The morning air was unusually tense.

Hundreds of cadets crowded in front of the massive wooden notice board, their hearts pounding as instructors pinned up the final rankings of the 104th Training Corps.

Some prayed.

Some trembled.

Some had already accepted defeat.

The board was finally revealed.

For a second...

Silence.

Then—

"What...?"

"No way..."

"You're kidding..."

The whispers spread like wildfire.

One by one, everyone's eyes slowly moved to the very top of the list.

Rank 1

Y/N L/N

The score written beside her name froze everyone in place.

A score so unbelievably high...

That it didn't just earn first place.

It shattered the highest score recorded in the last ten years by an enormous margin.

Even the cadets who had expected to rank within the Top Ten stood speechless.

"She... she broke the ten-year record..."

"By that much?"

"I thought that record could never be broken..."

"Isn't she...?"

"The Stone Girl."

"Yeah... that's her."

"The noble girl from Wall Sina."

"I've never seen her smile."

"They say she doesn't even have emotions."

"I heard even the instructors couldn't read her expression."

The whispers only grew louder.

Yet the person at the center of everyone's attention...

Didn't even bother looking at the ranking.

Standing beneath the shade of a large tree, Y/N L/N remained completely still.

One hand rested inside her pocket.

The other casually stayed beside her.

Hidden inside that pocket...

Her fingers tightly held an old white handkerchief.

A handkerchief that belonged to someone who was no longer alive.

Her face showed nothing.

No pride.

No excitement.

No satisfaction.

Nothing.

Like a statue carved from marble.

---

Keith Shadis glanced at the notice board before looking toward the silver-haired girl standing alone.

"...Top Ten."

His voice echoed across the training ground.

"Step forward."

One after another, the highest-ranking cadets walked out of the crowd.

Finally...

Y/N began walking.

The whispers instantly became louder.

"So that's her..."

"Her hair..."

"Those silver eyes..."

"She's even prettier up close..."

"No wonder people call her the Stone Girl."

"But... why does she look so terrifying?"

She ignored every single word.

Her footsteps were calm.

Measured.

Silent.

As she reached the front, even several instructors unconsciously stared for a moment.

Ash-silver hair tied neatly into a military bun.

Ice-silver eyes.

Perfect posture.

An unreadable expression.

She looked less like a seventeen-year-old girl...

And more like someone who had forgotten what emotions were.

---

Watching from the platform stood three familiar figures.

Commander Erwin Smith.

Section Commander Hange Zoë.

And Captain Levi Ackerman.

Hange blinked several times.

"...She's beautiful."

Erwin's attention, however, remained fixed on the rankings.

"A ten-year record... broken by such a margin."

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I want her in the Survey Corps."

Hange looked at him.

"You think she'll join us?"

Before Erwin could answer—

Levi spoke in his usual flat tone.

"You're dreaming."

Both of them looked at him.

Levi kept his eyes on Y/N.

"A noble family."

"Top graduate."

"No noble has ever chosen the Survey Corps over the Military Police."

"She'll choose Military Police."

Erwin remained silent.

A moment later he answered quietly,

"Even so..."

"I'll do everything I can to recruit her."

Levi gave him a sideways glance.

"Then don't expect much."

---

Keith Shadis stepped forward.

"As tradition dictates..."

"The Top Ten graduates may choose which military branch they wish to serve."

A wave of excitement spread across the crowd.

Everyone already had their own guesses.

"Military Police."

"Obviously."

"She's from Wall Sina."

"With that score she'd be crazy not to."

"No noble would ever risk dying outside the walls."

Keith's sharp eyes landed on the first graduate.

"Y/N L/N."

She stepped forward.

The entire field fell silent.

"What branch do you choose?"

Before she could answer—

The whispers began again.

"Military Police."

"Of course."

"It's obvious."

"She'd never choose Survey Corps."

On the platform—

Erwin quietly watched.

Hange leaned forward with sparkling eyes.

Levi crossed his arms.

Then...

For the first time—

Y/N spoke.

