Third-person POV
Mikasa sat next to Eren, her gaze wary. She was silent, but her hand was still gripping his shoulder tightly, as if she was afraid he would disappear somewhere.
The silence was broken by a voice behind them:
- Glad she survived.
Eren turned around sharply. It was the same man - with blue hair - who had saved Carla. His calm and confident demeanor made Eren a little confused.
- That... you saved her? - Eren asked, rising from his seat.
The stranger nodded slightly and smiled.
- Well, yes, you could say that.
Eren didn't know what to answer. His feelings were overwhelming, but he could only ask:
- Who are you?
The stranger looked at him and with a slight shake of his head, he answered:
- I am Rimuru.
- I... Eren. This is my sister Mikasa, and this is my mom," Eren pointed at Carla.
Mikasa nodded silently. Her gaze was still wary, but she didn't interfere with the conversation.
Rimuru took a seat next to Carla and examined her legs. He frowned, realizing the seriousness of the situation.
- 'The injuries are serious,' he said with a slight sigh. - If left untreated, at best she'd be crippled, at worst she'd die of shock or bleeding.
Eren squirmed, but Rimuru continued, trying to reassure them:
- However, I have something that can help her.
Rimuru reached over, pulled out a vial, and gently dripped a few drops onto Carla's lips. Almost immediately, her breathing became even and her injured legs began to recover. Eren watched this, unable to believe his eyes. The legs he had seen so damaged began to recover before his eyes. This seemed impossible. Eren felt a wave of relief rising in his chest again, but at the same time he was stunned by what he had just seen.
Carla opened her eyes slightly, but still remained in a semi-conscious state. Eren leaned closer to her, unrestrained by emotion.
- Mom! Thank you. for everything.
Rimuru tilted his head slightly, as if apologizing for his bluntness.
- It's not worth a thank you. Just take care of her. That's the most important thing.
Mikasa looked at him silently, her eyes full of questions as always, but she didn't say a word.
Rimuru stood up, getting ready to leave.
- You should get some rest.
He stepped back quietly, not removing himself from them, but giving them space to recover.
In the square.
Eren woke up to a light tap on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and saw Mikasa standing next to him.
- Eren, get up. Let's go. - She said, ignoring his surprised look.
He stood up, rubbed his eyes and followed his sister. As soon as they reached the square, a picture of chaos opened up before them. A crowd of refugees were lining up for food, but there was arguing and swearing everywhere. People were pushing, trying to get ahead, and almost no one remained calm.
Armin ran up to them, holding two buns in his hands. His face lit up with joy.
- These are for you," he said, holding out the food.
Eren raised his eyebrows in surprise.
- Where did you get this from? - He asked.
Armin smiled.
- It was given by that blue-haired man. His name is Rimuru.
Eren and Mikasa looked at each other. Armin's answer made them hesitate. But at that moment, a loud argument came from the crowd, drawing their attention.
Two soldiers were standing among the people, conversing. One of them, with a gruff grunt, said:
- Why should we feed these refugees? They only get in our way. It would be better if the Titans ate more of them.
Eren exploded with anger. His hands clenched into fists and his eyes filled with rage. Without waiting, he lunged forward and punched the soldier sharply in the stomach.
- You... - The soldier exhaled as Eren struck him.
The soldier cried out in pain, but immediately swung his fist, ready to retaliate. However, before his hand reached its target, it was grabbed with such force that the soldier couldn't move.
It was Rimuru. He appeared between them like an invisible man, clutching the military man's hand.
- I didn't think a military man had the guts to take a swing at a child," Rimuru said with slight sarcasm as he continued to squeeze the soldier's wrist.
- If I see you swing at a child again, I'll take your hand off.
The soldier, horrified by the pain, couldn't utter a word, only nodded furtively.
When Rimuru finally released him, the soldier collapsed to his knees, holding his hand.
Rimuru turned to Eren, who stood with blazing eyes.
- 'Come,' he said in a soft tone. - You don't belong here.
He led Eren back to where Armin and Mikasa had just stood. As they approached, Eren instantly noticed a familiar figure standing with his friends.
Carla saw him and immediately opened her arms.
- Eren! - she exclaimed, her voice filled with warmth and relief.
Eren rushed to her and hugged her tightly.
Rimuru, who was watching the scene, didn't interfere. He stepped aside, giving them a chance to be together.
A year passed. The camp gradually became quieter, the refugees adjusting to life beyond the Rose Wall. But hunger continued to be a serious problem.
The government decided to raise an army of refugees and send them on a counteroffensive to Wall Maria. The soldiers organized columns and thousands of people began to leave the camp.
