Hello, Drinor here. I'm happy to publish a new Chapter of Attack on Titan: A Warrior of Devils
If you want to Read the Following TWO Chapters, Search 'Drinor Patreon' in Google and Click the First LINK
Chapter 25, and Chapter 26 are already available for Patrons.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows as fourteen horses trudged along the worn dirt path, their hooves kicking up small clouds of dust with each step. Jaime sat comfortably in his saddle, his purple eyes focused on the notebook balanced carefully on his horse's neck. The gentle sway of his mount's movements had become familiar enough that it didn't affect the steady strokes of his pencil across the paper.
Kenny would probably mock me for drawing instead of staying alert, Jaime thought with a slight smile, remembering his mentor's harsh but effective lessons. But here, surrounded by his fellow cadets – no, fellow soldiers now – he felt at ease enough to indulge in his passion for art.
The woodland path they traveled was peaceful, with birds chirping in the distance and leaves rustling in the gentle breeze. It was hard to believe that beyond the walls, these same peaceful woods were domains of titans. The thought made Jaime's hand pause briefly over his drawing before continuing with renewed focus.
"What are you doing?" Mikasa's voice came from his left, curiosity evident in her usually stoic tone.
Jaime glanced up, meeting her dark eyes. "Drawing us," he replied, turning his notebook slightly so she could see. "Thought it might be worth remembering – our first ride to our new home."
Mikasa guided her horse closer, the animals walking nearly side by side now. Her eyes widened slightly as she took in the detail of his work. The drawing captured their group from behind, showing the backs of the riders as they approached a distant castle-like structure. The shading and perspective made it appear as if someone was following them, documenting their journey.
"That's incredible," she said softly, her scarf shifting slightly in the breeze.
From ahead of them, Jean turned in his saddle. "Hold on," he called back, brow furrowed. "How do you know what the headquarters looks like? We haven't even gotten there yet."
Jaime's expression darkened slightly, memories of Kenny flooding back. "My mentor took me there once," he explained. "He wanted to show me how the Survey Corps lived. Said something about them living in poor conditions." Though knowing Kenny, he probably had other reasons for being there, Jaime thought but kept that to himself.
"Your mentor sounds like a real piece of work," Ymir's voice cut through his thoughts as she and Krista rode up alongside them. The freckled girl wore her usual smirk while Krista's blue eyes were fixed on Jaime's drawing with wonder.
"You really should have become an artist, Jaime," Krista said earnestly. "Or maybe a musician. Your singing is beautiful too."
Jaime chuckled, closing his notebook and tucking it safely away in his jacket. "And miss out on all the titan-slaying fun? Besides, who says I can't do both?"
"Speaking of titans," Ymir's smirk grew wider as she glanced at Mikasa, "how do you think your precious Eren is doing? It's been what, a week since they took him?" She raised her hands dramatically. "Who knows what horrible experiments they're conducting on him right now. Maybe they're seeing if titan limbs can grow back if they cut them off, or testing how long he can stay in titan form, or maybe they want to see if he lives if he is cut in half-"
"They wouldn't do that," Mikasa cut her off sharply, her hands tightening on her reins.
Jaime couldn't resist joining in the teasing despite knowing it might earn him one of Mikasa's death glares. "I don't know about that," he said, his voice taking on a playful tone. "I've heard stories about one of the Squad Captains, Hange. Apparently, she's quite the titan enthusiast. Leaving Eren alone with her..." he trailed off suggestively.
"How can anyone be a fan of titans?" Connie asked from behind them, his face scrunched up in confusion.
Squad Leader Dieter Ness, who had been riding silently ahead of them, suddenly spoke up. "I've known Hange for seven years," he said, not turning around. "And I can tell you with absolute certainty that if she could, she'd sleep with the titans."
The reactions were immediate and varied. Connie made a choking sound, while Jean's face contorted in disgust. Krista gasped, covering her mouth with one hand, and even Mikasa's eyes widened slightly. Ymir burst out laughing, nearly falling off her horse.
"You're joking," Sasha said from somewhere behind them, her voice a mix of horror and fascination.
