Chapter Text
January 1st 1837, 22:38 PM
As ambassador for the Marleyan Government, I, Willy Tybur wish for world peace, and so I proclaim on this day, that we are to come to this kingdom under written orders, to the enemy forces on Paradis Island, this is a declaration of war.
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January 1st, 1837, 23:56 PM
I, Keith Shadis, Commander in chief of his majesty’s forces of Paradis Island, do hereby declare to make war against the nation of Marley and any of its followers in response to Lord Tybur’s proclamation.
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The continents had aspired into a massive war on New Year’s Day. Recruitment of forces had begun almost immediately after, the king demanding proper order of his armies and appointing strong leaders for his assemblages.
The world had gone to chaos since. The citizens of both nations had shared the spite of their leaders, but the hatred of the powerful politicians had come first. The first attack of the troops of Marley came on the sixteenth day of January, the 36 ships that were sent ten days earlier had never arrived to Paradis Island, sending the Marleyan government into a frenzy. They were determined to be the first blow, and they could not afford a home attack, despite their technological advancements.
They achieved their first attack, but a battle that was set to be lost. Paradis had prepared in the time that it took Marley to arrive.
Despite the promise of treaties and surrenders, the ire of many political leaders did not subside. It is quite an amazing spectacle what the fury of humanity can cause, the everlasting destruction of their own downfall.
The year was 1856 now. New Year’s Day was only two months away.
Many soldiers had been trained and prepared since the start of the war. Platoon leaders had perished, leaving others to take their posts, while some gave up their authorities. One of those notorious officers was Keith Shadis, the 12th General of the military, before he had resigned his position from guilt due to the major losses of soldiers under his command. He had appointed Erwin Smith to take his place, trusting the wits of the man, as well as embracing his respect for the soldier. Eventually, he began to train and work the younger generations of soldiers, The 104th South Division Cadet Corps, amongst them. This class of talented candidates had graduated in the year of 1853. A promising class with many formidable soldiers, each with a look far different then any training soldiers prior, as said by Shadis.
As a result of this, Shadis took careful consideration and attention to his new trainees, taking into account their flaws and their strengths, working them to their fullest potential. He even tested the strong determination of Cadet Eren Yeager, by tampering with his gear, but to his surprise, the boy’s fury proved to be strong in its power.
When the graduation date of these young soldiers approached, he had written an independent analysis of each newly trained soldier, with brutal honesty.
Krista Lenz, a blonde girl with big bug blue eyes, was placed in the tenth spot of the top ten of the corps. Her ability as a soldier barely made her tenth in training, but Keith felt some sort of pity for the girl. Placing her in tenth made him hope that she would take the rear with Commander Nile of the Military Police Regiment.
“To be honest, I myself wonder if Krista deserved to graduate tenth in her group. It’s true that she was tenth in paper, but there should have been others in the Training Corps that could have gotten better results. Still, she took tenth, and what’s done is done. I hope she keeps working hard.
B- is given to this soldier.”
In ninth place, Sasha Braus.
“Her offbeat nature affects her overall group performance. The moment you take your eyes off Sasha, you never know what she’ll do next. You quickly notice this dangerous trait, and it makes her unsuited for group strategic operations. She does have an impressive mastery of her quick body, an acute sharpness to her senses, but I just fail to understand her.
B+ is awarded to this soldier. Her mastery of maneuvering all sorts of weaponry has earned her this position.”
In eighth place, Connie Springer.
“Physically quick, but lacks comprehension. Connie takes advantage of his small frame to move quickly, and I sense natural genius in his combat skills. If only he could fix his poor comprehension and his habit of misunderstanding strategies, he could one day become a first-rate soldier. That might take some time, though.
I award this soldier a B+, I hope he manages to overcome those minor issues.”
In seventh, Marco Bodt.
“An incredible ability to act while considering actual combat. Marco’s marks in the Training Corps never stood out because he acted in a strategic way that one would utilize in real combat. Some things can’t be measured with grades. I wish I could have seen these strengths bloom as a commanding officer.
A is given to this soldier.”
In seventh place, Jean Kirstein.
“Talented at reading situations, cut out to be a commander. He has a tendency to think he should be the center of attention. Though at first, he had a tendency to cause trouble with other trainees, he has now overcome those flaws. He also tries to understand his comrades feelings and continues to develop as a potential commander.
