The qualification review was completed quickly. After all, the Shiganshina District was a small place, and there were only so many people. After a thorough investigation, the records of Ronan and the other two who passed the conscription test were retrieved.
All of them had clean identities and had not lied about their ages. It was only natural for them to be accepted into the Training Corps.
Although he felt reluctant, Ronan had to leave. A new chapter in his life was beginning.
Unlike the previous basic physical training, what he would face from now on involved far more serious matters—skills meant for killing.
That included both Titans and, at times, humans.
In Ronan's opinion, human hearts were much harder to deal with than Titans—especially when one lacked power and status. If you displayed enough talent or ambition to stir jealousy, you could easily become a target.
With that in mind, he decided to temporarily suppress his ambitions and focus solely on the training ahead.
Becoming stronger was what mattered most. If he could become the strongest soldier in the world, like Levi, then even nobles and politicians would think twice before trying to cross him. Power earns caution.
But Captain Levi was not Ronan's ultimate goal. If he wanted to gain true freedom within the walls and protect those he cared about, he would need more than strength—he would need status and influence.
That path was still far away, and the conditions weren't in place yet. For now, he buried those desires deep within himself.
---
It was departure day.
Riding in a carriage down a bustling road, Ronan looked back at Armin, who waved at him from behind. The figures of Eren's and Harry's families slowly faded into the distance. Ronan took a deep breath and whispered in a voice only he could hear:
"Wait till I come back~"
"Brother Ronan, your friends are very enthusiastic~" said Ellis, trying to strike up small talk.
Hearing this, Ronan replied seriously, "They're not just friends. They're my family."
"…Family."
---
At the same time, back in Shiganshina District—
"I've made up my mind!" Eren declared loudly. "I'm going to follow in Brother Ronan's footsteps! I'll join the Training Corps through the next conscription, and then I'll join the Survey Corps!"
His speech was cut short by a sudden, sharp pain in his ear, followed by Carla's furious voice:
"Don't even think about it! You're going to learn medicine from your father, and that's final!"
"I won't!"
Fueled by Ronan's example, Eren refused to accept his fate this time. He was ready to resist.
As his ears "twisted and jumped" from the escalating pain, he could no longer endure it. Carla's angry scolding echoed in his ears.
Seeing the scene unfold, Armin wisely stepped away. Mikasa hesitated, considering whether to intervene. She, too, disagreed with Eren's wish to join the Survey Corps. It was far too dangerous.
Subconsciously, Mikasa wanted to protect Eren from all harm, even if she couldn't explain why that urge ran so deep.
A few steps away, Harry glanced at Carla, who had gone from kind mother to full-on shrew in an instant. Then he looked at his own ancestor-like guardian, Martha, and exchanged a look with Grisha—who returned it with quiet sympathy.
Realizing he'd been noticed, Grisha stiffened, the air thick with awkwardness.
---
Ronan had no idea that Eren had already stirred up a storm back home.
The Shiganshina District was at the southern edge of Wall Maria, far from the Training Corps headquarters stationed within Wall Rose.
At the pace of their carriage, it would take two days to get there.
Thankfully, the roads were smooth—otherwise, the bumpy ride in a shock-absorber-less world would've been unbearable.
Along the way, Ronan spent his time admiring the changing scenery and chatting with Ellis and Levington. The first day passed quickly. By sunset, they reached the southern gate of Wall Rose—specifically the Trost District, a far more developed city than Shiganshina.
"Ugh, I can finally get off! I've been holding it in forever!" Levington exclaimed as he jumped out of the carriage. After quickly asking where the restroom was, he dashed off at full speed.
Watching him disappear, Ellis sighed and shook his head. "That guy… He's so awkward. We passed so many rest stops today. If he had to go, he should've just said so. Holding it in all day? He's lucky he didn't burst~"
Then he turned to Ronan, who remained calm and composed. "Ronan, wait for me here. I'll check on Levington. The guy looked like he was going to explode."
"Okay~"
As Ellis jogged away—and then broke into a run—Ronan got the sense that his companion might have other reasons for rushing off. Still, he didn't think too much of it.
He stood quietly, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings of Trost, anticipation stirring within him.
"Tomorrow," he thought, "I'll arrive at the training base. I'll finally be able to touch a black gold bamboo sword... and the 3D Maneuver Gear…"
He had dreamed of wielding the very weapons humanity used against the Titans.
As his mind wandered with excitement, a new carriage rolled into the rest stop, the sound of wheels clattering across the cobblestones...