"I wish I was," Ness replied, shaking his head. "You'll see what I mean soon enough."
Jaime couldn't help but smile at the chaos his comment had sparked. Just like the mess hall back in training, he thought nostalgically. His mind drifted to Annie, wondering what she was doing now in the Interior. The Military Police headquarters were probably much more comfortable than where they were heading, but somehow, he couldn't picture Annie being happy there.
The path began to slope upward, and through the thinning trees, Jaime caught glimpses of the old castle that would be their new home. It looked exactly as he remembered from that day with Kenny, though it was cleaned, which wasn't a surprise. Even Jaime had heard that Captain Levi was a clean freak.
"It's bigger than I expected," Armin commented, moving his horse up beside Mikasa's. His blue eyes were analyzing the structure with keen interest. "The architecture suggests it's from before the walls were built."
"Probably why the Survey Corps chose it," Jaime agreed. "Strong foundations, good visibility of the surrounding area." Perfect for watching for titans, he added mentally, or for spotting anyone else who might come calling.
As they drew closer, more details became visible. The castle walls showed signs of repair in various places, patches of newer stone standing out against the weathered surface. Soldiers in Survey Corps uniforms moved about the grounds, some leading horses, others carrying supplies or equipment.
"Look at all that ODM gear maintenance equipment," Jean pointed out, gesturing to a section of the courtyard where several soldiers were working on their gear.
"It's not just about killing titans," Ness explained. "The Survey Corps requires dedication in every aspect, from maintaining your equipment to taking care of your horse. Speaking of which..." He turned in his saddle to face them. "Once we arrive, you'll be assigned your permanent mounts. The horses you're riding now will go back to the training facility."
Jaime patted his horse's neck affectionately. He'd grown rather fond of the animal over their journey, but he understood the logic. The Survey Corps needed horses that were specially trained for expeditions beyond the walls.
As they approached the castle gates, Jaime noticed several familiar faces watching their arrival. Commander Erwin stood at the top of the steps leading to the main entrance. Captain Levi was beside him, arms crossed and wearing his usual unimpressed expression.
He really is as short as me, Jaime thought with amusement, remembering all the stories he'd heard about humanity's strongest soldier. Kenny had mentioned Levi a few times, though he'd always changed the subject quickly when Jaime asked for details.
"Hey, Shorty," Ymir called out to him, breaking into his thoughts. "Looks like you'll have someone to see eye-to-eye with finally."
"Careful, Ugly Freckles," Jaime shot back with a grin. "Just remember who ranked first in our class."
"Pure luck," she retorted.
They passed through the gates into a large courtyard. The smell of hay and leather filled the air, mixing with the earthier scents of horses and stone.
The Squad Leader told them to follow him. Jaime noticed Mikasa was looking at the building before them, looking at the windows as if searching for someone.
It didn't take a genius to know who she was looking for.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Survey Corps' stables, the worn wooden structure carrying the mixed scents of hay, leather, and horses. As they approached, Jaime couldn't suppress the mischievous grin that spread across his face as he glanced at Jean.
"Hey Jean," Jaime called out, "looks like you've finally found your long-lost family!" He gestured dramatically toward the rows of horses in their stalls.
Jean's eye twitched as he turned to face Jaime. "Very original, shortstack. Did you have to stand on a box to come up with that one?"
"Come on, Jean," Connie jumped in, barely containing his laughter, "you have to admit there is a resemblance. Especially around the face area."
"Shut it, baldy!" Jean snapped. "At least I don't look like an egg with eyebrows."
Squad Leader Dieter cleared his throat, though Jaime caught the slight upturn of his lips. "If you're done with the family reunion, it's time to choose your horses. These will be your permanent mounts during your service with the Survey Corps."
Jaime dismounted his borrowed horse, taking a moment to run his hand along its neck in appreciation. "Thanks for the ride, friend," he murmured, knowing the horse would soon return to the Training Corps stables. The animal nickered softly in response.