Her voice was calm.

Soft.

Completely emotionless.

"I wish to dedicate my heart..."

"...to the Survey Corps."

...

Silence.

Utter silence.

It was as if the entire training ground had forgotten how to breathe.

One second.

Two seconds.

Three.

"What...?"

"Did I hear that correctly?"

"Survey Corps?"

"She's insane."

"A noble... choosing the Survey Corps?"

"Has she lost her mind?"

"She's a psychopath..."

Even several instructors stared at her in disbelief.

On the platform—

Hange's eyes widened so much she looked ready to explode.

"...WHAT?!"

A huge grin instantly spread across Erwin's face.

His blue eyes shone with satisfaction.

"I knew there was something different about her."

Beside him—

Levi had actually stopped mid-sentence.

For the first time in a long while...

Genuine surprise crossed his face.

"..."

Only for a brief moment.

Then, just as quickly—

His expression returned to its usual cold indifference.

Keith narrowed his eyes.

"Y/N L/N."

"Do you understand what you're saying?"

"The Survey Corps has the highest casualty rate among all military branches."

"You may never return alive."

Y/N didn't hesitate.

Not even for a second.

"Yes, Sir."

Two simple words.

Yet the way she said them—

Calm.

Steady.

Without the slightest trace of fear—

Sent chills through everyone standing there.

For a moment...

It felt as though they had witnessed something impossible.

The Stone Girl—

Had just chosen the path that no one had expected her to walk.

After a while,,,,,,,,,,

The headquarters of the Survey Corps was quieter than most people imagined.

There were no grand celebrations.

No welcoming ceremony.

Only disciplined footsteps, the faint sound of soldiers training in the distance, and the occasional neigh of horses from the stable.

The newly recruited members stood in a straight line inside the large assembly hall.

Unlike the excitement that had filled the training grounds earlier that day...

The atmosphere here felt heavy.

Almost suffocating.

Y/N stood at the very end of the line.

Hands resting behind her back.

Expression unchanged.

Eyes staring forward.

Around her, however, the whispers hadn't stopped.

"So she's really here..."

"I thought she'd change her mind."

"A noble choosing the Survey Corps..."

"She's definitely insane."

"I still can't believe she broke a ten-year record."

"And with that face..."

"She doesn't even blink."

Y/N heard every single word.

She simply didn't react.

Not even once.

---

The large wooden doors slowly opened.

Every soldier inside immediately straightened their posture.

Commander Erwin Smith entered the hall.

Behind him walked Section Commander Hange Zoë.

A few steps behind them...

Captain Levi.

Their presence alone silenced the entire room.

Erwin stopped in front of the recruits.

His sharp blue eyes slowly swept across every face before finally speaking.

"Welcome..."

"...to the Survey Corps."

His voice wasn't loud.

Yet every word carried weight.

"You all made a decision today."

"A decision most people would never understand."

"No one forced you to stand here."

"You came here by your own will."

He paused briefly.

"In this corps..."

"You will lose comrades."

"You will witness things no human should ever witness."

"There will be moments when fear tells you to run."

"And moments when giving up feels easier than moving forward."

The recruits listened without making a sound.

Erwin continued calmly.

"Not everyone standing in this room will still be here a year from now."

The reality of those words settled heavily over the hall.

"But..."

"If humanity is to move forward..."

"Someone must continue walking."

His gaze remained unwavering.

"I expect discipline."

"I expect responsibility."

"And above all..."

"I expect each of you to remember why you chose this path."

"Because that reason..."

"...will be the only thing keeping you on your feet."

Silence filled the hall once again.

Then—

"Dismissed."

Most of the recruits immediately saluted.

"Yes, Commander!"

The room slowly began to empty.

Groups naturally formed as recruits chatted among themselves.

Only one person remained standing exactly where she had been.

Y/N.

She hadn't moved an inch.

---

"Y/N L/N."

Erwin's voice stopped her before she could leave.

She turned around.

"Yes, Commander."

