At this moment, more than two hundred trainees hurriedly grabbed their gear and rushed to the supply station to refill their gas.
Fear. Panic. Anger. Confusion.
For the first time as trainees, they were facing Titans head-on. Different emotions flowed through every pair of eyes.
Supply Station
A bearded man with a gloomy expression slowly stepped onto the platform. He was the front-line commander of the Trost District Garrison — Kitz Woermann.
"An urgent report from the front lines: the Garrison's vanguard has been completely wiped out. The Titans have already breached Trost District. All members of the Training Corps are to follow the combat protocols established during training. Form squads and cooperate with the Garrison to head to the front lines immediately!"
"How could this happen?!"
"No way… If Wall Rose is breached too…"
The trainees erupted into an uproar. Every face had turned deathly pale. The front lines had fallen — the Titans were already inside the city.
"Silence!" Kitz roared.
"All personnel will be divided into three assignments: supply support, intelligence relay, and Titan extermination. The vanguard will be handled by the Garrison's interception squads. The central forces will consist of trainees led by the support squads. The rear guard will be commanded by the Garrison's elite units."
"There is one more critical point. So far, only the Colossal Titan has appeared. The Armored Titan may emerge at any moment to smash open the gates of Wall Rose. Your mission is to protect the evacuation of all civilians at all costs and defend Wall Rose to the death. Anyone caught deserting will face military punishment! Is that understood?"
"Understood!" the trainees responded in unison.
"Then, soldiers — dedicate your hearts! Dismissed!"
Kitz left in haste.
Many trainees struggled to accept the brutal reality before them. The thought of the coming battlefield filled them with dread.
Nearby, a trainee was vomiting repeatedly, supported by Historia.
Jean stood watching the chaos, his heart heavy with fear and suffocation. Lost in thought, he accidentally bumped into Eren.
"Hey, Jean. What's wrong with you?" Eren called out as Jean began walking away.
"What's wrong? I'm figuring out how to survive! You, of all people — you've wanted to join the Scout Regiment from the start. You've been ready to become Titan feed, haven't you?" Jean grabbed Eren by the collar, shouting.
"You idiot. Think about the hellish three years we've endured. How many times have we stood on the brink of death? We survived every time. We'll survive this too!"
"Damn it… I was just about to join the Military Police…" Jean ground his teeth, torn inside. In his mind, Eren's words from long ago echoed:
"Three years ago, this was the inner territory too."
"Jean, don't worry so much. We'll all be fine. Let's fight together." Marco approached, trying to comfort him.
Seeing Marco's steady resolve eased some of Jean's inner struggle.
Mikasa arrived late, carrying Chen Si on her back.
"What took you so long? And what's with him? Why's he being carried by a girl?" Jean snapped irritably.
Mikasa's face darkened. She didn't respond — only shot Jean a sharp glare before heading toward the stacked gas canisters.
Eren, moving briskly, paused and said seriously, "Chen Si just fought the Colossal Titan. He's injured."
Then he continued on without looking back.
"He's that reckless too…?" Jean felt his thoughts churn violently.
"As expected of Chen Si. We can't fall behind either, Jean." Marco sighed in relief upon seeing that Chen Si was merely unconscious, then ignited with fighting spirit.
I'm top ten in the trainee corps! I can't fall behind! Jean roared inwardly.
"Let's head to the front together, Marco."
"Yeah!"
"Mikasa, put me down."
Ten minutes later, Chen Si opened his eyes, feeling abundant electrical energy surging through his body — strength without limit.
Ah, hahaha. Your invincible father is back. Little Titans, wash your necks and wait for me.
Mikasa quickly stopped and set him down. She cupped his face, inspecting him carefully before pulling him into an embrace.
"Don't ever do something that dangerous again," she said sternly.
"Don't worry, Mikasa. Your brother is invincible. Look — I'm completely fine. The Colossal Titan even ran away." Chen Si grinned broadly, flashing eight gleaming teeth.
Mikasa examined him carefully. Not a single wound — though his clothes were torn in several places.
She began to remove her outer jacket to give to him, but he stopped her.
"I can't let others see your bare shoulders."
Mikasa blushed and obediently stopped.
"You're the top graduate of the Training Corps — Chen Si?" a soldier approached.
"That's me."
The soldier's expression sharpened. He saluted, dedicating his heart.
"Commander Pixis wishes to see you. Please come with me."
Mikasa looked uneasy. Chen Si gave her a reassuring glance.
The soldier seemed to notice their closeness.
"Rest assured. Commander Pixis only intends to commend Trainee Chen Si. He won't cause trouble."
Hearing this, Mikasa relaxed slightly.
Chen Si stepped forward, embraced Mikasa tightly, and whispered softly into her ear:
"Don't get hurt. I'll be back soon."
"…Okay." Mikasa's face flushed faintly.
The shy expression vanished the moment she turned away. She swiftly hoisted the gas canisters onto her back and departed.
Chen Si watched her for a moment.
"Youth really is wonderful," the soldier muttered, thinking of his former lover — long since devoured by Titans.
"I didn't catch your name," Chen Si said.
"Garrison Regiment, Squad 21, Vice-Captain Trutt. (OC) You should go in. I'm heading to the front lines."
"Come back alive. I'll introduce you to someone."
"Hahaha. My heart already belongs to someone. But we can share a drink."
"Deal. Though as a young man, I'd rather not associate with someone who looks that old — but I'll make an exception."
"I'm only thirty! How am I old?!"
"Ah, then you just age fast."
"We're here. Go inside. I'll see you at the front," Trutt said quickly before leaving — afraid another exchange might make him collapse from irritation.