As he walked through the stables, examining the available horses, something caught his eye. In one of the far stalls stood a magnificent mare with a coat the color of bright copper, dappled with white spots that seemed to shimmer in the filtered sunlight.
"I wouldn't if I were you," Dieter's warning cut through Jaime's observations. "That's Aethra. She's got a nasty temperament – hasn't let anyone ride her since we got her. Best find another mount."
Jaime pretended not to hear, his attention focused entirely on the mare. As he approached her stall, Aethra's ears flattened against her head, and she stamped her hooves threateningly, letting out a warning snort.
"Jaime, please be careful!" Krista's worried voice carried from behind him. "She looks really angry!"
Instead of backing away, Jaime began to hum softly, a melody he remembered from his days in the Underground. The tune gradually transformed into a gentle song, his voice carrying clearly through the stable. The other recruits fell silent, watching in amazement as Aethra's aggressive stance slowly began to soften.
"Gentle soul beneath that fire," Jaime sang quietly, maintaining eye contact with the mare's bright red eyes, "wild heart yearning to be free..." He continued the song, carefully extending his hand toward her.
Aethra's nostrils flared as she assessed him, but the anger had left her posture. After what seemed like an eternity, she stretched her neck forward and pressed her muzzle against his palm.
"That's it, beautiful," Jaime murmured, slowly opening the stall door. "Would you mind if we took a walk together?"
The mare followed him willingly into the yard, her steps matching his pace perfectly. Jaime ran his hand along her flank, admiring the unusual coloring of her coat. "What do you say? Want to give me a chance to ride with you?"
To everyone's astonishment, Aethra dipped her head in what appeared to be a nod. Moving with careful precision, Jaime mounted her, settling into the saddle as if they'd been partners for years.
"Well, I'll be damned!" Dieter exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. "In all my years..."
"Finally found something your size to ride, shorty?" Ymir called out, her trademark smirk in place.
Jaime guided Aethra in a small circle before responding, "At least people can tell which end is which when I'm on a horse, Ugly Freckles. With you, they might get confused about where the horse stops and Ymir begins."
Krista's giggles rang out across the yard, and Ymir shot her a betrayed look. "Whose side are you on, anyway?"
"The funny side," Krista replied innocently, causing several others to join in the laughter.
Jaime spent a few minutes getting familiar with Aethra's movements, marveling at how responsive she was to the slightest touch. It reminded him of Annie in a way – that same contained strength, that same fierce independence.
The thought of Annie sent a familiar ache through his chest, but he pushed it aside as he dismounted. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out an apple he'd grabbed earlier, offering it to Aethra. "Thank you for trusting me," he whispered as she delicately took the treat from his hand.
As the other recruits finished selecting their horses, Dieter called them over to a long wooden table that had been set up near the stable entrance. Neatly folded green cloaks lay spread across its surface, the Wings of Freedom emblem visible on each one.
Jaime's fingers traced the edge of one cloak, the fabric rough but sturdy under his touch. Kenny's words from years ago echoed in his mind: "These wings they wear, boy – they're just pretty decorations for cattle walking to the slaughter." But looking at the symbol now, Jaime saw something different. He saw hope, determination, and the courage to fight for humanity's future, no matter the cost.
"Hey, shorty," Ymir's voice broke through his reverie, "you planning on staring at that cloak all day, or are you going to put it on?"
"Just admiring how the color brings out your freckles, Ymir," Jaime retorted smoothly, swinging the cloak around his shoulders. The weight of it felt right somehow, like a missing piece falling into place.
"They're heavier than I expected," Armin commented quietly, holding his own cloak.
"That's because they're made to last," Dieter explained. "Out there beyond the walls, your cloak might be the only protection you have against rain or cold. They're designed to take a beating and keep going – just like Survey Corps soldiers."
As he fastened the clasp, Jaime caught Mikasa watching him with an unreadable expression. He wondered if she was thinking about Eren.
"Now you're starting to look like proper Survey Corps soldiers," Dieter said, nodding with approval. "Though you've still got a long way to go before you really earn those wings."
"Some of us are already flying pretty high," Ymir commented, glancing pointedly at Jaime.
