Tss! The sound of a blade cutting through the air echoed, slicing through the thick training dummy. On the over ten-meter-tall giant model, the part representing the giant's nape weak point had been cut open with a large gash.
Not far above, atop the treetops, a tall figure slowly slid the blade back into its sheath. Beneath the black tousled hair, a pair of black eyes were calm as still water.
Yago leaned against a large tree, watching everyone leap through the forest using their Vertical Maneuvering Equipment.
Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, two more years had gone by. This was the third year since Yago and his friends joined the Trainee Corps. In another month, the 104th class trainees would graduate.
Now, they were no longer just food for giants—they were powerful soldiers proficient in using the Vertical Maneuvering Equipment.
Yago wore his uniform with a lazy expression. Unlike the other trainees, Yago had two strange devices strapped to his calves, like sword hilts mounted on his legs.
Of course, after more than two years, everyone had long understood that this was Yago's unique equipment. The two rotating devices were equipped with hilts. In combat, Yago could mount two blades on his legs as well, achieving all-around slashing attacks.
Unfortunately, this special combat style and equipment could only be mastered by Yago. Thanks to the power of the Titan and his own heightened perception, he could keenly sense muscle movements and control the tricky rotating devices.
Instructor Keith felt both comforted and hesitant. Many of the current instructors already regarded Yago as the strongest trainee in history. Levi didn't count, since he had never participated in the Trainee Corps.
The hesitation lay in the fact that sending such an exceptional student to the Survey Corps was extremely dangerous. Keith had once served as the Survey Corps commander and witnessed countless passionate and skilled soldiers—unfortunately, nearly all had perished beyond the walls.
Yet, selfishly, Keith still hoped Yago would join the Survey Corps. Compared to the other two corps, the Survey Corps needed elite soldiers more than anyone.
"You're slacking off again." A voice suddenly came to Yago's ear. Annie held a broken blade segment, tapping the damaged piece while watching Yago, who was goofing off in the tree.
Yago replied lazily, "This isn't slacking. I just don't want to put too much pressure on the others. I've already cut through a third of the giant model. If I cut more, I'm afraid they'll all come after me tonight."
Annie paused but didn't argue. Yago's strength was truly remarkable, and his scores were deservedly first. What puzzled Annie was that Yago's theoretical class grades had also improved unexpectedly. He clearly slept through most of the lessons.
"If you don't want to train, then the two of us can spar for a bit." Annie raised her arms, eager to start.
Yago straightened up. In two years, he had grown taller. He looked down at Annie, whose head barely reached Yago's chin.
"Tsk tsk tsk, Annie, forget it. With this height difference, there's nothing to compare." Yago shook his head, grinning.
A black line appeared above Annie's head. The next moment, Yago fell in a streamlined trajectory, leaving a footprint on his butt.
Using his Vertical Maneuvering Equipment, Yago easily landed on another tree. Annie followed.
"Aren't you going to cut more giant models?" Yago asked in surprise.
Annie waved it off, "No need."
The two sat in the tree, staring blankly at the forest.
"I heard next week there'll be a Trost simulation attack training. Commander Pixis of the Garrison will also attend." Annie said suddenly, without preamble.
"Really? Then you have to perform well, Annie. Commander Pixis is a big deal—the highest-ranking officer in the southern Garrison. I remember you wanted to join the Military Police, right? If you impress him, promotions will come easily." Yago sighed.
Annie's expression darkened slightly. She had thought long about joining the Military Police to get close to the Founding Titan, but she couldn't let go of Yago.
Yago insisted on joining the Survey Corps. The corps' 80% death rate chilled Annie. She didn't want Yago to die at the hands of the Pure Titans.
Annie had once hesitantly suggested that Yago join the Military Police with her.
If Yago hadn't experienced so much, perhaps for Annie, he would have joined the coveted Military Police.
But Yago carried too many secrets. His memories were incomplete. He wanted to uncover all the mysteries—why he became a Titan, the light, that girl, the white coat, Marley…
Too many secrets awaited Yago. A comfortable life couldn't help him. That's why he resolved to join the Survey Corps.
After Annie's two hints were rejected, she seemed to realize Yago's determination and no longer brought it up. But thinking of her father back home, she sighed. She couldn't ignore him, and Yago—perhaps forgetting the past wasn't so bad. At least he wouldn't bear too many burdens.
Whoosh! Sasha and Connie zipped past the two.
"Ha! Yago and Annie are slacking in the trees! We found you!" Sasha shouted. Connie joined in,
"Slacking! Slacking!"
Yago and Annie exchanged a smile. Yago stood, twisted his neck, and whoosh! Drew a blade with his right hand.
"No need to hold back for these guys. Let's show them the true strength of the 104th class leader!"
Yago leapt, Vertical Maneuvering Equipment spraying gas, his figure cutting across the sky.
Annie smiled faintly and leapt after him.
Jean finally saw a giant model after flying around for a while. Excited, he rushed over, raising his twin blades. Before he could strike, a lightning-fast figure had already cut down the model he aimed for.
"Yago! You bastard, that's too much!" Jean yelled in frustration. This monster had taken a third of the points alone and now was stealing theirs. Would there be any points left?
"Jean! Sorry, I was caught slacking, so I have to keep going!" Yago's voice rang in his ear. Jean gritted his teeth, cursing the one who interrupted Yago's slacking. Couldn't he slack properly?
Elsewhere, Sasha and Connie sneezed simultaneously.
"Huh, that's strange. Feels like someone's scolding me." Sasha touched her head, dazed.
Connie, astonished, said, "I feel like someone's scolding me too! Are they scolding both of us at the same time?"
"Very possible!"
Ignoring these two, Yago's gaze shifted elsewhere. Eren had cut down a giant model but got the blade stuck, almost falling. Mikasa stayed close to him.
Armin and Mina were talking, though no one knew about what. A bit farther, Reiner and Bertolt looked grim. Reiner's expression was strange—sometimes gloomy, sometimes righteous, sometimes secretly scanning for Historia.
Instructor Keith closed the roster and went to the window, gazing toward the forest. He murmured,
"104th trainees, it's time for you to spread your wings and soar!"