The others on the bridge watched Andrew's unusually amiable demeanor with surprise.
Although the bridge crew had undergone another round of screening, leaving only the minimum number of soldiers truly loyal to Zala—about four people—this Andrew was normally quite casual and undoubtedly proud. He rarely spoke to them ordinarily. Yet now he was being so friendly toward Fred?
Recalling that this operation was specially authorized by Patrick Zala, the four exchanged glances and decided it would be best not to offend him later.
"Well, a bet's a bet," Fred said with a laugh.
"Fine, fine, I'll give it to you," Andrew shrugged, sending a document to Fred through the terminal beside him. "But what do you need this for?" Of course, he had asked Patrick for permission before handing it over.
"For studying," Fred replied excitedly, looking at the engine cross-section diagram on his mobile terminal.
This transport ship, despite its plain appearance—just the most common model on the market, fluttering about like a moth—had its propulsion unit secretly modified by PLANT. Though it hadn't reached the level of future Laurasia-class and Nazca-class engines, Rome wasn't built in a day. Researching this transitional model was just right for him now.
Engines might seem important, and indeed they were. Planes couldn't fly without engines. The engines of a Gundam determined its output, as did those of the Meteor and High-Mobility GINN, among others. As the saying goes, speed is the essence of warfare. Being one step faster meant being three times stronger.
Compared to agriculture, this was one of the fields he had always studied and excelled in. With that thought, without delay or further meaningless chatter with Andrew, Fred slid open the bridge door and floated out.
Watching the boy's retreating figure, Andrew wasn't offended and instead chuckled. This youngster seemed unchanged—wherever he was, he simply walked the path he had chosen. Andrew admired someone who showed no hesitation. Even though the other was just a thirteen-year-old boy, he already regarded him as a friend. It was a simple fondness, unrelated to interests or race.
Of course, Patrick also thought highly of him; otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed Andrew to provide this. Though it was just a trial engine nearing civilian use, it wasn't hard to see Patrick's care or his testing of the boy's potential. Would he really be able to leave PLANT in the future?
...
Unaware of Andrew's sentimental thoughts, Fred didn't head back to his room first. Instead, he skimmed through the design plans line by line. The designs weren't too difficult but were full of creativity, improved from the standard transport ship's K22 Engine. Output had increased by 25%, though power consumption had also risen. If pushed to overload...
Fred was engrossed when suddenly a line of text flashed before his eyes:
[Astronautical Engineering +0.05]
[Astronautical Engineering (Beginner) 100/100]
[Astronautical Engineering - Proficient↑]
[Reward: Visualization]
"Visualization?"
Fred, who had been immersed in the ocean of knowledge, was abruptly pulled back to reality by the sudden appearance of the system reward.
Visualization meant... he could now see his own progress?
Was this useful or not?
Whether he could see the progress or not, he would still study the same way. However, having a progress bar meant he wouldn't have to search for comparison groups so uncertainly, which indeed saved a lot of effort.
After all, people fear not knowing their own capabilities.
At least now, having a clearer understanding of his own strength was a good thing.
But it still needed verification.
Having experienced much already, Fred didn't dwell on the surprise but instead focused his gaze back on the materials before him, calming his mind.
[Aerospace Engineering +0.01]
[Aerospace Engineering (Proficient) 0.01/100]
Finally, after another period of serious study, another line of text appeared before Fred's eyes.
Now he understood why this visualization feature hadn't appeared from the beginning.
Gaining only 0.01 points at a time explained why it took thirteen years to unlock the second system function.
He had just studied seriously for about two hours. If he only gained 0.01 per day, it would take him ten thousand days to breakthrough.
Ten thousand days - about thirty years...
But he was only thirteen now.
And why did he gain 0.05 so quickly earlier? Was it because of the quality of knowledge he absorbed and understood?
After all, for someone to improve, even without system metrics, the quality of knowledge itself is a key factor.
This system didn't create something from nothing - it merely quantified the knowledge he absorbed into specific numbers.
And now, after reaching proficiency, he truly felt his understanding of the design documents before him had improved.
So, this "proficient" level was probably equivalent to department head level.
If others saw that two hours of serious study only yielded 0.01 progress, they might think the Golden Finger was useless.
But Fred wouldn't. He had worked hard for too long - such a minor setback wouldn't shake his determination.
Anyway, he had to keep working hard.
And there were ways to speed it up.
After all, 0.05 was five times faster than 0.01.
The most important thing now was to find more high-quality knowledge to study.
And PLANT, the nation of Coordinators, was a vast ocean of knowledge.
There were still several years before the Alliance and ORB would develop their own MS - he could find ways to acquire that knowledge when the time came.
This didn't differ much from his original plan.
Thinking this, Fred's eyes looked through the glass at the Earth before him, which resembled a blue glass marble.
Though they had traveled far, Earth still appeared enormous.
The world was so big, so beautiful, and so vast - his confidence in early retirement had grown by several more points.
Given enough time, he would surely be able to shake the entire Earth!
"Brother, what are you doing here~?"
A childish voice from behind interrupted Fred's ambitious thoughts.
"Flay."
Fred turned and grabbed the wrist of the girl floating toward him.
"Just enjoying the view."
Fred explained.
"The view..."
Looking at the Earth before them, Flay tightly grasped her brother's warm, large hand.
"Brother, are you missing home?"
"Home is wherever you all are."
Fred shook his head with a smile.
He had lived in Copernicus for six or seven years now. That place could indeed be considered home, and it had given him rare peace.
But if he only clung to that peace, he would never grow.
The attack on Copernicus was the best proof - without power, he couldn't protect his family.
This was the simplest truth.
Whether in technological research or personal abilities, falling behind at one step meant falling behind at every step.
Fortunately, he had the Golden Finger, and now he knew that mastering certain skills might bring rewards. Both his research capabilities and physical abilities could grow stronger.
Although the plot might have been altered by his interference, the research direction for Mobile Suits wouldn't change.
From GINN to Strike Suit, Freedom, and Glory Defender.
This was the broad path of technological development - as long as he followed it, he wouldn't find it difficult to research more.
Rather than being attacked by enemies with unknown power, holding power - or truth - in his own hands was the most correct principle.
So Fred couldn't relax.
Without persistence, he would only fall behind.
If by the time the plot began in 70, his abilities couldn't reach the level of Kira and Athrun, both he and his family would be in danger.
Although there were still many challenges ahead, as long as he kept striving, he would eventually reach the other shore.
By then, he could probably retire.
Looking at his adorable younger sister before him, Fred reaffirmed his determination.
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