Attack On Titan: Pure Blood

Chapter 3: The 104th Recruit Troop Part 3 Combat Training

Diary of a recruit

Entry # 18

It has been almost a month since the physical training started for us to be able to use the ODM. To be honest, I constantly wonder if I can handle it. The training is intense, so much so that several times I have had to take a break to go to the infirmary to recover. In that sense, Armin is like me, but I don't have the intelligence that he possesses to be able to compensate for his physical deficiency.

Every day I find it harder to keep up with my teammates. I don't have the stamina, strength, or speed that others possess. And the only special thing I have is useless if I don't have the physical skills to use it.

And I never felt so weak until the day I met Annie Leonhart, and she kicked my ass like no one ever had.

Although... I can't get that strange feeling I had out of my head...

Victor was panting heavily as he climbed the slope toward the ravine where all the recruits were to gather. He was gasping for air, he was sweating deeply, his legs and chest ached, and his head felt dizzy.

True to Shadis's words, the training had grown in intensity more and more, and Victor was struggling to stay on his feet. His physical condition was never good, so undergoing this kind of training was really heavy for him.

"What are you doing, recruit sheep?! Are you so useless that you can't even keep up?" Shadis yelled from the top of his hair, keeping up with them.

"I-I can... I can do it, sir!" He yelled between gasps.

"Then pick up the pace if you don't want to be left behind!"

Shadis stepped back to look at the recruit last in line, a few yards behind Victor.

"Recruit Arlert, stop lounging around and keep running! You'll be the first to be eaten by the titans at this rate!"

"Y-yes, sir!" Armin exclaimed.

By the time they reached the top of the ravine, both Victor and Armin were gasping for breath. Armin had slumped to his knees as he breathed loudly, while Victor rested his hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath.

"Hey Armin, Victor, are you okay?" Eren asked, walking up next to them with Mikasa at his side.

"Just... give me a minute, and I'll be fine," Victor replied.

"Don't worry... I can... I can do it," Armin said.

"You should go to the infirmary to get some rest," Mikasa advised, looking worriedly at Armin, then glanced at Victor. "You both should."

"There's no need..."

"Mikasa is right, Armin," said a new voice.

They turned to watch a tall boy with a muscular build approaching. With light brown eyes and short blonde hair. Accompanying him was an even taller boy, with black hair and dark eyes.

Reiner Braun and Bertholdt Hoover, respectively. A couple of recruits who always seemed to be together. If one of them was close, the other was not far away.

"Reiner... Bertholdt..." Armin said in recognition, "It's not necessary. I just... need to rest a minute, and I'll be fine."

"I don't think you can continue training today like that," Bertholdt said sheepishly. "The next thing we have is combat training. It will be difficult for you to do it in the condition you are in."

Victor was still amazed at how someone with Bertholdt's height could be so shy. It seemed so unnatural to him. He didn't like being around his very much. He had no negative feelings towards the tall boy. In fact, he thought of him as kind, if a little shy. He was bothered by the fact that his own lack of height was even more noticeable next to Bertholdt.