Yang Hui refused Commander Bruza's offer to take them to the Commander's office and instead headed straight to the hangar of Gundam AGE-1. After all, they would end up there eventually, so why take the long way?
Upon arriving at the hangar where the Gundam was parked, Yang Hui and Graham finally laid eyes on the true form of the standard Gundam AGE-1.
"This kid did pretty well," Yang Hui remarked. The two Gundams he had built for himself and Graham were certainly superior to the standard Gundam AGE-1, but that was because he was not a real child and had skill enhancements to achieve that. Flit, on the other hand, was a genuine 14-year-old who managed to create a mobile suit that surpassed the existing technology by a generation—truly deserving of the title genius.
"Is he on your list?" Graham nudged Yang Hui with his elbow and asked quietly.
"Not yet, let's wait until he grows up."
Flit's abilities were indeed impressive. For instance, his X-Rounder capability was exceptionally strong, ranking among the top three in this world. His technical skills, command abilities, and MS piloting skills were all outstanding.
However, Flit had one major issue that made Yang Hui hesitant to bring him back to Prometheus Fortress for the time being.
That was his extreme personality. His hatred for VEGAN had permeated his life to the point of wanting to annihilate them completely. If it weren't for the final guidance from the cosmic ghost, he might have succeeded.
But now that Yang Hui had appeared, many would be saved. Whether Flit's hatred would deepen or be altered along the way depended on future developments.
If Flit changed, Yang Hui would naturally not let a genius slip away. But if he did not change, no matter how outstanding he was, Yang Hui would not accept a malevolent spirit consumed by hatred.
"Oh! Yang Hui, Graham, you're here?" The bearded MS mechanic, Fangus Dyson, approached them.
Fangus Dyson and his granddaughter Emily had known Yang Hui and Graham since they were young. Originally, Fangus was an MS engineer for the Asuno Family. After the Asuno Family was destroyed, he followed Flit to Nora and became a military MS mechanic, though he mostly spent his time helping Flit build Gundams.
"Long time no see, Fangus. You still look quite healthy."
"Hahaha, of course." With pride, Fangus looked at the Gundam beside him as if it were his own creation. "I want to see this guy completed and fulfill Flit's wish."
"A savior, huh?" Yang Hui murmured, shaking his head with a wry smile.
Saviors never truly exist, or if they do, they are never just one person or one machine. Changing the world is not something one person can accomplish.
Moreover, this was war. There were never clear right or wrong sides; perhaps VEGAN's methods were indeed cruel, but that was part of war. If the Earth Federation were in the same position, their methods might be even more brutal.
There is never a just side in war, only the killers and the killed.
"Yang Hui! Graham! You're here?" At that moment, Flit ran over with his future wife, Emily.
"Hey, Flit, you look quite spirited," Yang Hui said, ruffling Flit's hair, which was already unkempt, making it even messier.
"Don't mess with me! I'm not a kid anymore!" Flit swatted Yang Hui's hand away angrily.
"Oh? A little adult at 14, huh? My apologies," Yang Hui teased, causing everyone present to laugh.
"Hmph! Look! That's the Gundam I built! With it, I can definitely become a savior!" Flit pointed at the Gundam defiantly, countering Yang Hui.
"A Gundam, huh? Heh, it's not bad."
It was indeed impressive, but Yang Hui wouldn't praise him. For one, it couldn't compare to his own work, and for another, he didn't want Flit to become arrogant.
"Hmph! Tomorrow is the Gundam's activation test, and you'll be my test subject!" Flit said proudly, his eyes filled with a hint of anticipation and excitement.
Having been overshadowed by Yang Hui since childhood and often hearing rumors about Yang Hui and Graham within the military, Flit's competitive spirit was naturally ignited. He was well aware of the gap between Gundam and Genoece's capabilities, and this time he was determined to defeat Yang Hui.
"Are you sure?" Yang Hui raised an eyebrow, a provocative smile forming on his lips. Children's thoughts were easy to guess.
"Yeah! I'm sure!"
"Alright, just don't cry if you lose tomorrow."
"I won't! I and Gundam won't lose to you!"
"Good, I'm looking forward to it."
As Yang Hui teased Flit, Commander Bruza silently mourned for Flit. Although he didn't know what kind of Gundam Yang Hui had created, it certainly wouldn't be inferior; after all, a person of great renown is never without merit. Graham, on the other hand, bit his lip to suppress laughter, hoping that Flit wouldn't be crushed to the point of losing all hope.
The group chatted for a while before Commander Bruza left with Gurudik and Milis. There was still much work to be done at Nora's military base, and as Commander and Vice Commander, they didn't have much free time. However, the thoughtful look in Gurudik's eyes before he left did not escape Yang Hui's notice.
