The Aftermath of Trost

The chaos of Trost had begun to settle, but I knew better than to relax. The events were playing out just like in the manga, yet my presence had already shifted minor details. I had to be careful—too much interference and things could spiral out of control.

Eren was still unconscious after sealing the breach. The elites of the Survey Corps had arrived, with Captain Levi making quick work of the remaining Titans. The sight of him moving through the air with almost inhuman precision was mesmerizing, even for someone like me who had already seen it happen in the series.

[Observation Skill Activated]

[Name: Levi Ackerman] [Rank: Captain of the Survey Corps] [Strength: 98] [Dexterity: 100] [Combat Prowess: S-Rank]

I whistled under my breath. "Damn, that's broken."

"What is?" Jean asked, giving me a tired but wary look. We were both perched on a nearby rooftop, overseeing the aftermath.

"Nothing, just admiring the way that guy moves," I muttered, playing it off.

Jean huffed. "Yeah, he makes the rest of us look like amateurs."

As the reinforcements took over the cleanup, I finally had a moment to breathe. My body ached, my muscles protesting after hours of continuous combat. But my mind was still racing.

[Quest Completed: Defend Trost] [Bonus Achieved: 25 Comrades Survived]

[Rewards: +1 Skill Upgrade (Shunpo → Advanced Shunpo), +1000 System Coins, New Title: "Tactician"]

[New Feature Unlocked: System Farm Expansion - Tactical Growth Mode]

I frowned. Tactical Growth Mode?

[This feature allows the user to simulate battle scenarios and train skills efficiently without physical exhaustion.]

Now that was something useful. If I could train in a simulated environment, it would give me an edge without risking injury or exhaustion.

"Akira!"

I turned to see Armin running toward me, his face flushed with urgency. "Commander Pixis is about to hold a debriefing. He wants all surviving cadets to gather."

I nodded. "Got it."

The debriefing was grim.

We were all lined up, standing at attention as the senior officers evaluated us. Some cadets were barely standing, their nerves shattered by the carnage they'd witnessed. Others, like Mikasa, stood firm, their resolve unshaken.

Eren had woken up, shackled and surrounded by armed guards. Just like in the manga, he was about to be put on trial.

The tension in the air was suffocating.

As Dot Pixis spoke, explaining the importance of Eren's Titan ability and the potential threat he posed, I kept my gaze neutral. There was no point in interfering here. Events had to play out as they were meant to—at least for now.

Levi stepped forward, scrutinizing Eren with sharp, calculating eyes. "If he steps out of line, I'll kill him myself."

The words carried weight, and the room fell silent. I stole a glance at Mikasa. Her hands clenched into fists, her entire body radiating tension.

This is where trust is built, I reminded myself. They need to accept Eren as an ally, not an enemy.

Hange Zoe, ever the eccentric scientist, was the only one excited by Eren's transformation. She practically vibrated with enthusiasm, already planning experiments.

I sighed internally. Here we go.

After the trial, we were given a short reprieve. Most of us found our way to the mess hall, collapsing into chairs and inhaling whatever food was placed in front of us.

Sasha, as expected, had piled her plate high. "I thought I was gonna die out there," she mumbled around a mouthful of bread.

"You say that after every battle," Connie teased, nudging her. "One day, we might actually believe you."

Sasha scowled but continued eating.

Jean sat across from me, pushing his food around his plate. "So... what now?"

"Now?" I echoed, raising an eyebrow.

"Now that Eren's a Titan. Now that we know we can actually fight back. What does this mean for us?" Jean's voice was laced with uncertainty, frustration even.

I leaned back, stretching my sore limbs. "It means we have a shot at survival. But it also means the real fight is just beginning."

Jean frowned but nodded. "Yeah... I guess you're right."

Mikasa had been silent the entire time, but I could feel her gaze on me. When our eyes met, she spoke softly. "You fought well today."

I shrugged. "Had to. Didn't have a choice."

"None of us did," Armin murmured. "But we made it."

For now, at least.

That night, I accessed my System Farm.

[Tactical Growth Mode Activated]

The scenery shifted around me, transporting me into a virtual battlefield. Titans appeared, their massive forms looming over me. But unlike reality, I wasn't in immediate danger.

This was training.

I tested my new skill upgrade, Advanced Shunpo, and the results were immediate. My movements were even faster, allowing me to dodge and reposition with ease. I practiced different attack angles, aiming for efficiency over brute force.

After an hour of simulated combat, I checked my stats.

[Skill Proficiency Increased: ODM Mastery +2, Advanced Shunpo +3]

Not bad for a single session.

Exiting the simulation, I lay back on my cot, staring at the ceiling. Trost was just the beginning.

I had to be ready for what came next.

Because things were only going to get harder from here.