Attack on Titans: Titans Edge

The relentless pace of training continued, each day demanding more from the cadets. Physical drills left them bruised and exhausted, while sparring sessions honed their reflexes and instincts. The air buzzed with a mixture of camaraderie, competition, and underlying tension as the cadets pushed themselves to their limits. Lorien thrived in the structure, his disciplined mindset adapting to the regimen seamlessly.

Eren, driven by his burning resolve to join the Scouts, threw himself into every task with reckless abandon. Mikasa's precision and strength continued to shine, drawing admiration from their peers. Lorien, in contrast, excelled quietly, his movements calculated and deliberate, earning respect without ever drawing undue attention.

Amid the grueling routine, whispers of what lay ahead began to circulate among the cadets. When word came that they would finally begin ODM (Omni-Directional Mobility) gear training, the atmosphere shifted. Excitement and apprehension rippled through the group. This was what many of them had been waiting for—a chance to use the gear that defined a soldier's ability to fight Titans.

The cadets gathered in the training field, where rows of ODM gear were meticulously arranged. The harnesses gleamed under the sun, the metal hooks and gas canisters giving off an almost futuristic aura. Even those who had grown up hearing stories about the gear couldn't hide their awe at seeing it up close.

Instructor Keith Shadis stood before the group, his imposing presence commanding their attention.

"This," he began, gesturing to the gear, "is the Omni-Directional Mobility Gear. It's what allows you to move freely in a three-dimensional space, making you capable of engaging Titans or escaping them when necessary. Without it, you're nothing but fodder. With it, you have a chance to fight and survive."

Shadis continued, explaining the mechanics of the gear. The gas-powered propulsion system allowed for rapid movement, while the grappling hooks provided the ability to anchor onto surfaces. The balance harness, however, was the most crucial component. Without mastery of balance, all the technology in the world would be useless.

"Balance is key," Shadis emphasized, his voice sharp. "If you can't maintain your balance, you'll find yourself smashed against a wall or, worse, dangling in the jaws of a Titan."

The cadets hung on his every word, some with determination in their eyes, others with visible nervousness. For many, this was the moment they would discover whether they had what it took to become soldiers.

The balancing training began. The cadets were suspended in harnesses, their task simple in theory but challenging in practice: maintain their balance. Failure meant being unceremoniously flipped upside down or sent sprawling.

Mikasa stepped up first. True to form, her innate skill shone through as she quickly adjusted to the harness, her balance steady and controlled. The other cadets watched in awe, murmuring among themselves about her natural talent.

Lorien was next. His expression remained calm as he adjusted the straps of the harness, his mind already analyzing the mechanics. When he was lifted off the ground, he maintained his balance with ease. His movements were fluid and deliberate, a stark contrast to the flailing limbs of some of the other cadets.

Eren approached the gear with his usual fiery determination. His first attempt, however, ended in failure as he crashed to the ground. Laughter rippled through the group, especially from Jean.

"Get back up, Yeager!" Shadis barked, his voice cutting through the noise.

Eren's resolve didn't falter. He tried again and again, each failure only fueling his determination. Lorien observed him quietly from the sidelines, his expression unreadable.

When Armin later approached him, curiosity evident in his tone, he asked, "Lorien, you knew Eren might struggle with this, didn't you? Why didn't you say anything?"

Lorien's gaze remained steady. "Eren needs to figure this out on his own. If I interfere every time, he'll never learn. Failure has a way of teaching lessons that words can't."

Armin nodded thoughtfully, seeming to understand.

The pivotal moment came when Eren's gear was discovered to be faulty. The realization shifted the atmosphere among the cadets. Relief washed over Eren, and admiration filled the others—his failures hadn't been due to incompetence but to faulty equipment.

Given a new set of gear, Eren tried again, this time succeeding. The cadets erupted into cheers, their earlier mockery forgotten. Even Jean, ever the skeptic, looked begrudgingly impressed.

Lorien, standing off to the side, gave a small nod. This is how it needs to be, he thought. Eren's growth comes from struggle, from proving himself against the odds. Changing that would only weaken him in the long run.

As the day wound down, the cadets returned to their barracks, their conversations filled with excitement and relief. The successful completion of their first ODM training marked a turning point for many of them—a step closer to becoming true soldiers.

Lorien, as always, remained reserved, his thoughts already on the future. The introduction of ODM gear wasn't just another phase of training; it was the tool that would define their ability to fight and survive.