The scene returns to the transport ship. As a vessel designed for long-term human activity in space, it naturally contained a physical training facility, which was currently quite lively.
After all, humans require gravity.
Prolonged exposure to zero gravity can lead to physical deterioration.
Regarding this issue, humanity currently has no effective solutions.
It's similar to how scurvy would occur during the Age of Sail when fresh fruits and vegetables were unavailable for extended periods.
These are challenges that remain unresolved in this era.
Setting that matter aside, the gym was particularly bustling.
Even though the ship's crew had been streamlined with many still on duty, all off-duty personnel had gathered here.
This included Captain Andrew himself.
At the center of everyone's attention stood Fred and Alec, facing each other.
The thirteen-year-old Fred stood a head shorter than his opponent, creating an almost absurd visual of an adult confronting a child.
Though there were no spotlights, the collective gaze of the crowd fell upon them like numerous beams of light.
"Captain, who do you think will win?" Andrew's assistant whispered beside him, watching the impending confrontation.
"I thought you'd immediately declare Fred's defeat," Andrew responded, giving his rather useless assistant a look.
"Well..." The assistant offered an awkward smile under his superior's gaze.
Not long ago, he would have indeed thought so.
But Fred had left too strong an impression on him recently.
He no longer dared to make assumptions about Fred's capabilities.
At this point, he wouldn't be surprised if the young man performed a naked spacewalk.
"Probably will be suppressed by Alec for several dozen exchanges," Andrew shrugged, unbothered by his assistant's hesitation.
Previously, Fred had lasted over ten exchanges against him.
Based on Fred's current ability, victory was certainly out of reach.
But he could definitely hold out for quite some time, especially with that ancient martial arts technique.
Its clever application of force compensated significantly for the strength disparity.
"Well, I hope Mr. Alec can secure a win..." the assistant murmured quietly.
While he held no ill will toward Fred and respected him greatly,
he still hoped the Coordinator could reclaim some honor in this match.
Andrew could only smile wryly at his subordinate's comment, choosing not to respond.
Meanwhile, Flay had arrived with her parents, her wide eyes fixed anxiously on her brother.
Even knowing this was merely a sparring match, she couldn't help worrying.
After all, Flay didn't know about Fred's previous performance of lasting over ten exchanges against Andrew.
Even if she had known, she would likely still worry, since she had no understanding of who Andrew was or his combat capabilities.
"Mom... why is brother fighting?" Flay whispered to her mother.
In her view, her brother was already brilliant enough - smarter than even the Coordinators.
The Coordinators around them treated their family with respect, without any trace of condescension.
That alone proved her brother's capabilities.
So why did he need to fight Coordinators?
"...Probably because he wants to become stronger."
Watching Fred on the platform, Heather sighed softly.
If possible, she didn't want her son to get hit either.
It wouldn't matter if he was the one doing the hitting, but if some burly man landed a punch on Fred, her heart would ache for a long time.
Yet this son of hers wouldn't listen to her advice.
Still, she understood Fred.
In this world, knowledge equals power, yet knowledge doesn't equal power.
Physical strength is also a crucial part of protecting oneself.
"Getting stronger..."
Hearing her mother's words, the girl's gaze toward Fred gained a complexity uncommon in children.
Her grip on her mother's hand gradually tightened.
"I didn't expect so many people to come. You've become truly famous, Fred."
Looking at the colleagues around them - nearly twice the number he could count on his fingers - Alec said with a wry smile.
Though the crowd didn't seem large, the ship's crew was small to begin with. In his view, practically everyone not on duty had likely come.
"Thank you for your admiration."
What else could Fred say? He merely responded with an unaffected, calm smile.
Hearing Fred's words and his completely unflustered composure, the surrounding crowd cheered and applauded with laughter.
Most of these people weren't overthinking things.
Fred suited their tastes and was impressive - that was enough for their recognition.
Regardless of victory or defeat, Fred had already earned their genuine respect.
"Let's begin."
After nodding to the crowd, Fred returned his gaze to Alec.
"Then I'm coming."
Hearing this, Alec had no intention of holding back. His foot stomped heavily on the ground, producing a sound like cannon fire.
Alec's techniques shared the same lineage as Andrew's.
It appeared to be a variant of Systema, the Eurasian Special Forces fighting technique.
Extremely fierce, emphasizing swift resolution.
And Alec, like before, led with his fist.
However, if Andrew's punch was like a dragon emerging from the sea, this punch - while similar in form - lacked comparable speed.
To Fred, it felt like comparing a bear's swipe to a human's slap - powerful enough, but not as exaggerated as Andrew's.
"As expected."
Fred understood clearly.
Simultaneously, he turned sideways and raised his elbow, using the harder bone to deflect Alec's punch.
Their bodies collided with a heavy, dull thud.
The moment he repelled his opponent, using his elbow as the base and centerline, Fred unleashed a series of Sun-shaped straight punches.
The regret of being unable to counter against Andrew was now being redeemed.
"What?"
The scene fell into silence as they watched Alec being suppressed by Fred's continuous Sun-shaped straight punches.
Fists fell like raindrops, striking Alec's body but producing impacts completely unlike raindrops.
The sound resembled huge, dense hailstones hitting the ground.
This... why was a thirteen-year-old Natural suppressing their elite in a beating?
"Um... Captain..."
The adjutant looked somewhat awkwardly toward Andrew.
Wasn't this supposed to be about Fred being suppressed and defeated? Why was Alec the one being dominated?
This damn...
The speechless adjutant mentally cursed in frustration.
"Hmm?"
Andrew didn't hear his adjutant's words, as his attention was completely captured by the fight before him.
It seemed he had underestimated Fred before.
He had never given him an opening before, but he never expected Fred's counterattack to be so ferocious once he seized the opportunity.
Although Fred couldn't fully utilize his entire body's strength for each straight punch due to distance constraints, his speed was overwhelming.
Sacrificing some power for velocity, his punches now reached their peak efficiency as they relentlessly targeted the abdomen.
For a moment, Alec was indeed suppressed.
However, it was only momentary.
Fred's strength ultimately fell short. After enduring several Sun-shaped straight punches, Alec raised his arm to block the assault.
Offense and defense had switched once again.
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