Chapter 9

The 104th Cadet Corps

A week had passed since the 104th Cadet Corps started.

All the parents of the cadets had left, and now, under the guidance of Division Commander Keith Shadis, many cadets would undergo intense training for the next three years.

Of course, some people didn't have to participate in the training.

Notably, Nike, who had joined as a supply officer, completed all her paperwork and spent her time leisurely drinking coffee.

Even when the sound of Shadis scolding the cadets echoed from outside, she ignored it as if it had nothing to do with her.

"Oh~ This is heaven, heaven."

Nike thought to herself how much she had longed for this leisure.

How hard had she worked over the past two years? Starting with trailing the Armored Titan like a gnat out of frustration, Nike had interfered in every situation, trying to lead things in the best possible direction. Now, this time felt like sweet honey to her.

However, just as there is always poison hidden behind sweet honey, someone came in to disturb Nike's peaceful time.

It was Division Commander Shadis, who always walked around with his hands behind his back, wearing a coat marked with the cadet corps emblem.

"Nike, the supply officer. I have a request."

"Yes? Sure, please go ahead."

Since it was Shadis, her direct superior, Nike decided to listen out of curiosity.

"I heard you're not bad at hand-to-hand combat. Is that correct?"

"Yes, somewhat."

"Could you temporarily take on the role of a hand-to-hand combat instructor?"

Over the past two years, Nike had been forced to learn hand-to-hand combat by her father, Darius Zackly.

As she had become a public figure, he insisted that she at least learn self-defense. Thanks to Darius Zackly, Nike had learned some degree of hand-to-hand combat.

However, she was not skilled enough to be an instructor, so Nike intended to decline politely.

"No, that's too much. I'm not…"

"In return, how about this much for your salary?"

Shadis lifted a pouch onto the desk. Inside the pouch, something was gleaming with a golden hue. Nike's eyes widened as soon as she saw it.

It contained gold coins.

Due to spending all the money to solve the food shortage, Nike's wallet was always empty. In such a situation, seeing such a large sum of money! Nike wanted to grab the pouch of money right away.

"Will you do it?"

"Yes, I can! Right away!"

At Shadis's words, Nike nodded enthusiastically. Shadis had expected her reaction but didn't anticipate she would be this excited.

"Alright... Go to the training ground now. Everything is ready."

"Yes! Understood!"

Nike hurried to the training ground. Shadis could only sigh as he watched her rush away.

"Young people these days are all obsessed with money..."

...

At least for now, Reiner was certain he was experiencing the greatest hardship of his life.

His days in Marley, the journey to this place after inheriting the Armored Titan. Even combining all those times, Reiner had never been this constantly tormented by desire.

"Ra, Reiner? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. A soldier shouldn't collapse from this."

Reiner was clutching his chest near his heart. With a bit of cold sweat running down, Eren, who had been his training partner, became concerned, thinking Reiner was seriously hurt.

Since Nike had come as the hand-to-hand combat instructor, albeit temporarily, it was enough to stimulate Reiner.

Although temporarily, Nike Zackly has been appointed as the hand-to-hand combat instructor. Let's get straight to the point. Pair up in twos...

Although she seemed to be going through the motions, Nike paired them up, dividing them into bandit and soldier roles.

The bandit held a wooden sword and attacked the soldier, who then had to subdue the bandit. It was a simple but effective training exercise, yet Reiner couldn't focus easily.

'Christa or Nike. It's a dilemma!'

For Reiner, who preferred slightly younger women to mature ones, Nike and Christa were his ideal types.

Thinking about marrying one of them someday filled Reiner with determination.

"If you collapse from this, you're not a soldier!"

"Wow! As expected of Reiner. I'll follow your lead!"

Eren, who was training with him, also became filled with determination.

Even though the training ground was noisy with hand-to-hand combat, their loud shouts didn't catch much attention except for one person.

'Why are they acting like that?'

Of course, to Annie, who had been observing them, both of them looked incredibly foolish.

It was obvious that Reiner liked someone and it was questionable if Eren even had any thoughts. They seemed foolish to her.

Having judged them harshly, Annie was wandering around the noisy training ground, walking leisurely as if flowing with the river's current.

While the new cadets were diligently training with the freshness of their new start, Annie was slacking off alone.

Like a senior soldier avoiding involvement, moving unnoticed.

And catching such a senior soldier was the job of the supply officer.

"Annie Leonhart, right?"

"Yes? That's correct."

Nike quietly grabbed Annie's shoulder. Caught slacking off, Annie turned her head towards Nike in slight surprise.

Nike appeared quite angry in many ways.

"Hey. Honestly, shouldn't you be working hard during this time?"

"..."

Annie didn't respond to Nike's words. Instead, she recalled past events.

How many times had she seen Nike throwing bombs and causing fires like crazy in Shiganshina District while hiding between the Armored Titan's teeth?

Because of that, the trio had classified Nike as a witch. She was undoubtedly dangerous to deal with.

And now, this witch was talking to her?

Annie instinctively tensed up. Had she realized she was a warrior from Marley? Rationally, it was unlikely. But Annie, still young, lacked such calmness.

"At least pretend to be working hard. No matter how much you slack off here, I can see everything."

"...There's no need for me to learn hand-to-hand combat."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"In terms of hand-to-hand combat, I'm the best in this corps. I'd rather do something else."

Since Nike was her superior, Annie, full of tension, spoke her excuse politely.

Nike, hearing Annie's words, recalled the nearly forgotten gag point from the original story.

'Reiner and Eren were a mess after fighting Annie in hand-to-hand combat. So...'

How could she make Annie participate in the hand-to-hand combat training?

Nike pondered for a moment and soon came up with a very good idea.

"Do you know Levi? The soldier from the Survey Corps known as humanity's strongest."

"Yes, I know of him."

Coincidentally, the Survey Corps headquarters was close to the current cadet corps. They sometimes trained with the Survey Corps' help, so admitting a soldier or two would be easily allowed.

Especially with herself as the supply officer. It should be easy to get permission.

Nike leaned in close to Annie's ear and whispered like a devil.

"Mess up Levi's room and come back. I'll help you skip hand-to-hand combat training for three years."

Thinking there was no way she'd do it, Nike added this suggestion for fun.