Sounds of kissing echoed in the forest. A young man with above average height was pressing a beautiful girl in the trunk of a tree and kissing her passionately.
"E-Eren". Mikasa said his name as as she gazed into his green eyes with shyness.
Eren once again brought their lips close but Mikasa stopped him.
"Eren, Why are you so good at this?", She questioned with suspicion.
'Crap!!! I messed up.'
"It's just because you are to beautiful.", he said as he slowly groped her plump ass.
'Damn! they are so soft and big.'
"Anyways, lets go. Training will start in a while".
Mikasa was still glaring him.
"H-how about we stroll around in the town. We can even play with those kittens you like so much."
This made Mikasa happy and he succesfully avoided a disaster.
'fewh!'
----
The afternoon sun baked the training field, casting long shadows across the parched earth. Dozens of cadets thundered past in uneven rhythm, boots striking the dirt in waves. Their packs, heavy with weights, dug into their shoulders. The instructors barked orders from the sidelines, their whistles cutting through the air like knives.
"Move it, cadets! If you can't run now, a titan's going to eat you before you even scream!"
Armin Arlert lagged behind the group, his breathing shallow, his blond hair plastered to his forehead with sweat. His legs trembled under the strain, the weights pulling him down like anchors. Every step felt like dragging a boulder.
Just a little more… keep going… he told himself, but his vision blurred at the edges.
Ahead of him, Eren slowed slightly. He glanced over his shoulder, his brow creasing when he saw Armin stumbling.
"Armin!" he called, extending his hand. "Grab on!"
Armin blinked through the haze and reached for him. Their hands clasped, and Eren pulled him forward with a grunt, stabilizing his friend before Reiner — who had been about to help — could step in.
Reiner slowed his pace, watching for a second before catching up with Bertholdt. His expression was unreadable.
"Thanks, Eren…" Armin gasped, clutching his chest.
"Don't mention it," Eren said, tone calm but laced with quiet firmness. "You've gotta survive the run before you can survive the battlefield."
Armin nodded weakly, grateful. Eren gave a faint smile before glancing toward Reiner and Bertholdt, who were keeping their usual composed pace.
Internally, his expression hardened.
You two don't get to play the role of caring comrades. Not here. Not with us.
I know who you are behind those masks.
The wind brushed against his face as he ran, the rhythmic pounding of boots echoing in his ears. He looked at his squadmates — the friends, the traitors, the future corps members — and exhaled slowly.
"I don't want any of you getting too close to them," he said suddenly, loud enough for Armin to hear.
"Huh?" Armin glanced sideways. "Who?"
"The Marlians in disguise," Eren muttered, his tone low but steady. "People who don't belong here."
Armin frowned, puzzled by the phrasing. "Eren… what are you talking about?"
Eren shook his head slightly, forcing a grin. "Nothing. Just saying — trust isn't something you give away for free."
By evening, the group gathered outside the mess hall, gulping down water and catching their breath. The day's training had taken its toll — everyone's legs felt like lead, but the sense of relief that it was finally over hung in the air.
Jean Kirstein sat on the steps with Connie, Sasha, and Marco, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I'm telling you," he said, waving a spoon for emphasis, "once I get into the Military Police, it's luxury for the rest of my life. Wine, women, and no titans."
Connie burst out laughing. "You? Luxury? You'd probably get kicked out for being too smug."
"Jealousy's not a good look on you, Connie," Jean fired back with mock pride. "Some of us have ambition — smart ambition. Why risk your neck outside the walls when you can have an easy life inside?"
"Spoken like a true coward," Sasha said between mouthfuls of bread.
Jean rolled his eyes. "I prefer 'realist,' thank you."
At that moment, Eren walked by, towel slung over his shoulders. Jean turned toward him, smirking. "Hey, Jaeger. Still planning to join the Survey Corps? You know, the bunch of lunatics who like getting eaten?"
Eren paused mid-step, his gaze sliding toward Jean. "Yeah," he said casually. "Someone has to do it."
Jean snorted. "Right. And what are you going to do — kill all the titans?"
The way he said it — the smirk, the mocking tone — made something inside Eren twitch. His expression didn't change, but his eyes darkened ever so slightly.
"I said I'd wipe them out," he replied evenly. "Every. Last. One."
Jean blinked, momentarily thrown off by the absolute conviction in Eren's voice. The smirk faltered, and he looked away.
Before the tension could thicken, Mikasa stepped closer, crossing her arms. "Jean, stop messing around," she said, her tone sharp but not loud.
Jean froze, his face flushing. "H-Hey, I was just joking."
