For special talents, they certainly wouldn't climb step by step from the bottom like ordinary members. Just like Creuset and Kira, every world's key characters possess outstanding strength or potential. Moreover, during missions, they often become targets for Yang Hui and his team to befriend and recruit.
"Of course."
Yang Hui gave Creuset a firm answer. Even within strict order, there exists special "compromise"—this is the phenomenon that should exist in the real world. Rigidly enforcing so-called order without flexibility is precisely what leads to its collapse. The key lies in finding that balance point.
"Choosing you was indeed the right decision, Yang Hui." Creuset's lips curled slightly. Sometimes, he found Yang Hui stubborn—when there were clearly better ways to achieve goals, Yang Hui would adamantly refuse to use them for certain reasons. But this only happened when the situation was under Yang Hui's control.
Compared to missions or the bigger picture, Yang Hui valued his comrades more. Because missions could be attempted countless times, but lives only had one chance. So when situations spiraled out of control and threatened his comrades' safety, he would lift his self-imposed "seal," abandoning all moral boundaries to achieve his ends by any means necessary.
Yes, a "seal." This was the restraint Yang Hui placed upon himself. As their power grew stronger, the members of Prometheus Fortress all knew they were evolving into higher beings beyond ordinary humans. Yang Hui, being the closest to the threshold of life's fundamental transformation, felt this premonition most acutely.
As he put it: "No matter how high I stand, I never want to forget that I am human. What makes us human rather than beasts is our rationality. And what makes us human rather than machines is our emotions. The combination of emotion and rationality makes a complete human being—and the balance point between them is morality and principles."
"Of course, your choice could never be wrong." Yang Hui's lips curled in response to Creuset, his gentleness laced with a trace of imperceptible madness—whether acted or his hidden true nature, it resonated faintly with Creuset.
Noticing this, Flit fixed his gaze intently on Creuset. Though silent, his meaning was clear: "I'll be watching you, to prevent you from leading Yang Hui astray."
Compared to Creuset, Flit understood Yang Hui better. After all, they had known each other for nearly a century in the Gundam AGE world. Flit was acutely aware of Yang Hui's contradictions—how his heroic radiance coexisted with cruel darkness, distinct yet intertwined.
Flit could tell Creuset was a madman, the kind who thrived in darkness with ruthless cruelty. He didn't want Creuset to draw out the madness and brutality lurking in Yang Hui's heart.
"Relax, Mr. Flit." Noticing Flit's stare, Creuset raised his hands in a gesture of innocence. "While I am curious about Yang Hui's other side, I have no intention of provoking that change in him."
"...I'll be watching you." Flit had once been dragged into the dark abyss of vengeance, but it was Yang Hui who pulled him out, transforming him into a radiant savior. He didn't want the man who saved him from suffering to be dragged into that abyss instead. He hoped Yang Hui would remain the caring, protective older brother figure—that brilliant, wise leader.
"Be my guest."
Yang Hui observed the standoff between the two men without intervening, feeling strangely detached. The confrontation seemed like a mirror of his own internal struggle.
He was well aware of his own issues. The madness and cruelty within him had always been suppressed—but suppression wasn't eradication. The longer it festered, the more terrifying the eventual outburst. That was why, during missions, he often resorted to brutal actions, using them as an outlet for his pent-up savagery.
"Alright, that's enough. Both of you, stop." Yang Hui rubbed his temples, signaling for them to end the standoff. "I know my own problems. I know how to control them."
"...He's dangerous." With that, Flit turned and walked away, leaving behind a frustrated Yang Hui and a smirking Creuset.
"It seems the opposition has already formed," Creuset said, spreading his hands. The moment Flit left, Yang Hui's expression shifted entirely—his gentle smile now laced with cunning, the curve of his lips carrying a hint of satisfaction.
"Yes, it worked. Fooling Flit isn't easy."
"If you had just told him directly, I think he would've accepted it willingly."
"No, you don't understand Flit, Creuset," Yang Hui replied. "He's too stubborn. It took me decades to pull him out of the abyss of hatred before."
"How reliable," Creuset remarked—not referring to the past Flit, but the current one: an obstinate, unyielding ally of justice.
"Of course. He's my brother."
"And how would your brother feel if he knew this little drama was orchestrated by the very brother he respects and trusts?" Creuset's grin widened, an aura of madness and danger clinging to him like a tangible shroud.
