Trained To Kill

Chapter 3: Hell Has Come Early

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3 Years Later

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"Offer your lives!"

"""""""""Yes, sir!"""""""""

The 104 cadets all saluted the Commandant, the lot of us standing in the courtyard at our graduation ceremony, the field only being lit by several large torches. A stage was planted in front of us, where the several authoritative figures stood.

"From this day forth, all of you who have graduated from being trainees have three options! Firstly, the Garrison, which is responsible for wall fortification and defending the towns. Secondly, the Survey Corps, which resolutely ventures outside the wall into Titan territory. And lastly, the Military Police Brigade, which governs the citizens and maintains order. Of course, only those announced can select the third option, as they are the top ten!"
The Commandant pulled out a slip of paper, folded like a document. He cleared his throat.

"Number 10: Krista Lenz!"
The blonde perked up beside me, looking up at me when I smirked down at her, patting her shoulder. I mouthed 'good job', getting a smile back from her and a look of ire from two different people behind me.

"Number 9: Sasha Braus!"
My eyebrows rose at that.

'Huh, Potato Girl got 9th... Not bad.'

"Number 8: Connie Springer!"

'And the dull blade in the workshop proves to be more sharp than he's worth. Interesting...'

"Number 7: Marco Bolt! Number 6: Jean Kirstein!"

'Figures...'

"Number 5: Eren Jaegar!"
I whistled softly.

'Well, he made it in. That's an achievement in itself.'

"Number 4: Annie Leonhart! Number 3: Bertholdt Hoover! Number 2: Reiner Braun!"

'All expected, and I'm pretty sure I know who the top cadet is.'

"Number 1: Mikasa Ackerman!"

I nodded in confirmation, looking down the line to smile at her proudly. She glanced at me, giving a light nod before turning back forward.

"These ten cadets are among the best of the best, and thus, gain entry to-"
He stopped mid-sentence when Shadis leaned over to him, whispering into his ear and giving him another document. He opened it, then nodded.

"We have one more cadet to announce entry chance into the Military Police, one who, as I've just now heard, is responsible for building up most of the cadets who are present in the top ten. Raymond Seraph! Front and center!"
I walked past the rows of cadets and stood in front of the line of top ten, saluting the Commandant.

"Sir!"

"From this document and the many observations made during the last few years in the 104 cadet corps training period, it is documented that you are responsible for leading cadets such as Krista Lenz, Eren Jaegar, and Mikasa Ackerman into the top ten! It is reported that you put their grades above yours, working to lead them to the strengths they possess today! You demonstrated leadership at its finest for the last 3 years and completed those years with academics equal to our number 1 cadet! This is a rare occasion, but you have been enlisted as the Number 0 cadet, a place higher than Number 1! Congratulations!"

I kept my form before going at ease with the others.

"This concludes the graduation ceremony! Enjoy tonight and think wisely on your choice, for tomorrow, you are to pick one of the three military branches to enlist to! Should you not choose, then the choice will be made for you! You are dismissed!"