Erwin glanced briefly at Hange and Levi before looking back at her.

"I have one question."

Y/N remained silent.

"What made you choose the Survey Corps?"

The room suddenly became quiet again.

Several nearby soldiers discreetly slowed their steps, pretending not to listen.

Even Hange leaned forward with obvious curiosity.

A top graduate.

A noble.

Someone who could have lived safely in the Interior.

Yet she had chosen the most dangerous military branch without hesitation.

There had to be a reason.

Y/N looked directly at Erwin.

Her expression never changed.

"...Because it was my decision."

Silence.

Hange blinked.

"...That's it?"

Y/N gave a small nod.

"Yes."

Hange folded her arms with a half-pout.

"That's not really an answer."

"I was expecting something a little more dramatic."

"Like a dream... or a promise... or wanting to save humanity."

Y/N's gaze remained as calm as ever.

"I'm sorry."

"I have nothing else to tell."

For a few seconds...

No one spoke.

Erwin studied her face carefully.

Searching for even the slightest crack in that emotionless mask.

There wasn't one.

Not a single one.

Finally...

He gave a small nod.

"I understand."

"You may go."

"Yes, Commander."

Y/N saluted once.

Turned around.

And quietly walked out of the hall.

The sound of her boots gradually faded down the corridor.

Only after she disappeared from sight did Hange let out a long breath.

"...She's impossible to read."

Levi, who had remained silent the entire time, looked toward the now-empty doorway.

His expression stayed as indifferent as always.

"Whatever she's hiding..."

"...she's buried it well."

No one noticed—

Far down the corridor...

Y/N's hand had slipped into her pocket once again.

Her fingers silently tightened around the old handkerchief.

Then...

Without a word—

She continued walking.

The first morning inside the Survey Corps Headquarters was surprisingly peaceful.

Golden rays of sunlight filtered through the tall trees surrounding the headquarters, while a cool breeze carried the scent of damp grass across the training grounds.

Unlike the noisy atmosphere of the Training Corps...

Everything here was calm.

Disciplined.

Every soldier already had a routine.

Some were cleaning their ODM gear.

Some were grooming horses.

Others were inspecting equipment before the day's training.

The newly recruited soldiers had just finished breakfast in complete silence.

No one complained.

No one joked loudly.

They quickly gathered outside, forming neat rows on the training field.

Everyone understood one thing.

Life in the Survey Corps was very different from training.

This was where real soldiers were made.

...

Y/N quietly took her place in the last row.

Her posture remained perfectly straight.

Hands behind her back.

Expression unreadable.

The ash-silver hair tied into a flawless military bun made her look even colder than yesterday.

She stared ahead without saying a single word.

Yet...

Even after yesterday's shocking decision, she remained the center of attention.

"There she is..."

"The Stone Girl..."

"I still can't believe she chose the Survey Corps."

"And did you see her score yesterday?"

"She broke a ten-year record..."

"She's probably the strongest recruit we've had in years."

"I heard even Commander Erwin was impressed."

"Still..."

"Why would someone like her throw away a comfortable life?"

No one had an answer.

Y/N ignored every whisper as if they didn't exist.

Her eyes never shifted.

Not even once.

...

A few minutes later—

The sound of firm footsteps echoed across the field.

Every soldier instinctively stood straighter.

Commander Erwin Smith walked onto the field with his usual composed expression.

Beside him was Hange Zoë, looking unusually energetic despite the early morning.

A few steps behind them...

Captain Levi.

His sharp grey eyes swept across the formation once before he folded his arms.

The whispers instantly disappeared.

Silence reclaimed the field.

Erwin stood in front of the recruits.

"Good morning."

"Good morning, Commander!"

The voices echoed together.

Erwin gave a small nod.

"Starting today..."

"You are no longer trainees."

"You are soldiers of the Survey Corps."

His gaze slowly moved across the formation.

"The standards here are different."

"You will be expected to maintain discipline at all times."

"Every mistake has consequences."

"Every decision carries responsibility."

He paused.

"And from today onward..."