The column moved slowly, accompanied by the muffled sound of footsteps and the rare orders of officers. The men walked without raising their eyes, realizing what lay ahead.
After a few hours the column disappeared over the horizon. Those who remained in the camp only cast occasional glances in its direction until it finally disappeared from sight.
The city of Trost.
A year passed, and Carla, thanks to Rimuru's help, found a new home. Life had improved somewhat, but Eren was still tormented by thoughts of what would have happened if Rimuru hadn't saved his mother. These thoughts didn't leave him even at night.
One night, over dinner, Eren, not hiding his worries, said with irritation in his voice:
- If he hadn't saved you, mom... if Rimuru hadn't been there for you, I... I don't know what I would have done.
Carla, hearing this, sighed heavily. Her heart squeezed at her son's words. She put down her spoon and, looking at him carefully, answered softly:
- Eren, you can't go on thinking like this. We are alive, you are here with us. You fought for us, and you are not alone.
Eren clenched his fists, unable to contain his emotions, and continued abruptly:
- But, mom, if it wasn't for him.... you wouldn't be here! If he hadn't saved you, everything would have been different, do you understand? I wouldn't have known exactly what to do if you'd disappeared....
Carla felt a heavy pang in her chest. She wanted to talk him out of joining the Intelligence Corps, but she couldn't. All she could do was stare anxiously at her son.
- I'm going to join the scout corps. - Eren said
- You can't go to the Intelligence Corps, Eren! It's too dangerous! You don't realize what you're signing up for! - she said, trying to contain the anxiety in her voice. - We've just started living normally... you can't...!
Eren shook his head, almost ignoring her words.
- I can't sit back, mom. I can't just wait for the titans to show up again. I'm joining the Intelligence Corps, it's my path. I have to do this.
Carla closed her eyes in despair, and then came the calm voice of Rimuru, who, standing in the doorway, said:
- Hey, Mrs. Yeager, don't worry! Everything will be fine. I'm with him if you need me.
Carla cried out in surprise, but Rimuru had that smile on his face that always helped ease the tension.
- You're with him? - Carla struggled to force herself to calm down. - But, Rimuru, it's dangerous! You're the one who...
- Oh, you know I can't sit idle when there are so many good people around! - Rimuru replied cheerfully. - We're all going together. So there's nothing to worry about!
Mikasa and Armin, who were standing in the doorway, raised their voices:
- 'We're joining too,' Mikasa said, clenching her fists resolutely. - If Eren is coming, so are we.
- Yes, we're with him," Armin added. - We can't stand by, as it is, our world is crumbling as it is.
Carla looked at them and, realizing that her words couldn't stop them, sighed heavily. Her eyes filled with tears.
- You all... You're not listening to me," she said, but her voice was bitter, not angry. - Don't forget what you all mean to me....
Eren walked over to her and hugged her.
- 'Mom,' he said, softly. - 'I'll do anything to come back. I promise.
Carla couldn't hold back her tears any longer, but nodded, pulling her son close to her.
- 'Be careful, everyone... Please.
Rimuru, smiling, said:
- Of course! And rest assured, none of us will disappear if I'm with you. We'll be fine, believe me.
————————————————————
The first day at the 104th Cadet Corps was relatively quiet. The new recruits were slowly getting used to their new surroundings, and the initiation ritual, while stressful, didn't cause any major problems for most of them.
Rimuru kept a little to himself as he watched Kis Shadis criticize the new recruits. His harsh words and stern tone made many nervous, but no one dared to object.
Shadis' attention was drawn to Sasha Braus, who stood calmly with a potato in her hand and nonchalantly ate it.
- Who the hell are you?! - he bellowed, looking at her.
Sasha, not particularly embarrassed, quickly swallowed a piece and smiled broadly:
- Sasha Braus, sir!
- What's in your hand? - he continued, still trying to figure out what she was doing.
- Boiled potatoes," Sasha replied calmly. - I was in the kitchen, I couldn't resist... It was already cooked, and I thought I'd better eat it while it was hot.
Shadis frowned even more:
- You stole the food? Why?
Sasha, still maintaining her equanimity, replied:
- If it gets cold, there's no point in taking it anymore, so I figured it was time to eat it.
She broke off half of the potato and held it out to Shadis:
- Would you like one?
A burst of laughter nearly broke out from some of the recruits, but they were quickly silenced when they saw the way Shadis looked at Sasha.
Rimuru watched the scene and couldn't help but smile.
