Sensing the eyes upon him, Chen Si slowly began to speak.
"Are Titans really such terrifying beings? Are they truly born stronger than humans? I don't think so. The word 'Titan' still contains the word 'human.' That means they have two eyes and a nose just like we do. If they can be killed, then they can die. And if we're being honest, Titans are actually missing two organs compared to us."
Chen Si smiled faintly.
Many of the trainees present pondered his words carefully. That's right—Titans are still human. If they can be killed, then there is still hope.
"Missing two organs?" A few of the female trainees seemed to realize what he meant. Their cheeks flushed as they lowered their heads.
Seeing courage slowly rising among the crowd, Chen Si walked up to the blond trainee from earlier.
He tilted his head slightly upward—he was about half a head shorter than the blond boy. Chen Si felt slightly annoyed. Westerners really do mature early.
He had only grown to 178 cm at seventeen in his previous life, and not reaching 180 cm had always been a lifelong regret. He had hoped he might grow taller before twenty—but instead he transmigrated into the body of a 1.5-meter child. Now he wasn't even 170 cm yet.
"You're much taller than me. So what? Does that mean I should fear you? You're taller—but can you beat me? You can't. I could defeat you easily. Even if there were ten of you, you still wouldn't be my opponent. So just because Titans are bigger, does that mean we should fear them?"
The blond trainee broke into a cold sweat, unable to refute him. Chen Si was right. As the top-ranked cadet, if Mikasa and Annie didn't step in, he could likely take on the top ten trainees alone.
"Captain Levi is only about 160 centimeters tall. Yet at 160, he chases down Titans and cuts them apart like slicing vegetables. If you're 180 and can't do the same, does that mean you should be afraid? Or are you saying everyone here who's 180 isn't even as capable as Levi—or me?"
His words struck deep, especially those who prided themselves on their height.
Reiner's heart trembled. He's so similar. That natural leadership aura—it reminded him of Marcel. No… even Marcel hadn't possessed this kind of charisma or eloquence. This was what Reiner had always wanted to learn. What he had always wanted to become.
At the same time, fear crept into Reiner's heart. An enemy like this was humanity's fortune—but their misfortune. Fortunately, the human body was fragile.
Annie gave Chen Si a long look, something rippling quietly in her heart.
Historia listened to every word with earnest focus. She reflected on them deeply, clenching her small fists. A bright light shimmered in her blue eyes. I want to become someone brave like Section Leader Chen Si too.
Mikasa's lips curved into a faint smile, as if proudly thinking, See? That's my man—no… my brother… no… my man.
Chen Si had no idea about the turmoil in Annie and Historia's hearts, nor about the internal struggle Mikasa was experiencing.
"I will fear no Titan. I will dedicate my life to driving them from this world. I will not spare a single enemy. Bones will turn to dust—but we shall endure, generation after generation! The world belongs to humanity! The world belongs to Paradis!"
He struck his fist against his chest and shouted.
After hearing this speech, Eren was utterly awestruck.
"The world belongs to humanity! The world belongs to Paradis! Drive out the Titans!" Eren was the first to respond, shouting excitedly.
"The world belongs to humanity!"
"Drive out the Titans!"
Everyone present was shaken by the speech. All of them were swept into the rising tide of emotion.
Sasha and Connie were shouting so hard their faces turned red.
Krista waved her small fists, shouting along at the top of her lungs.
Even the usually quiet Mikasa and Armin joined in.
From initial indifference, Bertholdt felt as though his very soul had been shaken by the speech. You think surviving endless speeches from teachers and principals back in the 21st century was for nothing? Chen Si thought smugly.
Chen Si looked around with satisfaction at the unified thunder of voices.
Bertholdt's clothes were soaked with sweat. Looking at the excited crowd, he couldn't help wondering what kind of person they were up against.
What frightened him even more… was Reiner.
Chen Si was surprised to see Reiner shouting passionately along with everyone else. He nodded slightly. Not bad. Knowing how to repent might at least earn you a cleaner death.
Outside the mess hall, Commander Keith Shadis had been about to storm in after hearing the commotion, but the Chief Instructor stopped him.
"Listen. The cadets are shouting," the Chief Instructor said in astonishment.
"Shouting?" Keith frowned.
He listened closely. The voices grew louder and louder until the thunderous chanting burst through the mess hall and into his ears.
"What is this?" Keith's pupils trembled.
"The world belongs to humanity!"
"The world belongs to Paradis!"
"Drive out the Titans!"
Even members of the Garrison stationed nearby gradually joined the rhythm, shouting along. The officers of the Training Corps began shouting as well.
Tears filled Keith's eyes as he shouted along with them.
Humanity still had hope.
The entire camp echoed with thunderous cries.
After receiving the mess hall scribe's record of what had been said, Keith's gaze lingered on a single sentence.
Behind him, the white-haired Chief Instructor read it aloud:
"Bones will turn to dust—but we shall endure."
"Ha! Hahahaha! Excellent! Excellent!" The usually refined Chief Instructor laughed heartily and openly.
Keith stood there in stunned silence, watching him laugh.
He knew this would be a day he would never forget.
And he had a feeling—
The future of humanity would turn with the 104th Cadet Corps.