"That was good this time, keep it up."
Fred laughed.
"Thank you for your guidance, teacher!"
As Nicol finished speaking, something unexpected happened.
The boy used the leg Fred was holding as support to lift his other leg. His short calf, suddenly accelerating, looked like a swift, venomous snake striking toward Fred's face.
This seemingly polite and gentle Nicol truly possessed exceptional combat abilities.
Even when his body had no leverage left, he could still find a way to counterattack.
...It just seemed a bit unwise.
Fred, clear-minded, simply released the boy's calf he was holding.
Without Fred's strength as a pivot point, the boy, having nothing to push off from, fell directly onto the grass.
The physical damage was minimal, but the face-plant posture was quite damaging to his pride.
"Tsk..."
Recalling those mental images, Yzak once again sucked in a sharp breath.
"Brother really didn't hold back, huh? Throwing him down like that while his parents were right next door."
"..."
Hearing Athrun's words, Flay couldn't help but glance in Yzak's direction.
Athrun had arrived late and didn't know that someone else had been thrown down similarly earlier.
Coincidentally, Yzak also looked toward Flay at that moment.
Their eyes met, the meaning clear between them.
"Athrun, Yzak said he'll treat us to handmade strawberry milk ice cream tomorrow."
Flay said with a sweet smile.
"Eh, so suddenly? Yzak can make ice cream?"
The surprised Athrun widened his eyes at Flay's sudden announcement.
And why so specific?
Was Flay placing an order?
"...Hmph, I feel like it!"
Faced with Flay's blatant threat, Yzak said fiercely.
He wouldn't stoop to arguing with a girl!
As they were talking, Fred crouched down ahead of them.
"Before using any moves in the future, first assess the strength gap between both sides."
Fred still spoke gently.
That move just now could indeed have been effective as a counterattack against someone with slower reaction speed.
But he had already demonstrated the ability to catch the boy's ankle.
Using that move in such a situation was rather unreasonable.
"Yes..."
"But if I didn't try just now, I would never have been able to defeat you."
Of course he knew there was a huge gap in their abilities, but hadn't he been trying to distract Fred with conversation?
Though it felt somewhat dishonorable, his father had told him to go all out, so he had given it his all.
But the ideal was plump, while reality was thin.
His carefully calculated strike was still easily countered.
"That's true, you..."
Fred met the boy at eye level and took out a handkerchief to wipe the sticky sweat from the boy's face.
"Are quite impressive."
He didn't dislike this feeling of giving everything to achieve a goal.
After all, all's fair in war.
No one would engage in chivalrous duels with him on the battlefield, and he wasn't naive enough to forbid students from attempting to surprise attack him.
"Mmm..."
Though Fred wore a mask, facing his gentle tone, Nicol couldn't help feeling somewhat shy.
It seemed this teacher was truly good.
His father's recommendation had indeed been correct.
"I can help you hone your combat skills."
"I hope to hear Nicol play the piano someday too."
When Fred said this, it was merely polite conversation.
However, upon hearing Fred's words, Nicol's eyebrows shot up in surprise. His small face now displayed immense happiness.
As for how Fred knew he played the piano - it must have been his father who mentioned it. Thinking back to Fred's impressive skills earlier, the boy had already reached an answer.
So it seemed his father must have told the teacher about it. That meant this person was someone his father trusted.
Moreover, having his hobby acknowledged, especially by someone so capable, made Nicol even happier.
Considering all this, Nicol tried hard to keep a straight face. But his features, never particularly intimidating to begin with, held little deterrent power.
"I will learn from you!"
Fred felt somewhat strange, sensing the other might have misunderstood something, but still nodded with an air of profundity.
"Do your best."
"Yes!"
Nicol, who had sprung up from the ground like a carp leaping, now excitedly hugged the half-squatting Fred.
This Freed was powerful, mysterious, gentle, and appointed by his own father as his teacher - surely he was some mysterious expert from who-knows-where!
This was an incredible opportunity!
No doubt this was why his father had arranged for him to come - to witness Fred's capabilities firsthand and study earnestly.
Faced with Nicol's enthusiasm, Fred was generally indifferent. He even welcomed it.
After all, the other was just an eight or nine-year-old child, and would undoubtedly become a future Ace combatant. Holding the title of teacher would grant him some status and prestige among them in the future.
But Nicol was covered in mud at the moment.
Thus, while being held by Fred like a child, Nicol accomplished an extreme outfit change.
The hug didn't last long before Romina stepped forward and took her son's hand.
"Mr. Freed, I'm quite satisfied with your teaching methods."
Though her son was dirty, the other had managed to win Nicol's sincere respect in such a short time. Moreover, he taught through both words and example - pointing out problems while offering appropriate encouragement. She found no issue with this approach.
Excessive pampering would only hinder her son's development. Especially as an Elite Coordinator, Nicol needed to gradually mature.
Seeing that Fred was trustworthy eased her concerns somewhat.
Remembering her husband's words, Romina continued, "Before dinner, could I borrow a moment of your time? My husband has some matters he'd like to discuss with you."
The matter being significant, Romina didn't elaborate in front of the other children, merely extending an invitation to talk. Strictly speaking, she didn't know the details either, but everyone here were children of city representatives - the implications were self-evident.
Hearing this invitation excited Fred internally, though of course he couldn't show it. Fortunately, his mask covered all facial features except his mouth, saving him the effort of managing his expression.
"Alright," Fred responded calmly.
Since there was already a scheduled meeting, there was no need to rush things. Before that, the priority remained lessons and practice.
The assault from Nicol just now couldn't even increase his abilities by 0.01.
He still needed more intensive training.
Thinking this, Fred turned around and spoke to the children.
"Today's lesson begins now!"
"Yay!!!"
Flay cooperatively raised her hand and cheered.
As for the others, they looked somewhat awkwardly at the two siblings, momentarily speechless.
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