"Your training begins again."

Several recruits exchanged nervous glances.

Again?

They had already graduated.

Did that mean...

Everything was starting over?

Almost as if reading their thoughts, Erwin continued.

"Graduating from the Training Corps proves your potential."

"It does not prove you are ready."

"The Survey Corps demands far more than potential."

"It demands consistency."

"It demands judgment."

"It demands trust."

No one spoke.

The only sound was the gentle wind passing through the trees.

Then Hange suddenly stepped forward with an excited smile.

"Don't look so scared!"

A few recruits awkwardly looked at each other.

"We're not going to throw you outside the Walls today."

A few nervous chuckles escaped from the formation.

"...Probably."

The smiles instantly disappeared.

Hange tilted their head innocently.

"What?"

Levi let out a quiet sigh.

"Tch..."

"You really enjoy making recruits panic."

Hange grinned shamelessly.

"It keeps things interesting."

Levi didn't bother replying.

The morning briefing came to an end.

Erwin stepped aside as one of the senior soldiers walked to the center of the training field.

"Today's schedule is simple."

"We'll be evaluating your close-combat abilities."

"One-on-one sparring."

"Treat this as an assessment, not a competition."

The recruits immediately began stretching and preparing themselves.

Some looked excited.

Others... nervous.

Y/N simply walked toward the edge of the sparring area.

Her expression remained as unreadable as ever.

---

Groups of recruits entered the ring one after another.

Wooden practice blades clashed.

Dust rose into the air.

Cheers and groans echoed across the field.

"Good!"

"Again!"

"Keep your guard up!"

Several senior soldiers quietly observed each match, taking mental notes.

From a distance—

Erwin, Hange, and Levi watched everything in silence.

---

Meanwhile...

The whispers hadn't stopped.

"Did you see her yesterday?"

"She shattered a ten-year record."

"I still don't believe it."

"They say she's unbeatable."

"The Stone Girl..."

Jean clicked his tongue.

"Seriously..."

"Enough already."

His voice wasn't loud...

But it was enough for the nearby recruits to hear.

"Since yesterday all I've heard is 'Stone Girl this'... 'Stone Girl that'..."

He glanced toward Y/N.

She stood alone exactly as before.

Not talking.

Not reacting.

Jean sighed before walking straight toward her.

Several recruits noticed immediately.

"...Wait."

"Is Jean...?"

"No way."

"He's actually going over there."

Y/N slowly lifted her eyes as Jean stopped in front of her.

For a brief moment...

Neither of them spoke.

Then Jean crossed his arms.

"I want to challenge you."

The surrounding recruits froze.

"What?!"

"Is he serious?"

"Has he lost his mind?"

"She's Rank One!"

"The girl broke a ten-year record!"

Even Hange raised an eyebrow with interest.

"Oh?"

Erwin quietly folded his arms.

Levi remained expressionless.

Jean looked directly into Y/N's silver eyes.

"I want to see if the rumors are true."

Y/N stared at him for a few seconds.

"...Fine."

Just one word.

Nothing more.

---

The two stepped into the sparring circle.

The chatter around them instantly disappeared.

Every pair of eyes was fixed on the center.

One recruit swallowed nervously.

"I can't believe this..."

Another whispered,

"Jean must have a death wish."

---

"Begin."

The signal was given.

Jean moved first.

Without wasting a second, he rushed forward.

Fast.

Aggressive.

His wooden blade aimed directly toward Y/N.

"Got you—!"

...

And then—

Everyone blinked.

"...Huh?"

"What just happened?"

Jean's eyes widened.

For a split second...

Y/N had been standing in front of him.

The next—

She was gone.

It was so fast...

It almost looked as if she had disappeared.

Jean instinctively turned—

Too late.

A sharp force shifted his balance.

His legs gave out beneath him.

Before he even realized what had happened—

Thud!

His back slammed against the ground.

The practice blade slipped from his hand.

"Wha—"

Before he could react further—

A knee pressed firmly against the center of his chest, pinning him in place.

