"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Three bells echoed through the classroom.
Jerry, standing at the podium, announced loudly, "Time's up. Hand in your papers!"
He looked at the cadets before him. Compared to three years ago, their expressions had completely changed.
He smiled with satisfaction.
"This is your final examination with me. I congratulate you in advance on your graduation."
"May you dedicate your strength to humanity's ultimate victory!"
Lock, as class monitor, stood first.
"Salute the instructor!"
Boom!
Snap!
All the cadets rose in unison and performed the salute.
"Dedicate your hearts!"
Jerry's eyes reddened as he returned it.
"Dedicate your hearts!"
…
6:00 PM. Base cafeteria.
Jean, brimming with pride, was loudly explaining his insights on Omni-Directional Mobility Gear usage to Marco, making sure half the room could hear.
After listening, Marco smiled helplessly.
"You make it sound so easy."
Jean puffed up further.
"Of course. Not everyone can handle it."
He shot a glance at Mikasa.
Receiving no reaction, Jean added seriously, "The final ODM assessment is the day after tomorrow. If you really want to enter the Military Police Brigade, you'd better start taking notes."
At the mention of the Military Police, Marco looked up dreamily.
"If I can get in… working beside the King—there's no greater honor."
Jean suddenly slapped the back of Marco's head.
"Be honest. You want the Military Police because you want a safe and comfortable life in the interior, right?"
Marco protested hurriedly, "That's not how I think about it."
Before Jean could continue, Eren at the next table snapped.
"The interior? This used to be the interior five years ago!"
Jean turned sharply.
"I know that! So what are you trying to say?"
…
Watching with a smile, Lock knew they were about to fight again.
He leaned toward Annie across from him.
"Here it comes. Let's see if Eren's improved."
Annie had just set down her cup of grape juice. She glanced back.
The argument escalated. Both boys stood.
Mikasa immediately grabbed Eren's arm.
Jean's jealousy flared. He seized Eren's collar and unleashed another stream of insults.
Lock's eyes brightened.
"Here it comes!"
Suddenly, Eren grabbed Jean's wrist with one hand and his neck with the other. A hooking kick rotated Jean's body mid-air before slamming him onto the floor.
Lock whistled.
"Nice!"
He nudged Annie.
"He's learning from someone quite well."
Eren stood over Jean.
"While you were slacking off, I learned this after getting thrown around by that blonde couple."
Lock blinked at Annie.
"When did you spar with him?"
"Secret practice behind your husband's back?"
Annie calmly kicked his ankle under the table.
"Hiss—!"
Lock sucked in air.
At that moment, the cafeteria door creaked open.
Keith Shadis appeared like a specter.
"I thought I heard a disturbance."
Silence fell instantly.
Eren and Jean returned to their seats.
Then Annie raised her hand.
"Report. Lock was speaking ill of you behind your back. I disciplined him."
Lock froze.
"I—"
Keith roared.
"You again, Leon! Do you think I won't deal with you because of your father?"
"Lock Leon!"
"Sir!"
Keith glared.
"I have received intelligence that a group of bandits is plotting rebellion at a mine twenty kilometers from here."
"You will scout the situation immediately. Can you complete this mission?"
Lock glanced at Annie, who was puffing her cheeks to suppress laughter.
"Yes, sir."
"Louder!"
"I guarantee I will complete the mission, sir!"
"Bring full equipment. Not a single piece missing!"
"Move out!"
Bang!
The cafeteria door slammed.
"Pfft—hahaha!"
Annie burst into laughter.
The rest of the cadets shivered.
"Is this how that couple interacts?"
"Lock is pitiful…"
"Annie's laugh is terrifying…"
…
Graduation night.
Torches illuminated the parade ground.
"Dedicate your hearts!"
"Sir!"
Two hundred nineteen graduates saluted.
"Today, you face three choices!"
"First—the Garrison Regiment, defenders of the walls."
"Second—the Survey Corps, who venture beyond the walls, are prepared for sacrifice."
"Third—the Military Police Brigade, maintaining order beside the King."
"However, only the top ten have the right to enter the Military Police Brigade."
1st Place: Mikasa Ackerman
2nd Place: Lock Leon
3rd Place: Reiner Braun
4th Place: Bertholdt Hoover
5th Place: Annie Leonhart
6th Place: Eren Yeager
7th Place: Jean Kirschtein
8th Place: Marco Bott
9th Place: Connie Springer
10th Place: Sasha Blouse
…
The graduation party was held in a tavern in the district.
The Corps had rented the entire establishment, a long-standing tradition.
The tavern buzzed with noise as cadets speculated about their futures.
Lock scanned the room.
No Annie.
No Reiner.
No Bertholdt.
He let out a quiet laugh.
He didn't join Eren's passionate speech.
Instead, he walked toward a quieter corner.
Ymir and Historia were there.
Ymir was scolding her.
"If you'd just tried a little harder, you could've beaten that Sweet Potato idiot!"
"I worked myself to death helping you!"
"Do you want to die outside the walls?"
Historia lowered her head.
"I'm grateful. But I never asked you to help."
"Sasha earned her place. I don't want to take it."
Ymir clicked her tongue.
"Hopeless."
She noticed Lock approaching.
"Well, well. Young Master. Not looking for Annie?"
"Careful. She might get jealous."
Lock smiled lightly.
"She's off having a little snack without me."
"Seems only fair I do the same."
He sat down across from them.
Then he looked directly at Ymir.
"Have you decided?"
"What do you want me to do?"
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