Shadows of the Future

The night was eerily quiet as I lay on my cot, staring at the ceiling. The battle with Annie was over, but the true war was just beginning. My mind raced as I recalled the events of Attack on Titan, piecing together what would come next.

[System Notification: Memory Synchronization] [Recollecting Canon Events…]

The manga's timeline flooded my thoughts. I knew what was about to unfold—Historia's past would soon come to light, and with it, the entire structure of the Royal Government would start to crumble. The corruption at the heart of the Walls was something Erwin had been working toward exposing, but the risks were immense.

Key Future Events:

The Uprising Arc – The Survey Corps would soon be branded as criminals while fighting against the fake king's regime. Historia's true lineage would be revealed, and her father, Rod Reiss, would attempt to turn her into a Titan to consume Eren. Zeke's Arrival – The Beast Titan was lurking beyond the Walls, gathering forces for a future invasion. Unlike before, I could prepare for his brutal tactics. Return to Shiganshina – The battle for Eren's basement, the truth of the Titans, and the ultimate showdown against the Colossal and Armored Titans.

I took a deep breath, my mind racing with possibilities. If I played my cards right, I could shift the tide in subtle but meaningful ways.

Strategizing the Next Moves

1. Protecting Historia

The Reiss family was the true royal bloodline, and Rod Reiss would soon try to reclaim Historia. If I let things play out naturally, she'd eventually break free and take her rightful place as queen. But… should I let it happen that way? If I intervened early, I could spare her a lot of suffering.

[New System Quest: Secure Historia's Future]

Objective: Prevent Rod Reiss from using Historia as a pawn. Bonus: Gain her full trust before the Reiss family intervenes. Reward: ???

I smirked. Good. The system recognized the importance of this move. Historia was becoming attached to me, and if I played this right, I could be her anchor before things spiraled out of control.

2. Preparing for the Beast Titan

Zeke was a problem. His intellect, combat prowess, and ability to command Titans made him far deadlier than brute-force enemies like Reiner. He was the type of enemy who could counter my usual reckless aggression. I needed a countermeasure.

I sat up, activating the System Shop and browsing potential skills. Something that could help me against high-speed projectiles… something defensive yet flexible.

[Shop Purchase: Ki Shield (Dragon Ball)]

A basic energy barrier that absorbs a portion of incoming damage. Can be layered with Reiatsu for additional durability.

I immediately felt the energy shift within me as the skill integrated into my abilities. It wasn't perfect, but it was a start.

3. Strengthening the Survey Corps' Trust

Erwin and Levi were wary of me. They knew I was strong, but they didn't fully trust me yet. If I wanted a say in future events, I had to earn their confidence. That meant proving my worth outside of battle.

System Farm Training: Refining My Skills

Slipping away from HQ, I accessed the System Farm, where time didn't flow like in the real world. My personal training ground awaited, the perfect place to refine my new abilities.

I activated Ki Shield, watching as a translucent barrier flickered to life around me. Testing its durability, I launched a Getsuga Tenshō at myself, feeling the force dull against the shield before breaking through. Not bad—it could block minor attacks, but it wouldn't save me from a full-powered Titan strike yet.

Hours passed as I trained, layering Reiatsu into the shield, adjusting its energy output, and testing how long I could maintain it. By the end, I could sustain it for short bursts in combat—enough to deflect Zeke's deadly projectiles if used correctly.

[Skill Mastery Increased: Ki Shield → Reinforced Ki Shield]

Returning to Reality: Strengthening Bonds

When I returned to HQ, dawn was approaching. To my surprise, Historia was waiting for me outside my quarters, arms crossed.

"You disappeared again," she said, raising an eyebrow.

"Had things to think about," I replied smoothly.

She studied me, her blue eyes searching for something deeper. "You're always planning something, aren't you?"

I smirked. "You could say that."

Her gaze softened. "Just… don't do everything alone, okay?"

A small chuckle escaped me. "I'll keep that in mind."

[Mikasa Affection +3] [Historia Affection +4]

Mikasa had been standing nearby, arms folded, listening silently. She didn't say much, but the way she lingered told me she was keeping an eye on me. Her concern was subtle, but it was there.

For the first time in a while, I felt like I wasn't walking this path alone.

The storm was coming, but I was ready.