Equanimity » Levi Ackerman

4 | 𝔊𝔥𝔬𝔰𝔱 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔭𝔞𝔰𝔱

𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖓𝖎𝖓𝖌: this chapter mentions heavy subjects like; miscarriage and marital abuse.

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After all of them had finally started to stretch, Maria waited patiently. One of the boys had been eyeing her down, but it did not faze her.

'Maybe I should try something interesting today.' Maria thought while crossing her arms. She did not know the strength of the cadets, neither did she judge them by their appearances.

"Alright, you can all stop stretching now." She let her eyes wander over the group. "You, what's your name cadet?" Maria was now making eye contact with the certain blond boy who had been ogling at her.

"Cadet Reiner Braun, ma'am." The seventeen-year-old saluted.

There was something in his eyes that Maria didn't like. Although he tried to keep a straight face, his mouth still displayed a small smirk.

"Go stand right here please." The blond teen complied, now grinning. It was almost like he wanted to boast himself about being chosen. Maria now looked over the girls. She smiled slightly. "And you-"

Reiner's eyes widened. "Cadet Mikasa Ackerman, ma'am." The girl replied.

"Good. Now, I want you two to show me what you've learned so far." "But... What do-" Before Reiner could finish his words, Mikasa came charging at him.

"Noo! Wait! Wait! Can't you give us a demonstration first?!" Reiner shouted trying to dodge Mikasa's punches. Maria cocked her head to the side. She put up her hand as a sign for Mikasa to stop.

The young girl took a few steps back and looked at the Lieutenant who mouthed a short; "Thank you, Mikasa."

"Oh? You want some example moves huh?" A small smirk played around her lips. "Sure, I can show you some." Reiner let out a relieved sigh. Being beat by Annie once, embarrassed him more than enough, let alone if Mikasa did.

"You'll be my opponent then." His eyes widened again, now regretting his words. Maybe being beat by Mikasa wouldn't have been as bad as fighting a Lieutenant. Maria shrugged off her jacket and got into a fighting stance. "Get into position and prepare yourself." She hummed.

Reiner moved into a defensive mode, trying to predict her movements. Although being almost twelve inches taller than the women before him, his confidence had completely disappeared.

"Do you think he's going to win this?" Sasha whispered. "Not a chance." Connie snickered back.

At that moment Maria lunged forward. She made him believe her fist was going to connect with his body but instead, she kneed him in the groin. Reiner doubled over groaning as some boys turned away at the sight.

"Oh my god, I felt that..." Connie now huffed.

Maria took his moment of weakness to her advantage and pulled his head forward to up-knee him in the face. Reiner stumbled back, now holding his bleeding nose. "I must admit, this was a dirty move, but most effective in hand-to-hand combat." Maria stepped back from the bleeding boy, now turning back to the other cadets. Reiner however, had other plans.

"What the hell does he think he's doing?!" Jean shouted. Reiner advanced at the young woman with balled fists, making contact with the left side of her ribs. Gasps were heard over the field as Maria got the wind knocked out of her.