Year: 827
The sun-weathered commander stood tall, his voice booming across the training grounds as the new recruits assembled, their bodies tense with anticipation. "Stand up straight, you worthless runts! The 81st cadet boot camp starts now!" He bared his teeth, his eyes scanning the sea of young faces, ensuring every single one of them felt the weight of his words.
"You good-for-nothings better be prepared," he continued, his voice dripping with contempt. "The next three years will be a living nightmare. You'll work until your bodies cry for mercy, until every muscle screams for rest. It is my duty to ensure you maggots survive the hell that awaits you!" His words echoed, each one a hammer blow to the cadets' morale.
The commander strode down the lines, his boots pounding the ground with purpose. He stopped before each recruit, demanding their name, their origin, and their reason for enlisting. With each response, he sought to break their spirits, to mold them into obedient soldiers.
As he reached the middle rows, his gaze fell upon a shaggy-haired boy. "What's your name, you rat-faced weasel?" He bellowed, his face inches from the boy's.
The boy, startled, quickly snapped to attention. "Nile Dox, sir! From Wall Rose, sir!"
"And why are you here, Dox?" the commander barked.
"To join the Survey Corps, sir! To fight the Titans!" Nile's voice trembled slightly.
"Very well, Dox. You'll make a fine meal," the commander sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. He motioned for Nile to turn, and as he did, his gaze locked with that of a female cadet—her fiery ginger hair and emerald eyes stood out among the sea of recruits.
Nile's attention was momentarily drawn to the girl, but the commander's next words, directed at the blonde-haired boy next to him, were like a crack of thunder. "And you, Bushy Brows! Identify yourself!"
"Erwin Smith, sir! From Wall Rose, sir!" Erwin's voice was steady, despite the commander's intimidating proximity.
"Turn around, Cadet Smith!" The commander's hand pressed down on Erwin's head, forcing him to face away. Nile observed, remaining frozen in his stance, tension coiling in the air around him. When Erwin turned to face the ginger-haired girl directly, Nile caught a fleeting glimpse of her stone-cold expression. For a brief moment, her mask slipped, revealing a flicker of vulnerability in her eyes. Yet just as quickly, she regained her composure, the steel resolve folding back over her features like a well-worn cloak, leaving no trace of the life that had almost surfaced.
...
The commander finally made it to the next row, her row, where the process of interrogations of introductions continued. Surprisingly, the row just before had all expressed their desire to join either the Garrison or the Survey Corps, while the majority opted for the Military Police.
In her row, the majority wanted to join the Scout Regiment, and before long, it was her turn. The commander loomed in front of her, his tall stature casting a long shadow that blocked out the rays of the sun that had been beating down on her for over two hours. He stood unyieldingly between her and Erwin while the rest of the cadets watched with bated breath, their curiosity tinged with anxiety. They wondered how the commander would address her, what insult he might hurl her way in an attempt to unearth any sliver of humanity or innocence he could shatter.
He looked down at her intently, weighing every aspect of her from the first glance. His cold gaze scrutinized her hair, her facial expression, her posture—everything from how she held her salute to how her feet were firmly planted on the ground. Usually, one could tell at first glance whether a cadet possessed potential or was just a waste of time and training.
At first sight, she appeared small and petite, as fragile as an insect waiting to be crushed. Yet her gaze was sharp, like the edge of a blade, fierce as a hunter stalking its prey. Typically, he would concoct some cutting insult, but unlike everyone else before her, he held his tongue.
"What's your name, cadet?" He barked, not once breaking his intense stare, nor did she shift her eyes from his. Her expression remained steadfast as she proudly saluted.
"Leona Mackenzie, sir!" she shouted. The name struck a chord, and although not everyone, most of the cadets from Wall Sina widened their eyes at the sound of it, a few whispering among themselves, hushed murmurs rippling through the ranks.
But Leona paid them no mind. Confusion spread across the faces of those around her, including Nile, while Erwin wondered if there was something significant about this Leona that they should know.
Hearing the rising voices among the cadets, the commander briefly averted his gaze, looking up with a scowl. "Who the hell gave you pissants permission to speak?" he yelled, cutting through the chatter.
Silence fell like a shroud as he returned his focus to Leona, who hadn't once lowered her eyes. "Where are you from, cadet?" he questioned, his voice booming in her face. Yet, not even the proximity or volume made her flinch.
"From Wall Sina, Stohess District, sir!" She shouted, her voice commanding.
"So, from the interior, huh? Why does a shrimp like you want to become a soldier?" He pressed, brows furrowing with condescension.
"To join the Military Police, sir," she replied, unwavering.
"Why bother when you're from the interior, where you're already safe? I'm sure someone like you would be better off attending to the cattle on a farm!" He bellowed",
"Because I want to, sir," she answered simply.
An almost collective gasp rose from the onlookers at her bold retort, yet they did their best to maintain composure, fear flickering in their eyes over what the commander might do next.
"Does she have some kind of death wish?" Nile thought, his eyes wide with disbelief. Erwin, too, despite the commander's imposing figure blocking his view, was taken aback by her audacity to respond to a commanding officer in such a manner.
"Being a smartass now, are we?" He yelled, stepping closer, the spit flying from his mouth striking her cheek. She remained resolute, unyielding, her expression a mask of calm fury.
"No, sir," she replied, unperturbed.
"Then what was with the response?" he snapped.
"I gave you my reason for joining the Military Police, sir," she stated, her salute unwavering.
"Does she not realize how disrespectful she sounds right now?" Erwin thought, his concern growing.
"The redhead is completely done for," Nile considered, a sinking feeling settling in his gut.
Having reached the limit of his patience with her defiance, the commander swiftly reached for the collar of her uniform. But as he moved to grab her, her stone-cold expression shifted, and although it wasn't intentional, Leona instinctively blocked his hand before it could make contact.
Gasps erupted around them, a collective intake of breath in shock at her audacity.