Ryo was not happy with the idea of going behind the Wall of Sina.
Sure, it would guarantee his safety, but it would also strip him of the chance to confront Titans and hone his skills in battle. Without combat experience and the opportunity to face Titans, how could Ryo grow stronger and gain the experience he needed to "level up"?
As someone determined to overcome the Titans, hiding behind the safety of the Wall of Sina was an unbearable thought. Unless the Titans breached the wall—which would spell disaster for humanity—he'd never have the opportunity to fight. The prospect of becoming a bodyguard for some senior official was equally unappealing.
Those high-ranking officials were usually old men or women, entitled and accustomed to giving orders. Ryo had no intention of being at anyone's beck and call, especially when his true aspirations lay on the frontlines.
**"No,"** Ryo thought firmly. **"If I want to become stronger, I need to stay where the action is."**
He also had another reason to refuse the offer. The "little angel," as he fondly referred to her, wasn't strong enough to make it into the top ten recruits. Without that rank, there was no chance she'd be assigned to the Military Police Regiment and placed behind the safety of the inner walls. If Ryo left for the Wall of Sina while she stayed on the battlefield, the risk to her life would be far too great.
Ryo knew he had to stay by her side. He felt responsible for her safety, even more so now that he understood the depth of her kindness and determination. She was hardworking but not yet strong enough to fend off the dangers of the Titans on her own. Until her identity as the future queen came to light, Ryo was determined to protect her.
"Instructor," Ryo said with unwavering resolve, "I want to stay on the frontlines. I refuse to go behind the Wall of Sina."
His tone was firm, leaving no room for debate. Instructor Keith studied him for a moment, seemingly unsurprised by his response. The man nodded with a faint smile, his expression calm.
"Very well," Keith said. "You can return to the team."
For a moment, Ryo hesitated, unsure if Keith meant the regular training corps or the one-on-one training sessions he'd been undergoing for the past month.
"Instructor, do you mean—" Ryo began, but Keith interrupted with a knowing smile.
"Return to the camp directly," Keith clarified. "During your absence, someone's been asking about you almost every day. Seems like they care a great deal for you."
Keith's words carried a hint of amusement, but their meaning struck Ryo deeply. He immediately thought of her—the silly, earnest girl who must have been worrying about him all this time.
"She must have been worried sick,"Ryo thought, his chest tightening at the idea.
With a quick salute, Ryo spun on his heel and bolted from the room, eager to reunite with her. Keith watched him go with a slight shake of his head. Once the door closed, the instructor turned his attention to the appraisal report sitting on his desk.
The report, meticulously compiled by the evaluators overseeing Ryo's special training, was glowing. It confirmed what many already suspected: Ryo was an exceptional talent, a once-in-a-generation prodigy. At just thirteen years old, his combat abilities rivaled those of seasoned Survey Corps veterans.
The evaluators had been so impressed by Ryo's potential that they recommended him for a rare and prestigious role. With proper training, they believed he could one day succeed Levi Ackerman as humanity's strongest soldier.
Yet, there was a problem. Levi, despite his unmatched skill, was considered an unsuitable candidate for protecting the royal family due to his troubled past. The powers behind the Wall of Sina were searching for someone new to train as their leader's bodyguard, and Ryo seemed to fit the bill perfectly. The appraisal report in Keith's hands was the final step in making that a reality. All it required was his signature.
Keith tapped his pen against the desk, deep in thought. The glowing evaluation described Ryo as not only skilled but also intelligent and adaptable. However, it was clear from their earlier conversation that Ryo had no interest in being confined to the inner walls, far from the battlefield. He craved action, not safety.
**"This boy..."** Keith muttered, a faint smile playing on his lips. He picked up the pen and hovered it over the document. But instead of signing the recommendation, Keith wrote a single negative evaluation.
"Not suitable for service behind the Wall of Sina due to insufficient loyalty."
Keith leaned back in his chair, satisfied with his decision. If Ryo wanted to stay on the frontlines, then Keith wouldn't stand in his way. After all, true loyalty wasn't about obeying orders blindly. It was about following your convictions, and Ryo's conviction to fight on the battlefield was unshakable.