At the same time...

Two slender fingers rested lightly against the side of his neck.

Not enough to hurt.

Just enough to remind him—

If this had been a real blade...

The fight would've already been over.

Jean stared upward in complete disbelief.

Above him—

Y/N looked down with the same calm, emotionless face she always wore.

Not a single strand of hair had come loose from her bun.

Not even her breathing had changed.

Silence.

The entire training field fell deathly quiet.

One second.

Two.

Three.

"...Impossible."

"Did anyone... see her move?"

"I didn't!"

"It looked like she vanished!"

"No..."

"She moved that fast."

Even the senior soldiers exchanged surprised glances.

From where they stood...

Hange's eyes practically sparkled.

"Ohhh..."

"Did you see that?"

Erwin didn't answer immediately.

His gaze remained fixed on Y/N.

"...Clean."

"...Efficient."

"...No wasted movement."

Beside him—

Levi silently watched the sparring ring.

His sharp grey eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

For the first time that morning...

His attention lingered on Y/N longer than usual.

Without saying a word—

He continued watching the girl whom everyone called...

The Stone Girl.

The silence lasted for several long seconds.

Jean was still lying flat on the ground, staring at the emotionless girl above him.

Y/N slowly removed her knee from his chest before taking two steps back.

She offered him a hand.

"...Get up."

Jean looked at her hand for a moment before accepting it.

As soon as he stood up—

"...I lost."

There wasn't even a hint of frustration in his voice.

He simply scratched the back of his head with an awkward laugh.

"Guess the rumors weren't exaggerated after all."

Y/N merely gave a small nod.

"...Thank you for the match."

Then she quietly walked away.

Leaving everyone else staring after her.

---

The combat evaluations continued.

One after another, recruits entered the sparring ring.

Connie Springer versus Sasha Blouse.

The two spent more time arguing than actually fighting, causing a few soldiers to chuckle.

"...Stop running!"

"I'm not running! I'm surviving!"

Thud!

Connie eventually managed to pin Sasha.

"Winner—Connie."

---

Next...

Marco Bott faced Thomas.

Their fight was calm and technical.

Marco won through clean footwork rather than brute strength.

---

Eren Yeager stepped into the ring shortly afterward.

His aggressive fighting style immediately caught everyone's attention.

Every strike carried determination.

Every movement reflected stubborn persistence.

His opponent barely managed to keep up.

"Winner—Eren Yeager."

Eren exhaled deeply before stepping back into line.

---

Several more matches followed.

The recruits gradually relaxed as the evaluations continued.

Until...

The instructor's voice echoed once again.

"Next."

A brief pause.

"...Mikasa Ackerman."

Mikasa calmly stepped forward.

Her black scarf rested neatly around her neck despite the warm weather.

Without a word, she entered the sparring circle.

The instructor looked toward the opposite side.

"...Y/N L/N."

The entire field froze.

"...What?"

"No way..."

"Rank Two against Rank One?"

"This is going to be incredible."

Even the senior soldiers stopped what they were doing.

Hange's grin slowly widened.

"Oh, now this..."

"...This is interesting."

Erwin quietly folded his arms.

Levi's gaze shifted toward the center of the field once again.

---

Standing nearby—

Eren's eyes widened.

"...Mikasa?"

He frowned.

"This won't be easy."

Beside him, Armin adjusted his glasses.

"I've watched both of them."

"Mikasa is unbelievably talented..."

He looked toward Y/N.

"...But Y/N's movements..."

"I couldn't even follow what she did to Jean."

Eren crossed his arms.

"...Neither could I."

For the first time...

Even he wasn't sure who would win.

---

The two girls walked toward the center.

One had raven-black hair.

The other...

Ash-silver hair tied into a perfect military bun.

One possessed an intimidating calm.

The other...

An unreadable silence.

They stopped several feet apart.

Neither spoke.

Neither looked away.

The atmosphere itself seemed to grow heavier.

Around them...

Every recruit unconsciously held their breath.

