The Training Corps was preparing for a balance aptitude test.
The instructors were making their rounds nearby when an old instructor with graying hair suddenly looked at Mikasa, who sat suspended in midair with a calm expression, and remarked, "Now that's talent. She's barely swaying at all."
"Yes, talented enough to fall asleep in midair..." the young instructor said in a daze.
The old instructor looked over toward Chen Si. He, too, sat suspended in midair with barely any movement, though every so often he rocked back and forth as if he were on a swing.
More importantly, Chen Si had actually fallen asleep...
Over the past few days, Chen Si had secretly stolen a blade from the equipment department and tempered it with electricity every day. He knew full well how important weapons were. They didn't have to be exceptional, just hard enough.
Many soldiers were clearly strong, but once all their blades broke, they lost the ability to fight and became lambs to the slaughter.
"Hahahaha! Looks like we have quite a few geniuses this year. Soldiers who don't sweat the small stuff are exactly the kind who can achieve great things." The old instructor laughed heartily.
"Uh... over there." The young instructor was startled once again.
Eren was hanging completely upside down in midair, unable to straighten himself at all. His expression was utterly grim as he struggled nonstop.
"I suppose that's a kind of talent, too. Enthusiasm alone isn't enough to put you ahead of everyone else." The old instructor adjusted his glasses.
"What are you doing, Eren Yeager?! Get your upper body upright!" Keith Shadis roared.
Mocking laughter filled the air around him. Eren gritted his teeth, unable to believe what was happening.
The noise nearby woke Chen Si. He looked over at the upside-down Eren, whose utterly despairing expression was quite amusing.
Chen Si held back his laughter and decided he would tell him later.
That evening, Chen Si slept leaning against a rock nearby, while farther away, Eren repeatedly headbutted the ground under Mikasa and Armin's guidance.
Amid the deafening thuds of those headbutts, Chen Si slowly woke and looked blearily at Eren, whose head was covered in bumps.
Oh, I forgot to tell him. Oh well, a little hardship will do him good, Chen Si thought before going back to sleep.
After Mikasa woke him, Chen Si looked at the miserable Eren and drawled.
"Say, Eren, have you considered that you might not be the problem?"
"Huh? You mean Instructor Shadis is the problem?" Eren considered it in all seriousness.
Hearing this, Mikasa's expression immediately turned solemn.
"It must be because I haven't taught you well enough. Eren, let's keep going!" Mikasa said earnestly.
Eren touched his aching head, feeling rather inclined to refuse.
"Oh, come on, neither of those. I mean, could Eren's equipment be broken? Try mine." Chen Si put a hand to his forehead and simply spelled out the truth.
Eren froze, then took the test again with an expectant look.
"I did it! I did it! Ahahahaha! I can still join the Survey Corps!" Eren shouted wildly in excitement.
Beside him, Mikasa smiled in relief as well.
The mess hall that night.
As everyone around him sneered and mocked him, Eren flushed and retorted on the spot:
"Just you wait! I'll definitely pass the test tomorrow!"
"This guy really doesn't know his limits."
"And he still talks big about wiping out the Titans."
Listening to their remarks, Eren's face turned bright red.
"Eren." Mikasa shook her head.
"Don't get worked up, Eren. Chen Si already figured out that the equipment was the problem. Just prove it to everyone tomorrow," Armin urged from beside him.
Watching Eren, who looked ready to drag everyone straight to the training grounds to prove himself, Chen Si shook his head. He really is a kid. A perfect chance to show off and make them eat their words-you've got to make the most of it.