Just as Fred finished speaking, the door opened and several people filed in.
Only the local security forces could enter this area.
Their expressions were complex when they saw the two men.
After all, they never expected that Fred could actually fight Andrew to a standstill.
It was worth remembering that Fred himself was still a researcher.
"Mr. Freed, that equipment..."
Someone couldn't help but ask Fred as soon as they met.
Although Alec had already explained the situation to them earlier.
Without hearing it directly from Fred, they still didn't feel completely assured.
"I made it."
Fred smiled.
There was no need for him to hide this - it was a significant advantage.
After all, his ultimate goal was to participate in MS research.
Hearing this, everyone fell silent for a moment, their eyes gradually growing fervent.
Fred's capabilities were so impressive.
Although Fred hadn't completely defeated Andrew.
The abilities he had demonstrated were absolutely astonishing.
While they couldn't tell the identity of this masked man, his future achievements would undoubtedly be great.
He might even become a city representative.
Knowing a city representative would be valuable connections even for these security forces.
And it wasn't just that - since they had become Aces through their deep devotion to PLANT.
This devotion extended to Fred, this rising star in PLANT, creating a sense of loving everything associated with their cause.
In short, Fred's performance had truly won them over.
Watching the crowd before him, Andrew also smiled.
He definitely wouldn't mention that the other party was still a Natural.
But where someone came from didn't matter to him.
His own judgment was what mattered most.
After testing him thoroughly, he had completely come to trust the other party.
Thinking this, Andrew added.
"Let's go, those kids are waiting."
Fred had fought honorably, and after so many tests, Andrew believed Fred wasn't the type to exploit the master-disciple relationship.
In short, he was very reliable.
And he had proven his modification capabilities.
He would likely soon join the frontline research and development team.
If so, where would Fred's future and their future lead? Would they achieve peace as he said, even if only temporary peace?
Andrew found himself looking forward to it.
"Alright."
Responding to Andrew's words, Fred nodded.
His sparring with Tiger had concluded, and he still had more matters to attend to.
He couldn't afford to be arrogant.
After all, he had only managed a mutual defeat because both Mobile Suits were weak.
If they had both piloted BuCUEs, he would have had no chance.
Of course, only his current self stood no chance.
By the time the BuCUE research was completed several years later, he would have continued growing and likely gained the ability to truly compete with the other.
...
The group didn't talk much longer. As the two left the port's maintenance area, Flay and Athrun had already floated over one after another.
Flay was visibly excited, and Athrun wasn't far behind.
They had witnessed every moment of Fred's battle.
Each move defied their expectations, yet effectively bridged the gap in their respective strengths.
Moreover, this was, in a sense, the first time any of them had seen Fred engage in combat using a Mobile Armor against an opponent.
Although he had previously encountered Blue Cosmos' Drake-class vessels,
that had merely involved basic targeting and maneuvering.
While technically impressive, it lacked spectacle. This time was different.
Fred had fought Andrew to a standstill in direct combat.
That alone would be enough to make Fred renowned among top-tier Coordinators.
However, given Fred's current special circumstances, few would be privy to the details of this battle.
Meanwhile, Yzak observed Fred with mixed emotions.
On one hand, he felt pride and admiration for his teacher's formidable prowess.
On the other, he felt ashamed of his recent impulse to challenge Fred.
Had he actually fought Fred, the outcome would likely have been unfavorable—
certainly no better than his previous sparring matches.
At this realization, Yzak found himself at a loss for words.
After exchanging smiles with Athrun, Fred turned his attention to Yzak.
"Still up for a match?"
"...Of course!"
After a brief pause, Yzak lifted his chin proudly.
He aspired to grow stronger and yearned to test himself against the powerful.
As Fred had taught him, one must not fear failure, nor reject it.
After all...
"Failure is the mother of success!"
Yzak declared.
"Indeed."
Fred regarded the young man with a sense of fulfillment—his days of guidance were finally bearing fruit.
Yzak's lack of fear toward failure marked significant progress.
Fred's approach had been straightforward: gradually tempering Yzak's arrogance with demonstrations of superior skill.
Not to instill insecurity,
but to help Yzak understand that lacking strength was no disgrace—it merely meant one must keep striving.
This wasn't a duel, nor was it a game.
It was the battlefield, where life and death hung in the balance.
Insufficient skill could be honed,
but a disordered mindset could turn even a winnable fight into a loss.
With continued refinement, Yzak would likely mature in a few years,
growing stronger with each battle.
Suppressing his own reflections, Fred reminded the earnest Yzak,
"But Yzak, have you forgotten? We were supposed to compete in repairs."
"..."
Yzak remained silent, a faint blush coloring his pale cheeks.
Just as Fred was savoring the satisfaction of guiding a lost lamb back on track,
he hadn't taken more than a few steps before encountering the seemingly hurried Yuri.
The May City representative's eyes churned with hidden intensity as he swiftly approached Fred and nodded.
"Fred, well done."
"Thank you."
"Hmm..."
Observing Fred's unshaken composure, Yuri's inner turmoil only deepened.
Fred was highly likely to be able to operate the Powered Armor, which wasn't good news for him.
But considering the modification abilities Fred had just demonstrated, Yuri found himself admiring him even more.
With such talent on their side, the research on MS would undoubtedly progress more smoothly.