This Isn't Scientific

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The impact of steel resonated, accompanied by the trembling of the earth.

After stepping out of the hangar, Eno Kamal could not help but be astonished by the scene before him.

Under the artificial gravity inside the PLANT colony.

Two MS were sprinting wildly across the vast training ground.

Two physical longswords clashed, sending out blinding sparks.

Those were the units belonging to Yzak and Athrun.

Although Athrun was not a combative person by nature, he had, after all, been raised by Defense Minister Zala as a soldier since childhood.

Under Yzak's relentless pursuit and attack, Athrun was not about to let him have his way.

Sizzle, sizzle~

"Eno Kamal?"

Just as Eno was contemplating how to replicate the movements of Athrun and Yzak's units, the crackle of static erupted and then cut off, followed by a somewhat soft voice coming from the cockpit.

Hearing the sudden voice, Eno followed the memory-imprinted procedure to open the communication system: "Nicol?"

"It's me, it's me. Eno, since you've just started piloting an MS, if there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me. Of course, I don't mean to lecture you, it's just that if you have any questions, I might be able to help."

Nicol's voice was somewhat hesitant and nervous.

"That would be a huge help, thank you. But I'd like to follow Instructor Kelvin's instructions and get familiar with the unit first. If I have any questions later, I'll have to trouble you to help me out."

Eno quickly replied with a smile.

Although Nicol had a gentle personality, his MS piloting skills were absolutely top-tier.

At this current stage, in non-combat situations, Nicol's proficiency in operating an MS might even surpass Athrun's.

"Sure, then you go ahead and get familiar with the unit. You can ask me anything anytime."

After saying this, Nicol hung up the communication so as not to continue disturbing him.

On the other side.

The battle between Athrun and Yzak was nearing a fever pitch.

With the disconnection of two power transmission conduits, the two MS had moved the fight from the ground into the air.

"One step at a time. I'd better stick to Instructor Kelvin's advice and familiarize myself with the basic operations of the MS first."

Eno withdrew his gaze, focusing his target and attention on himself.

In truth, strictly speaking, the movements of Yzak and Athrun were not that complex—or rather, no MS combat was truly that complex.

MS combat primarily tested a pilot's reaction speed and their fundamental control over the unit.

An MS was different from a human; humans would show disparities in strength and speed based on different training regimens.

However, the standard for an MS's strength and speed was determined by the unit's engine output and configuration, which could not be improved through so-called training.

Therefore, the standard for measuring an MS pilot's combat capability was primarily reaction speed and basic control over the MS.

"Let's see, first take a few steps..."

Recalling Instructor Kelvin's instructions, Eno piloted his unit to move forward with strides across the empty training ground.

Below, watching Eno's actions, Instructor Kelvin wore a look of gratification. That's right, that kid Eno had actually listened to what he said.

Finally, there was a normal person.

He still remembered the scene when he trained Yzak, Athrun, and the others.

They would get into the cockpit, take two steps, and start running; while running, they would start jumping, and before long, they would start flying.

Then, after barely circling the sky twice, that guy Yzak would find Athrun and start a fight.

Seeing the two of them fighting, Nicol and Dearka, who were still familiarizing themselves with their units, would rush over to break it up, and then... there was no "then."

Because after that, there was no role left for him as an instructor.

In that atmosphere of fighting and breaking up fights, they managed to fly their MS within a few days, and the other students were influenced to adopt that kind of berserker-style training method.

The result was that, except for when they were practicing shooting or other subjects, his class was either fighting or on the way to a fight during every free training session, making him, the assistant instructor, wonder what the point of his existence was.

But now it was good; finally, there was a normal student he could properly instruct.

"This feeling of being an instructor is really..." Eh?

Instructor Kelvin was still feeling gratified by Eno's obedience, but when he looked up, he suddenly noticed that the movements of Eno's unit were starting to speed up.

It turned out that at some point.

The MS that had been moving step by step on the open ground had started running, led by another MS.

Then, the other MS followed suit and began to run as well.

And as time passed, the speed of the three MS became faster and faster.

Finally, as the power transmission conduits detached, under Kelvin's stunned gaze, the MS piloted by Eno was "escorted" by the two other MS on either side, sprinting rapidly toward the live-fire training ground.

"Yes, yes, just like that, accelerate, accelerate."

Dearka's voice rang out inside Eno Kamal's cockpit.

"Eno, your front and back footwork is a bit uncoordinated. You're putting a little too much pressure on the right pedal. When fighting under gravity, any imbalance in the output between your front and back feet will cause the MS to lose its center of gravity."

Nicol's voice also appeared in the cockpit.

However, unlike Dearka who was just watching the show, Nicol was genuinely teaching Eno how to pilot an MS.

Listening to Nicol's reminders, Eno silently began to adjust the force he was applying to the MS's output.

"That's right, just like that. You must always pay attention to the MS's balance; you absolutely cannot let the machine become unstable. The MS's reaction speed is limited. Once you exceed that reaction time, even if you spot danger, you won't be able to adjust the machine in time. This will make it very easy for your opponent to suppress you in combat, which is extremely dangerous."

"I understand."

Listening to Nicol's guidance, Eno gradually began to grasp what he meant.

It was just like a human fight; your base must be stable.

"What's the use of just knowing the theory? You have to experience it for real!"

Just then, Dearka's voice suddenly cut in.

"Eno, dodge!"

"Wha—"

BANG!

Almost at the same moment Nicol's voice rang out.

The MS piloted by Dearka changed direction and slammed straight into him.

Although Eno saw it coming, his reaction was still a split second too slow in his haste.

Accompanied by a violent tremor, the MS Eno was piloting was sent flying.

"Eno, are you okay!"

Seeing the MS lying in the dust, Nicol couldn't help but ask.

Eno shook his slightly dazed head and replied, "I'm fine, just a bit rattled."

Being hit so suddenly had left Eno completely stunned.

"Dearka! What the hell are you doing all of a sudden?"

Instructor Kelvin noticed the situation and quickly opened Dearka's communication channel.

"Helping him train."

Dearka replied bluntly.

"Who told you to train him like that? This is Eno Kamal's first time in a cockpit, how is he supposed to—"

"But didn't we all go through the same thing?"

Kelvin's words were cut off by Dearka.

"I... this... you guys, you guys are different!"

Instructor Kelvin stammered for a long time before replying.

"Different? Come on, this guy Eno could run the machine the moment he got in; there's almost no difference between him and us."

Dearka countered, "Besides, this guy is planning to break into the top ten in two months. Normal training probably won't cut it."

Dearka truly didn't feel that there was any difference between Eno and them after getting into the cockpit.

They all knew how to walk as soon as they boarded, could run as soon as they left the hangar, and could adjust the machine's output in time based on external feedback.

He even felt that Eno was mastering the machine faster than he was, almost catching up to Athrun and Yzak.

"I... this... hmm..."

Hearing this, Instructor Kelvin suddenly recalled Eno Kamal's performance just now.

Thinking about it carefully, this guy's talent for learning to pilot an MS seemed, possibly, perhaps, really on par with Athrun and the others.

But was that even possible?

A student who ranked first in the Command track having the same MS piloting talent as Yzak and the others? This kind of thing wasn't scientific at all.