Even the birds that had been chirping moments ago seemed to disappear into silence.

Hange leaned forward excitedly.

"I've been waiting for this."

Erwin remained silent.

Levi simply watched.

His sharp grey eyes moved between the two strongest recruits of the graduating class.

The instructor raised a hand.

"...Ready."

Mikasa lowered her stance.

Y/N didn't move.

"...Begin."

For the briefest instant—

Neither of them made the first move.

"...Begin."

The moment the command echoed across the training field...

Neither of them moved.

A cold breeze swept between the two girls.

Mikasa's sharp eyes remained fixed on Y/N.

Y/N looked back with the same emotionless gaze.

Neither blinked.

Neither showed the slightest impatience.

Around them...

The recruits unconsciously held their breath.

"...Why aren't they attacking?"

"They're waiting..."

"No..."

"They're reading each other."

Levi's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

"They're looking for an opening."

Hange folded her arms with an excited grin.

"This is going to be fun."

---

A heartbeat later—

Whoosh!

Mikasa moved first.

She dashed forward with astonishing speed, her fist aimed directly at Y/N's face.

Without changing her expression—

Y/N tilted her head just enough for the punch to miss by mere centimeters.

Mikasa immediately followed with a spinning kick.

Y/N raised her forearm.

Thud!

The impact echoed across the field.

Before Mikasa could continue—

Y/N stepped inside her guard.

Her elbow shot toward Mikasa's ribs.

Mikasa twisted her body just in time.

The strike barely grazed her jacket.

She retaliated with another quick punch.

Y/N leaned backward.

Again...

It missed.

The exchange happened so quickly that many recruits couldn't keep up.

"W-What...?"

"I can't even see their hands!"

"They're too fast!"

---

Neither of them spoke.

Only the sounds of fists cutting through the air echoed across the training field.

Punch.

Block.

Kick.

Counter.

Step.

Turn.

Every movement flowed into the next without hesitation.

Neither wasted energy.

Neither lost focus.

---

Mikasa suddenly swept her leg low.

Y/N jumped.

At the same instant—

Mikasa pushed herself upward, aiming a punch toward Y/N before she landed.

Y/N caught Mikasa's wrist in midair.

Using Mikasa's own momentum—

She spun.

Thud!

Mikasa hit the ground.

Gasps erupted from the crowd.

"She got her!"

But before Y/N could capitalize—

Mikasa rolled backward, sprang to her feet, and immediately attacked again.

No hesitation.

No frustration.

Almost as if being thrown had never happened.

A small smile appeared on Hange's face.

"Now that's more like it."

---

The pace only increased.

Mikasa launched a rapid combination of strikes.

Y/N blocked the first.

Dodged the second.

Redirected the third.

The fourth nearly connected—

But Y/N shifted sideways at the last possible instant.

The recruits watched with wide eyes.

"...This doesn't even look human."

"They're monsters."

---

Mikasa feinted high.

Y/N instinctively raised her guard.

That was the opening.

Mikasa pivoted and hooked Y/N's leg.

Y/N lost her balance for a split second.

Mikasa seized the opportunity.

She grabbed Y/N's arm—

Twisted—

And slammed her onto the ground.

Bang!

A cloud of dust rose.

"MIKASA DID IT!"

Before anyone could celebrate—

Y/N planted one hand against the ground.

Using the momentum of the fall—

She kicked upward.

Mikasa was forced to jump back.

In one smooth motion...

Y/N flipped to her feet.

Her breathing remained perfectly steady.

Not even a strand of silver hair had escaped her bun.

Mikasa quietly adjusted her stance.

For the first time...

A hint of seriousness appeared in her eyes.

Y/N's expression...

Didn't change at all.

---

Several meters away—

Even Eren found himself staring.

"...They're unbelievable."

Armin nodded slowly.

"It isn't just strength..."

"Their timing..."

"Their reactions..."

"They're predicting each other's movements."

---

Levi watched the fight without saying a word.

His sharp eyes followed every movement.

Every step.

Every counter.

