"Attention, everyone!"
The next day, we were summoned by Commander Keith Saddies. We were lined up according to squads and I lined up with dad's squad just behind dad himself.
"From this day forth, the three of them will fight along with all of you!"
I looked up at front and saw 3 figures standing along with the Commander. I was able to recognize one of them, he had black hair in an undercut curtain and narrow and somehow intimidating dull gray eyes.
He reminded me of the person I met from the Underground when I... Nevermind, that'll be a story for another time. I didn't notice that I was staring too long at the guy and he saw me staring and stared back. My eyes grew slightly and I removed my gaze from him, although I could tell that he must've recognized me too.
"Introduce yourselves!"
None of them spoke. I noticed that he looked at dad but I couldn't see dad's response because I was behind him.
He crossed his arms and said, "My name's Levi." He sounded bored or like he had no other choice but to speak.
Everyone looked as he finally spoke. I noticed Hanji's expression and a few others who were taken by a bit of surprise of how he spoke.
"Levi, the first thing that you need to practice is discipline." The Commander said.
"Next!"
The girl with green eyes and red-brown hair stepped forward.
"I am Isabel Magnolia! Hope we can cooperate!" She said.
Then the guy on the very right with dark blond hair and light gray eyes spoke the last.
"My name's Farlan Church." He said as he raised his left fist to his chest.
"Flagon, the three of them will be joining your squad." The Commander said. I badly wanted to laugh at poor Flagon. He really despises them for being thugs from the Underground, joining his squad and him getting more pissed off will be one epic show. "Watch over them." The Commander ordered.
Flagon had disbelief written on his face as he was now going to be responsible of the 3 people he talked about from yesterday.
"I-in my squad?" He questioned.
"Do you object?" The Commander asked.
"N-no" Flagon replied. Then looked over to dad. "But, why not Erwin?"
"Erwin is in charge of arranging the formation." The Commander responded. "The new members will be your responsibility." He added and it was his final decision on it.
"Understood?"
"Hai! I understand!" He said as he saluted but with a pissed look at the 3 new members of the Regiment, especially at Levi. I looked back to the three of them and saw Levi staring again, I stared for a few seconds then focused straight ahead (which is dad's back 🤦♀️).
As we were dismissed, dad ordered us to continue training with the same routines but I was excused because I had a different set from the rest. Today was training for marksmanship. Everyone noticed how much I've never missed a single target so they wanted to test me out on using a different weapon from near-range to long-range, specifically bow & arrow and knives.
I was about to head out to the field but then the girl, Isabel approached me.
"Hi!" She greeted. I saw her and I waved back.
"Isabel, right?" I asked. Her eyes beamed up and said happily, "Wahhh, you remembered my name!"
I smiled and nodded. "Well you are the only girl who was recruited this day."
"I'm Amaya by the way." I introduced myself.
"You actually look familiar. Maybe it's something with the eyes?" She is one curious girl.
"Try do some guessing if I were you."
I was told to let the recruits guess who I really was. It would be fun though, they'd die of curiousity from trying and trying everytime.
"Aww man." She said. I just laughed lightly and nodded at Farlan and he nodded back. Then came Levi.
"Levi?" I asked as I raised an eyebrow.
"Aya." He simply said.
"You guys know each other?" The two friends of his asked in unison. I just nodded lightly.
"That day would be a story for another time." I said and saw Petra and Hanji waving at me to come with them for training. I sighed and said, "I guess I'm needed elsewhere."
"Aww but..."
"Sorry, training. I'm being called by the Section Commander and a friend of mine." I told them and pointed at where the two people I mentioned were. I bid my goodbyes to then and before really walking away, I gave a slight nod at Levi and he did the same.
The training went by quick thought it lasted for hours without us recognizing the sun was just beginning to set. A bunch of target were filled with knives and arrows as the three of us girls laid on the grass looking up to the sky.
"So Amaya Smith, would you kindly tell us what was that about?" Petra started. I hummed pretending that I knew nothing.
"Yeah, what is up with you and shorty there?" Hanji said. I sighed.
"I knew him from before."
"Was it-"
"Yes, that day."
"Oh." Was all they responded. There was silence as the wind blew and the trees swayed as if they were dancing through the wind.
"Sorry if we ever mentioned it." Petra said.
"It's fine you guys. It's out of curiousity, it's understandable." I said as I sat up and looked at my 2 friends. Emma wasn't here due to the fact of training back at the grounds somewhere.
"Come on. Let's go see what the recruits are doing. Flagon must've toured them around already." Hanji said as she pulled Petra and I up on our feet and went off to where they all were.
As we were walking, I noticed that I haven't seen dad after the announcement from earlier.
"Have you guys know where dad went?"
"Not a clue Aya, sorry." Hanji said and remembered what today was. "Oh, aren't you two heading to your mom today?"
"Yeah, tell her happy birthday as always." Petra said and Hanji nodded in agreement. I nodded with a smile. Sometimes I wish these type of friendships would stay the same no matter what. Now sometimes I wished to have a normal life where mom would be here and dad too. Him coming home to me and mom finishing dinner and all. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths before opening them again and looked forward.
-Meanwhile (Erwin's in 3rd person)-
Captain Erwin and Commander Saddies sat in the carriage discussing important things.
"The Expedition Budget that was on hold was finally approved."
"That's it?" Erwin said.
"Aren't you surprised?" The Commander asked him seeing that Erwin was not much amazed at the sudden approval.
"I'm just relieved." Erwin simply said. "After all, my preparations have also started." He added.
"It seems that the lead of the faction who strongly opposed had suddenly agreed." Keith said as he had his arms crossed.
"Nicholas Loboc, why?" Erwin said.
"So you already know everything." Keith said.
"Some time ago, you said that the expedition would be approved. That's why you did the preparations." Keith said in summary of what he was able to observe.
"Erwin, could you have possibly forced Lobov to change his mind in some unreasonable way?" He added out of curiosity.
Both men were curious at how Lobov suddenly changed his mind on approving the expedition budget when at first he disapproved it.
The ride was quiet. Though things seemed to come to their favor, they couldn't help but think about what was going to happen next. What was Lobov planning?
Erwin then reverted his thoughts on his daughter. A few only knew that she has royal blood in her. Her mother, his late wife, Aurelia ruled alongside her brother, King Reginald. Aurelia had the abilities of the Founding Titan but she never shifted into one. The Edwards' bloodline of royalty only obtained the power but not the titan shifting. After their daughter's birth, Aurelia gave her power to Amaya before she passed on. She knew it was her time after the hard pregnancy she went through. But as she said, "Everything was perfect and worth it. I regretted nothing. You and Amaya were the best things that happened in my life. I will always cherish and protect you two forever."
Erwin remembered that he made a promise to his daughter that they would see Aurelia's grave for her birthday.
Then remembering his daughter again, he couldn't help but think. There were a lot of people wanting something from Amaya but no one, even Amaya, knew what it was. It wasn't for her abilities because she hasn't fully used it. Or was it the clan she is part of?
They knew that Aurelia's family were descendants of the Oriental clan, and only some or maybe even a few are alive including his daughter, brother-in-law, and nephew (from Aurelia's side). This was also the reason why Erwin never wanted anyone to know another part of Amaya's life. After what happened years ago, they vowed to never speak of who Amaya really is, except if the person will be trusted by Amaya and the higher officers.
Setting those thoughts aside and returning back to business, Erwin spoke, "Lobov seems to have ties to the Lang Company, which provides goods to the Military Police. Apparently, he was planning to direct the expedition's funds to them."
The Commander was surprised at Erwin's words.
"This information is reliable and I've got proof of this fact."