Corps, inside the commander's office~
"Have you finished your work?"
Erwin was as calm as ever.
Compared to Captain Keith, he was undoubtedly more approachable, but Lock knew that he also had a strong side.
"Done, I apply to return to the team."
Lock saluted with a standard military salute, his expression serious.
Hearing this, Erwin smiled and nodded:
"Welcome back, Lock."
"Sorry to trouble you~"
Lock said apologetically.
"It's good for you to know this. You don't have any vacation this year."
Erwin looked serious.
Geniuses naturally have their privileges, but they must stay within a controllable range.
Erwin didn't want Lock's potential to be delayed by himself, nor did he want him to face unnecessary changes.
Understanding Erwin's meaning, Lock said seriously:
"I won't do that in the future."
"Very good. Congratulations on your return to the team, Vice Captain Lock~"
Erwin smiled.
"Vice Captain?" Lock was puzzled.
"I won't comment on the Military Police or the Garrison Corps, but in the Survey Corps, merit earns position. You should understand what I mean."
Erwin stared into Lock's eyes with both confidence and expectation.
"So in your eyes, I am just an ambitious boy…"
With a sigh of emotion in his heart, Lock said seriously:
"I won't let you down~"
"Well, Levi will stay with me more often in the future.
For now, the team's affairs will be handed over to you."
Erwin admired Lock's ability.
Even though he had only been on one mission outside the wall, his pioneering thinking—unbound by conventional concepts—was especially gratifying.
In the past few days, Erwin repeatedly thought about the two theories Lock proposed.
The more he thought about them, the more reasonable they seemed.
His previously limited perspective immediately broadened, and he devised several response plans in his mind…
"Vice Captain?"
Walking out of the office and thinking of his new status, Lock smiled slightly.
Yet he did not indulge in it.
"Vice Captain" or whatever—it was still far from enough.
Erwin had seen through his utilitarian desire to "climb up" as fast as possible.
But thinking carefully, being fourteen was his best disguise now.
This ambition could also be seen as a youthful, enterprising spirit.
With his talent and ability, Lock knew it was only a matter of time before he was promoted further.
Thinking of this, Lock went to the team's dormitory inside the castle.
Even though time had passed, the place was still clean and bright—no trace of dust.
He nodded slightly.
It seemed Levi's standards of cleanliness remained absolute.
As soon as he entered the living room, Oluo and the other three were communicating.
The moment they saw Lock, their expressions lit up.
"Lock, you're finally back.
We were just saying you should never leave again, or get lured by Captain Hange, otherwise we'd suffer huge losses," Elder joked with a smile.
Oluo habitually added foul language:
"Kids these days, no discipline at all.
So many things to do, and you asked for leave to go home. I don't understand…"
Before Oluo could finish, Lock took a bottle of wine from his backpack and tossed it over.
"Old bird, see if that blocks your mouth~"
"Wow, where did you get that?"
Oluo, who always loved drinking, couldn't help but swallow.
"No need to worry about that.
If you want it, it's yours."
Lock said with a smile.
"Yes, I want it!"
Oluo grabbed the bottle hastily, afraid Lock would take it back.
He didn't complain further.
After all, he understood the principle of gratitude.
Petra and the other two couldn't help laughing.
Of course, Lock wouldn't favor one over the other.
Before coming, he brought gifts for all of them.
Naturally, Levi's gift was also indispensable:
A special height-increasing insole.
Levi hadn't returned until dinner time, leaving Lock a bit disappointed that he couldn't see Levi's reaction immediately.
Sensing Lock's thoughts, Petra smiled:
"The Captain is very busy these days.
He barely returns before midnight and is out again early in the morning.
If you want him to see your gift, you'll have to wait a little longer~"
"Hahaha, I want to pry open your head, Lock, and see what's inside.
How did you come up with this idea?"
Elder no longer carried a mature image and smiled playfully.
"Height-enhancing insoles~" Lock responded.
"Yes, height-increasing insoles.
Let's see the Captain's reaction after receiving this gift~"
Elder's smile deepened.
Gunda chimed in at the right moment:
"He'll probably beat you for it, right?"
"No, definitely beaten~"
Oluo whispered.
At that moment, Levi's voice came from the door:
"What do you mean by beaten?"
Elder and the others stifled laughter, surprised by Levi's tone of doubt.
But Lock couldn't chicken out now.
Under their instigating gazes, Lock stood up, took the package containing the height-increasing insoles, walked toward Levi, and handed it over:
"Captain, this is a gift for you~"
"What's that~"
Levi instinctively pulled his hand away and looked at Lock.
"It's not particularly precious.
Just a height-increasing insole I designed and made myself."
Lock spoke truthfully.
His eyes looked innocent, and his acting skills were perfect.
"Height-increasing insoles?!"
Though Levi didn't know exactly what they were, he sensed something was off.
Seeing this, Lock calmly explained the purpose of the insoles.
Petra and the others had already started laughing, dancing with joy.
Levi twitched at the corner of his mouth but didn't explode.
Instead, he put the insoles away and said:
"Thoughtful~"
Then, his expression turned serious:
"The rest time is over.
We have a mission!"
---
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San