"Then we just won't let him find out," Yang Hui countered, his own presence turning equally menacing, matching Creuset's intensity.
"Why?"
"Competition."
"Just competition?"
"And harmony."
"Hoh, interesting."
"Two opposing forces become rivals, grow through their battles, understand each other more deeply, and eventually form an unbreakable bond. How's that for a script?"
"...Pathetically cliché."
"Tch—"
"But... it might be fun to play along."
"Then go ahead. Honestly, I'm curious to see what happens when Flit's light merges with your darkness."
"That will never happen."
"So sure?"
"Prometheus Fortress doesn't need a second Yang Hui."
...
Graham noticed Flit storming into the training room with a scowl and approached him. "What's wrong?"
"That man is dangerous."
"Rau Le Creuset?"
"Yeah."
"True. He's like a ruthless hunter, always searching for prey."
"Yang Hui shouldn't have brought him to Prometheus Fortress."
"You don't need to worry about that. I've asked Sumeragi and the others—Creuset is trustworthy."
"It's not about trustworthiness. I'm afraid he might influence Yang Hui."
"Hmm? How so?"
"Can't you feel it? Whenever Yang Hui stands beside Creuset, I feel like Yang Hui becomes even darker and more dangerous."
"...Really?" Graham raised an eyebrow. He wanted to say that Yang Hui was already a dark and dangerous person by nature.
"Yes!"
"Alright, keep an eye on it then. But don't worry too much. Yang Hui knows his limits."
"...I'll be watching him."
Graham shook his head helplessly, dismissing Flit's concerns. He even suspected that Flit's current state might be deliberately orchestrated by Yang Hui. But there was no need to point it out. Since Yang Hui had his own plans, Graham wouldn't interfere—that was their unspoken understanding.
"By the way, the framework for the system is finalized. Once all the Custom Machines are ready in a couple of days, we can proceed," Flit said, also asking Graham to relay the message to the others.
"Finally! I can hardly wait," Graham said enthusiastically.
"...You're not participating."
"Why?" Graham was stunned.
"Your strength is second only to Yang Hui—you're the second strongest. Your current role needs to continue."
"But I—"
"Besides, apart from Yang Hui and me, who else can give you the thrill of battle? If you join, it'll just be like bullying rookies."
"Well, I wanted to say—"
"Isn't that the case?"
"No, I just meant—aren't you being a bit too confident?" Graham looked at Flit in surprise. He didn't deny Flit's excellence—he was a rare all-rounder. But when it came to pure MS piloting skills, where did Flit get the confidence to claim he could satisfy Graham's thirst for battle?
Flit: (╬ಠ益ಠ)
"And don't underestimate these newcomers." Some of them are quite formidable. Asemu already lost to Creuset.Flit: (╬ಠ益ಠ#)
With a face like an erupting volcano, Flit stormed off to an empty simulator pod and started sparring with Asemu.
This ungrateful brat—losing to anyone but Creuset! Didn't he know Flit had a grudge against him? Time to whip this disappointing son into shape!
Watching this, Graham smiled in satisfaction. This had been his goal all along. Truth be told, Flit had performed exceptionally well in the Gundam W world—except when it came to MS piloting.
Had Flit completely settled into his role as a commander, neglecting his MS combat skills? Or... had he grown a bit too arrogant?
From Graham's observations, Flit had made more than one careless mistake in less dangerous battles, nearly getting himself killed several times!
Honestly, based on what he'd seen, Flit might not even be able to suppress Asemu now. Graham had planned to arrange a father-son duel to reignite Flit's competitive spirit. And if Flit lost to his own son, Asemu, the look on his face would be priceless!
"But these newcomers... As expected of protagonists from their own worlds. Their potential is truly terrifying."
Graham was impressed by Kira and Athrun. Their original combat prowess was already quite good, and after undergoing certain training, they were almost catching up to Setsuna, Lyle, and Tieria—now firmly part of the top-tier combatants.
"It seems I can't slack off either. I need to pick up the pace, or I'll really be left behind by them."
With that, Graham also climbed into the simulator pod. His training opponent had always been Yang Hui's fully simulated combat data. Only through repeated defeats and deaths could he feel himself growing stronger.
This was the difference between Graham and Flit. Flit had too many responsibilities to focus on, which might cause him to overlook progress in certain areas. But Graham was a pure warrior—he only needed to ensure his combat abilities weren't stagnating.
(End of Chapter)