"You should still stop," she replied flatly.
That stung more than he cared to admit. Why does she always defend him? he thought bitterly. Every damn time.
He forced a scoff, pretending to shrug it off, but his voice carried the edge of frustration. "You're all insane, you know that?"
Connie looked between them awkwardly. "Uh, guys… maybe we should just—"
"Let him talk," Eren interrupted, smiling faintly. "He's not wrong. You have to be a little insane to want freedom."
That only seemed to irritate Jean more. He turned away, muttering, "Whatever, hero."
Days later, the recruits stood in formation at the main training field. The ceremony for division assignments loomed, the choice that would determine their future paths. The air was thick with anticipation — and uncertainty.
Instructor Shadis paced before them, his boots crunching in the dirt.
"You've trained for three years. Some of you barely made it. Some of you rose above expectations. But now comes the real decision — your corps assignment."
His gaze swept across the rows of cadets. "The top ten will be eligible for the Military Police. The rest will serve in the Garrison or the Survey Corps."
A murmur spread among the ranks. The tension was palpable.
Jean straightened his posture proudly, glancing sideways at Marco. "This is it. Easy street."
Marco smiled gently. "You've earned it, Jean."
Reiner and Bertholdt stood side by side, composed as always. Annie lingered near the back, her expression unreadable.
Eren stood between Armin and Mikasa, silent.
"You all have your choices," Shadis continued. "Step forward when ready."
The first few cadets made their decisions quickly. Predictably, several top-ranked recruits — including Jean — stepped toward the Military Police line. Their expressions were relieved, almost triumphant.
When Jean passed Eren, he smirked. "See you from inside the walls, Jaeger."
Eren said nothing.
More recruits followed — some to the Garrison, some hesitating between lines. Finally, silence fell when Eren remained motionless, his friends looking at him expectantly.
Armin swallowed. "Eren… you haven't chosen."
Mikasa's eyes were steady but soft. "You already know what you're going to say."
Eren took a deep breath. The weight of years — of loss, of memory, of purpose — pressed down on him. His voice, when it came, was clear and unwavering.
"The Survey Corps," he said.
The field went still.
Levy, Erwin, Hange and other members of survey corps were startled as it was rare for them to get new recruits
Heads turned. Even Reiner raised an eyebrow. Jean froze mid-smirk, staring.
Shadis blinked once, then nodded slowly. "Survey Corps confirmed."
Eren stood tall, shoulders squared. His gaze swept over the crowd, unflinching. "If nobody's willing to step outside these walls, then humanity's already dead."
Mikasa looked at him — proud, yet faintly worried. Armin felt something burn in his chest, admiration mixed with fear. Around them, whispers rippled through the recruits.
"That guy's crazy…"
"Brave, maybe."
Reiner's lips twitched faintly. "He's got guts," he murmured to Bertholdt, who nodded quietly.
But something dark flickered in Reiner's eyes — recognition, perhaps. Or guilt.
As the moment stretched, something unexpected happened.
Jean clenched his fists, jaw tight. His eyes darted between Eren and the Survey Corps line. Why does he always sound so damn sure? he thought bitterly. Why does it make me want to follow him?
When Shadis called his name again for confirmation, Jean exhaled sharply. "Survey Corps," he said, louder this time.
A stunned silence followed.
Marco blinked. "Jean… are you sure?"
"Yeah," Jean muttered. "Someone's gotta keep that idiot from dying."
A small ripple of laughter broke through the crowd. Connie grinned. "Guess we're all idiots, then."
"Survey Corps," he said next, stepping forward. Sasha followed with a shrug. "Might as well."
Before long, the unthinkable happened — a growing line of recruits stood behind Eren. The once-lonely line of the Survey Corps had become the longest of the three.
From the reviewing stand, the officers exchanged astonished glances. It had been years since the Survey Corps had inspired hope rather than fear.
Eren looked around, quietly stunned himself. He hadn't expected this.
Mikasa joined his side silently, her expression calm but content. "You did that," she murmured.
Eren shook his head slightly. "No. They made their own choice."
But deep inside, he knew better.
People were drawn to conviction — and he had plenty to spare.
Erwin was pleasently surprised. He also noticed that the one who triggered this was calm as a still lake as if he knew this would happen.
As the ceremony ended and the recruits dispersed, Eren gazed at the distant walls glowing in the twilight. The faint orange light cast long shadows across his face.
This world is suprisingly easy to conquer. I already have almost all the pieces. Now it's time to start the real plan.
End of Chapter 31: The Choice of Wings