The 13-Year Campaign

Chapter 3

Eren Jaeger swung upside down in front of the entire Corps. You had already finished your aptitude test, easily and quickly before him. You were accustomed to balancing and movement control so you knew exactly what to do.

Eren on the other hand did not. The teasing he got for the rest of the day was relentless. You couldn't help but notice that the and was enjoying the limelight just before. You would've pitied him if he hadn't disparaged the dropouts the day before. The tables had turned, and now he was the one unable to cut it. But the more mature part of you could see who he was and how broken this made him. He went on and on about Titans before, what he wanted more than anything, was vengeance. You didn't know exactly what the titans had taken but you knew he'd stop at nothing for it.

The passion did make him stand out to you. Would he ever achieve his goal? Who is to say?

That night you met a few more cadets and got more acquainted with a few more. One you met was Jean Kirstein who you recognized from the rite of passage ceremony and he remembered you as well. It was hard not to. He once again boasted about his certain admission to the military police and your contrast for a humble work in the Garrison. But you both respected the other's position.

Eren and Armin walked by as you two and the others stood on the porch. The group hushed as Eren walked by with his bandaged head and Jean smirked.

"All that bragging for what?" he said.

"Eish, no need to kick someone while they're down," you said, "who knows, he might do it tomorrow."

I bet you half my meal tomorrow that Jaeger washes out. You bet Jean and if you lost, you'd take his night duty and he'd owe you a meal.

It was settled and the next day was the moment of truth. The aptitude test commenced and Eren was the only one up for a second assessment. When he flipped upside down again, Jean smirked and nudged you with his arm. You sighed and prepared to concede until Shadis discovered the issue. As the crowd celebrates you elbowed Jean and said "Pay up."

That night you ate your soap as he grumbled next to you, gnawing on his hard bread and piece of bacon.

Eren strutted in with his friends and sat at the table next to you. He was fired up and back to his usual tirades about killing Titans. Jean told him to shit up and another fight nearly broke out until you and Mikasa calmed your respective friends.

When the air became less tense, Armin noticed your double portion.

"How'd you get two soups?"

I bet Jean here that Yaeger would be successful today.

Eren's eyes sparkled at that comment and Eren and unfortunately, Mikasa noticed. When you finished your soup with your assigned meal, you passed Jean's soup back to him.

"You don't want it?"

"I'm full, just be grateful," you stood and headed out the door. Eren watched you go.