Arc 8: Ningen Wo Kaburu (Wearing human skin)
"Come on! Keep going!" Eren shouted to the class of boys, each one of them stuck into intense training.
"Sir... We can't keep up."
"You have to do better." Eren scolded. "This isn't just for your own good but for the good of your future. Now, faster!"
"Yes... Sensei..." The boys said in unison, their bodies feeling the stress of training so early in the morning, and the cold winter weather didn't help.
Pens scratched against paper as the boys wrote furiously, and wrote, and wrote some more.
Many of whom lacked basic literacy skills. A problem that Eren sought to remedy. Even if it would be the last thing he would do; these boys will become functional members of society. They will not be criminals nor brutes and they will be literate.
"Stop! Pencils down!" He commanded, strutting around the field like a military drill sergeant. Inspecting everyone's work. Some did better than most.
Dai, had the penmanship of a serial killer. Sora, whose writing was by far the most legible, a testament to his work ethic under Eren's teachings. Poor Yuri; whose writing was the worst of all. His characters looked more like a jumbled mess than any discernible kanji.
"Overall, you guys have been improving a lot." Eren said, looking over the papers, "However, you need to keep practicing every day."
"Ughhhhhh." The boys groaned, "When do we practice our fighting skills?" One asked.
"Yeah, we haven't been in the arena since last week." Added Toshiro, eager to let off some steam in the ring.
A system of rewards for their hard work in Eren's training. Gate training for their efforts of improving themselves academically and socially. It was a fair trade-off, one that motivated them to keep going. Even if the work was hard and the rewards were small. They wanted to be strong rankers.
"Fine. Everyone, outside. It's time to train." He ordered, the boys rushing towards the exit of the field, ready to beat the living daylights out of each other.
Although, today was different. Eren had a helper. One who was more than willing to put these boys in line.
---
"Mr. Heart. Who is this?" Asked the hulking figure of Toshiro.
"Hi, my names Jun Jiao, you can call me Mr. Jiao." Jun bowed in respect, the boys following with an unsteady bow back.
"Mr. Jiao, was once a student of this school and a former army brat. From now on, he will be teaching you discipline in combat."
Hesitant young men glanced to and fro. An air of unease filled the space as they took in Jun's presence. The prospect of having another man, an ex-military one at that, seemed to unsettle them.
"Good luck." Eren took his leave, letting the boys to the mercy of Jun who now stood in the centre of the arena. A smile of glee and malice plastered on the young man's face.
"Alright, guys. Please stand on those wooden stakes and wait for further instructions." He said, pointing to the outer ring of the courtyard. Barley off the ground, and small enough to not hold one's foot fully. The boys complied, though their faces showed trepidation as they balanced precariously on the thin poles.
Jun turned back to them and smiled, a dark glint flashing across his eyes.
"For the next few hours, this will be your home. Your whole world will be these stakes, your only salvation from the pain is to stay on them. If you step down..." A look that would scare the devil himself, "Well... let's keep that a surprise, shall we?"
The boys glanced at each other nervously, unsure of what to expect. Some even looking at Eren for some semblance of salvation.
Although, it was his idea to have a well-disciplined teacher. One to push the boundaries of their limits. He certainly didn't envy his boys.
---
Hours passed, and one by one they started to drop. Legs exhausted, sweat soaking their clothes. Despite the bitter cold air, the training was intense enough to make them feel as if summer was upon them once more. Although Jun pushed them ever harder, a relentless drill instructor of their own personal hell. Balancing on one leg, then the other. Jumping, hopping, and squatting.
'What kind of training did they do in the army?' Eren thought to himself, watching the spectacle before him. A sight that was rather pitiful, but necessary to their development.
Afterall 'The boys need to learn discipline. I'm sure this is good for them.'
However, in the corner of his eye he spotted Dai and Sora. Conversing with three police officers. Each of whom were in a heated discussion. Their faces contorted with frustration and anger.
"Oi, Dai and Sora. Go back to training with Jun!" He shouted across the field, catching the attention of the two students. Both looking to Eren then back to the cops.
"Sir, these pigs want to talk to us-"
"Go." Cutting off Sora's sentence, the boys with sly grins ran back to the centre of the field to continue training.
On the other side of the fence stood one Luca Romano, the young detective of the recently expanded RCU, backed by two officers dressed in blue.
"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it, Eren?" Luca spoke, a smile on the junior detectives face.
