Still Standing | Levi Ackerman

5

It was finally time I could begin light training. The severity of my broken rib was enough for it to still be fractured as my hands were healing nicely. There was still bruising on my palms but it was nothing compared to before.

My concussion was gone, and I think my broken fingers were as good as new.

My hands had definitely gone through hell.

While the cadets trained I was assigned to do a lot of laps to make up for all the practice I missed. And on a lucky day I was allowed to do some light combat on the training dummies. Every other day I would have to go back to the infirmary for Moblit to help me with physical therapy on my hands.

I finished buttoning my uniform just as a firm knock came from my door. I turned my head to the sound and was about to go and open it until the voice of the person stopped me.

"Bring your ODM gear to training today." Captain Levi said on the other side, his footsteps soundly getting farther away from my door. I perked up excitedly at the order, instantly more energized knowing there's a chance I'll be able to join the other cadets at training today!

I arrived to training with my ODM gear, feeling giddy as ever. I tried suppressing my small grin of excitement that was hard to contain. I've always loved ODM training since there was less pressure without titans, and flying through the sky was obviously exciting to do if you already knew how to use the gear properly.

I wasn't sure if I should stand next to the other cadets or keep my distance since most of the time I would just go straight to my laps. I stood near the cadets, waiting for captains demands.

He walked in front of one end of the line to the other, scanning each individual to make sure everyone was at training and nobody was late or missing. His eyes stopped on me.

"Marina, you can begin your laps" He simply said, before returning his attention to the others.

I gave a salute even though he wasn't even looking. A small frown of disappointment painted my lips, and I tried to shrug it off as I began to run my laps. Perhaps it's just a warm up. Jesus, Marina. What am I all hopeless about? The cadets haven't even began to train with their ODM gear yet which means it just hasn't started. They're probably working on something else and I'll just be called once they get out their ODM gear.

I ran a lap.

Then finished 5 laps.

Which added to another 7 laps.

I kept running. My eyes checking the cadets every second to make sure they hadn't started putting on their ODM gear.

As I turned to look over again I somehow lost direction and ran into a tree. I rubbed my head, and to my shame didn't look back at the cadets again, instead I just ran my laps praying nobody saw that.

After more running, the sound of metal clicking and small chatter caused a hiatus in my legs. I stood there and saw all the cadets putting on their gear while talking. I stayed still and stared, waiting for a signal.

Captain looked at me.

His finger lifted into the air.

My signal!

But instead of his finger pointing for me to come over, it circled in the air to motion for me to continue my laps.