Since he was quite young when his mother died, the closest thing Levi had to a parental figure was Kenny Ackerman - a man known as "Kenny the Ripper" on the streets for his violence. He taught Levi to be self-reliant and independent, how to wield a knife, and how to use his strength to his advantage. While in many ways Kenny was there for him, especially after the death of his mother when Levi needed someone, he was a complete failure to Levi emotionally. There was never a sense of comfort between them. For most of his life, Levi didn't even know why Kenny took him in nor did he even know how Kenny knew his mother. He'd assumed Kenny was simply a client of hers and Levi was more concerned with survival than figuring out Kenny's motives.
Then, as a teen, Kenny abandoned Levi suddenly. He was left a broken individual without anyone in his life to guide him and Levi spent years wondering what Kenny's motives were, considering Kenny's influence on himself, surviving and not much more than that. It wasn't until decades later that Kenny and Levi reunited, confronted each other, and Kenny finally told Levi the truth. Levi's mother was his sister, making Kenny his uncle. He felt obligated to take Levi under his wing but couldn't find it in him to become a good father figure, realized his bad influence on Levi and left in hopes Levi could become a better person.
With Levi's adaptability he had no problems surviving on his own and eventually made his way to stealing from the military, including stealing their weapons and gear. In particular Levi was known to fly around using the 3D Maneuvering Gear the military had developed, which was supposed to be quite difficult to master. Levi figured it out all on his own and even taught a few others how to use it properly. Already on the radar for the stolen gear, Levi became a stronger target for the military because of his skill in using it.
Enter Erwin Smith, commander of the Survey Corps. It wasn't hard for him to track Levi down, being the only non-military to use the 3DMG. What was more difficult was to literally pin him down and bring him into custody. However, Erwin wasn't interested in imprisoning him. Instead Erwin was impressed with Levi and intended to recruit him.
It didn't take much convincing as Levi knew he'd be provided for in the military. But with Kenny's influence still nagging deep in Levi's psyche he made plans to eventually kill Erwin and move on.
After a failed survey mission which resulted in the deaths of many of Erwin's subordinates, including several of Levi's friends, he takes the opportunity to fulfill his plan. Instead of fighting against Levi, Erwin instead pleads with him to look torwards the future - a brighter future in which they can all be free of the walls that confine them. For the first time Levi considers the vastness of the world beyond what he knows and realises there's more to it and that Erwin's mission isn't to blindly lead his subordinates to their deaths. He means to find out the unknown and gather knowledge in order to help humanity, regardless of the cost.
This is a pivotal point for Levi, and from then on he makes the decision to put his absolute trust in Erwin and his mission. Years go by and the trust becomes mutual. Erwin is the only person Levi will take absolute orders from, without question, and he devotes his life to seeing Erwin's mission through. Erwin isn't completely commanding though; he designates a special task force to Levi. The Survey Corps becomes notoriously known for being reckless and looking for danger, while the rest of the military simply does what needs to be done to survive.
From Erwin, Levi learns purpose and develops into a strong leader. He becomes calculating and more comfortable with making the tough choices of when to bend and when to break. Losses and sacrifices are made for the greater good and Levi doesn't allow himself to regret anything. Even after Erwin's unfortunate death, his influence on Levi is undeniable. In life they made an unconditional promise to do what must be done for humanity, and in death Levi will see it through - no matter the cost.
i tried not to write a novel, i'm sorry
Then, as a teen, Kenny abandoned Levi suddenly. He was left a broken individual without anyone in his life to guide him and Levi spent years wondering what Kenny's motives were, considering Kenny's influence on himself, surviving and not much more than that. It wasn't until decades later that Kenny and Levi reunited, confronted each other, and Kenny finally told Levi the truth. Levi's mother was his sister, making Kenny his uncle. He felt obligated to take Levi under his wing but couldn't find it in him to become a good father figure, realized his bad influence on Levi and left in hopes Levi could become a better person.
With Levi's adaptability he had no problems surviving on his own and eventually made his way to stealing from the military, including stealing their weapons and gear. In particular Levi was known to fly around using the 3D Maneuvering Gear the military had developed, which was supposed to be quite difficult to master. Levi figured it out all on his own and even taught a few others how to use it properly. Already on the radar for the stolen gear, Levi became a stronger target for the military because of his skill in using it.
Enter Erwin Smith, commander of the Survey Corps. It wasn't hard for him to track Levi down, being the only non-military to use the 3DMG. What was more difficult was to literally pin him down and bring him into custody. However, Erwin wasn't interested in imprisoning him. Instead Erwin was impressed with Levi and intended to recruit him.
It didn't take much convincing as Levi knew he'd be provided for in the military. But with Kenny's influence still nagging deep in Levi's psyche he made plans to eventually kill Erwin and move on.
After a failed survey mission which resulted in the deaths of many of Erwin's subordinates, including several of Levi's friends, he takes the opportunity to fulfill his plan. Instead of fighting against Levi, Erwin instead pleads with him to look torwards the future - a brighter future in which they can all be free of the walls that confine them. For the first time Levi considers the vastness of the world beyond what he knows and realises there's more to it and that Erwin's mission isn't to blindly lead his subordinates to their deaths. He means to find out the unknown and gather knowledge in order to help humanity, regardless of the cost.
This is a pivotal point for Levi, and from then on he makes the decision to put his absolute trust in Erwin and his mission. Years go by and the trust becomes mutual. Erwin is the only person Levi will take absolute orders from, without question, and he devotes his life to seeing Erwin's mission through. Erwin isn't completely commanding though; he designates a special task force to Levi. The Survey Corps becomes notoriously known for being reckless and looking for danger, while the rest of the military simply does what needs to be done to survive.
From Erwin, Levi learns purpose and develops into a strong leader. He becomes calculating and more comfortable with making the tough choices of when to bend and when to break. Losses and sacrifices are made for the greater good and Levi doesn't allow himself to regret anything. Even after Erwin's unfortunate death, his influence on Levi is undeniable. In life they made an unconditional promise to do what must be done for humanity, and in death Levi will see it through - no matter the cost.