Chapter 113: I Definitely Rigged It! Could it be… Eren Really is a Genius?!
The training days were monotonous and harsh. The morning bugle, the muddy running track, the gasping for breath amidst the sweat. For Eren, it was more like going through the motions.
ODM Gear Aptitude Test Day.
This was the first great filter for new recruits, the one with the highest failure rate. Cold cranes hoisted the cadets into the air, testing their core strength and sense of balance. The field was filled with cries of panic and the thud of bodies hitting the ground. Most dangled like pendulums or immediately toppled over, head-first.
Keith Shadis recorded the results with an expressionless face, failing those who couldn't stay upright.
When it was Armin's turn, he took a deep breath, recalling the tips Eren had taught him. His body was lifted. He wobbled for a few seconds, but quickly found his center of gravity. His form wasn't perfect, and he was still swaying, but he maintained his balance. Shadis glanced at him, said nothing, and made a mark in his record book. Armin let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Mikasa, as expected, performed perfectly. Her form was flawless, and she hung completely still.
Then, it was Eren's turn. He was slowly raised. His body came to a stop in mid-air. He didn't sway in the slightest, as if his feet were planted on solid ground. In fact, he was too stable. Stable enough to make Shadis frown. He checked the harness buckle, confirming that the buckle was, in fact, faulty.
"Hm?" Shadis was astonished. To be able to maintain such perfect balance with defective equipment... could it be? Is he a genius?
"Try moving," Shadis ordered.
Eren did as he was told, shifting his weight. He leaned forward, backward, and swayed from side to side. His movements were fluid.
Shadis walked directly under Eren, inspecting the connecting components again. The buckle was loose. The wires were fine. The balancing gear was definitely abnormal. This shouldn't be possible… Could it be… he really is a genius?
"Hmph… Ahem… No problems…" Shadis muttered, his eyes filled with confusion. He looked up at Eren again, who just stared back calmly.
"Next!" Shadis waved him on, deciding not to dwell on it. Perhaps the boy was just exceptionally talented. Carla, I'm sorry. But at this rate, he should have no problem getting into the Military Police.
…
In physical training, Armin's performance was also surprisingly good. While not at the top, he was no longer at the bottom of the pack. He could keep up with the main group, gritting his teeth to complete the drills. Eren's private "extra lessons" had paid off.
…
Hand-to-Hand Combat Training.
Recruits practiced grappling and counters in pairs. Eren easily flipped a cadet who tried to ambush him.
"Hey, Eren!" Reiner walked over, a broad smile on his face. He clapped Eren on the shoulder. "Amazing! You look like a natural."
Eren subtly shrugged off the hand. "It's nothing," he said flatly.
A flicker in Reiner's eyes, but his smile didn't waver. "It's boring just training with these guys," he said, gesturing to Annie, who was slacking off. "Look at Annie. Does she even look like a soldier? You should go spar with her, make her act like one!" His tone was encouraging, like a dependable older brother.
Eren looked at him. This Reiner right now... was he the "Soldier," or the "Warrior"? Which side of his fractured mind was in control? Perhaps… even he didn't know.
Eren nodded. "Alright."
Annie, seemingly overhearing, stopped slacking. Her cold gaze shot to Reiner, then to Eren. The two walked to the center of the training area. The other cadets immediately gathered around, and Commandant Shadis also turned his attention to them. A duel between the top talents.
"Let's have a good match," Eren said.
Annie didn't reply, simply falling into her stance.
The next second, they moved. No feints, no wasted motion. Annie's attack was swift and sharp, aimed at his legs. Eren sidestepped, blocking with a downward elbow. THUD! A heavy impact. Their movements were like lightning, attack and defense flowing in an instant. Kicks, blocks, grapples, counters—the onlookers were dazzled. But what shocked them even more…
Their fighting styles were astonishingly similar. Simple, efficient, and lethal. As if from the same school.
Reiner and Bertolt's faces grew grim. Annie's fighting style was taught by her father, a Marleyan technique. Where in the world did Eren Jaeger learn it?
