Disclaimer: Tziphora does NOT owe anything regarding Attack on Titan. So, call off your lawyers.

Chapter 20: Foreboding Tidings

The wildlife was quiet. A chill ran through the air, causing the leaves to dance. The rustling of the foliage created an eerie atmosphere in the forest. These signs generally hinted that a dangerous predator was approaching or currently amongst those who felt such sensations. However, she was a predator who felt no such trepidation. Instead, her presence would be the catalyst for such things.

This time though, something else was occupying this forest, disturbing the normally serene nature of the land. Though the more obvious clue would be the unusual footprint before her. Such a thing had only been witnessed beyond these despicable walls. To find it within the first of the breached walls was…concerning. Not for herself, but rather her charge.

Signs of evolution that she was now incapable of studying and therefore could only deduce untested theories was dangerous. While there was a means of testing her hypothesis, the process which she would need to perform in order to permit the testing them to be accurate would put her charge in peril, making the whole point of testing them to keep said charge safe a moot point.

And despite her lack of ability to gather evidence and evaluate data now, she still had other means at her disposal to find out the necessary information, though far less reliable and out of her control.

No matter how distasteful such measures were, she had long ago thrown away feelings that stood in the way of her long-term goals. Even if those goals have focused onto one subject, she will continue to disregard any moral boundaries to achieve them.

After all. This was the only way she could possibly atone for her crimes.

-AoT-

It could very well be considered criminal to only be able to properly *read: fairly* grade papers when listening to the moans and groans of weaker people trying to prove they have what it took to become future cannon fodder, but Seffra didn't really care. If sitting outside the cadet training grounds, the sounds of pain and humiliation filling the air, was what it took to remain a competent teacher, then that was a sacrifice she was all too willing to make.

It totally had nothing to do with watching as that pathetic pup gets his ass kicked around by those who were more capable and far more likely to not die in their first battle. Nope. Totally had nothing to do with it. If the sounds of his suffering and pointless struggles just so happened to make the seemingly never-ending task that was known to the world as grading tests and homework less daunting…

…well, that was merely a benefit then. It wasn't like she asked for such a thing to occur.

Starlite wishes don't count.

Cause if they did, then the Pipsqueak would have covered himself in mud and dance like a loon in front of his superiors by now. So, this current enjoyment was not a result of wishing.

If it was, she wanted a refund. Shorty's humiliation was by far a stronger desire then Pup's rear end being sore from being flipped by blondie down there.

…

….even if it was entertaining.

Shaking her red colored bangs from her eyes, Seffra resumed marking papers. As frustrating as it was, it was still amazing how quickly these people adapted. Despite being adults, they truly were taking well to the language.

Well, as well as they could on a second-grade level. It had been entertaining to see the lackies twitch and sweat from nerves when she had placed their Alpha in 'The Corner' for speaking Common in class after she had invoked the English rule. That didn't stop the small snickers from the brave few at the sight of Erwin siting in the small stool, wearing the cone atop his head. Of course, she couldn't permit such disruption during class time, so those brave souls all ending up being nailed between the eyes with small chalk projectiles.

And with her strength, those tiny pieces left impressive bruising.

It wouldn't be fair if she didn't adhere to her own rules after all. Punishment and rewards. She had warned them that first day. To think that was months ago. Maybe she was getting soft, only punishing with chalk. She may need to consider carving up some branches and make wooden knives.

Yeah, and aim them at the students' papers that they should have been concentrating on instead of the humiliation of their classmates. It might even benefit them in the long run to have to start the assignment all over.

Excited at the new method of educating *coughtorturingcough* her students, Seffra quickly returned to the last few papers in her pile. After all, the sooner she completed the paperwork, the sooner she could start acquiring wood for her new project.

She even considered testing them on the pup whenever he did personal training. Since he was already fodder, if she accidentally (purposefully during moments of irritation) nicked him, well, no one would REALLY care.

-AoT-

It never ended. Just when it was believed that the end was in sight, the abomination multiplied. Though, that may have been cause the only paperwork Erwin had finished was the forms for the next expedition beyond Wall Rose. The pile remaining was his…homework.

Truly, Seffra kept her word in all regards. Including the punishments. There was no rank in the classroom apart from placements. But military rank had been shortly abolished in that class. He truly was just another student like his men. In a way, it was enlightening and made him closer to his comrades…

…and in another way, it was a bit humiliating to be subjected to the same punishments, but Erwin knew that was the whole point.

Equality. Seffra truly held them all in the same standard. She may say he is the Alpha in the group outside, but she easily disregarded all of that in the classroom. Last week, she had given them all what she called 'placement tests' to see who was excelling faster and who struggled.

