In a world where magic intertwines with the unknown, a tale unfolds that diverges from the well-known legend of The Boy Who Lived. Amidst whispers of the extraordinary, emerges a new enigma : The Girl Who Lived. With eyes as piercing as molten gold...
After receiving permission from the Captain and Commander, Oluo, Sasha, Jean, Connie, Mikasa, Armin, Draco, Levi, Hange, Eren, and I rode toward the training camp where Instructor Shadis was still stationed.
As we approached the camp, I felt an eerie sense of nostalgia. It seemed like a lifetime had passed since I'd last seen this landscape. So much had changed. We had changed.
" Who's this Shadis guy again ?". Draco's voice sliced through my reverie.
" I told you yesterday, Malfoy". Oluo snapped, not bothering to hide his irritation.
Draco merely shrugged," Wasn't listening".
Oluo's jaw clenched," You little—".
" Former Commander of the Survey Corps," Hange cut in with a light smile, perhaps to defuse the tension." Shadis was the 12th, just before Erwin".
" What ? Seriously ?". Connie sounded genuinely surprised.
Hange chuckled softly," You really didn't know ? It's been a while since we've seen him".
As we arrived at the training grounds, we dismounted in front of the old barracks. From a distance, I spotted Shadis. He was standing with his back to us, eyes focused on a group of cadets who were struggling to carry heavy barrels. His posture was rigid, his aura intimidating—just like I remembered.
Eren cleared his throat and stepped forward," Instructor Shadis".
Draco gulped nervously. I couldn't help but notice how stiff he'd become upon seeing Shadis. There was something about the instructor's presence, a strictness that seemed to surpass even Lucius Malfoy's cold, unyielding demeanor.
As Eren saluted, I noticed Sasha hiding behind Jean, her eyes wide with anxiety. I couldn't blame her—most of her interactions with Shadis had likely involved getting scolded.
Without turning to fully face us, Shadis spoke, his voice gravelly," Let's talk inside".
Wordlessly, we followed him into the barracks, where the atmosphere thickened. The place was just as stark and utilitarian as I remembered—bare walls, cold air, and an overwhelming sense of discipline. Shadis, with little fanfare, served us tea as we took our seats around the table. Except for Sasha, of course, who stood rigidly against the wall, as if rooted there by sheer force of will.
Shadis glanced at her," What's the matter, Braus ? You're not going to sit ?".
" No, sir ! I'm fine right here !". Sasha blurted, standing even straighter, her voice a pitch higher than usual.
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Draco leaned toward me, muttering under his breath," Talk about being tense...".
The room fell into a tense silence. Shadis sipped his tea, his eyes distant, as if contemplating something far away. After a long moment, he finally spoke," Yes, I suppose the reason I used to summon you here in the past was to rake you over the coals... Well, it's only been a few months but you've all changed so much I barely recognize you".
