"Alright, settle down."
"This is a dining table, not a podium."
Fred glanced at the other person as he spoke.
Though the warning look in his eyes was hidden behind his mask, Yzak quickly calmed down nonetheless.
"However, the number of recent attacks has indeed increased significantly."
Athrun sighed softly while watching the television before him.
"Hmm."
Fred only gave a brief response.
Undercurrents were indeed intensifying, with all parties showing their capabilities.
How innocent that overseas cultural exchange center truly was, whether it was really just an ordinary exchange center - one only needed to imagine to know it likely wasn't that simple.
But the other side's indiscriminate attacks causing injuries to innocent people were indeed despicable.
In any case, both sides were trading blows.
And those caught in between, for various reasons, all had their own positions, seeing only what they wanted to see, hearing only what they wanted to hear.
This gave Fred the illusion of being detached from this world.
His familiarity with the plot made him understand this world too well.
So much so that he couldn't take sides from a normal perspective.
Whether it was supporting Blue Cosmos because Coordinators were disgusting and stole their living space.
Or pitying Coordinators because Naturals went too far.
He had neither feeling.
The Coordinators were about to destroy the world - they didn't deserve his pity.
As for Blue Cosmos, they were just pawns for military oligarchs and those similar to the Illuminati to control the world.
Having done so many disgusting things, how could they have the nerve to talk about wanting a pure cosmos.
In any case, only ordinary people were innocent, and ordinary people suffered the most.
But at least here he didn't have to worry about being cloned or turned into an Enhanced Person.
He still needed to continue growing stronger.
"Fred, come to my study later."
Just after Fred reaffirmed his determination in his heart, Lenore's voice abruptly rose, breaking the silence at the dining table.
"Alright."
And so, what should have been a lively gathering ended rather quietly.
...
"Your modification plan has been approved. Soon, another director-level researcher will come to work with you."
Being experienced and knowledgeable, Lenore wasn't much affected by the recent news as she spoke.
"Oh?"
Fred was somewhat surprised to hear this.
"His name is Yuri Amalfi. You should have heard of him."
"He also has a child named Nicol Amalfi, who will likely study with your sister."
"Amalfi..."
Repeating this surname in his heart, how could Fred not know who was coming.
That such an important figure would come to work with him gave Fred some speculation.
"The May City representative coming to work with me seems rather excessive."
"Yes, so you understand the implications."
Lenore didn't state it explicitly, but this confirmed Fred's speculation.
His path in MS research might actually work out.
MS - if he could participate in the research and access more advanced knowledge, his abilities could improve faster.
As for what to do about the agriculture side here...
After several of his breakthroughs, the development of space food here was only a matter of time.
The progress wasn't slow.
In that case, he could afford to step back now.
After all, as the recent news had shown, merely growing food couldn't save this world.
If everyone here eventually disappeared, even surviving by sailing into space would be meaningless.
Growing stronger—only by continuing to grow stronger.
This applied to both the power of knowledge and the power of martial prowess.
"I understand."
Of course, he couldn't confirm such matters with Lenore, so despite the surge of excitement and determination in his heart, Fred maintained a calm expression as he nodded in agreement.
...
Just a few days later, as the dark cloud of terrorist attacks looming over everyone began to drift away—
Exactly as Lenore had said, Fred's combat training class welcomed the little angel who had been bisected by Kira: Nicol Amalfi.
What surprised Fred, however, was that the one accompanying Nicol wasn't Yuri, but his mother.
Romina Amalfi, who also had long emerald-green hair.
This homemaker was strikingly beautiful. Though her vivid emerald hair might seem extravagant on others, it suited her perfectly, even adding an air of elegance.
"Teacher Freed, I'll leave my child in your care."
Romina spoke with such gentleness that Fred almost felt like a legitimate instructor.
"Of course, I'll do my best."
As he spoke, Fred turned his gaze to Nicol.
The little angel seemed somewhat shy, not hiding behind his mother but keeping his eyes lowered.
While Fred observed Nicol, Romina was also studying the young man before her.
She didn't know why her husband had sent their son here, but the boy appeared refined and gentlemanly, which eased her concerns somewhat.
Especially that handsome white-haired youth—
He didn't look at all like the troublemaker her husband had described.
And the son of the Zala family also seemed mild-mannered.
As for the red-haired girl standing at the back, she looked utterly adorable.
Everything should be fine, probably.
"Teacher Freed, hello."
While Romina was lost in thought, Nicol bowed slightly and greeted him.
"My name is Nicol Amalfi."
True to Fred's stereotype, the boy spoke with remarkable gentleness.
If anything, he somewhat resembled Kira.
Noticing this, Fred couldn't help glancing back at Yzak.
The white-haired noble had turned his head away, visibly suppressing a look of disdain.
It seemed they were naturally incompatible from the start.
As for Athrun, his eyes lit up—
Clearly, he too had noticed the resemblance to their mutual acquaintance.
Flay, meanwhile, seemed merely curious.
"What substitute literature nonsense," Fred muttered inwardly.
Used to such thoughts, he didn't dwell on it, offering an awkward chuckle before continuing.
"This is Yzak, Athrun, and Flay."
"Pleased to meet you."
Upon hearing this, the Amalfi boy politely acknowledged them with a bow.
Though still somewhat shy, as an Elite Coordinator, his movements were naturally graceful.
"Hello."
Athrun was quite happy, as he no longer had to face Yzak's perpetually gloomy expression every day. Besides, this person seemed somewhat similar to Kira.
They could definitely become friends.
"Hello~"
As for Flay, although the person opposite resembled Kira somewhat, her bond with Kira was built upon Fred's foundation. Seeing this person's shy demeanor now, she didn't pay it much mind, merely glancing at them curiously before looking away.
She needed to grow stronger to protect her brother and family.
"Hello."
Yzak also offered a greeting, though compared to the other two, his tone was noticeably colder.
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