The nameless hero

The Training Corps' base.

These were this year's newest recruits, and Bai Yu had come to see whether there were any promising candidates. After all, his squad still wasn't full.

Still, now that he thought about it, the timing was just right. Bai Yu looked at Mikasa, Eren, and Armin standing in formation.

So this was their intake? Come to think of it, there were three Titans here.

With rather ill intentions, Bai Yu looked at another three people in the ranks: a sturdy boy who seemed dependable, a girl with blond bangs, and a tall, black-haired boy.

Reiner Braun, Annie Leonhart, and Bertholdt Hoover.

Oh, right. There was one more. His gaze shifted to another girl with freckles on her face. Her hair was tied back, and she looked rather sharp-tongued.

Ymir.

Without thinking, Bai Yu's hand settled on his sword hilt, but then he lowered it.

Not yet. I can't beat that Colossal Titan for now. I can't withstand that steam unless I find a way to kill him instantly. But I want someone to inherit this Colossal Titan. Otherwise, we won't be able to beat Marley...

What a pain...

No, I still need to develop military manufacturing... but this government is another problem. Forget it. I'll just make a run for it when the time comes.

While Bai Yu's thoughts wandered, a voice suddenly reached his ears.

"What's your name? Where are you from? Why do you want to become a soldier?!"

Keith shouted at the youngster before him, demanding her name and purpose.

"My name is Kali Lang. I'm from Shiganshina District. I became a cadet to kill the Armored Titan!"

Those words made Bai Yu frown and look over. The girl was also around twelve, with black hair and faintly silver-white eyes filled with hatred for the Armored Titan.

Something about those words felt familiar.

Kali Lang? Shiganshina District? She wanted to kill the Armored Titan?

The more he thought about it, the more familiar it felt. Suddenly, it came to him, and he snapped his gaze toward the girl.

Unbelievable!

Well, that settles the second candidate too. I'll watch her for a while longer.

Okay, time for a nap. With that thought, his eyelids drooped. He simply leaned against the tree behind him, gradually closed his eyes, and fell asleep. As for Ming and Xiate, Ming was probably sneaking a drink, while Xiate was training.

[Personal stats:

Strength: 72.69 (+3.2)

Stamina: 85.4 (+5.1)

Speed: 82.2 (+1.9)

Mental reaction speed: 123.1 (+2)]

Over the past two years, Bai Yu's growth had been absurdly slow, but that was understandable. Humans had their limits, after all.

So I'm giving up my humanity!!!!

Ahem, just kidding...

Bai Yu was now putting his efforts into modifying the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear. He had already made three sets at the factory, along with plenty of spare main components for a fourth and fifth set later. He had forged them himself, having practiced many times in the System Training Ground beforehand. Forging wasn't a problem for him; it just took time.

These sets alone had taken two years.

Of course, they hadn't been assembled yet. They were sitting in Bai Yu's dorm room, and he planned to finish them when he got back. That would make cutting down Titans much easier.

He had no idea how much time had passed inside the system...

As Bai Yu was reading in the System Training Ground, he heard something, and the system panel popped up.

[External interference. Exit the Training Ground?]

Bai Yu selected yes.

The sleeping Bai Yu slowly opened his eyes and saw Eren, Mikasa, and Armin in front of him. Still groggy, he yawned.

"Oh, Eren. What's up?"

"Hey, Bai Yu! Why haven't you come to see us in so long? Damn it, you said you were going to join the Garrison Regiment, but you joined the Survey Corps before I could!"

Seeing Bai Yu sleeping there made Eren rather angry, but Mikasa caught hold of him.

Armin also looked at Bai Yu in confusion. After all, Xiate and Bai Yu were always together.

"Bai Yu, where's Xiate?"

Bai Yu rubbed his eyes and came to his senses.

"Oh, Xiate's practicing with the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear. I didn't expect you to become a cadet too. So, which regiment are you planning to join?"

Armin hesitated a little, but Eren spoke first, his voice full of longing.

"The Survey Corps, of course."

Behind him, Mikasa looked at Eren with concern, but she spoke up too.

"Yes. I'm going with Eren. Otherwise, he'll die."

"That's Mikasa for you. All right, hurry up and get back to training. You're talking about the Survey Corps when you might not even graduate?"

"Bai Yu! Don't underestimate me!"

Bai Yu's lazy tone immediately annoyed Eren, but before he could lose his temper, Bai Yu suddenly leaned in front of him.

"Eren, what's that hanging from your neck?"

"Oh, this? It's the key to our basement. My father was going to come back..."

Eren pulled out the key as he spoke, but halfway through, he seemed to realize something and said blankly,

"The key... when did I get this key?"

He couldn't remember?

Bai Yu's eyes flickered, but he interrupted Eren's thoughts and patted him on the shoulder.

"Training's starting. Hurry along."

Eren and the others turned around to see the instructor in the distance shouting at them.

"You lot! What are you still doing over there?!"

Startled, Armin and the others hurried back to the formation.

Keith ordered them to stand off to one side, loudly scolding them.

"What were you doing? If you have time to chat, you'd be better off getting more rest!"

Watching the three get scolded, Bai Yu couldn't help smiling at their misfortune. Then he felt someone looking at him. He turned his head and saw Kali Lang, the girl who wanted to kill the Armored Titan.

Bai Yu waved to her, then turned and left. He had settled on his target. He would come back after a while to check on her. If she really was who he thought she was, he would talk her into joining his squad.

A nameless hero...

Wearing his Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, Bai Yu kicked his way up the section of wall closest to the Survey Corps headquarters. There he spotted Ming sitting on the edge, drinking as he gazed at the distant grasslands.

Hearing movement behind him, Ming turned to look at Bai Yu.

Bai Yu greeted him.

"Ming, enjoying the view?"

Ming loved looking out at the scenery beyond the wall from here. Bai Yu also liked the feeling of gazing down from such a height. Even the Garrison Regiment soldiers responsible for this stretch of wall had gotten to know them and let them sit there.