Through Heaven's Eyes

Chapter 6 - Beyond The Numbers.

Ivana stared at the exam paper, her eyes locked on the unforgiving number at the top. The clamor of the classroom faded away, swallowed by an enveloping silence that seemed to drown her thoughts. Weeks had passed since they took the test, each day spent in anxious anticipation of the result. She had passed—just barely, one point away from failing.

However, this wasn't an achievement to be proud of. The score glaring back at her felt like a betrayal of her own hard work. If it hadn't been for Reiner's help, she would have failed. Yet here she was, clutching this flimsy paper, a reminder of her inadequacy. His words echoed in her mind, louder than any encouragement from her peers. "Asking for help isn't a sign of weakness; it's a tool to help you reach your goal."

The score wasn't just a number; it was a stark reminder of her mistake, a lesson learned the hard way. But she vowed silently to herself: she wouldn't let it happen again. Not this way, and most importantly not alone.

In the weeks that followed, Ivana began to implement small but significant changes. It started with something as simple as raising her hand in class. At first, her heart raced, and her voice trembled slightly, but with each question she asked, the tight knot in her chest loosened a little more. To her surprise, her peers didn't see her vulnerability as weakness; they respected her for seeking clarity.

One day during a training drill, when the instructor asked if anyone needed a demonstration, Ivana hesitated. Normally, she would have remained silent, but something pushed her to raise her hand. The instructor demonstrated a new grappling technique on her, talking her through each step. Ivana listened intently, memorizing the flow of the move. Once the demonstration was over, she practiced with Mikasa relentlessly until she perfected it. For the first time, instead of frustration or fear of failure, she felt a different sensation: progress.

As the months rolled on, Ivana grew increasingly comfortable leaning on her peers. She studied with Armin and Marco, joining group sessions instead of isolating herself in her own thoughts. She sparred more frequently with different partners, stepping outside her comfort zone and away from her usual matchups with Mikasa, which embraced the chance to learn from others. Each unique style Ivana encountered deepened her understanding of combat and self-defense.

Every loss became a lesson, and each lesson brought her closer to her goals. This approach not only honed her skills but also strengthened her bonds with her peers. They pushed each other harder, fought tougher, and laughed more freely during the fleeting moments between grueling training sessions.

There were times when the weight of her workload felt suffocating, and moments when her endurance was tested to the limits. During their morning runs, Ivana often pushed herself until her legs gave out, collapsing into the dirt with her lungs burning. But each time, her stamina improved. Each time, she got back up faster.

Her instructors began to take notice. They had always kept a watchful eye on the cadets, measuring their progress, but Ivana's efforts began to stand out. She might not have been the most naturally gifted, but her determination and resilience captured their attention. 

Though her physical strength improved for the better so did her academic knowledge. Ivana found herself drawn to specific classes, particularly their history sessions with Mr. Bauer. Unlike his wife's rigid style, Mr. Bauer's calm demeanor captivated his students. His storytelling transformed dry facts into engaging tales of bravery and strategy, and he held Ivana's attention every lesson.

In her free time, Ivana eagerly made her way to the library, devouring books on history, military strategy, and battle tactics. She wasn't just interested in knowing how to fight—she wanted to understand what made a soldier truly great. Her fascination centered on renowned generals and soldiers, but one figure stood out above all others: Carmen Alemann, the first female commander of the Survey Corps, famously known as Paradise's Blade. Ivana found Carmen's story empowering, igniting a fire within her to aspire to that same level of greatness.