Harry's blacksmith shop stood in the southeast of the Shiganshina District, while Lock's home was in the central area. The distance was not short.
Every day after work, he walked home to train his endurance. Over time, his physical fitness had improved dramatically. In the past, he could only jog the whole way, but now he could run at a steady pace without exhausting himself.
It also meant that the bar for his "physical limit" was getting higher.
Huff… huff… huff…
This day was no different. Lock ran home at a slightly faster pace than yesterday, sweat dripping down his neck. Heat radiated from his body like a furnace.
The pedestrians along the street were already used to the sight. Sometimes they teased him, and Lock would answer with a grin. Seeing him cheerful always made them feel relieved.
He hadn't always been like this. Once, Lock had been quiet and withdrawn, a boy who had lost his parents early. Now he was far more open, though no one knew the truth: the Lock they saw was not the same person as before.
Just as he thought the day would end as usual, a sharp voice from a side alley caught his attention.
"I am not a heretic! Please don't go too far!"
The stubborn words were followed by mocking laughter.
"Wow, our little heretic talked back this time. How bizarre!"
"Think we should teach him a lesson?"
"Of course. We have to nip this in the bud."
"For people who argue nonsense, you answer with your fists."
"Look at him — he's about to cry! Hahaha…"
Lock froze, a figure flashing in his mind.
Without hesitation, he turned and ran into the alley.
There, he saw a small, golden-haired boy surrounded by five other children.
It's Armin…
Lock stepped forward.
"Hey! You brats bullying Armin again?"
"Lock!" Armin's eyes lit up.
The others looked annoyed.
"Lock, are you going to help him again? Mikasa's not here this time."
The leader of the group stepped forward, wearing a smug, hostile grin.
"I can handle you by myself," Lock said, giving Armin a reassuring glance.
The joy on Armin's face quickly turned to worry. In the past, Mikasa had been the one to deal with these bullies. Even though Lock was older, he could only fight off one or two at best — and today there were five of them.
Armin shrank back, bracing for the worst.
Armin's still too weak…
Without another word, Lock stepped forward and punched the leader square in the face.
In a one-against-many fight, hesitation was the same as losing.
With the strength he'd built from training — and the bonus from his unusual circumstances — Lock's power was no less than that of a grown man. The leader crumpled to the ground, groaning, unable to get up.
"Litton?!"
"You dared—"
"Forget talking, get him together!"
"Beat him up!"
The group rushed at him, but Lock met them head-on. Fists pounded against him as he countered, striking each boy in turn until all four were on the ground.
He'd taken his share of blows, but they were all ten-year-olds — their punches barely stung.
Armin, who had been frozen in place, stared wide-eyed.
In his memory, Lock had never been this strong.
Lock reached a hand toward him. "Can you stand?"
"I can. Thanks — if it weren't for you, I'd have been beaten again," Armin said, voice full of gratitude.
"We're friends, right?"
Lock pulled him up, then cast a glance at the groaning bullies. "Let's talk somewhere else."
"Yeah."
Soon, they were sitting by the river.
"Lock… is my idea wrong?" Armin asked quietly.
Aside from a few close friends, almost everyone rejected his dream. Was it truly so wrong to want to see the world beyond the walls?
"Your idea is right," Lock said. "Others just don't understand it. A hundred years of peace inside the walls has worn away people's drive. But believe me, you're not alone. Eren, Mikasa, and I agree with you."
He looked at the flowing water, lost in thought. He didn't think the people inside the walls were foolish. If he didn't know the breach would happen next year — if he weren't a time traveler — maybe he would have been like everyone else, content to live in safety.
Because deep down… he was afraid of dying.
Armin was quiet for a moment, then looked at him with gratitude. "Thanks, Lock."
"No need to thank me." Lock's voice turned firm. "Next year, I'm joining the military and then the Survey Corps. I'll see the outside world for you first."
Armin hesitated at the mention of the Survey Corps, but seeing Lock's determined expression, he swallowed the words he'd been about to say.
Sensing the heavy air, Lock tilted his gaze toward the far-off horizon. "Armin, out there is an endless stretch of water called the ocean. And there are animals no one here has ever seen."
"Endless water?"
Armin followed his gaze, eyes brightening. "The ocean… I want to see it someday."