I award this soldier an A, perhaps he will lead us to victory one day.”
In sixth, Eren Yeager. A young boy turned man, demonstrated what the raw sentiment of fury could bring to battle. But just as this was a strength, it was also a deadly weakness. Eren would lose control of himself when he was mad, a fatal flaw as noted by the instructor.
“While his skill at man-to-man combat and gun control was impressive, he’s got a personality problem. He has a textbook impulsive personality. When he gets mad, he can’t see anything around him, potentially placing his comrades into fatal dangers. Until he gets his emotions under control, he’ll never succeed as a soldier!
Regardless, I give him an A for his potential, despite my doubts.”
In fifth place, Ymir.
“Impressive physical strength, but her personality causes friction among many soldiers. Ymir is extremely talented in her abilities, with a drive akin to a mouthy police dog that desires nothing but to work its jaws. However, her snarky attitude and slackness does not appease her comrades, myself included.
A+ for her talents.”
In fourth, Armin Arlet.
“A potential future tactical officer, or even a commander once his combative skills are sharpened. Not noteworthy in combat and endurance. However, we soldiers are not only about physical strength. The superior intelligence that Armin showed in the classroom will surely lead to future victories for Paradis. Paired with a group of physically capable soldiers, Armin will surely pave a path for our nation.
A+ is given to this soldier, with time, his physical attributes may be conditioned to the max potential.”
In third, Hitch Dreyse.
“A very cocky individual, but a formidable one nonetheless. Hitch’s physical capacity was dull when she entered the Training Corps, but has been refined into a sharp blade since. Her capabilities are astounding, but she can be unwilling at times, and painfully annoying.
A+ is awarded to this soldier, I do hope she does not bore her comrades to death out in the trenches.”
In second, Marlowe Freudenberg.
“His skills are impressive, but he lacks drive. While some soldiers demonstrated a drive as strong as a working dog, others lack the confidence to maneuver their abilities to a full force. Marlowe is very capable, but his confidence and lack of aggressiveness is not favorable.
I give him an A+ despite it, his strong desire to appease his country can be fortified into the raw drive he needs.”
And lastly, in first place, Mikasa Ackerman.
Keith Shadis had a marvelous amount of respect for this young soldier. She had certain physical features that allowed the basic assumption of her origins, but her strong composure had drawn Keith. He worked with her in particular, enhancing her strengths as much as he could. In the end, he didn’t work her to her full potential, as Mikasa unknowingly maxed Keith off of his.
“I do not have the words to express my sincere thoughts that Mikasa Ackerman has impressed upon me. She’s completely proficient in every area. It’s apt to say she’s an unmatched, unprecedented genius. Her strength has no limits, her technique is fortified for success, and her drive is as powerful as a tiger. Mikasa is skilled at understanding what she needs to do in order to accomplish her goals. Her judgement belies her age, surely the result of many hellish experiences she had as a child. She is an exceptional talent that is unmistakably bound to lead the Survey Corps in the future, a weapon to Marley’s forces. Dare I say, she may even lead us all to the end of this wretched war with a victory.
Rightfully so, I granted this soldier an A+. Her exceptional abilities and mastery of every skill is astounding, as is her raw power.
I couldn’t even work her to her fullest potential. I don’t believe there even is a limit to her strengths.”
Keith had stood in front of these new soldiers, saluting them, but when he locked eyes with Mikasa, an unspoken coldness in her eyes that somehow scalded like a burning flame, made him realize that not even Eren’s strength of will could compete.
Marley was now up against a force he would have been afraid to face.
As per the rule, only the top ten of each class is allowed to choose between three regiments, the Scout, the Garrison, and the Military Police. Unlike the rest of the graduating division, the top ten of the cadet corps have the privilege to choose to reside in the safety of the rear, farthest from the enemy.
The Garrison was a regiment sandwiched between the Military Police and the Survey Corps, engaged in battle upon the loss of soldiers in the frontlines.
And lastly, the Scout regiment, also known as the Survey Corps or the scouts. An arduous force of the military due to the constant frontline work that these brave soldiers engaged into. They led the troops into battles, and were always recognized for their bravery and sacrifice. These soldiers were also trusted to take onto missions and expeditions such as recovery of land or pass messages to other squadrons.
With these divisions, many graduates chose the Scout regiment, Mikasa Ackerman amongst them.
The nearer a war comes to a stop, the harder it is fought.