"Better than having your head so far in the clouds you can't see the ground, Ugly Freckles," Jaime shot back, earning another round of laughter from their companions.
As they prepared to leave the stable, Jaime gave Aethra one final pat. "See you tomorrow," he promised quietly. The horse nickered softly in response, pushing her nose against his shoulder.
Annie would probably say I'm being too sentimental again, he thought with a slight smile. But then again, she always did pretend not to care about things more than she actually didn't care.
"Come on, shorty," she called from the stable entrance. "Time to go meet your new rival in the vertically challenged department."
"You mean Captain Levi?" Jaime asked, starting toward the door. "I heard he's actually an inch shorter than me."
"Great," Jean muttered. "Now we have two deadly midgets to deal with."
"Better watch it," Jaime warned with a grin. "We might not be able to reach your face, but your kneecaps are definitely in danger."
Yeah, he thought, turning to follow his friends. This is definitely where I belong.
.
.
Dietri led the group through the Survey Corps headquarters.
"Right then," Dieter announced, his voice echoing slightly in the stone corridor. "Time for the grand tour. You'll need to know where everything is – where you'll sleep, eat, train, and most importantly, where we keep the good alcohol." He paused, adding with a grin, "Though that last bit's unofficial information."
The headquarters was a maze of corridors and chambers. The stone walls held an odd mix of military efficiency and ancient grandeur, with worn tapestries hanging alongside maps and tactical diagrams. Their footsteps echoed off the walls, creating a constant reminder of the building's size and age.
As they turned a corner, they nearly collided with a harried-looking soldier wearing goggles similar to Hange's. The man's uniform was stained with what looked suspiciously like titan drool.
"Ah, Moblit!" Dieter called out. "How's life in Hange's squad?"
Moblit ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "Squad Leader Hange's been... enthusiastic about our new test subjects. I haven't slept in two days." He glanced at the new recruits. "Word of advice – if she asks you to help with an experiment, run."
"Test subjects?" Sasha blurted out, her eyes widening. "You mean you have titans here?"
That explains the extra security I noticed earlier, Jaime thought, recalling the reinforced walls and additional guards he'd spotted.
"Just two," Dieter assured them, though 'just two titans' didn't sound particularly reassuring to Jaime. "They're completely secured. We use them for research purposes."
"Have you learned anything useful?" Jaime asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. Kenny had never mentioned the Survey Corps keeping titans for study, though that might have been before his time.
Dieter chuckled. "You'd have to ask Hange about that. She's the expert on titan research."
"I think I'll pass," Jaime muttered, remembering the unsettling gleam in the Squad Leader's eyes earlier. That woman looks at titans the way Sasha looks at meat.
The training yard, when they reached it, drew impressed gasps from several recruits. Multiple ODM gear courses stretched across the space, far more complex than anything they'd seen in their cadet days. Steel frameworks rose like mechanical forests, creating challenging paths through the air. Target dummies, some shaped like titans, others mere wooden panels, were positioned at various heights and angles.
"This," Dieter gestured broadly, "is where you'll spend most of your waking hours for the next month. The expedition beyond the walls is scheduled for thirty days from now, and you need to be ready."
Jaime glanced back at Ymir and Krista, noting how Krista's face had paled slightly and how Ymir's usual confident smirk had wavered. His mind was already plotting additional training sessions. They'd need extra practice with the more complex maneuvers, especially Krista.
"A month isn't much time," he thought, mentally cataloging what skills they'd need to focus on most.
"And now," Dieter announced with a slight edge to his voice, "for our final stop."
They rounded the castle's exterior to an area Jaime hadn't noticed during their arrival. Two massive figures sat unnaturally still against the backdrop of the forest edge. Seven-meter class titans, their grotesque forms contained by an impressive array of iron restraints. Thick metal collars around their necks kept them anchored in place, while a cage of iron bars ensured they couldn't move their limbs. Only their mouths remained mobile, occasionally opening and closing with disturbing slowness.
