The qualification review was carried out quickly. Shiganshina District was a small place, and there were only so many people. After a simple investigation, the records of Lock and the two others who had passed the conscription test were soon retrieved.
They were all of clean background, their ages matched what they had reported. It was only natural for them to be accepted into the Training Corps.
Though reluctant to part with home, Lock knew a new chapter of his life had begun.
Unlike the basic drills that had merely consolidated his foundation, what awaited him now were true killing skills—techniques meant not only for Titans, but for people as well.
And between the two, Lock understood that human hearts were far harder to deal with. Without strength, without status, without ambition carefully hidden, it was far too easy to become someone's target.
Because of that, he chose to restrain himself for now. Becoming stronger came first. If he could reach the level of Captain Levi, the nobles and politicians who schemed in the shadows would have to think twice before crossing him.
Yet even Levi was not Lock's ultimate pursuit. To truly gain freedom within the Walls, to protect the people he cared for, he would need more—greater status, greater power.
But that was still far away. For now, he buried those thoughts deep in his heart.
The day of departure came.
Riding in the carriage through the crowded street, Lock turned to look back. Armin stood waving, Eren's and Harry's families at his side. Their figures grew smaller and smaller until they vanished into the distance.
Lock drew a slow breath, whispering words meant only for himself.
"Wait until I return."
Beside him, Ellis tried to strike up a conversation. "Your friends are enthusiastic."
"They're family," Lock answered simply, his voice steady.
"Family…" Ellis repeated quietly, as if weighing the word.
—
Back in Shiganshina, Eren clenched his fists, eyes burning.
"I've decided. I'll follow Lock's path—enter the Training Corps through the draft, and then join the Survey Corps!"
A sharp twist of his ear cut his declaration short.
"Don't even think about it," Carla scolded furiously. "You'll study medicine under your father!"
"I won't!" Eren snapped back, defiant this time.
Pain lanced through him as Carla tightened her grip, scolding all the while. Armin wisely kept his distance. Mikasa hesitated, torn—part of her wanted to step in, but deep down, she too didn't want Eren joining the Survey Corps.
Without realizing it, she always wished for him to avoid danger, to live quietly, even if she could never explain why.
A little ways off, Harry cast a careful glance at Martha, then exchanged looks with Grisha. Grisha's awkward expression deepened when he realized what Harry meant. The atmosphere turned uneasy.
—
Lock, of course, knew nothing of Eren's latest rebellion. His journey pressed on.
Shiganshina lay at the southernmost tip of Wall Maria, and the Training Corps was stationed in Wall Rose, beyond the second wall. At the carriage's pace, the journey would take two days.
Fortunately, the road was smooth. Without shock absorbers, every bump in the path was punishment enough.
Lock passed the time watching the scenery and trading light conversation with Ellis and Levington. Before long, a day was gone, and they reached the southern end of Wall Rose: the city of Trost.
It was far more prosperous than Shiganshina.
"Oh, finally! I need a toilet—I've been holding it forever!" Levington exclaimed the moment they disembarked. He hurried off as soon as someone pointed him to the facilities.
Ellis sighed, shaking his head. "That guy… We passed so many rest stops. Why didn't he just say something? He's going to make himself sick one day."
Turning to Lock, he offered a quick smile. "Wait here a bit. I'll go check on him."
"Alright," Lock replied.
As Ellis jogged off, Lock couldn't shake the feeling that there was more behind his concern. Still, he let it go, turning his gaze to the streets around him.
"Tomorrow, we'll arrive at the training base…" he thought, anticipation stirring in his chest. "Finally, the black iron blades. Finally, the 3D maneuver gear…"
These weapons—the fragile hope of humanity against the Titans—were almost within his reach.
As the thought filled his mind, the sound of wheels broke the moment. A carriage rolled into the rest stop, its approach echoing against the stone.