As the summer sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the training camps, the cadets braced themselves for the culmination of their grueling efforts—the graduation ceremony.
The air buzzed with anticipation, a bittersweet mix of pride and the weight of what lay ahead. Of the original recruits, only 218 had made it this far, some earning honors that would forever mark their names in history.
Nightfall came swiftly, draping the horizon in a dark canvas dotted with countless stars. Beneath the vast expanse, the cadets stood tall in an open field, their uniforms pristine, fists pressed firmly against their chests in solemn unity. Keith Shadis stood at the forefront, his weathered gaze scanning the battalion. Beside him, an older man and his assistant observed with quiet reverence.
"Do you have heart?!" Keith bellowed, his voice cutting through the stillness like a blade.
"Sir!!" The response roared back, a resounding echo of sincerity and resolve from the gathered cadets.
Keith began to speak, his tone carrying both authority and the weight of experience. He recounted the roles of the three military regiments: the Garrison Regiment, responsible for wall maintenance and defense; the Scout Regiment, whose bravery extended beyond the walls to confront the Titans head-on; and the Military Police, tasked with maintaining law and order within the capital and serving the monarchy. His words painted a vivid picture of the future that awaited each cadet, depending on the path they chose—or were chosen for.
"Those eligible for the Military Police have already been listed," Keith announced. "The rest of you, listen closely. These are the top of your class!" His voice carried pride and finality as he gestured toward the assistant with foggy glasses, who stepped forward with a parchment in hand.
Eren stood among the ranks, his expression neutral but his mind restless. He watched as the assistant began reading names aloud, one by one, the top ten cadets stepping forward to receive their recognition.
"Christa Lenz!" The name rang out, and Christa beamed, her smile radiant even under the dim starlight. She stepped forward with unwavering confidence, her golden hair catching the faint glow of the torches lining the stage. Ymir, standing among the ranks, cheered loudly, her voice cutting through the formal atmosphere with unrestrained pride.
Eren's gaze lingered on Christa for a moment, then shifted.
Mikasa's brows knitted together, her expression clouded with unease. Her head dipped slightly, the weight of disappointment evident as the names of the top cadets were called one by one. Pieck Finger, Jean Kirschtein, Annie Leonhart, Bertholdt Hoover, Porco Galliard, Reiner Braun, and Marcel Galliard. Each name struck a chord, but hers wasn't among them.
It was as though the world had dimmed for her, the weight of unfulfilled expectations pressing down like a suffocating shroud.
Then, cutting through the stillness like a bolt of lightning:
"Mikasa Ackerman... Please step forward."
Her breath hitched as her eyes widened, disbelief washing over her face. Eren, standing stoically to the side, glanced at her from the corner of his eye. His expression didn't betray much, but his gaze shifted briefly toward the blonde cadet standing at the edge of the formation, ranked tenth.
Eren's sharp eyes caught the blonde's reaction—features twisted with a venomous glare aimed at Mikasa, fists clenched tight, her teeth gritted in silent frustration. A simmering darkness clouded her eyes, though her words remained unspoken.
Mikasa, still frozen in place, felt tears brimming uncontrollably in her eyes, the quiet sting of relief and disbelief mingling together.
"Ackerman," Eren's voice broke through, low and commanding, his tone strict but calm. "Go ahead."
She nodded hastily, wiping away the tears with her sleeve, a warm smile tugging at her lips. Composing herself, Mikasa stepped forward with pride, delivering a sharp salute as she joined the top-ranked cadets.
"And now..." Keith's voice boomed once more, drawing all eyes to him. "The top of your class—Eren Lenz. Step forward."
Eren let out a quiet sigh, mist escaping his lips in the cool night air. As he moved to step forward, a familiar blue screen materialized before his eyes.
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Main Mission:
Graduate As The Top Cadet (1/1)
Status: Complete.
Rewards:
500 System Points.
The Attack Titan:
Powers:
God Mode — Full Potential (Unlocked)
———————————————
Eren's brow furrowed, the faint flicker of intrigue crossing his otherwise stoic features as the blue screen displayed details of the so-called evolved form of the Attack Titan.
"God Mode, huh?" he murmured, his voice a quiet rumble of skepticism. His turquoise eyes scanned the intricate details laid out before him, each word hinting at immense power but shrouded in ambiguity.
Just as his thoughts began to churn, dissecting the implications of such a transformation, another notification materialized before his eyes with a faint chime.
——————————————
System Notification:
Evolved Form Unlocked: "God Mode"
Duration: 5 Minutes
Effect: Absolute Power and Immunity (at a cost)
Strength Boost 100x
Devil's Blessings
Warning: Excessive Use Will Drain Lifespan
——————————————
Ignoring the notification for now, Eren closed the screen with a mere thought, his indifferent expression unchanged. He strode forward with a calculated calm, the stars above casting a faint glow over his figure as he prepared to face the ceremony that awaited him.
Eren sighed, stepping forward with an air of indifference as the medal was draped over him. His expression remained unreadable as the higher-ups extended their hands, offering congratulations and inquiring about his plans for the regiments. His replies were curt, his tone bored and disinterested, betraying no hint of excitement or pride.
All the while, whispers rippled through the ranks of cadets. Envy burned in the eyes of some, while others, who had long suspected Eren would claim the top spot, watched him with bitter acceptance. For a few, it was a mix of awe and resentment—his ability spoke for itself, but his detached demeanor grated against their own struggles for recognition.
Standing beside him, Mikasa leaned in slightly, her voice soft and steady. "Ereh... I knew you'd be ranked as number one," she said with quiet certainty.
Eren didn't spare her a glance, simply nodding with a "Hmm," his mind already elsewhere, distracted by the system notifications flooding his vision. Missions, objectives, and a slew of updates scrolled across the translucent screen in front of him.
"What a pain," he muttered internally, his focus detached from the festivities around him.
---
The atmosphere shifted as the ceremony ended, giving way to a more relaxed celebration in the mess hall. Cadets crowded the room, their chatter blending into a cacophony of laughter and raised voices as they basked in the hard-earned success of their grueling three-year training.
Eren, however, found himself in the center of another kind of attention. A small group of girls had gathered around him, their eyes sparkling with admiration, their voices warm and inviting.
"Congratulations, Eren. I always knew you'd pull it off," one girl said with a soft coo, her smile bright as she brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
Another chimed in, stepping closer. "You're always so calm, even under pressure. It's... impressive."
Eren's turquoise eyes flicked toward them briefly, his expression unchanged. He didn't respond, merely offering a polite nod before turning his gaze back to the notifications in his mind.
"What's so impressive about being number one?" he thought, his detachment only adding to his mystique in the eyes of his admirers.
Across the room, Mikasa watched the scene unfold, her lips pressed into a thin line. Her scarf shifted slightly as her grip tightened, and though she stood with quiet composure, the sharp glint in her eyes betrayed a hint of unease.
On the other side the usual Reiner, Bertholdt, Annie, Porco, Marcel and Pieck stood camouflaging their true intentions with the mask of their success that each ranked in top ten.
Erens eyes darted from the group to the blonde girl with azure eyes sitting on the edge of her seat head on her forearms as she sat slumped on the chair hiding her face with that icy eyes and pale skin.
"Looks like you lost, huh?"