"What a weirdo..." - he thought, but immediately felt someone else's eyes on him. Turning his head, he noticed Annie, Reiner and Bertolt looking at him nervously. But as soon as their eyes met, they quickly looked away.
"Strange guys..." - Rimuru noted to himself.
Later, as Sasha continued to run around the camp, her punishment became a favorite amusement for the other recruits who were watching from various points.
Eren, Mikasa, Armin, and a few other cadets were gathered on the porch of the building. They sympathized with Sasha, but honestly, most were thinking, "Well, who else eats potatoes at a formal ceremony?"
- She's been running for five hours already... - Armin said, looking at Sasha with regret.
- It looks like she's really not going to give up," Mikasa replied, watching Sasha with a look on her face like she thought she was just going to run endlessly forever.
- You know, if I got penalties for snacking on potatoes, I'd be the fastest runner among you all by now," Rimuru said with a smile, glancing around the crowd. - Maybe she shouldn't be in such a hurry. I think she just wants to eat the second portion too, not run.
Everyone laughed.
'Funny them new recruits...' Rimuru thought, smiling.
In the cafeteria.
- Are you really from Shiganshina? - one of the recruits asked, looking at Eren curiously.
Eren nodded calmly:
- Yep.
Noticing his answer, everyone started asking questions about what happened.
- Did you see the Colossal Titan? - Someone asked, not hiding their interest.
- Yes, I saw it," Eren answered, his gaze focused. - It was simply gigantic, taller than the wall. Its mouth... huge, and there was no skin on it. Just muscle and an aura of fire. It was... scary.
The cadets looked around, trying to imagine such a titan.
- What about an Armored Titan? - Another recruit asked. - What does he look like?
Eren was quiet for a moment, remembering.
- Armored... - he thought for a moment. - He looks like a normal titan, he just has very tough skin. If Rimuru met him, he would defeat him instantly. I'm sure of it.
Everyone around him fell silent in surprise. Reiner, who was sitting behind Eren's back, tugged at his shirt collar, trying to hide his nervousness, but he couldn't help but notice Eren's confidence.
- Wait, are you sure he could defeat the Armored Titan so easily? - One of the recruits asked, not believing his ears.
Eren nodded, his voice firm:
- Yes. He's strong, much stronger than the titans. If he wanted to, he could handle any of them.
Reiner pressed his lips together a little, trying to hide his feelings. He didn't like Eren talking about Rimuru so confidently. It alarmed him, but he didn't say anything, only glanced away again.
- That blue-haired man you said saved you, right? - He asked, trying to sound calm.
Eren nodded.
- Yes, that's him. He's... Not just strong. He's like... not human, but still somehow... human. I can't explain it exactly, but he could definitely handle an Armored Titan.
The crowd in the dining hall was stunned. Reiner continued to remain silent, but his expression became more tense. He wasn't prepared for such power, and that feeling of unease never left him.
- Was it true that the Colossal Titan could step over the wall? - Someone asked.
Eren shook his head:
- No, that's a myth. He's not that tall. But still, he was huge.
The words hung in the air, and everyone was silent, trying to make sense of it. Eren, even though he was still a child, spoke with such confidence that his words sounded like the truth.
The next day.
On the open training ground, the recruits lined up in rows, waiting for their turn. The atmosphere was tense, each cadet was nervous in his own way, not knowing how he would behave the first time with the spatial maneuvering device. Keith Shadis stood in front, head bowed, watching the new recruits with an expression as if he was ready to find even the slightest mistake to punish.
- Let's see if you're fit first! - he bellowed loudly, his voice echoing across the court. - If you fail, you're no good even as bait! We'll send you back to the land!
Shadis looked around the rows of recruits and nodded to one of the instructors, who began the inspection. The lecturing instructor, walking along the recruits, began to explain to the younger one:
- 'This is the basics for now, but even now, you can assess your ODM proficiency. Look," he pointed with his chin at Mikasa, who performed the task with ease, "she's not even shaking because she understands what to do. That's what it's all about.
The younger man cast his gaze a little to the side and pointed a finger at Eren:
- And that one over there?
The instructor glimpsed at Eren, who was clearly trying to gather his thoughts, but decided not to say anything. Shadis only looked at it with slight displeasure.
When it was Eren's turn, he took a deep breath, checked his gear, and activated the ODM. However, instead of stabilizing himself, he abruptly flipped upside down. His face contorted with confusion, and he flailed his arms helplessly, trying to regain his balance.
- Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah!" he shouted desperately, hanging head down.
- Yeager! - Keith Shadis roared, looking at this spectacle. - What kind of chicken dance is this!
