"Huh? Of course I don't want to join the Survey Corps." Jean said in all seriousness as this confused them even more.
"T-Then why..." Connie asked as Jean turned towards him.
"It isn't that I decided the Titans don't scare me. And I won't say something like, 'The best should join the Survey Corps.' I'm not as eager to die as some. I'm not risking my life because someone convinced me. This is a job you can't do unless you decide for yourself." Jean said as Connie picked up on who he was talking about.
"You mean Eren?" Connie said while looking down at the ground to avoid eye contact. "He already joined the Survey Corps." Connie said as he looked over at you standing with Annie. "And Y/N's sister is in the Survey Corps, so it's probable that he'll join them too..." He trailed off as the four of them turned to look at you, when a slapping noise echoed through the theatre.
They turned around in confusion and watched as Annie seemed to mutter something harsh and offensive to you while you just stood there taking her attack. The blonde walked off to be on her own as you turned around and walked over towards Armin and them with a red hand print apparent on your left cheek.
"Hey, guys..." You said in a sort of low tone.
"W-What happened? Why'd she do that?" Jean asked in shock of what happened as you averted your eyes from them.
"It's complicated..." Was all you said before an officer had come out and called for all trainees to line up as the ceremony was about to begin.
Night had fallen and the torches scattered around the theatre were lit as all you trainees were lined up and stood at ease waiting for the ceremony to begin. A cold breeze blew by as you stood at the head of the entire pack of trainees with a stern and almost cold look on your face, but what made it a bit awkward was how Annie was stood next to you. After waiting for a few more minutes in silence, footsteps could be heard walking across the stage and you all saw the Commander of the Survey Corps, Erwin Smith, walk out and stand in the center in front of all of you.
"I am Erwin Smith, Commander of the Survey Corps. Today, you will choose a military branch. Put bluntly, I'm here to persuade you to join the Survey Corps. During the Titan attack, you learned how terrifying they can be. And how limited your own power is. However..." Erwin trailed off as you listened closely with intent. "...This battle brought humanity closer to victory than it's ever been. Through Eren Jaeger's existence. By risking his own life, he's proven himself, without a doubt, a friend of humanity. With his help, not only did we stop the Titan's advance, but we have a way to discover their true nature." Erwin announced as you and everyone else were shocked upon hearing this announcement and he let that all sink into your brains before continuing his speech.
"We believe that in the basem*nt of his Shiganshina home, there are answers about the Titans that he himself doesn't have. If we can reach that basem*nt, we will find a clue that will end this century of Titan rule." Erwin announced as everyone was beginning to mutter amongst each other of this incredible feat humanity has obtained without even realizing it themselves.
"We've already advanced that far?" Someone said in shock.
"If we learn what they are, we can end this!" Someone said with slight enthusiasm of this ray of hope for humanity.
"Eren's basem*nt...?" You thought in confusion of all this information. "I know he had the key his father left, but he had no clue what was down there. Why would the truth of the Titans be hidden in his father's basem*nt?" You thought as an image of Grisha flashed in your mind. "What the hell were you hiding from us, Grisha?" You thought in shock of this whole grand scheme of things as Erwin let you all chat of the topic amongst each other for a few moments before he continued.
