"He can actually pilot it..."
Patrick looked at the report before him. Though he had suspected as much, seeing the proficient performance still surprised him.
Had they perhaps overemphasized Fred's research capabilities while underestimating his combat skills?
The young man was undoubtedly talented in both scholarly and martial pursuits.
Those Blue Cosmos members who had praised him as the Child of the Atlantic hadn't been wrong after all.
Fortunately, his ideals didn't align with the Atlantic Federation's.
This middle-class youth clearly had his own perspective on the world.
If he had to compare, Patrick felt Fred's approach of maintaining balance between both sides more closely resembled the consistently neutral stance of the East Asian region.
Of course, while he thought this, he wouldn't idly recommend Fred to any Council Nation.
Liaising with Council Nations was Siegel's responsibility.
However, Fred's inclusion might make him suitable as a test pilot, providing valuable reference data as a Natural.
The fact that Fred could pilot suggested that perhaps a small number of other Naturals might also possess this capability.
Such exceptionally rare data needed to be collected for precautionary measures.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Patrick set aside the approval for Fred's use of the port.
Approval wasn't difficult to obtain, but the Laurasia-class Engine hadn't completed testing yet.
He didn't want Fred to be distracted from his work.
It would be better to wait until after the New Year when the research and development was complete.
...
Time passed quickly with Fred's diligent progress, soon arriving at the final day before the New Year.
"It's New Year's Eve, and you're still studying."
Heather's voice pulled Fred from his immersion in the sea of knowledge within the study.
"Same as always."
Fred smiled, but still turned off his tablet display.
In his previous life, how he had wished to live until the New Year.
Now things were different.
Now he wanted to live happily, prosperously, and safely in this world.
The passing of another year meant he was one step closer to year 70.
That wasn't cause for celebration, but for urgency.
Though he knew rushing wouldn't help, his efforts would.
Making the most of his time to study more was always beneficial.
The more he learned now, the more New Years he could celebrate with his family in the future.
With this thought, Fred stood up and walked out with Heather, asking as they went.
"Has Athrun arrived yet?"
"He's been here for a while, but didn't want to disturb you..."
Heather said, her lips twitching at the eager expression on her son's face.
"You're not thinking about fighting, are you?"
"It's the New Year."
"All the more festive."
Fred didn't deny it, simply laughing.
"How is that festive?"
Heather shot the young man an exasperated look before continuing.
"Anyway, no fighting today!"
Getting dirty and needing to bathe was minor, but if anyone actually bled, that would be disastrous.
"Oh, alright then."
Fred shrugged sheepishly.
"I suppose sparring with Alec would be similar."
"...Can't you take one day off?"
Heather looked helplessly at her overly diligent son.
"This is my way of resting."
Fred laughed.
As they spoke, the two had already reached the living room.
The house was bustling with activity, though the children were nowhere to be seen. Only the adults remained seated in the hall, engaged in some unknown conversation.
This scene gave Fred a familiar sense of pressure, reminiscent of stepping out during New Year celebrations only to face a room full of relatives.
Of course, this feeling quickly dissipated.
These people weren't relatives - they wouldn't pressure him about marriage, nor would they give him red envelopes.
He was no longer that child who had to trail behind his parents, anxiously trying to remember each relative's name.
A touch of melancholy crossed Fred's heart, but it was immediately replaced by a perfectly composed smile as he began greeting everyone present with practiced ease.
Naturally, several people were missing from the gathering.
Both Zala and Amalfi's families were absent Patrick and Yuri, though...
"Ms. Jiuer."
After completing his greetings, Fred turned his attention to the woman he was meeting for the first time.
She was the city representative of February City.
February City specialized in battleship research.
Or more precisely, aerospace engineering research.
Her visit likely related to the first engine test scheduled to begin after the New Year.
"Freed."
The woman appeared strikingly elegant yet cold, bearing some resemblance to Yzak.
She regarded Fred with only the faintest hint of a smile.
"Shall we talk in the courtyard?"
Jiuer rose slowly as she spoke.
Her tone reminded Fred of his former homeroom teacher - someone who, despite being an elder, maintained a serious and earnest demeanor.
"Of course."
Fred gave Heather and George a reassuring look before following Jiuer into the courtyard.
The robot-maintained garden remained impeccably orderly.
Despite being December, the climate remained spring-like year-round, with rows of Chinese cabbage growing vibrantly in the garden.
The cabbages looked so fresh they seemed to glisten with moisture.
Fred's eyes swept over the vegetable rows before he nodded in satisfaction.
Recent agricultural research on cost reduction and efficiency improvement appeared successful, given the excellent quality indicators of these cabbages.
"Did you grow these?"
Noticing Fred's gaze, Jiuer felt somewhat complicated internally, though her expression remained neutral.
"In a manner of speaking, though the production costs remain somewhat high."
"It will take time to bring prices down further."
Fred nodded.
As an internal researcher, using laboratory equipment for farming wasn't particularly unusual.
Besides, homegrown vegetables tasted better anyway, and it helped improve his agricultural skills.
"I see..."
Jiuer's feelings grew more complex upon hearing this.
Though this was her first meeting with Fred, she was actually quite familiar with him through information obtained from Patrick.
Meeting him in person, however, left a deep impression.
His mature attitude, earnest and humble speech, and respectful demeanor toward his parents all pleased Jiuer greatly, while simultaneously stirring regret.
Such an impressive individual turned out to be a Natural.
"Fred, let me get straight to the point."
"We've prepared all the materials listed in your report. Casting should be completed within a week."
"Factoring in assembly time, we'll commence formal experiments in two weeks."
"I will serve as the overall director throughout the entire experiment."
"No problems, right?"
Joule spoke in rapid succession, his decisive attitude evident.
Fred, finally getting a chance to respond, let out a bitter laugh.
"Just one thing—where are we going to conduct the ignition test?"
This experiment required space. With the Council Nations surrounding them outside, conducting it in space would immediately draw attention.
"Jachin Due."
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