Despite people thinking she was going to berate the slower ones and hold the higher places men in better regards, she instead gave an inspirational speech about humans having different learning methods and capabilities. To not think that learning faster meant better. Seffra continued to say that she would be holding different classes then, separating the groups according to the tests so that she could develop a method that work for those who struggled with her current means of teaching.

It was fascinating to see this wild woman flourish as a teacher, in Erwin's eyes. She was still uncouth with her tongue, dressed differently, and enjoyed humiliating Levi (thankfully keeping it within the limits of her capacity as a teacher during class), but when she was teaching, Erwin almost swore that her eyes were glowing with pride when one of her students answered a random question correctly.

Despite her complaining about this whole thing in the beginning, Erwin knew that some part of Seffra (deep, deep, deep within) was happy to be teaching and having humans grow beyond their stagnant (her words) ways.

And Erwin could admit that a part of him was truly excited for the next lesson for his group, as Seffra had stated that it would be an outdoors event, concentrating of foliage.

The commander had noticed but never done anything to stop it, that Seffra was starting to expand her teaching from English and expanding to other practices, that she called Earth Science, and Astronomy.

From what he would deduce, Earth Science involved the land and what thrived in it, while Astronomy covered the skies above.

How Seffra knew these things, Erwin still didn't know, but he ventured that it had something to do with that strange amnesia that the young woman had.

~click~

The sound of the window opening and a body climbing in, followed by the scent of pine no longer caused Erwin to tense, long having adapted to Seffra's unusual method of entering his office when she didn't feel like traversing through the many hallways.

The many lectures she'd received never changed her methods, so he didn't waste his breathe.

"*How interesting, Commander Smith. You truly have managed to tame the child if she is taking the time to instruct you and your men in the Old ways.*"

Erwin couldn't believe his eyes as ?Seffra? walked around him, her gait no longer one of a person prepared to dodge or fight. Instead, the woman who had Seffra's face, hair, and body, but wearing a lab coat that looked like those from Hange's department, stood tall, shoulder's back, legs walking with a strong, confident stride. Like a woman who knew the power she held, knew herself, and was unafraid of flaunting it.

She came to a stop on the other side of Erwin's desk, and sat on the left corner, green eyes cooly looking over his paperwork. Crossing her legs, the woman smoothly reached over and picked up a paper with her finger tips for a closer examination.

"*Truly, I am impressed with how humans have grown despite your evolution degrading to what it has. Though you have evolved somewhat, differently to what the last age had in their time.*"

Carefully, Erwin not letting his eyes fall off of the red head smirking before him, he gripped the small knife attached to the bottom of his desk.

"*I am not here to end your life, Commander Erwin Smith. Do not fear, I merely wished to have another discussion with the man who ensnared my darling charge. Jonah always spoke highly of you, but the mere fact that you were capable of pulling Seffra into a cage without losing your manhood or life is a feat I almost did not believe possible. I find myself intrigue with you. And I did acknowledge the possibility of another meeting after all. But you humans are so careful and keep your adventures beyond your wall so far apart that I became…impatient you could say. Truly a flaw I dislike but acknowledge that I have never grown from.*"

It shouldn't be possible. Erwin couldn't even begin to imagine how such a thing was possible. This was truly beyond any human means…

…But the evidence was right in front of him. In the tall red head who would never willingly cover herself as such, in the two-toned voice spilling from smirking lips.

"While I may venture a guess as to your identity, it is only polite to have my unexpected guest give their name."

That smirk grew…and Erwin finally realized that the woman was wearing a deep red lipstick, almost the same color as blood. The effect was chilling, making the commander feel like he was being watched by a predator deciding if it should eat him or continue to toy with him.

"*How right you are, Commander. Forgive this old woman's rudeness. My time without company does tend to wear on the mind. As you may have concluded with that captivating mind of yours, I am Larentia. The very same abnormal wolf you met. Whose very fangs your men now study to develop into weapons capable of felling your opponents.*"

Larentia-Seffra tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at the blonde specimen that sat before her.

"*And there is much we need to discuss, I am gleeful to say.*"

TBC…

A.N. I'm alive. I hope you like this chapter, cause things are going to start happening (for a bit). How is Larentia here? Is she in Seffra's body? Or does she look like Seffra and has a human form? I'm curious what you all think just happened.

Till next time (which should be in about two weeks if things work out.)

Fireworks and virtual cookies to all of you who have read, favorite, followed, and sent reviews. I'll respond to reviews next chapter again like always. Till next time!