"Lock Leon, what do you think the reason is?"
Facing Instructor Jerry's expectant gaze, Lock forced himself to continue.
"I believe Titans still possess gender distinctions."
Jerry gestured for him to elaborate.
"Instructor, you mentioned that a Titan's body does not grow. No matter how much time passes, its size remains fixed."
"In that case, wouldn't its physical characteristics also remain fixed from the moment of transformation?"
"If Titans were created for the purpose of hunting humans, then perhaps their forms were modeled after humans from over a hundred years ago."
"The original subjects could have included men and women, young and old."
"And the bearded Titans recorded in reports may simply reflect the appearance of adult men from that era."
Annie turned to look at Lock.
Her expression shifted slightly—surprise flickering in her eyes.
After confirming Lock had finished, Jerry did not immediately comment.
Instead, he asked, "Are you affiliated with the Wall Cult?"
"No. My family has no dealings with them."
"Then is this view your own, or something your family taught you?"
Lock answered firmly, "It is entirely my own deduction."
Jerry studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"Very well. I will forward your hypothesis to the higher authorities. If it is deemed useful, you will receive appropriate recognition."
He added casually, "I will also speak with Instructor Shadis about adding five points to your evaluation score."
"What do you say to that?"
Amid the murmurs of envy, Lock saluted sharply.
"Thank you, Instructor."
"Sit down. Now, let us continue discussing why Titans pose such a grave threat."
Lock glanced at Annie again, but only saw the back of her head.
Even so, a faint look of satisfaction crossed his face.
…
That afternoon, the cadets assembled at the training grounds.
Before them stood a series of tall training frames designed to assess aptitude for using the Omni-Directional Mobility gear.
Keith Shadis surveyed the crowd.
"First, we test your basic compatibility."
"If you cannot even manage this, you are not qualified to serve as bait. Pack up and go reclaim farmland."
His gaze locked onto Lock instantly.
"Lock Leon. Didn't you claim you wished to restore your family's glory?"
"Come. Demonstrate for everyone."
Lock felt his jaw tighten.
Every afternoon, regardless of the training subject, Keith called on him first.
The man clearly enjoyed placing him under scrutiny.
Fine.
Just wait.
After graduation, perhaps someone might accidentally trip the former instructor in a dark alley.
"Yes, sir!"
After fastening his harness, Lock raised his voice deliberately.
"Reporting! Lock Leon is ready!"
Keith wiped stray spit from his cheek without expression and signaled.
"Lift him."
The steel cables tightened.
Lock's feet slowly rose from the ground.
Years of martial arts training made him instinctively resistant to the sensation of suspension. The first time he had tested this apparatus at home, that instinctive resistance had caused failure.
But once adjusted, the principle was simple.
Maintain core stability.
Control balance.
Trust the equipment.
There was nothing inherently difficult.
Unless—
The world flipped upside down.
Lock's vision spun.
Impossible.
Keith stepped forward, peering into his eyes.
"What's wrong, Leon?"
"Where is your earlier confidence?"
Lock immediately understood.
The harness.
Just like the malfunction Keith had arranged for Eren in the past.
In a low voice only Keith could hear, Lock said, "You truly spare no effort, Instructor Shadis."
Keith's expression shifted almost imperceptibly.
"If you still doubt my purpose in joining the Cadet Corps," Lock continued quietly, "then your suspicion is misplaced."
His abdominal and back muscles tightened sharply.
With sheer control and explosive force, he swung his body back into alignment.
The frame steadied.
He hung perfectly upright.
Gasps erupted across the field.
Keith remained silent.
But inwardly, a single thought surfaced.
Ash… how did a man like you raise a son like this?
…
"You have seen Leon's demonstration," Keith announced flatly.
"Line up. One by one. Those who fail—leave."
…
As Lock returned to the group, Annie approached.
"Impressive," she said calmly. "To recover from that position… you're stronger than you look."
Lock raised a brow. "Are you implying I look weak?"
"I didn't say that."
Her tone was stiff.
Lock almost laughed.
He was certain Reiner had nudged her into this.
"Well, aren't you going to try?" he asked lightly. "Don't embarrass yourself like I just did."
"You can watch."
She turned away.
Moments later, a commotion broke out.
Through the crowd, Lock caught sight of Eren's bewildered expression as he struggled midair.
Lock looked away quietly.
…
That evening, Lock deviated from his usual private dining arrangement and entered the main cafeteria.
Partly to observe.
Partly for other reasons.
He quickly spotted Annie sitting alone in a remote corner.
Carrying his tray, he sat opposite her without invitation.
She glanced up, recognized him, and abandoned any thought of relocating.
"You don't usually eat here," she observed. "Why today?"
Lock smiled. "Are you paying that much attention to me? With so many people here, you still noticed I was absent?"
Annie rested her chin on one hand, lips curling faintly.
"Narcissist."
Lock reached into his pocket and withdrew a small bundle wrapped in fine silk.
Annie glanced at it.
"What's that?"
"Guess. If you guess correctly, it's yours."
She turned away.
"Fine, fine. I'll show you."
He unfolded the silk.
Inside lay a delicately shaped mung bean cake, no larger than his palm, topped with a single preserved cherry.
It had been sent from the estate the previous month.
Annie's eyes brightened—only slightly, but unmistakably.
"Where did you get that?"
"Quiet. It came from home."
She was silent for a moment.
Then, unexpectedly, she asked, "Has your father ever met His Majesty the King?"
Lock sighed theatrically.
"That change of topic is far too obvious."
"…Is it?"
"Forget my father for now." He broke the cake neatly in half. "It's very sweet. We'll split it."
Annie hesitated only briefly.
"…Fine."
---
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