The sun slowly rose from the east, casting warm light over the earth as a new day began.
After last night's grueling training, Ronan dragged his tired body to bed and soon fell into a deep sleep.
In a daze, he tilted his head and glanced through the half-open window at the towering city wall in the distance. A chill ran down his spine, jolting him awake. He was not qualified to be lazy now.
After washing and dressing, Ronan stepped outside.
But the moment he opened the door, two familiar figures appeared before him.
"Eren? Mikasa? What are you doing here?"
Standing in front of him were Eren and Mikasa Ackerman. Mikasa had already begun to blossom into a beauty. When she fully grew up, she would undoubtedly be stunning.
It was a pity that her expression was still a little expressionless as she silently stared at Alan.
"Brother Ronan, my mother asked me to call you to breakfast. You haven't been to my house for a long time," Eren muttered.
Mikasa beside him also softly called, "Brother Ronan."
"I'm busy~" Ronan replied with a smile.
"No matter how busy you are, you have to eat breakfast. Come on, Mom and Dad are waiting for us," Eren urged.
Ronan, who was short on money, certainly wouldn't refuse a free meal.
Because the two families were very close, they arrived at Eren's home soon.
Carla and Grisha were warmly welcoming.
In Ronan's memory, he had been cared for by Eren's family since his parents died—especially by Carla, Eren's mother, who treated him like her own child.
Seeing Ronan arrive, Carla pretended to be angry:
"Little Ronan, you still remember to come! If I hadn't asked Eren and Mikasa to call you, you would never show up."
Grisha, sitting beside her, looked helpless.
Embarrassed, Ronan scratched the back of his head.
"I'm working now. I'm a little busy."
"Yeah... are you so busy you don't even have time to visit us?"
At that moment, Carla's expression grew serious:
"Little Ronan, I heard from Eren that you plan to participate in the conscription meeting next year and join the Survey Corps?!"
Grisha's face also tightened, and Mikasa frowned.
Only Eren looked like he'd done something wrong, avoiding Ronan's gaze.
Taking a deep breath, Ronan answered firmly:
"Yes, I want to join the Survey Corps."
"Why?! It's too dangerous—I don't agree with you going!" Carla said, her tone filled with concern.
But beneath her worry, there was warmth—the kind of care that made Ronan's heart feel warmer than ever.
In this world, Ronan was not alone.
Not only Uncle Harry and Aunt Martha, but everyone here cared about him.
Even Mikasa, whose heart was set on Eren, hesitated to speak, her eyes showing rare emotion.
Carla's voice hardened:
"You're still laughing? Do you hear me? You are not allowed to join the Survey Corps."
Grisha hesitated but added:
"I don't approve of you joining either. You're only thirteen now. You'll be fourteen next year. You're too young—there are other things you can do."
"No. I want to join the Survey Corps!" Ronan's voice was filled with determination.
This was his best choice now.
"Why?" Carla asked, puzzled.
Others looked on curiously.
Ronan thought for two seconds, then smiled knowingly.
"I don't want to be kept inside the city walls like livestock. The world is so big—I want to go out for a walk, to see the endless ocean, to see those strange animals, and most importantly..."
He paused and glanced at everyone.
"I want to know why giants appear in this world, and why they hunt humans. Only by understanding these things can we live safely!"
As he spoke, Ronan caught Grisha's eyes flicker oddly. Though Grisha quickly regained composure, Ronan noticed.
"The world outside..." Carla was silent, a little speechless.
Ronan's words were righteous.
Although the Survey Corps' work was dangerous, and many were dissatisfied with their losses and failures, everyone knew that in peaceful times, such a group was still necessary to explore, discover... to change.
Carla didn't want to admit it.
Especially when her beloved wanted to join such a perilous legion, she instinctively refused.
But looking at Ronan's immature yet unwavering face, Carla knew she couldn't argue.
The scene fell silent.
But then...
"Mom, Dad, I want to join the Survey Corps too!" Eren's voice broke the quiet.
Carla snapped:
"Don't even think about it!"
"Why?! You've obviously been convinced by Brother Ronan!" eren protested.
Carla pulled eren's ear.
"No reason, you just can't."
Eren grumbled, "It's so hard for me!"
He looked toward Ronan.
Without responding, Ronan turned away and glanced at the silent Grisha, wondering:
What are you thinking right now?