Neither girl relied on brute force.

They relied on precision.

Control.

Discipline.

For the first time that morning...

The corner of Levi's mouth lifted almost imperceptibly.

Not a smile.

Just the faintest sign of approval.

The fight...

Was far from over.

A thick layer of dust hung over the sparring ring.

No one spoke.

No one dared to blink.

Every pair of eyes remained locked on the two girls standing several meters apart.

Both had already landed clean techniques.

Both had been thrown to the ground.

Yet...

Neither had managed to finish the other.

---

Mikasa inhaled quietly.

Then—

She disappeared from where she stood.

Whoosh!

"What?!"

"She's so fast!"

Before most recruits could even follow her movement—

She appeared at Y/N's left side.

A sharp roundhouse kick cut through the air.

Y/N raised her forearm.

Bang!

The impact pushed her back two steps.

Before Y/N could regain her footing—

Mikasa closed the distance again.

Punch.

Elbow.

Palm strike.

Every attack flowed perfectly into the next.

Y/N blocked the first two.

Redirected the third.

But Mikasa suddenly switched rhythm—

Instead of striking—

She grabbed Y/N's wrist.

Twisted.

Pulled.

Trying to throw her over her shoulder.

At the last possible moment—

Y/N bent her knees, lowering her center of gravity.

The throw failed.

Without hesitation—

Y/N drove her shoulder forward.

Thud!

Both of them stumbled apart.

---

"...They're adapting."

Armin whispered unconsciously.

"They've already figured out each other's habits..."

Eren swallowed.

"They're changing their fighting styles in the middle of the match..."

---

Hange's grin only grew wider.

"They're learning while fighting."

"How fascinating."

Erwin silently nodded.

"They're forcing each other to improve."

---

Neither Y/N nor Mikasa wasted a second.

They charged again.

This time—

Neither intended to give the other any breathing room.

The sound of fists colliding echoed repeatedly across the field.

Bang!

Thud!

Crack!

Every exchange became faster than the last.

Several recruits had completely lost track.

"I can't see them anymore!"

"Who's attacking?!"

"I don't know!"

"They're both attacking!"

---

Mikasa ducked beneath Y/N's punch.

She drove her shoulder into Y/N's abdomen.

Y/N slid backward across the dirt.

Before Mikasa could continue—

Y/N planted one foot firmly behind her.

Stopped herself.

Then rushed forward.

She spun—

Her heel swept toward Mikasa's legs.

Mikasa jumped.

Exactly what Y/N had predicted.

The instant Mikasa landed—

Y/N's palm struck directly against Mikasa's shoulder.

Thud!

Mikasa staggered back.

But instead of retreating—

She smiled.

Very faintly.

Barely noticeable.

Y/N saw it.

Yet her own expression remained unchanged.

---

Levi watched every movement without missing a single detail.

"...Interesting."

He spoke quietly enough that only Erwin heard him.

Erwin glanced sideways.

"What is?"

Levi kept watching the match.

"They're both holding back."

Hange turned immediately.

"Holding back?"

Levi nodded once.

"Neither of them is fighting recklessly."

"They're testing."

"Analyzing."

"They're trying to understand how the other moves."

Erwin's eyes returned to the ring.

"...You're right."

---

Back inside the circle—

Both girls stopped once more.

Their breathing had become slightly heavier.

Small scratches marked their uniforms.

A thin layer of dust covered their boots.

For the first time...

They looked like they had actually been fighting.

Yet—

Neither showed exhaustion.

Neither looked intimidated.

Mikasa quietly adjusted her stance.

Y/N did the same.

The distance between them slowly disappeared once again.

Everyone instinctively leaned forward.

The feeling was unmistakable.

The next exchange...

Would likely decide the winner.

The training field had become eerily silent.

No one whispered anymore.

No one cheered.

Every soldier—new recruit or veteran—was completely absorbed in the match unfolding before them.

The dust slowly settled.

Y/N and Mikasa stood face to face once again.

Neither had lowered their guard.

