Equipment modifications

After returning to Wall Rose, Bai Yu asked Commander Erwin to help arrange for Yishi to join the 104th Cadet Corps, which had only begun training a few days earlier, even though she was considerably older than the other cadets.

Bai Yu sat a short distance away, watching worriedly as Yishi trained alongside Eren and the others. Although she was much older than them, she had the poorest stamina and was running at the very back.

But she never gave up, and she kept trying to catch up to something. Keith stood beside Bai Yu, watching Yishi as well.

"Bai Yu, she doesn't have the talent to become a soldier."

Keith was quite familiar with Bai Yu by now, and he knew about his reputation. Even soldiers from other regiments and humanity's higher-ups were familiar with him.

The Sleep-Deprived Reaper...

That title had been officially recorded.

Bai Yu spoke with a hint of resignation.

"I know, but there's no other choice. Otherwise, I wouldn't want this either."

"Is that so? Then we'll see how she does. I won't ease up on her training, and I won't expel her for failing to finish, but only if she keeps going until she loses consciousness. If she gives up, I'll make her leave."

Bai Yu nodded lightly.

"Yes, I understand."

"Good. I hope she's mentally prepared."

Night gradually fell.

Bai Yu was sleeping against a large tree, but he slowly opened his eyes as though he had sensed something. He saw Yishi standing there, her eyes a little red, as if she had been crying.

But Bai Yu made no move to comfort her. He simply watched her quietly.

Neither of them moved. After a long while, Yishi stepped forward, wrapped her arms around Bai Yu, and buried her face in his chest.

"I'll join the Survey Corps." There wasn't much conviction in her voice.

But this time, she didn't cry. She simply held Bai Yu in silence. A few minutes later, Yishi turned and walked toward the dormitory behind her.

Only long after Yishi had disappeared did Bai Yu let out a soft sigh.

"Haah..."

Survey Corps headquarters

Bai Yu carried a pile of parts outside and set them beside him. The light was good today, and Ming and Xiate stood nearby, watching him in puzzlement.

The box he held contained components for modified Omni-Directional Mobility Gear, along with slightly upgraded gas canisters.

His hands moved swiftly as he began assembling them. The harness also incorporated some assistive exoskeleton joints. Since these were custom-made, they needed to fit the body closely.

Bai Yu had personally tested Ming's and Xiate's muscles. Otherwise, the resulting assistive exoskeletons would feel very uncomfortable and interfere with their movements.

Bai Yu's own set of Omni-Directional Mobility Gear was extremely sensitive. Other people couldn't handle it; they would lose control in midair and fall to their deaths.

Before long, the assembly was finished. The harness material was somewhat different, and the points where it bore weight had also been adjusted slightly.

These fine adjustments were based on how Ming and Xiate habitually used their muscles.

When Bai Yu turned around, he discovered that Erwin had somehow come to stand behind him. Having only just relaxed after concentrating on assembling the equipment, Bai Yu couldn't help jumping in surprise.

"Commander Erwin? Why are you standing behind me without making a sound? You scared me."

That, along with having Ming and Xiate nearby, had caused Bai Yu to lower his guard.

But Erwin paid no attention to that. He rubbed his chin, studying the modified Omni-Directional Mobility Gear in Bai Yu's hands.

"Bai Yu, could this modified Omni-Directional Mobility Gear of yours be issued on a large scale?"

Bai Yu fitted the gas canister in his hand into place as he replied.

"Yes. It wouldn't be as good as these finely tuned custom versions, but it could still improve mobility and control somewhat. The changes to the gas canisters also increased their capacity by about half. The blueprints are right over there. Take them if you want."

His tone showed little desire to keep his upgraded Omni-Directional Mobility Gear to himself. This equipment simply improved various aspects of the original design; it was still used the same way.

Erwin looked in the direction Bai Yu indicated with his chin and spotted an ordinary-looking notebook casually tossed into the parts box. He took it out and opened it. Page after page was covered with drawings of modified components and parts, accompanied by detailed notes, as though it had been prepared for someone to read.

Erwin looked at Bai Yu and smiled, unsure what to say.

"Thanks, Bai Yu."

"Consider it a thank-you gift for getting Senior Sister Shishi into the Training Corps."

Bai Yu wiped some machine oil and lubricating oil off his hands with a nearby towel, then washed them at the faucet beside him.

Three complete sets of Omni-Directional Mobility Gear now rested on the table. They were still silver-white, but looked somewhat different from the others.

Bai Yu handed two of the sets to Ming and Xiate.

"Here, I'll show you how to put them on. Yours have some exoskeleton assistance to help distribute the weight."

Erwin watched from beside them as Bai Yu put on a set of upgraded Omni-Directional Mobility Gear. With Bai Yu's help, the other two also familiarized themselves with their sets.

"How does it feel?"

Xiate jumped a few times, then drew a long blade and swung it.

"It feels really comfortable. What's this?"

Puzzled, Xiate examined an empty leather holster on the side of the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear. It was fairly inconspicuous but positioned within easy reach, and seemed intended to hold something.

"Ah, that."

As he spoke, Bai Yu drew a handgun from the holster on his own Omni-Directional Mobility Gear.

Erwin studied it and hesitated before speaking uncertainly.

"A handgun? It looks a little different from the usual ones."

"That's right. It's a gun."

Bai Yu cocked it with a click and tried to fire into the distance, but there was only another click. It wasn't loaded.

"What is it for?"

Xiate was a little puzzled.

"You've both been practicing marksmanship with me anyway. I'll teach you when the time comes. There are some things you might never need to use, but you still need to know how."

"Oh."

"Mm."

Neither of them objected to Bai Yu's words. Whatever he told them to do, they would simply do it.

But a sharp glint flashed through Erwin's eyes as he stood beside them. He pondered for a moment. Bai Yu intended this as a precaution against humans...