Reincarnated In Attack On Titan World As Nobody

After returning to his hometown, Levi granted Lock a single day of leave.

The clang of metal rang through the street as Lock approached a familiar shopfront. At the doorway of Harry's blacksmith shop, he couldn't help but smile—the rhythm of hammer against steel hadn't changed at all.

He stepped inside.

Harry stood bare-chested at the forge, his hammer rising and falling in steady arcs. Sweat darkened his arms, his muscles straining with each strike. There was fatigue in his brow, but his eyes remained sharp with determination.

Lock's throat tightened unexpectedly. He quickened his pace.

"Uncle, I'm back."

The hammer stilled. Harry turned, blinked in surprise, then strode forward with such energy that Lock thought the hammer might actually swing at him. He stumbled back, startled.

Realizing, Harry chuckled and set the tool aside. His massive hands clapped down on Lock's shoulders.

"Well, well. Back already? Don't tell me you got yourself expelled from the Training Corps. Hah! Not that I'd complain—good to have you home!"

Lock shook his head. "No. I graduated. I'm part of the Survey Corps now."

He pulled back his cloak, revealing the Wings of Freedom stitched proudly on his jacket.

Harry froze, confusion flickering across his face. Lock explained patiently, and when the truth settled in, Harry's expression turned heavy. Concern lingered there, though he said nothing more. He simply nodded, then brought Lock home.

Aunt Martha nearly broke down when she saw him. Tears welled as she threw her arms around him, and Lock's own chest ached with warmth. After more than a month apart, the small home filled again with laughter, scolding, and the familiar comfort of family.

The morning passed quickly. After lunch, they visited the Jaegers' house.

News of Lock's return spread fast.

"Brother Lock, you already graduated from the Training Corps? In just over a month?!" Eren's eyes were wide with disbelief. He'd always thought of Lock as impressive, but this surpassed even his imagination.

Lock scratched his nose, embarrassed. "Guess I was… ahead of schedule."

Eren's admiration burned brighter, almost uncomfortably so. Even Mikasa, ever reserved, glanced at Lock with quiet surprise. He was the youngest in history to graduate early, and with top marks no less. She found herself silently weighing her own strength against his.

I might not be able to keep up anymore, she thought.

Lock didn't notice her thoughts. He was too busy fending off Eren's flood of questions about the Corps, the gear, and life beyond the walls. Armin soon joined in, his curiosity no less relentless.

Karla, however, shut down Eren's pleas to follow Lock to the base before they even began.

The hours slipped by. Too soon, Lock's brief leave came to an end.

At the gate, the air grew heavy. None wanted to let him go, especially knowing he would soon ride beyond the walls.

"Brother Lock, you have to come back safe." Eren's voice was firm for once, stripped of boyish energy. Mikasa's expression was the same, silent but resolute, while Armin added quietly, "Please be careful."

Lock smiled and ruffled their hair—Eren and Armin laughing nervously, Mikasa stiff under the gesture but not pulling away.

He turned then to Harry, Grisha, and the others. "I'll be back. If all goes well, within half a month."

"We'll be waiting," Grisha said. The others nodded, voices thick with worry. Karla and Martha dabbed at their eyes, trying and failing to hide their tears.

Lock exhaled slowly, then forced himself to turn away. He didn't dare look back. If he did, he knew his resolve might falter.

He had family now. People worth protecting. Comrades worth fighting beside. And in this cruel world, that meant only one thing—he had to grow stronger, no matter the cost.

The sound of his boots faded into the street until only silence and worried faces remained behind.

---

A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon

Support: patreon.com/Narrator_San