Attack on Titan: The Strongest Newcomer

After returning to the Training Corps, Ryo felt as if the entire world had slowed down.

Compared to the relentless pressure of the Survey Corps, life here was far too easy. The daily drills and training exercises that once seemed exhausting now felt like nothing in comparison to the brutal reality beyond the walls.

"Listen up, you good-for-nothings! You idiots!" Instructor Keith's voice boomed across the field as he glared at the gathered trainees. "Today, I'm going to give you a task so simple even a dumb donkey could complete it!"

The recruits stood at attention, barely reacting. By now, they were used to his harsh words and didn't take them too seriously.

Still, whenever he took this tone, it usually meant they were about to be assigned a new task or introduced to a fresh training exercise. Everyone couldn't help but feel curious about what was coming next.

"There's a mountain forty kilometers south of here," Keith continued. "At the foot of that mountain, there's a forest where some supplies have been placed. Your mission is to head there, retrieve those supplies, and bring them back. Do you hear me?"

"Yes, sir!" The soldiers responded in unison, their voices echoing through the training grounds.

It didn't matter if they understood the details or not—at moments like this, shouting was the only right answer. Hesitation would only lead to trouble.

"Thomas, step out!"

"Yes, sir!"

A blond-haired trainee nervously stepped forward. He cast a wary glance at the instructor, already feeling uneasy.

"Tell me, what did I just say?" Keith barked.

"I…"

Before Thomas could finish, the instructor's whip lashed out, striking him sharply. The loud crack of impact made the surrounding recruits flinch.

"You think you can just go through the motions and get away with it? If you act this carelessly on the battlefield, you'll die," Keith snapped. "Fifty laps around the training grounds! Move it!"

Thomas' face fell, but he had no choice but to obey. Fifty laps—nearly ten kilometers—would leave him completely exhausted.

"Ryo, step out!"

"Yes, instructor!"

Keith turned his sharp gaze on him.

"Tell me, what did you just hear?"

The other recruits tensed.

Everyone knew Keith's instructions had been vague. He hadn't explained the mission fully—just enough to see if anyone would slip up.

If Ryo couldn't answer, would he be punished like Thomas?

Ryo didn't hesitate. "Sir, the mission requires us to ride in pairs on horseback, record our observations along the way, reach the forest at the foot of the mountain, exchange information with our partners, and then return."

Keith's eyebrows raised slightly.

The recruits glanced at one another in surprise. How had Ryo known all of that?

Keith hadn't provided that level of detail yet. His real intention had been to punish a notable figure and make an example of them. Ryo, with his growing prestige among the trainees, was the perfect target. If even he was disciplined, it would remind everyone that Keith was still in charge.

But Ryo had answered correctly—without hesitation.

Keith exhaled sharply. "Very good. Return to your team."

The recruits let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Keith narrowed his eyes at them. "Did you all hear that?"

"Yes, sir!" This time, their response was even louder.

"Good. Now I'll divide you into two teams. When I call your name, move to your assigned group. The team leaders will be Ryo and Reiner…"

As Keith began calling out names, the trainees shuffled into their assigned teams.

This kind of exercise was crucial. The Training Corps needed to prepare recruits for all three branches of the military. While the Garrison Regiment and Military Police had their own specific requirements, only the Survey Corps needed soldiers who could endure long-distance mobility missions.

Having been a former Survey Corps commander himself, Keith understood that better than anyone. The ability to travel vast distances while remaining alert and coordinated was a skill every potential Survey Corps member had to master.

And after everything Ryo had experienced outside the walls, this exercise felt like just another simple day of training.

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