You'd gathered a cluster of cadets near the wooden dummy structures—the newer recruits, the ones who still fumbled with their gear straps and flinched at sudden movements.

That gaze.

Heavy. Unwavering. Blue as a winter sky and twice as cold to anyone else.

You turned your head just slightly.

Erwin stood at the edge of the yard, arms behind his back, posture carved from stone. He wasn't frowning. He wasn't smiling either. He just... watched.

His eyes met yours, and held.

Beside him, Levi was saying something—mouth moving, expression flat—but Erwin didn't acknowledge it. Didn't blink.