Hellfire • L.A.

Best Interest

One Month Later

The cool breeze that sweeps through the training field is refreshing against my hot skin dotted with sweat. I watch over the soldiers that Erwin has assigned to my new squad carefully, being sure to assess what will need work before next month's expedition to Shiganshina. Erwin has barely given any details as to what the plan would be yet, and most of the Scouting Legion is getting antsy, myself included.

The squad Erwin had chosen for me a week ago seemed nothing more than a group of misfits. They're skilled, no question that. However, most if not all of them don't seem to fit in around here. Two of them signed to the Scouting Legion shortly after Historia began her crusade to eradicate the Underground once and for all. It was extraordinary circumstances that Erwin permitted them to skip the three year training period. He mentioned to me that their skills would need more time to develop, but he had a good feeling about the two of them. They trained for one month at the camp and were sent to me once they arrived. At first, I was hesitant, but now I can see what Erwin was talking about.

The older of the two is a young woman with long brunette hair named Alice. Her skin is almost blinding in the sun from being deprived of sunlight for so long, but I can't say much myself. She's around my age and height, with the same build to match. She's not extraordinary, but I see potential in her. The younger is a boy no older than twenty with sapphire eyes named Colton. His skin is a darker olive tone, and he has a warm smile. The two of them came from the Underground together, but I have yet to learn what their connection is exactly. They couldn't possibly be siblings, and the differences were even too large for them to be cousins.

I regard with interest how Colton lands lightly on the ground after having been suspended for some time. His biggest weakness I have noticed so far is being stable on the ODM while in the air. He wobbles from side to side often, causing a loose grip on his swords and a shaky hand. If he doesn't get it fixed soon he won't last long in the field. Lucky for him we have time to fix it.

He jogs over to me, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. Once he stops in front of me and smiles and salutes, which I promptly dismiss.

"Was my landing better that time, Captain?" He grins like a puppy. He knows it was better than last time, but something I've noticed about him and Alice is their need for validation. They need to be told they're doing well in order for them to keep trying. It's not a bad thing, but it could be a weakness in the field if they're not careful.

"Yes, Colton, that was much better, but may I offer you some advice?"

He nods rapidly.

"Try not to ask if you're doing a better job or not. Recognizing your own accomplishments in the privacy of your own heart will give you confidence. Why do you think confidence is important in our position?"

Colton stares at me blankly, mouth slightly parted. I feel somewhat bad for making him feel that I've completely dismissed his improvement. When he doesn't respond, I answer for him.

"When you're in titan territory, there's no time to stop and ask someone what they think of anything really. You have to move swiftly, and now that our threats are not solely titans, we have to be able to know in our hearts that we're doing the right thing, regardless of what action we're taking."

"That was very well put, Captain Lux." Erwin's unexpected voice comes from behind me and I swiftly turn to see both him and Hanje standing there.

"Ah, Commander, thank you."

He nods to me and turns his attention to Colton. "You're doing well for someone who has been training for one month. Keep up the hard work."

"Yes, sir!" Colton salutes him and runs off when I dismiss him.