"Huff… huff… huff…"
Lock regulated his breathing like a machine as he ran.
For nearly six hours, his pace had not changed.
At first, he had broken the wind for Sasha, running slightly ahead to reduce her resistance. Later, when she truly could not keep up, he stopped slowing down for her.
Darkness had fallen.
Dinner at the mess hall had long since ended.
Running on an empty stomach, Lock silently cursed Keith.
If you hate nobles, fine—hate nobles.
Why take it out on a fourteen-year-old?
Was the former Commander of the Survey Corps really this petty?
…Wait.
When Keith had been Commander, Father hadn't retired yet.
Did Father constantly cut their funding back then?
That seemed highly likely.
After overtaking Sasha yet again, Lock's resentment faded slightly.
His father had never been a particularly benevolent man.
Perhaps Keith's venting a little anger was understandable.
He comforted himself through gritted teeth.
Seeing Sasha's unsteady figure ahead, Lock knew she was at her limit.
Just as he prepared to step forward and support her—
Keith emerged from the darkness like a specter.
"Enough. You are dismissed."
"Yes, sir!"
Lock curled his lip at Keith's retreat.
He moved to Sasha's side, half-supporting her as they staggered toward the dormitories.
Before long, several figures approached them.
The smell of food hit Sasha first.
She instantly revived, broke free from Lock's arm, and lunged forward.
"Hey, Sweet Potato Girl," Ymir drawled lazily. "Krista saved some food for you. You'd better thank her."
Lock recognized Ymir immediately.
Which meant the petite blonde girl beside her was Historia Reiss.
She really was delicate.
As if sensing his gaze, Ymir shifted slightly, placing herself between Lock and Historia.
A tall blond boy with a broad frame stepped forward, holding two pieces of bread and a waterskin.
"I'm Reiner Braun," he said easily, handing Lock the water first. He patted his shoulder with practiced familiarity. "We were watching you two from over there. You're impressive. You don't look like you've been running six hours."
Lock took measured sips of water while glancing past Reiner.
Marco. Bertholdt. Connie. Annie.
He smiled brightly.
"I've run like this since I was young. I'm used to it."
Reiner handed him the bread and asked casually, "I heard you say you're from the inner district of Wall Rose. But your father's a former councilor of Mitras, right? Why not live within Wall Sina?"
Before Lock could answer—
"What are you all doing here?"
Keith's voice cut through the night.
"The bell for dorm return rang long ago. Do you wish to run more?"
The group scattered instantly.
…
The cadet dormitories were sixteen-person rooms filled with bunk beds.
Lock did not recognize any of his assigned roommates.
Perhaps intimidated by his background, no one attempted conversation on the first night.
Lock appreciated the quiet.
After changing clothes, he lay on his bunk and frowned at the lingering sweat.
Bathing was permitted only once every three days.
And with so many boys crammed together—
Elise's earlier complaints resurfaced in his mind.
Lock clenched his jaw.
Endure.
…
That night, he dreamed again.
Since transmigrating, he had repeatedly entered the same dream.
Each time he woke, he forgot the contents.
Yet upon entering again, he knew he had been there before.
A translucent panel hovered before him.
[Host: Lock Leon]
[Age: 14]
[Stamina: 10] (Average adult male: 5)
[Strength: 8]
[Agility: 9]
[Talents: Combat Prodigy, Bloodline of Ymir]
[Skills: Eight Extremes Fist (3), Form-Intention Fist (1), Great Spear Technique (3)]
Only in this dream did Lock fully recognize the existence of the system.
Yet days had passed, and nothing had changed.
No quests.
No instructions.
Only this panel.
Values increased slowly over time.
That was all.
Failing to discover anything new, his consciousness sank once more into darkness.
…
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The morning bell shattered the base's silence.
The daily schedule was relentless.
Wake at six for drills, followed by breakfast.
Morning lectures focused on Titan's knowledge, military structure, duties, and history. Tactical courses would come later.
One hour at noon to tidy quarters—no lunch provided.
Field training in the afternoon.
Dinner at six.
Occasional emergency drills after dark.
For adults, the intensity was manageable.
For children under sixteen, it was punishing.
Many struggled in the early stages.
Lock, however, found it manageable.
His greatest concern—the food—had already been resolved.
Thanks to prior arrangements with the cooks, and with the first month's supplies from the Leon estate delivered to the base warehouse, overall rations had quietly improved.
The quantity was sufficient to elevate the quality of meals for the entire intake.
In effect, everyone benefited from his presence.
Of course, Lock did not eat with them.
He had special meals prepared separately.
Feudal privilege, once again.
Reiner, aside from their first interaction, did not approach him again. Only a brief nod when they passed each other.
Lock found that curious.
Then again, Reiner was not someone to measure by ordinary standards.
…
One morning during lecture, Instructor Jerry, a silver-haired veteran, addressed the class.
"At present, we believe Titans lack cognitive abilities comparable to humans. No successful communication has ever been recorded."
…
"Their physical structure differs entirely from that of other organisms. Titans lack reproductive organs, and their means of reproduction remain unknown."
"However, most exhibit distinctly male physiques."
Lock instinctively glanced toward Annie in the front row.
She was yawning.
Sensing his stare, Annie turned sharply and shot him a cold glare.
Her expression was dark, almost frightening.
Yet at this age—
Lock found it oddly endearing.
He gave her a small, subtle wave.
"Lock Leon!"
"Present!"
He rose automatically.
"I saw you raise your hand. Do you have a question?"
Jerry adjusted his glasses, gaze sharp.
Lock spoke seriously.
"Sir. Medical texts indicate that secondary sexual characteristics are influenced by hormones secreted by reproductive organs."
"For example, male hormones promote facial hair growth. Female hormones influence breast development."
"If Titans lack reproductive organs entirely, then what we interpret as 'male physiques' may simply be default forms."
He avoided looking at the reddening faces among the cadets and concluded calmly,
"This is only my personal hypothesis, Instructor."
Jerry nodded approvingly.
"A reasonable theory."
"However, Survey Corps reports document numerous Titans with prominent beards."
"What explanation would you offer for that?"
---
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