POW! After another exchange, they broke apart. Annie stared at Eren, her eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Those moves… where did you learn them?"
A knowing smile touched Eren's lips. "I have you to thank for that." His best techniques had, in a past life, been "stolen" from her.
Annie frowned, not understanding what he meant. She was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Eren Jaeger. Don't you think it's ridiculous?"
"What?"
"The people who are best at fighting Titans are the ones who get to go live in comfort, far away from them in the interior. Don't you think this whole system is twisted?" Annie's gaze swept over the other cadets who dreamed of joining the MP.
Eren looked at her. This girl from outside the Walls, carrying a mission, longing for home. This girl who was both gentle and cruel. He gave a weary smile. "That's because we have a ridiculously pathetic king."
The words had barely left his mouth—"Eren!" Reiner's voice cut in, sharp and warning. "Don't talk like that!" He quickly walked over, trying to break it up. Eren glanced at him but didn't continue. So, Reiner is the 'Soldier' right now.
The spar ended without another word. But the story of Eren and Annie's similar, powerful fighting styles—and Eren's disrespectful comment about the king—quietly spread through the 104th.
…
In the mess hall, Jean was loudly proclaiming the good life and his aspirations for the Military Police, surrounded by other cadets who shared his dream. Eren ate quietly, paying them no mind. In his past life, he might have argued with Jean. Now, there was no point. His goal had been crystal clear from the start.
…
Time flew. As Eren gradually unsealed his own magical abilities, three years of training were coming to an end. The graduation exam arrived.
Eren took the top spot, ranking first in every single subject by an indisputable margin.
Second: Mikasa Ackerman.
Third: Reiner Braun.
Fourth: Bertolt Hoover.
Fifth: Annie Leonhart.
…
Tenth: Krista Lenz.
Only these ten were eligible to join the Military Police.
When Commandant Shadis announced the rankings and it was time to choose their regiment, all eyes were on Eren. The top graduate had first choice. The interior, the Military Police, a life of comfort—it was his for the taking.
However, there wasn't a trace of joy on Eren's face. He calmly walked forward. His gaze swept over his comrades below, over Commandant Shadis, over the distant sky. Then, in a clear, firm voice, he announced:
"I, Eren Jaeger, will be joining—the Survey Corps!"
"!!!!" The crowd exploded.
"What?!"
"Is he crazy?!"
"The top graduate, joining the Survey Corps?!"
"He could have gone to the MP!"
Jean stared at Eren in disbelief, as if seeing him for the first time. Connie and Sasha's jaws dropped in shock. Reiner and Bertolt exchanged a look, their eyes heavy with confusion. Commandant Shadis snapped his head up, his gaze on Eren complex. In the end, he just nodded, saying nothing.
"Wherever Eren goes, I go," Mikasa's calm voice rang out. She walked to Eren's side without hesitation.
Armin also stepped forward, a knowing smile on his face. "Of course… I knew you'd choose that, Eren." He had expected this all along.
The graduation ceremony ended in a flurry of commotion and debate. Eren, Mikasa, and Armin walked home together, the setting sun stretching their shadows long.
"Eren, are you… really sure?" Armin asked.
"Yeah."
"It's going to be dangerous."
"I know."
…
Back at home, under the warm lamplight, Carla and Grisha had prepared a celebratory dinner. The atmosphere was warm and peaceful.
"Eren, you've graduated. How do you feel?" Carla asked, her eyes full of love. "I heard from Keith, you and Mikasa took the top spots. The Military Police is a good choice, I hear the treatment is good, and it's… safe." She smiled, hoping her son would stay in the interior. Grisha also smiled at his son.
Only Armin looked uncomfortable, staring at his plate.
Eren looked at his parents' expectant faces and took a deep breath. It was time.
"Dad, Mom." His voice was a little low. "I've decided. I'm going to join… the Survey Corps."
CRASH! The plate in Carla's hand fell to the floor, shattering. She looked up, staring at Eren in disbelief. The smile vanished from her face, replaced by shock, anger, and a deep, visceral fear.
"You're—what?!"
"The Survey Corps?!!"
"EREN!!!"
"ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!!"