Grant Hyral
Giant Tree Forest
The days had passed onward from where the Mountain incident occurred, one that was very clear no one would let go from their minds. The exercise itself was more than enough to show the harshness, aggression and brutality of the world. But the point of that sometimes slipped by Grant. Originally he would question to himself about the point of toughening up the cadets in the harshest conditions was, especially when the greatest of soldiers could be swiped out of the sky and eaten alive without much time to react. However, even with that thought in his mind, he was able to find the correct answer. It wasn't to prepare them for the titans, it was more likely to prepare them for the harshness of the conflict. Watching friends dying, allies being ripped to shreds, it was all very hard. Grant may not have seen his share of death and destruction in his life, even at Shiganshina, where he was riding a horse fast enough to avoid most of it, but the mountain was a good reminder of what the world was like.
Grant came to learn things like this back on the farm, where his mother, Mateo and himself were all discussing the recent death of a plough-horse. Whilst it was a lie, it was a good lesson in life. The horse was named Edvar, a large brute of a horse that drove the ploughs onward far greater than any other horse could ever do. At the time, Grant hadn't been the most aware of children in the world, but they were all aware of what Grant wanted as a future life, hugely from Mateo's influence. Once Edvar had grown sick, not even old, and passed on towards the life after this one, he questioned his mother and uncle about why the other horses were not faltered in their progress in using the farming equipment, in fact moving better than ever before. Grant never forgot the words of Mateo, as it became a key factor to understanding death and misery:
"You aren't like the horses, not yet at least. They understand the true actions of nature, and take ever death into mind as fuel. It drives them forward, as if they were born to watch close ones die. Why else do you think I joined the Scouting Legion? I wanted to be as close to these horses when that time came to my life." Now, he stood, watching the confused looks of the other cadets as their instructor had left. Looks flashed between them all as they stood dumbfounded as to what they had to do, right up until the other instructors informing them of the time's beginning. Some hesitated, taking the time to go off quickly in an attempt to stay ahead of the time, others played it smart, such as Emil and Grant. Whilst Emil jogged ahead, Grant walked slowly, talking and thinking to himself, staring up at the trees. Amongst the cadets within the ranks, Grant was definitely up there with the best, even if he wasn't THE best. Critical thinking was almost his only secret.
He looked at the trees, making blind estimates on their height, size and the average spacing he could make out between the trees and columns. Grant had to keep his wits around him, knowing that this was never going to be his only obstacle no doubt. Why would the instructors make it easy for them? This was a goal, not a privilege.
"Cadet, you seem slow? Pick up the pace." One of the instructors rode aside him, inspecting his choice of action. It was likely an assessment, so Grant answered honestly.
"Making any sort of mental notes I can. I doubt we'll be getting this course done first try. Why make it that easy?" The instructor smirked, nodding slightly before continuing to trot aside him. Eventually, Grant stopped, looking at the trees again, before placing his left leg rearwards in preparation for running. Before he waited too long, he bounded forward at a not-too fast speed, shooting both hooks outwards to a pair of trees with a sizeable gap between it.
His aim was to find the smallest gaps that were safe, meaning his hooks might be able to catapult him forward with higher momentum and a greater gas reduction. It was daring, sure, but so was enlisting to combat the titans. Whilst this would only get him so far, his remaining plan was to try and use a similar method with flinging himself forward after undoubtedly having to overcome the obstacles around the course.
And as planned, he was flung forward, in the direction he had planned for. He sped towards the gap that was easily clear enough to make through, but also thin enough to follow through with his ideal plan of action. In doing so, he began to move at a good speed, more than he anticipated, as he flew towards the gap. Perfect timing was of the up-most importance, and he followed through with what he had planned. At the right time, at least the one he presumed was the right time, he retracted the hooks back towards him, flinging him a good distance forward. As he started to descend downwards, he tried again, hoping to the walls that he hadn't consumed much gas when starting the process...
Banned