"Beautiful, aren't they?" an enthusiastic voice rang out, making several recruits jump. Squad Leader Hange emerged from behind one of the titans, her glasses glinting in the sunlight and her smile uncomfortably wide. "Come closer! They're perfectly secure, I assure you. Would you like to meet Sonny and Bean?"
The reactions were immediate and varied. Connie took several rapid steps backward, nearly tripping over his own feet. Sasha made a strange squeaking sound and grabbed onto Jean's arm, who looked too terrified to even shake her off. Mikasa's hand instinctively went to her blade handles, while Krista partially hid behind Ymir.
Jaime maintained his position, studying the titans with careful attention. Their eyes seemed vacant, yet there was something unsettling about the way they tracked movement. He noticed how their restraints were anchored deep into the ground, the engineering impressive in its thoroughness.
"She named them," he muttered, just loud enough for those nearby to hear. "Of course she named them."
"Oh, good to see you Jaime!" Hange exclaimed, suddenly appearing much closer than anyone was comfortable with. "I really liked your theory. We must discuss it over tea sometime!"
"Ah, perhaps another time," Jaime replied diplomatically, taking a subtle step back. "I'm sure you're busy with your... friends here."
"Nonsense! There's always time for titan talk!" Hange's eyes seemed to gleam with an almost maniacal light. "Did you know that Sonny here has shown fascinating responses to various stimuli? Just yesterday, we were testing his reaction to different pitches of sound, and—"
"Squad Leader," Dieter interrupted, much to everyone's relief, "perhaps we should let the new recruits settle in first? They still need to find their quarters and prepare for tomorrow's training."
Hange looked momentarily disappointed but quickly brightened. "Of course, of course! But please, feel free to visit anytime. Sonny and Bean love meeting new people!"
As they hurriedly followed Dieter back toward the main building, Jaime could have sworn he heard Hange beginning to hum what sounded suspiciously like a lullaby to the titans. The sound followed them, mixing unsettlingly with the occasional titan groans.
"Well," Ymir drawled, breaking the tense silence, "at least life won't be boring here."
"I think I preferred boring," Connie muttered, still looking slightly pale.
Jaime found himself agreeing with both of them. Life in the Survey Corps would certainly be interesting, though whether that was a good thing remained to be seen. As they headed back inside, he made a mental note to avoid Hange during teatime – or any other time, for that matter.
.
.
The late afternoon shadows were growing longer across the courtyard when a familiar voice called out behind them. "You all made it here!"
Turning around, Jaime saw Eren approaching, the new Survey Corps cloak settling naturally on his shoulders as if he'd been wearing it for years. Before anyone else could react, Mikasa was already in motion, crossing the distance between them with remarkable speed.
"Eren!" Her usually composed voice carried an edge of worry. "What did they do to you? Did they perform any cruel experiments? Are you eating properly? Did they—"
"I'm fine, Mikasa!" Eren cut her off, his face showing a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. "Would you stop treating me like a kid?"
From beside Jaime, Ymir let out a poorly suppressed snicker. "Mama Mikasa strikes again," she whispered, earning a slight smirk from Jaime. He noticed how Eren's irritation with Mikasa's protectiveness couldn't quite mask the relief in his eyes at seeing his friends again.
Eren's gaze swept over the group, nodding at familiar faces – Jaime, Reiner, and Bertholdt – before stopping abruptly at Jean. His green eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Oi, what are you doing here?" he asked, pointing at Jean. "I thought you were headed for the Military Police?"
Jean stepped forward. "Marco is dead."
The words fell like stones in still water, rippling through the group. The ambient sounds of the courtyard – distant horses, chattering soldiers, the wind in the trees – seemed to fade away, leaving only the heavy silence that followed Jean's statement.
"Marco is... dead?" Eren repeated slowly, as if the words themselves didn't make sense. His face showed the same disbelief Jaime had felt when they'd first made the discovery.
"We found him," Jaime added softly, the memory still fresh in his mind. "Jean and I, after the cannons had taken care of the remaining titans in Trost. He was just... there, at the end of a street." He could still see it clearly – Marco's body lying there, no witnesses to his final moments.
