He wasn't just flattering or comforting Flay.
Although Flay was a Natural and her ability to improve couldn't keep pace with Athrun and the others, after years of persistence, while she still couldn't pilot an MS, by academic performance standards, she could rank around the middle of the military academy. That was the middle position in competition with Coordinators, which Fred already considered a miracle. Fred had been surprised at first, but then he thought—his little sister was someone who could turn into a vengeful ghost. She must have something special about her.
"But I didn't expect them to join your unit, brother," Flay said.
"Yeah."
That was also why he had gone to the military academy today—to pick them up. Thinking about it still got him a little excited. After all, it meant his unit truly had the power to overturn this world. Their chances of taking down Blue Cosmos were even greater now.
"But have you really thought this through? Even if you stayed here, no one would dare say anything."
Fred shifted the topic. His little sister wanting to come serve as his adjutant—that was too absurd in his view. Even if Fred thought Flay deserved some tempering, he'd never imagined it like this. This was something Flay had requested herself, which left him quite conflicted.
"No! I can help you, brother!"
Flay pouted and argued her case.
"I know you can help, but I'm worried about your safety."
"And you don't think I worry about yours, brother?"
At Flay's retort, the young man froze for a moment. Then, looking at her determined, pretty face, he broke into a smile.
"Then Flay, remember to stay close to me."
Flay had a point—family bonds meant worrying about each other. Besides, in his own unit, as long as he didn't die, he could still protect her. Even if he died, he had contingencies in place. And besides, Flay truly wasn't a burden.
The siblings chatted about this and that along the way, as relaxed as if they were on a rare trip, and the train quickly arrived at the military academy.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the top-performing students of the academy were walking along the road in their Red Uniforms.
"So what secret unit do you think we're joining?" Dearka asked excitedly as he walked.
"No idea."
Yzak rolled his eyes irritably, though he was just as nervous inside. His gaze couldn't help but drift toward Athrun and Nicol. It would be best if they could join his brother's unit. But since they'd all enlisted, where they went was up to the higher-ups. Even as elites, it was the same. In short, claiming not to be nervous would be a lie.
"Well, wherever we go, we'll still be in the same unit," Nicol said, easing the tense atmosphere.
"Tch, who cares," Yzak muttered with a curl of his lip.
"I don't see anything good about being in a unit with you either," Athrun shot back.
"What did you say?!"
"Haha..."
Seeing the two about to clash again, Nicol let out a dry laugh. Meanwhile, Dearka sighed with a comment.
"You guys really get along well."
"...Who's close with him?!"
The two answered at almost the same time, then glanced at each other before quickly averting their gazes.
Dearka found himself even more speechless.
Wasn't this exactly what a good relationship looked like?
But whatever.
"I wonder if their teacher will end up being our leader too."
Dearka looked toward the classmate beside him—Lasty, who ranked fifth, dead last in the class.
Lasty responded with a grunt in acknowledgment.
Being able to teach three freaks like that, he was curious to see who it was.
Amid the lively chatter of everyone's differing thoughts, they were soon led by the soldiers ahead to a sealed-off private booth.
"Please, enter."
At that, the five nodded, took a deep breath, straightened their backs, and stepped into the brightly lit room.
However, the moment they entered, from behind the wide desk they saw a familiar figure seated in a White Uniform, with another familiar figure in green standing beside him.
"Brother!"
"And Flay!?"
Athrun's first exclamation was one of surprise and delight; the second carried a fair amount of shock.
The other two shared similar sentiments.
Meanwhile, the other two, upon hearing Athrun's cry of "Brother," immediately locked their gazes onto Freed.
This was most likely the teacher the few of them had been talking about, right?
Wearing a mask, with a tall, upright posture, and a smile on his face, yet he gave off an indescribable pressure.
This was Athrun and the others' teacher?
At that thought, the two of them straightened their backs even further.
"Address me by rank while on duty."
Freed swept his gaze across the group and shrugged.
"I won't waste words then. Official reporting is tomorrow, and adaptive training will begin as well."
"When do we get missions?"
Yzak, looking at Freed now, after his initial surprise, wore an expression of eager impatience.
But Freed didn't answer, merely casting a deep, meaningful glance at him.
"...Captain Freed! My apologies!"
Meeting that gaze, Yzak quickly spoke up.
"Mm. At the very least, follow proper protocol while on duty. That goes for you two as well."
Freed turned his gaze toward Dearka and Lasty.
He was familiar with Dearka. As for Lasty, he was a cannon fodder who died in the first episode.
Dearka's training direction would ultimately be in combat strategy.
As for Lasty, they would need to start with his mental fortitude.
To be fair, managing to secure fifth place among these four main characters was no small feat for Lasty—he wasn't simple. But his mental resilience wasn't up to par.
Still, there was potential there.
Freed finished his analysis, and meanwhile, Dearka and Lasty, under Freed's gaze, seeing even the most troublesome Yzak acting so docile, quickly lowered their heads in compliance.
This big shot was definitely not someone to be trifled with.
"Now then, dismissed. Athrun, stay behind."
"Yes!"
Though they had no idea why Athrun was being kept behind, none of them dared raise any objection. After acknowledging the order, they filed out of the room one by one.
"Why are you so scared of him?"
As soon as they were out the door, Dearka asked Yzak in a joking tone.
"That's not like you."
"...Hmph. You'll find out soon enough."
Yzak didn't argue, nor did he take the bait. He simply said coldly.
But as he spoke, his heart was burning with unusual intensity.
After all, that was Fred. Even if he didn't know the specifics of the other's current achievements, he admired and trusted Fred's abilities.
Following him was absolutely a promising future, and an even greater way to contribute to PLANT and peace.