Neither intended to.

...

Without warning—

They moved.

At the exact same moment.

Bang!

Their fists collided in the center, forcing both of them a step backward.

Mikasa immediately spun into another kick.

Y/N ducked beneath it.

She drove her palm toward Mikasa's ribs.

Mikasa blocked.

Y/N's other hand shot toward her shoulder.

Blocked again.

For the next several seconds...

It wasn't even possible to tell who was attacking anymore.

Every strike was answered.

Every throw was escaped.

Every opening disappeared before it could be exploited.

---

"They're... equal."

A recruit muttered in disbelief.

"I've never seen anything like this."

---

Mikasa suddenly changed tactics.

Instead of attacking directly—

She closed the distance completely.

Their arms locked together.

Shoulder against shoulder.

Each trying to overpower the other.

The muscles in their arms tensed.

Their boots dug into the dirt beneath them.

For the first time—

Raw strength decided the exchange.

For nearly three seconds...

Neither of them moved an inch.

Then—

Crack!

The ground beneath their boots gave way.

Using that instant—

Mikasa shifted her weight.

She hooked Y/N's leg.

Y/N felt herself losing balance.

Mikasa immediately attempted a shoulder throw.

But—

Just before leaving the ground—

Y/N twisted her body in midair.

Instead of landing flat—

She landed on one knee.

Still holding Mikasa's wrist.

With one swift motion—

She pulled.

Mikasa's balance disappeared.

Both girls rolled across the dirt together before instantly separating.

Neither remained on the ground for even a heartbeat.

They stood again.

Almost simultaneously.

---

"...Incredible."

One of the veteran soldiers whispered.

"They're adapting faster than some experienced soldiers."

---

Hange looked absolutely thrilled.

"I want to study both of them."

Levi shot her a brief glance.

"...Don't."

She laughed.

"I'm kidding."

"...Mostly."

---

Back in the ring—

A faint bruise had begun forming on Mikasa's forearm.

Y/N's sleeve had a small tear near her shoulder.

It was the first visible evidence that the fight had taken its toll.

Yet...

Neither girl's expression had changed.

Mikasa remained calm.

Y/N remained unreadable.

---

The next exchange came faster than all the others.

Mikasa lunged.

Y/N stepped aside.

Mikasa expected it.

She pivoted instantly.

Y/N had expected that.

She grabbed Mikasa's sleeve.

Mikasa slipped free.

Y/N swept low.

Mikasa jumped.

Y/N turned with her.

The moment Mikasa landed—

Both girls threw a punch at the exact same instant.

THUD!

Their fists connected with each other's shoulders.

The force pushed both of them backward.

One step.

Two.

Three.

Then...

Both regained their footing.

Neither had fallen.

The recruits stared with mouths slightly open.

"...How..."

"...They're still standing?"

---

A slow smile appeared on Erwin's face.

Without taking his eyes off the ring, he calmly spoke.

"That's enough."

His voice wasn't loud.

Yet it reached every corner of the field.

Immediately—

Both girls stopped.

Not because they were tired.

But because it was an order.

They lowered their stances at the same time.

The silence returned.

Erwin walked a few steps closer.

His eyes moved from Mikasa...

...to Y/N.

"There is no winner."

A ripple of surprise spread through the recruits.

"No winner?"

"But—"

"They were about to finish!"

Erwin continued.

"You've both proven your abilities."

"If this continued..."

"...one of you would eventually win."

He paused briefly.

"But the other would leave with unnecessary injuries."

"Our purpose is to build soldiers."

"Not break them."

Mikasa gave a small nod.

"Understood, Commander."

Y/N answered in the same calm tone as always.

"Yes, Commander."

The two girls looked at each other for a brief moment.

No hostility.

No resentment.

Just silent acknowledgment.

Then they turned...

And walked back toward their respective positions.

From the sidelines—

Levi's gaze followed the silver-haired girl for a moment longer than before.

He didn't say anything.

But one thought crossed his mind.

"That wasn't luck."

"She's the real deal."