I Became the Villain of Attack on Titan

'What the hell is the problem?'

The situation was suddenly unfolding differently from the original story.

Originally, even with faulty equipment, Eren was supposed to endure for a short while. And impressed by Eren's determination, Instructor Shadis would replace his gear and let him pass.

'Why can't he hold out even for a moment?'

On top of that, Instructor Shadis was just watching silently.

At this rate, Eren would fail.

I couldn't let my plan fall apart from the very beginning.

I quickly raised my hand and stepped forward.

"Instructor, I have an objection."

"...What is it?"

Shadis, who had been quietly observing Eren, responded.

I spoke as politely as possible.

"Instructor, I just noticed that the equipment Eren is using is slightly different from ours."

I picked up my gear and walked over to Eren.

He was sitting on the ground, looking utterly defeated.

"Eren, let me borrow your gear for a second."

"...Shiniro."

Eren handed over his equipment with a dazed expression.

He probably had no idea what I was trying to do.

As I compared my equipment with Eren's, I spoke up.

"My gear and the other trainees' gear have this joint part properly secured. But Eren's gear is so loose that the joint is nearly coming apart."

Shadis' eyes widened at my words.

The assistant instructor beside him also looked shocked.

"At a glance, it might be hard to notice. But if this small joint becomes loose, it makes it much harder to maintain balance during training."

Eren finally seemed to understand what I was saying and let out a small "Ah."

"That's why I request that Eren be given a gear replacement and a retest."

Shadis remained silent for a while after hearing my request.

As the silence dragged on, I started to feel nervous for no reason.

In truth, even making such a suggestion as a trainee could be considered arrogant.

It was almost like a private daring to make a request to a high-ranking officer.

I was sweating nervously, wondering if I might be refused and suffer consequences.

"Assistant instructor, go replace his equipment."

Fortunately, Shadis accepted my request.

Only then did I quietly let out a breath of relief.

"Trainee Eren will take the test again after his equipment is replaced."

Shadis spoke in a calm tone.

The assistant instructors immediately replaced Eren's gear, and the test was conducted again.

Everyone—trainees and instructors alike—watched nervously.

Shrrk—

Eren finally managed to balance himself.

""Wooooaaah!!""

The trainees, who had initially mocked him, erupted into cheers.

At first, they had laughed, but after watching Eren's repeated attempts, they had subconsciously begun rooting for him.

"Finally… Finally…!!"

Eren clenched his fist tightly.

After all his struggles, his eyes glistened with unshed tears.

I, too, clapped along with the others, swept up in the atmosphere.

As everyone celebrated and cheered, a low, subdued voice cut through the excitement.

"…Eren is happy."

Hearing the tone that contrasted with the surrounding enthusiasm, Reiner and I instinctively turned our heads.

The voice belonged to Mikasa.

"…Because he doesn't have to be separated from me."

Her words came out of nowhere, leaving both of us bewildered.

Reiner mouthed, What did she just say?

I let out a dry chuckle and shook my head.

Eren had almost failed the test, unlike in the original story.

And yet, Mikasa was saying nearly the same lines as before.

'…This is strange. What exactly is going on?'

***********************

"Instructor Shadis, three have failed. The rest have passed."

The assistant instructor reported the results.

Shadis waved his hand, signaling to proceed as is.

"…By the way."

His gaze fell on Eren's broken equipment. The joint was loosened just enough that it was barely noticeable.

In truth, Shadis had deliberately tampered with that gear.

Eren—son of his old friend Grisha and the woman he had once loved, Carla.

He had no intention of letting a child like that join the Survey Corps.

He only wanted Eren to live a safer, better life, as his parents had wished.

But…

"That trainee, Shiniro, was it?"

Shiniro had thrown a wrench into his plans.

And yet, he didn't feel upset about it.

If anything, he was impressed.

That brief moment had been enough for him to grasp the mechanics of the equipment and identify a defect.

Even his own assistant instructors had failed to notice that flaw.

"A truly remarkable talent…"

It was rare to find someone with such keen insight and observational skills.

Even rarer was someone who also possessed a strong physique.

For a moment, Shadis thought of Erwin, the current commander of the Survey Corps.

Of course, he wasn't sure if Shiniro was a monster on that level.

But one thing was certain—Shiniro was an exceptional trainee with immense potential.

"…Grisha. Carla."

Shadis murmured the names of his old friends—ones he would never see again.

"Your son has become a soldier… Please, don't resent me too much."

He had tried to block Eren's path.

But fate was said to be beyond human control.

Perhaps… this, too, was something that could not be stopped.