Eren stood on the other side of the fence. Stern eyes meeting Luca's, not even acknowledging the presence of the other cops.
"This is Silvermane property, leave." The teacher ordered, the other officers ignoring his words.
"No, we are on public property." Luca interjected. "We can stand here all day if you like."
"What do you want?"
"Information, Eren. The RCU suspect that your guild, and those boys have a relationship with the Reaper." The Italian man said, eyes glaring at Eren. His demeanour shifting from friendly to accusatory, a subtle shift in stance to emphasize the point. The two cops beside Luca followed in kind.
"No. Fuck off."
"Listen here, you brat!" One of the officers shouted, stepping forward and pointing an accusing finger at the younger man.
"We're not going anywhere, Heart. Sooner or later, someone's going to talk- "
"You know nothing you fat fuck." Eren interrupted, a dangerous edge in his tone as his eyes locked with the officer's.
The officer recoiled, a flicker of fear crossing his features. But Eren wasn't finished, "My boys are under my protection, they know not to talk to the cops without either me or a representative from the Silvermane Guild present. So, unless you have a warrant, or a death wish, you will leave."
The officers shared nervous glances, their resolve wavering. One of them muttered something under their breath.
"Eren, please. If you let us talk to them; with you present. We could bring this investigation to a close."
"No."
Eren was too smart or just had a cynical view of authority to trust the RCU. He knew if any of the boys said something slightly off-kilter the RCU would hound them relentlessly. An easy target, was a young delinquent with a troubled past.
"This won't go away until you cooperate." Luca spoke, the only one not shitting their pants in fear. The pressure Eren was emanating would spook even the hardest of rankers.
"Everything goes away eventually." A final threat from Eren. Returning to the centre. The police also leaving, not without giving dirty looks to the students of Kaname.
"Boys! Come here for a second!" He shouted, gathering the attention of the boys who were still training. Finally hopping off the stakes, and rushing over to Eren, who now stood in the middle of the field. Each one in varying states of exertion. Gasping for breath or sweating profusely in the winter air.
"Sir?"
"I've said it once and I'll say it until death do us part." Eren began, "If you are approached by cops, you don't say a goddamn word, not even a breath of air, unless you are with me or a representative from the Silvermane guild. Do you understand?"
"Why? We can take em... We just tell em to eat shit." The bold words of Yuri, who was the most troublesome of all the boys. His attitude and arrogance made for an interesting dynamic. One that Eren both hated and admired.
"That is exactly the type of talk that will get you into trouble. One more time 'Don't talk-'"
"Talk with the cops without Mr. Heart or a representative of the guild present. We got it. Sir." The boys all replied with bored and annoyed expressions.
"Good. Now, it's time to cool down. Run laps."
With that, the boys dispersed, beginning their cooldown lap around the field.
Whilst Eren watched on. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up, the sensation of being watched overcame the reaper. As if a predator stalks its prey.
Not the RCU wanting to pounce; something else. A sinister entity. Something more dangerous than the cops. A bit beyond the block was a lone van.
Eren had sent Virtue and Vice in their crow form to watch over it. A handy ability it was to see through their eyes. Unseen corners now never dark.
Only one man sat inside, black suit and tie.
Like a man in black from that would cover up any extraterrestrial activities. Mysteries beyond human intrigue. Eyes closed like he would sleep through a storm. The man's breathing was slow and steady, as if meditating or perhaps in a trance.
Either way, that man had been spotted around the neighbourhood in varying points. Always in the background. Always in the same clothes. Same van, it was clear to the Reaper. This was no mere civilian. This was a spy.
'Somethings about to happen.'
***
Later that night:
"Are we ready?"
The shadows of ward 4. Overtaking everything in the cold night. A group of well-armed men and women. Clad in tactical gear and weapons strapped from head to toe. Assault rifles to submachine guns. Even a few swords.
"We're good to go."
Eyes of white visible through their helmets and balaclavas. They were an unusual group for sure. Not the likes to enter ward 4 without important business that needs doing.
"Remember... In and out. Like shadows of the night." The leader of the group said, checking the slide of his gun. "No soul shall see shadows tonight."
"Sir!"
Although, the men and women were elite and battle hardened. They had faced many foes, but tonight's raid would not be as easy as they thought. A monster lurked in the shadows; the same shadows they used to hide themselves.
With a simple hand gesture, the squad began to move. Filing into low-key vehicles that blended with the city streets. Their destination: Silvermane guild HQ.