Eren tried again, but the result was the same
- Oh, that's what it is! - grumbled the instructor, pointing at him. - You better go feed the titans right away if you can't handle it!
At that moment, Rimuru, standing among the new recruits, raised his hand as if in a lesson:
- Excuse me, sir, but it seems the device is malfunctioning. It's worth checking the ODM.
Shadis turned sharply toward him, squinting his eyes:
- Who are you to interrupt?
Rimuru took a step forward without losing his good-natured smile:
- Just one of the cadets, like the others. But, you know, usually if something goes wrong, it's best to check out exactly what the problem is, isn't it?
Shadis gave him a hard look, but still turned back to the junior instructor.
- Fine! If this smartass is so sure, let's check it out. Yeager! Swap belts with Wagner!
Eren, not believing his ears, swallowed with difficulty. Thomas Wagner, who was standing nearby, quickly came over and helped Eren take off his belt. They exchanged gear.
Eren, now with serviceable gear, made the attempt again. He successfully completed the task, keeping his balance smoothly.
- No problems sir," he reported.
Shadis, seeing the success, hummed and noted with a dissatisfied look:
- That's the way to do it! Now march into formation!
Rimuru, observing what was happening, remarked with a smile:
- See? Sometimes logic saves the day. But sir, you could have saved time if you had checked it right away.
Shadis turned his head toward him, his gaze icy.
- One more word and you'll be polishing these pillars all day!
Rimuru couldn't resist a slight chuckle, raising his hands in a conciliatory gesture:
- Whatever you say, sir. I'm all for order.
A chuckle was heard among the recruits, but it was immediately drowned out by Shadis' loud shout:
- Silence! Continue with the test!
In the bedroom.
Late afternoon in the recruits' room. Eren and Armin were already settled on their bunks, resting after their training. The tranquility of the night was broken when two new recruits, Reiner and Berthold, approached them. They stopped near their beds, a little hesitant, but still started a conversation.
- 'Hi,' Bertolt said, with a slight smile, trying to make the conversation less formal. - We thought it would be nice to have a little chat. After all, we're all new here.
Reiner nodded, watching Eren and Armin. He looked a little wary, but still interested in the conversation.
- You two are from Shiganshina, aren't you? - Berthold asked, trying to start the conversation with an easy question.
- 'Yes,' Eren answered without getting out of bed. He and Armin exchanged a brief glance. - Though it's probably not the most fun place to talk about," he added sarcastically, smiling slightly.
- 'Eh, right,' Armin picked up on that, grinning. - We've all probably gained a bit of nerve there, and we're certainly not going back there anytime soon.
Bertolt smiled slightly, but his face remained serious as he continued.
- So, you know the titans too, I take it," he said, his voice becoming a little more serious, as if he was trying to figure out exactly how Eren and Armin could handle what was to come. - Why would you want to become soldiers then, when you've already seen what titans can do to humans?
Armin, sitting on the bed and shrugging his shoulders a bit, sighed, then answered.
- I can't sit back knowing that the titans can destroy everything we've tried to build. My goal is to protect those left behind the walls. If we don't fight, we'll all disappear. Eren on the other hand... he wants to destroy the titans.
Eren looked up, his eyes full of determination, but also a fear he was having a hard time hiding. He faltered a little, stammering.
- I want to destroy the titans... - He paused, his voice trembling. - I have to protect my... mom. But... I'm afraid that if the titans come again, I... I won't be able to protect her. If they... if they take her again... I... I have to be ready.
His voice was full of pain, and he was silent for a moment, as if trying to gather his thoughts.
Bertolt softened a little when he heard this, but his gaze still remained serious.
- I understand. But the titans... they are much stronger than you think. We've all seen it.
Armin continued, more thoughtfully.
- We can't just sit back and wait. We have to act.
Then Armin, trying to dispel the atmosphere a little, asked thoughtfully:
- Where are you from? Where were you before you came here?
Reiner and Bertolt exchanged glances, and on Rainer's face appeared something like a slight irony.
- 'Bertolt and I are from a mountain village on the southeastern part of the Maria Wall,' Rainer said, with a slight smile, but there was a hint of longing hidden in his eyes. - 'But you wouldn't believe how late the news that the titans had come reached us. They came faster than the news. We didn't even have time to prepare.
Armin, lowering his head thoughtfully, nodded.
- It's impossible to be prepared for something like this.
There was silence in the room again, but Bertolt, deciding to defuse the situation a little, spoke again.
- Well, the time is late, I think we should all rest.
Reiner nodded, and soon everyone said goodbye and went to their bunks.