Lock quickly discovered that Annie's eating habits were anything but refined.
"Slow down. You'll choke."
When she kept glancing at the remaining half of the mung bean cake, Lock pushed his portion toward her without hesitation.
"Here. Take mine too."
He then poured the contents of his own cup into hers.
Annie looked up, cheeks dusted with cake crumbs, silently asking what it was.
"Grape juice. From my family's vineyard. Try it."
She eyed it skeptically before taking a sip.
"Well?"
She nodded almost instinctively.
At that moment, Mikasa and Armin entered the cafeteria, supporting Eren, whose head was wrapped in bandages.
The room quieted briefly, then erupted into whispers.
"Hey, Daz, wasn't that the kid who said he'd kill all the Titans?"
"Look at him now. He'll be sent to clear wasteland tomorrow."
"There's no food for useless trash."
…
Lock lightly tapped Annie's shoulder, who was beginning to look flushed.
"Look, Annie. That kid's head looks like it's steaming."
Annie held her forehead and stared at her cup, ignoring him entirely.
Lock frowned slightly.
Could Titan power users not process alcohol well?
Leon wine was famous—sweet as fruit juice at first taste, then a mellow warmth rising steadily to the head.
It was dangerously easy to underestimate.
What he had poured for Annie was already diluted. At most, it was a strong drink.
He hadn't expected her tolerance to be this low.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
The bell for dorm return rang.
Cadets began filing out.
"Mina!"
Lock called to a black-haired girl with twin braids.
Mina blinked in surprise.
He remembers my name?
She walked over.
"You're in the same dorm as Annie, right? She's feeling unwell. Can you help her back?"
"Ah… alright."
Mina tried lifting Annie, but struggled.
"Oh no, Annie, are you sick? Should we take you to the infirmary?"
"It's fine," Lock interjected smoothly. "I've studied some medicine. She's just dizzy. A night's sleep will fix it."
At that moment, Reiner and Bertholdt approached.
"What happened?" Reiner asked. "Is Annie alright?"
"She's just dizzy," Lock replied. "Bertholdt, you're the tallest here. Help us get her to the dorm entrance."
Bertholdt visibly stiffened.
"I… the regulations say boys aren't allowed near the girls' dormitory."
Mina looked around at the nearly empty cafeteria.
"Mikasa! Sasha!"
With their help, Annie was finally escorted away.
Reiner and Bertholdt exchanged a glance but said nothing.
…
As Lock headed back to his own dorm, Eren and Armin were waiting near the entrance.
"Lock," Eren asked directly, "when you flipped during the demonstration… how did you regain balance?"
Lock smiled faintly.
"You need strong core muscles. That requires consistent, targeted training over time."
Eren nodded, though he clearly did not fully understand.
"That's amazing."
Armin, more analytical, pressed further.
"Is there any technique for maintaining balance? Something we could practice?"
Lock shook his head.
"No shortcuts."
He looked at Eren.
"I've seen many people approach my father seeking help. He never decided casually. He would talk with them first."
"I once asked him what he looked for."
"He said he could tell from their eyes who was empty bravado… and who was truly willing to risk everything."
Lock met Eren's gaze.
"You're different from the ones mocking you."
"I believe you'll pass tomorrow."
Eren's eyes lit up immediately.
"Yeah! Thank you, Lock!"
…
Hot-blooded fools required the strongest encouragement.
Lock watched Eren walk away, forcing his own trembling hands still.
Eren Yeager.
Holder of both the Attack Titan and the Founding Titan.
A power capable of transcending time itself.
The one who would unleash the Rumbling.
Many would call him a fool.
Yet that fool would one day hold the power to destroy the world.
Lock glanced subtly around the dim corridor.
Is the future you watching me right now?
He had deliberately kept his distance from Eren within the Cadet Corps.
Why?
Fear?
You chose to enter the 104th to stand near the main current of events.
Now that you've met him… are you afraid?
Where is the resolve you had when facing stronger opponents in your previous life?
A faint chill ran through him.
[Adrenaline levels detected. Evaluating…]
Lock's eyes hardened slightly as he stared into the darkness.
"Eren. No matter what future you choose… I will survive."
[Activation conditions not met.]
…
"Dong! Dong! Dong!"
Another morning.
Another run.
"Faster! Are you planning to feed the Titans yourselves?"
"Last place gets no breakfast!"
As they ran, Annie moved up beside Lock.
"I thought you'd still be sleeping," he teased lightly.
She stared straight ahead, expression unreadable.
"Hand-to-hand combat training begins soon. I'll choose you as my partner."
Lock laughed.
"Trying to take advantage of me?"
"Narcissist."
She accelerated, leaving him behind effortlessly.
Moments later, Reiner matched his pace.
"I've noticed you and Annie getting close," Reiner said casually. "Interested in her?"
Lock looked at him directly and answered without hesitation.
"Of course. I plan to bring her home one day. I'll convince my father to approve our marriage. We'll hold the wedding under His Majesty's blessing."
His voice grew louder.
Nearby cadets turned their heads, some nearly tripping.
Reiner froze, mouth slightly open.
After a moment, he recovered and smiled sincerely.
"Then you'd better invite us. I'd like to meet His Majesty someday."
Lock grinned.
"Work hard, then. Only the top ten graduates will receive an invitation."
Reiner's eyes gleamed with competitive spirit.
"I'll be waiting."
He surged forward.
Lock watched his back as the smile slowly faded from his face.
Reiner.
After hearing all that—
Will you still choose to break down the gate in three years?
---
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