will therefore give it to you anyway. Try to keep your temper in check. Learn the meaning of the word restraint. Blind rage is your enemy, Levi—especially when battling Titans, who act based on cold animal instincts. Use your head, not your heart.

I have written more than I meant to. I must return to work now, but before I do, I hope you will pardon me for speaking plainly one more time. If you have any plans to disrupt this expedition, for any reason—if you brought any criminal intentions with you when you left the Underground behind—I would urge you to reconsider. I caution you to set aside your pride and listen to me—if not for your own sake, then for the sake of the friends whom your actions might endanger. Make the choice to trust in the Scouts. Let me teach you not to regret that choice.

Good luck tomorrow.

Best,
Erwin Smith