Attack On Titan: Pure Blood

Chapter 2: 104th Cadet Corps Part 2: Aptitude Test

Diary of a recruit

Entry # 3

I didn't think training to use omnidirectional mobility equipment, ODM for short, was that difficult.

I can understand those people who retired, not being able to endure the intense training. It's not just about being able to use the equipment physically, but also having the mindset to be able to use it.

You may have the mindset and determination to be a soldier, but not the physical capabilities to be one. Eren Yeager was a clear example of that. Although I also came to doubt his mentality with what I heard the first night of training.

However, I am glad that things turned out well in the end. Humanity needs more people with Eren's determination and will. Even if his goal may become questionable.

Finishing dressing in his standard military uniform, Victor prepared to go to the field and take the most important test to see if he was capable of being a soldier. If he was fit to use the ODM, the main weapon used to kill the titans.

Victor would lie to himself if he said he wasn't a little nervous about it, but there was nothing he could do. He had to move forward and swallow his fear.

He rummaged through his belongings to get his special glasses. He couldn't use the ones he always wore because they would fall off when doing the exercises, like yesterday. So he strapped the glasses around his head and made sure it was properly adjusted, so he wouldn't buckle when making sudden movements.

Once he was ready, he went to the training ground, where the other recruits were beginning to gather.

Instructor Shadis stood in front of all of them. Behind him, there were several wooden pyramidal structures, from which hung a pair of cables with hooks.

"We will begin to assess your abilities!" Shadis bellowed, silencing the murmurs among the recruits. "For those who are unable to complete this test, they will not even be able to be bait! If they fail, they will go straight to the farmland!"

The most basic exercise of all. Capable of evaluating who is capable of using the ODM. The recruits had to be lifted with cables connected to their waists and kept in balance in midair. A simple but essential exercise to master the ODM.

When Victor was called by one of the instructors, he quickly went to have the cables attached and secured to the belt he was wearing.

"Are you ready, recruit sheep?!" Shadis asked.

'And go on with that sheep thing...' Victor thought, feeling annoyed when he heard the slight laughter among the other cadets.

"Baa," one of the recruits bleated, causing more laughter among the ranks of recruits. "I doubt a sheep can stay in the air."

Victor frowned heavily.

"I'm ready, sir," he replied, almost with a growl.

"Pick him up!" Shadis ordered.

One of the instructors turned the crank, causing Victor to be lifted into the air. Almost immediately, his body began to shake due to the loss of stability. Victor frowned and clenched his teeth in concentration as he tried to balance his body in midair.

'Don't think about anything... Focus.'

Finally, he was able to find his balance by distributing his weight along the straps across his body and stabilizing himself while suspended in the air by the cables attached to his belt.

'I did it!'

"Well, that's enough!" Shadis commented, seeing that Victor managed to stay upright in the air for more than a minute, "Put him down! At least we can use it as bait! We'll see if the titans like sheep."