"No one was around," Jean continued, his voice hollow. "No one saw what happened. No one heard his last words." He let out a bitter laugh that held no humor. "Not everyone gets to die a hero's death, you know? Some of us just... die. And that's it."
The heavy moment was interrupted by Dieter clearing his throat. "We need to get you all settled in your rooms," he said, his voice gentler than before. "It's been a long day, and tomorrow's training starts early."
.
.
The first rays of dawn were just beginning to creep through the window when a thunderous voice shattered the peaceful morning silence. "UP! ALL OF YOU, NOW!"
Squad Leader Dimitri's commanding presence filled the doorway of the men's dormitory, his tall figure silhouetted against the dim hallway light. The room, which housed Jaime, Jean, Connie, Bertholdt, Reiner, and Armin, erupted into sudden movement.
Jaime was already reaching for his uniform, his body conditioned by years of Kenny's surprise training sessions to respond quickly to sudden wake-up calls. The stone floor was cold beneath his feet as he stood up on his feet, trying to wear his pants.
"Five minutes to be dressed and in formation outside!" Dimitri's voice echoed off the stone walls.
The room descended into controlled chaos as the other recruits scrambled to get ready. Connie, still half-asleep, attempted to stand up from his lower bunk but got tangled in his blanket. As he stumbled, a loud, unexpected sound erupted from him, right in Jean's face as the taller boy was bending down to help.
"CONNIE!" Jean recoiled in horror, his face turning green. "What the hell, man?"
"Sorry!" Connie managed between fits of laughter. "Morning gas!"
"I'll give you morning gas," Jean growled, grabbing his pillow threateningly.
"Save the pillow fight for after training, ladies," Jaime called out as he efficiently fastened his harness straps. "Unless you want to explain to Squad Leader Dimitri why you're late."
The mention of Dimitri sobered them up quickly. Within minutes, they were all dressed and rushing down to the courtyard where other recruits were already gathering.
The mess hall was a large, somewhat drafty room with long wooden tables that had seen better days. Breakfast, as Jaime quickly discovered, was a humble affair – hard bread, thin porridge, and what might generously be called tea.
From across the room, Sasha's voice carried clearly. "This is breakfast?" she whispered loudly to Mikasa and some other female soldiers. "There's barely enough here to feed a bird!"
"The Survey Corps operates on a tight budget," a calm voice explained from beside Jaime. He turned to find himself facing a tall, blonde woman with short-cropped hair and striking features. "I'm Nanaba, from Mike Squad."
"Jaime," he introduced himself, taking a seat as she joined their table. "You've been with the Corps long?"
"Eight years now," she replied, her eyes carrying the weight of experience that Jaime had often seen in veteran soldiers. "I couldn't help but overhear you were first in your class."
Jaime nodded, taking a bite of his bread. It was slightly stale, but he'd had far worse in the Underground. "What can we expect out there?" he asked, genuinely curious. "Beyond the walls?"
Nanaba's expression grew serious. "The most important thing is to never let your guard down. Titans can appear from anywhere, and the open terrain means visibility can be both your best friend and worst enemy." She paused, stirring her thin porridge. "Stay with your squad, watch your gas consumption, and always have an escape route planned."
"But we're the new batch," Connie interjected from across the table. "We won't be fighting titans right away, right?"
"Probably not," Nanaba confirmed. "Your first expedition will likely be observation only. Learning formations, signals, how to move in open terrain. Still," her eyes grew distant, "things don't always go as planned out there."
After breakfast, Squad Leader Dimitri led them outside. The morning air was crisp and clean, carrying the scent of pine from the nearby forest. Their boots crunched on the gravel path as they made their way to the training area.
"Today's exercise is simple," Dimitri explained, gesturing to the forest before them. "We've placed seventy titan mannequins throughout these woods. Your job is to locate and eliminate them by striking the nape, either solo or in teams. You'll be evaluated on speed, precision, and gas efficiency."
Jaime studied the forest, his mind already mapping potential routes. The trees were older here than in the training forests, taller and more widely spaced. It would require more precise timing and better gas management, but it also meant more room for creative maneuvering.
