Impossible Odds [Levi x OC]

FOUR: NO RESTRAINTS

According to Keith Shadis, if you couldn't find balance, you weren't even fit to be ammunition for a cannon.

It was the cadets' second full day at the grounds, and it was also the second day of the balance test, which they took on swing set-like bars. Each cadet was fitted with a leather strap that hugged their waist and came together at the front with a clasp, like a belt. On either side of the cadet's body, two wires that were attached to the bars hooked onto the strap. The cadet was then raised off the ground and was to stay upright; the ability to find balance was crucial in using the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear.

Shadis stood in front of the rows of bars and assessed each cadet; those who were able to stay upright for a certain amount of time passed the balance test and officially achieved the rank of "cadet". However, those were unable to stay upright failed the test, were deemed unfit to become soldiers, and would be on the next wagon leaving the grounds. Erwin and Levi stood behind the bars and merely observed.

At first, when Asami sat back in the strap like Mikasa and Sasha had, she'd struggled to find balance. Instead, she'd found balance by pushing her shoulders back and curving her whole body forward. She'd pointed her toes to the ground and extended her arms slightly to her sides.

"She looks like a bird," Levi had remarked monotonously, to which Asami laughed quietly. Admittedly, she had looked pretty odd compared to everyone else.

While most of the cadets were able to find and maintain balance, there were quite a few who couldn't--

--And one of those cadets happened to be Eren.

Now, Asami stood behind Eren, her hand on the lever that would raise him into the air and her eyes fixed on the back of his head. "You can do it, Eren," she told him, "I know you can. Show me what you've got."

Shadis stood in front of Eren, arms folded over his chest. He was visibly unimpressed. "Raise him," he commanded.

Asami did, and she could tell by looking at Eren that there was something wrong; he was struggling too hard to keep from tilting forward. 

Even so, for the first ten seconds, Eren managed to stay upright, and the spectating cadets waited eagerly for Shadis to pass him. A few even cheered him on. 

"His g—" Levi began, but Erwin cut him off. 

"Wait, Levi."

Asami combed over the various parts of Eren's strap. She couldn't see the belt clasp at the front of the strap, but she assumed that that's what was broken. That had to be why Eren was tilting forward so much. Any second now, he was going to lose control.

"Instructor—" she began, but that was when Eren started to fall forwards. He kicked his legs out, which jerked him backwards; he was going to hit his head again. Asami let go of the lever, releasing the wires from tension, and rushed forward. She caught Eren under the arms before his head hit the ground and quickly sat him up.

"Suzuki—" Shadis started. His voice was lethal.

"I'm sorry, sir," Asami said quickly, "But I think Eren's gear is defective."

"You think?" he snarled.

"Well, I couldn't see--"

"Either you know or you don't!"

Asami became defiant, and she said confidently, "Eren's gear is defective, sir. The belt clasp is broken."

This seemed to somewhat-satisfy Shadis. "Very well. Switch belts, then."
Asami and Eren each took off their belts. Eren handed his belt to Shadis and Asami hurriedly began fitting hers around Eren's waist.