Teenage Life: With a side of Titans

Chapter 4 - The Military [1]

Chapter 4 - The Military [1]

EREN'S POV:

Here they were. Standing in line as the bald instructor hurled insult after insult at his unsuspecting victims. This man's name was Keith Shadis the most feared human individual in the history of the walls. 

One person stood out. His name was Jean Kirschtein. While seemingly normal Eren thought of this individual as a largely convoluted piece of trash. Jeans goals were to join the military police and live a life inside the walls full of luxury and comfort. That pissed Eren off immensely. 

It came as no surprise that Shadis weeded out Jean for his smug look and decided to quiz the "little bastard" on what was so commendable that he should be smirking the whole initiation. Jean replied hastily boasting about his skills and saying that he would live the comfortable life. The reply... A swift headbutt causing Jean to keel over and almost vomit from the force.

Next Shadis moved on to Armin asking him the reason why he enlisted in the military. Armin spoke about helping the human race overcome the large obstacle in their way to which Shadis simply called him "titan food" and sent him to the line of accepted newbies.

Keith Shadis was not impressed when he met Connie Springer. The child seemed to believe his heart was on the right side. The salute that had been created at the start of humanities military existence had been changed because this child could not tell left from right. He picked up Connie and stretched his eyes asking which side his heart was placed at. A slight munching noise caught Shadis attention before Connie could respond.

Turning his head Shadis saw a girl eating a POTATO!?

SHADIS POV:

In all his years he had never been speechless. This girl had finally done it. Sasha Blouse had broken Keith Shadis. 

Shadis didn't understand. Why? Why was this girl eating a potato at the military initiation!?

Sasha Blouse was a hunter from the villages in the mountains and as most could tell on their first meeting she loved food. Actually to say she loved food would still not be enough to describe her avid need to consume large amounts of rations.

Sasha looked towards Shadis and asked kindly if he wanted any. Everyone was shocked to see this girl barely fazed by the intense glare sent towards her. IF Keith Shadis had laser vision, Sasha Blouse would have been no more.

The rest of the initiation moved on quickly as Shadis picked on the kids that he deemed too soft or not fit for the military. He reasoned that by the end of the day over a quarter would be leaving on the wagon and heading back to their homes.

Shadis felt the need to create a blank slate. If the teenager felt the need to join the military then their previous precious lives were of no use while fighting. He needed soldiers. Soldiers that would fight and not be scared to give up their lives for humanity.

EREN'S POV:

Keith Shadis was a fearsome man. However, for some reason he walked right past me and I didn't know why until I overheard some older trainees that had joined the garrison speaking to each other. They claimed that Shadis knew he wouldn't need to make a clean slate for some soldiers as they had already experienced horrors and matured.

I can only guess this means Shadis knows we have been through some troubles over the course of our lives. 

'I hope he takes it easier on Krista though, she breaks quickly.'