Chapter 42: Mika Defeat
For five consecutive days, Eren met defeat at Mika’s hands. Each morning brought new humiliation as he pushed himself to the limit, believing victory was within reach, only to find himself flat on his back, staring at the sky. His punishments escalated—one hundred push-ups became two hundred as Commander Maria deemed his progress insufficient.
Each night, Eren returned to the training grounds where Viva taught him techniques unknown in his previous life. Her instruction was patient but demanding, pushing him further than he thought possible. Under the silver moonlight, she corrected his stance, adjusted his balance, demonstrated the flowing movements that made Thornvale warriors so formidable.
"The body remembers what the mind forgets," she told him one night, guiding his arm through a complex counter-strike. "Let your muscles learn the truth of combat."
On the sixth day, Eren arrived at the training grounds before dawn. The morning air carried a chill that seeped into his bones, but he welcomed it, using the discomfort to sharpen his focus. He had prepared differently this night—training until his muscles screamed, then meditating as the first hints of dawn touched the eastern sky.
He stood in the center of the arena, barefoot on the cool earth, eyes closed, breathing measured. The sun crested the horizon, bathing the training ground in golden light that caught the moisture in the air, creating a fleeting halo around his silhouette.
Footsteps approached—the familiar cadence of Commander Maria’s stride, accompanied by Mika’s lighter tread and Viva’s almost silent movements. Eren opened his eyes but remained motionless, centered in his purpose.
"You’re early today, Veilwalker," Mika observed, appraising him with narrowed eyes. "I hope we might see something different this morning."
Commander Maria studied him with clinical detachment. "Something has changed," she murmured, almost to herself.
Eren remained silent, aware of Queen Elena taking her customary position on the elevated platform. The Lens twins flanked her, their identical faces betraying identical surprise as they took in Eren’s transformation.
During the days of intense training, his body had responded with almost unnatural speed—filling out, hardening, reclaiming the powerful physique he’d once possessed. Muscles rippled beneath his skin as he rolled his shoulders, the morning light defining each contour. Even his height seemed to have increased subtly, his posture more commanding than before.
’My original strength is returning,’ Eren thought with quiet satisfaction as he noted the surprised glances exchanged among the observers. ’This body remembers who I truly am.’