"Alright, everyone else has left. Show me the specific data for the Gundam. Since we're here, let's help you with the adjustments," Yang Hui said.
"You're not trying to spy on military secrets to find a way to defeat the Gundam, are you?" Flit took a step back, questioning Yang Hui.
Yang Hui: (╬☉д⊙)
"You little brat! Am I not your brother? Would I do something so lowly?" Yang Hui ruffled Flit's hair into a mess, scolding him.
"Hmph, who knows?" Flit pushed Yang Hui away, crossing his arms and turning his head away, refusing to look at him.
Beside them, Fangus handed Yang Hui the PAD containing the Gundam data.
"Fangus!"
"Well, isn't this good? The activation test is tomorrow, so it's perfect for Yang Hui to take a look. What if he finds something we overlooked?" Fangus persuaded, knowing that Flit was just being prideful.
"Hmph!"
Yang Hui ignored Flit and began examining the PAD. How should he put it… if it were just in this world, it was indeed excellent, but there were still quite a few flaws.
"Flit, come here."
"What is it?" Flit reluctantly walked over.
"Rearrange the wiring and piping here; it can improve energy conductivity by 2%-4%. Also, the joint protection is a bit weak; we can add some armor. The output power of the beam saber is a bit low; adjusting the internal structure slightly can increase the output power by about 5%, and…"
At first, Flit didn't pay much attention, thinking Yang Hui was just trying to provoke him. But once he really listened, Flit focused intently. Every point Yang Hui raised was accurate, such as the wiring and piping arrangement that could actually enhance energy conductivity—something he had never considered.
"Fangus!"
"Looks like we're going to be busy." Fangus, being an excellent MS mechanic, naturally understood what Yang Hui was saying. Without a word, he picked up his tools and began working on Gundam AGE-1.
Flit then asked Yang Hui, "Is there anything else that can be improved?"
"Currently, those are the only minor adjustments possible. Other issues require major modifications. Isn't tomorrow the activation test and basic testing? We can discuss it after that. Besides… don't you still have the AGE System?" Yang Hui replied.
"Mm-hmm, I understand."
Watching Flit run off to help Fangus, Graham smiled and asked Yang Hui, "Is this really okay? This guy is thinking about defeating you tomorrow."
"Do you have so little faith in me and my work?" Yang Hui shot Graham a glare.
"What work?"
"Hmm? Emily?"
Since Emily had followed Flit to the hangar, she had been standing by as a silent observer, not wanting to interrupt the serious conversation.
"What did you just say about work?" Emily asked.
"Oh? Are you starting to worry about your little boyfriend?" Yang Hui teased.
"Um~! I… I'm not… No! Flit and I are not… not…"
Emily was a smart girl, but she was still just a little girl. How could she handle Yang Hui's teasing? In an instant, she turned as red as a steam bun, lowering her head in embarrassment while denying it and stealing glances at Flit.
"Haha, looks like you have a long way to go," Yang Hui laughed. "Listen to me, Emily, if you want to win Flit over, you have to take the initiative. Otherwise, that guy might end up marrying Gundam."
"Absolutely not! Flit wouldn't…" As she spoke halfway, Emily realized she had fallen into Yang Hui's trap. Her face flushed, and she covered her face and ran away.
"Haha, this is really amusing."
"You were clearly the one who was taken down by the girl; why act like a love guru?" Graham retorted.
"Uh… well… that's because I'm good enough! Otherwise, why would they chase after me?" Yang Hui argued, flustered.
"Hehe." Graham chuckled, wearing an expression that said, "You're right, but I just don't believe you!"
"Hmph! I'm not like someone here, just a single dog."
"Doesn't matter; I only need intense battles to be satisfied."
"…"
"Yang Hui! What are you doing over there? Come help!"
Flit and Fangus were working hard, but Yang Hui, the one who had suggested it, was chatting on the side, prompting Flit to urge him.
"I'll be right there." Yang Hui sighed, secretly lamenting that he had really become a babysitter.
Graham didn't know how to maintain MS, so he wouldn't stay any longer.
"Then I'll head out first to see if they're taking good care of our machines."
"Mm, go ahead."
Graham stood by the machines. Considering the timing, the activation test for Gundam AGE-1 was the day before Nora would be attacked by UE. The hangar was still a bit far from the dock where the transport ship was stationed. If the attack happened, it would be too late to activate the Gundam.
"Try to minimize the losses as much as possible. Having two more actors for Flit's debut shouldn't be a problem, right?" Yang Hui thought while working on the maintenance of Gundam AGE-1.
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