Kenny's obstacle courses were tighter than this, he thought, checking his ODM gear one last time. This should be interesting.
"Begin!" Dimitri's voice rang out, and the air filled with the distinctive sound of ODM gear deploying.
Jaime launched himself into the forest, the familiar rush of acceleration sending his heart racing. The world became a blur of green and brown as he swung between the massive trees, each movement flowing naturally into the next. This was where he felt most alive, most free.
He spotted his first target almost immediately - a fifteen-meter mannequin partially hidden behind a massive oak. Without breaking his momentum, Jaime executed a tight spin, using minimal gas to position himself perfectly for the strike. His blades cut deep into the fake nape, leaving a textbook elimination mark.
Three degrees more rotation would have been more efficient, he critiqued himself, already moving toward his next target. Kenny's voice echoed in his memory: "Perfect isn't good enough when perfect gets you killed."
From his peripheral vision, he caught glimpses of his fellow recruits. Mikasa was impressive as always, her movements precise and powerful. But where she relied on pure strength and speed, Jaime had learned to read the air currents, to use the natural flow of movement to minimize his gas usage while maximizing impact.
He spotted two mannequins ahead, positioned in a way that would be challenging to eliminate individually. Without hesitation, Jaime launched himself high above them. As he fell, he spun his body into a tight rotation, blades extended. The movement allowed him to strike both napes in a single, fluid motion before firing his hooks again to catch himself.
"Did you see that?" he heard someone exclaim from the ground. "He didn't even use gas for the kill!"
Jaime didn't pause to acknowledge the praise, already moving to his next target. The forest had become his playground, each tree a potential anchor point, each open space an opportunity for a new maneuver. He'd lost count of how many mannequins he'd eliminated.
Time seemed to flow differently in this state. Kenny had called it "the zone" - when instinct and training merged into something beyond conscious thought.
Finally, after what felt like both moments and hours, a signal flare indicated the end of the exercise. Jaime made his way back to the starting point, landing lightly beside his fellow recruits. Their faces showed a mix of exhaustion and exhilaration.
"Jaime: Twenty-eight kills," Dimitri announced, reading from his notebook. "Ackerman, Mikasa: sixteen. Kirstein: twelve. Braun: fourteen..."
Jaime barely registered the other numbers, his mind already analyzing his performance, identifying areas for improvement. He noticed several veteran Survey Corps members had gathered to watch, including Nanaba and Mike Zacharias himself.
"That's not normal," he heard one veteran whisper to another. "Even for a top graduate. He moves like he's been using ODM gear his whole life."
"Like a veteran," another agreed. "Did you see that double kill? I've only ever seen Captain Levi pull off something like that."
Jaime tried to ignore the whispers, though he couldn't help but feel a slight pride at the comparisons to humanity's strongest soldier. If they knew Kenny trained me, they'd understand, he thought. Though explaining that might lead to questions I'd rather not answer.
"Impressive work," Nanaba approached him, her expression thoughtful. "Though I notice you favor your right side slightly on vertical attacks. Might want to work on balancing that out."
Jaime nodded, appreciating the constructive criticism. "I noticed that too. Any suggestions for correcting it?"
As Nanaba began explaining some training techniques, Jaime caught sight of Mikasa watching him with an intense expression. He could read the competitive fire in her eyes - she'd want to train more now, to close the gap between their abilities.
Good, he thought. We'll need every edge we can get out there.
The rest of the morning was spent reviewing the exercise, with veteran soldiers pointing out areas for improvement and sharing techniques they'd developed for fighting real titans. Jaime absorbed every detail, knowing that soon enough they'd be putting these lessons to the test beyond the walls.
As they walked back to the castle for lunch, Jaime found himself walking beside Jean, who had been unusually quiet since the exercise.
"You know," Jean finally spoke, his voice low, "Marco would have loved to see that. He always said you moved like you were born with ODM gear."
The comment caught Jaime off guard, sending a pang through his chest. "Yeah," he agreed softly. "He would have been right up there with us, probably telling us all how we could work together better."
Jean nodded, a sad smile crossing his face. "We'll just have to be twice as good then, won't we? For those who can't be here."
Looking at the Wings of Freedom on their backs, catching the midday sun, Jaime couldn't help but agree. They carried not just humanity's hopes now, but the dreams of those they'd lost along the way.
We'll make you proud, Marco, he promised silently. All of us.
As Jaime followed his friends inside, he felt the weight of those promises, and the determination to keep them.
Kenny always said the hardest part isn't the fighting, he remembered. It's living up to the expectations you set for yourself.
.
.
The stone walls of the dormitory were still cool with morning shadow when the door creaked open. Jaime, already half-awake from years of Kenny's surprise training sessions, noticed immediately that the footsteps were different - lighter, more measured than Squad Leader Dimitri's usual thunderous entrance.
"Time to wake up," a feminine voice called out, causing several confused heads to snap up from their pillows.
Petra Ral stood in the doorway, her Survey Corps cloak draped neatly over her shoulders and her orange eyes scanning the room with quiet authority. Jaime had seen her around the headquarters - everyone knew she was part of Captain Levi's handpicked squad - but her presence here, waking the male recruits, was unexpected.
"Squad Leader Dimitri is waiting for you outside," she announced to the room at large, but then her gaze fixed specifically on Jaime. "Except for you, Jaime. You won't be training with the others today."
Jaime sat up straighter, his purple eyes meeting her steady gaze. "Ma'am?"
"You and I will be riding to a building about five kilometers from here. We need your help with something regarding Eren." Her tone was professional, but Jaime could sense she was holding something back.
Jean, still bleary-eyed, shot Jaime a questioning look as he pulled on his boots. Jaime gave a slight shrug in response - he was just as confused as the rest of them.
"I'll meet you at the stables in ten minutes," Petra added before turning to leave, her footsteps echoing down the corridor.
As Jaime dressed quickly in his uniform, he wondered what Petra wanted with him. Why would they need him specifically for something involving Eren? And why send Petra, of all people, to fetch him?
Jaime made his way to the stables, the sun just beginning to peek over the walls in the distance. The familiar scent of hay and horses greeted him as he approached Aethra's stall. The bright red mare's ears perked up at his approach, and she nickered softly in greeting.
"Morning, beautiful," Jaime murmured, running his hand along her neck. Her coat gleamed copper in the early light as he carefully saddled her. "Looks like we've got an interesting day ahead of us."
"She seems quite attached to you," Petra observed, approaching with her own horse. "Usually takes months for a Survey Corps horse to bond like that."
"Guess we understand each other," Jaime replied, mounting smoothly. Aethra shifted beneath him, eager to move.
They rode out through the southern gate, hooves clattering on the cobblestones before transitioning to the softer sounds of dirt and grass.
"What's really going on with Eren?" Jaime asked once they were clear of the headquarters. "Why do you need me there?"
Petra was quiet for a moment, guiding her horse around a fallen branch before responding. "Today will be the first time Eren attempts to transform since Trost," she explained. "Captain Levi and Squad Leader Hange requested your presence specifically. You're not only Eren's friend, but you've proven to be the most capable recruit we've seen in years. They think having you there might be... beneficial."
Jaime processed this information, noting what remained unsaid. A week had passed since Trost - why wait until now to begin experiments? And why bring in a recruit, no matter how skilled, for something this sensitive? But he kept these questions to himself, focusing instead on the path ahead.
The countryside rolled past as they rode, the walls looming ever-present in the distance. Occasionally, Petra would point out landmarks or potential titan approach routes. Jaime appreciated the tactical information, filing it away for future reference, but his mind kept returning to what awaited them at their destination.
"Five kilometers south," he thought, mentally mapping the location. "Far enough from populated areas in case something goes wrong, but close enough for quick support if needed."
The sun climbed higher in the sky as they rode, burning away the last of the morning mist. Ahead, a stone building came into view, partially hidden by a copse of trees. Jaime could make out several figures moving about.