I participated in the development of EVA

Why do you ask me everything?

I don’t know either!

He gritted his teeth and explained.

"She is adapting to Unit-0, and Unit-0 is also adapting to her. It is normal to have this degree of synchronization fluctuation during the adjustment period."

In any case, this is normal and there is no need to create anxiety.

After half an hour, the 0.1% synchronization rate increased again. Everyone stared at the numbers on the screen nervously. After waiting for several minutes, the synchronization rate did not drop again, and even increased by 0.1% again. At this moment, everyone's hanging hearts were completely put down, and they completely believed the judgment made by Ikari Fumihiko earlier.

Unlike everyone else who was paying attention to the synchronization rate, Fumihiko Ikari paid more attention to Ayanami Rei.

Noticing that Rei Ayanami looked tired, he stopped the subsequent experiments.

"Let's stop here for today's training."

Ikari Yui was obviously not satisfied with the fact that she only gained the ability to move Unit-00's arm today.

"At least try to walk a few steps to test if there are any problems with your balance."

Balance was taken into consideration when Unit-0 was designed, but EVA, like the human body, is not perfectly symmetrical.

Fumihiko Ikari naturally knew about this problem, but he did not respond directly. Instead, he asked for Rei Ayanami's opinion.

"Li, is it okay?"

"Li can still hold on."

"Try again after hearing my instructions."

"Ah."

Picking up the broadcast topic, Fumihiko Ikari issued an order.

"Medical teams and ground crews are on site and ready to respond to emergencies at any time."

The driver protection system is designed for strong combat conditions. Not only is it an ordinary fall, it can also ensure the driver's safety even in the event of a higher intensity impact.

He knew this clearly, but he still took action with the attitude that it was better to be cautious.

No one questioned Ikari Fumihiko's order, and everyone acted according to the plan that had been prepared in advance.

"Ground crew is in place."

"The medical team is in place."

Fumihiko Ikari nodded and gave instructions to Rei Ayanami.

"Try to move."

Rei Ayanami did not reply, but operated Unit 00 with a focused expression.

138. Li is OK

The huge body took a step forward with its left foot. The body completely lost the support of the restraints and moved forward a small step unsteadily like a baby who had just learned to walk. Although it did not fall, it looked like it would fall at any time. Let alone fighting, just standing still was a problem. This made everyone's hearts, which had just been relieved, hang in the balance again.

Thanks to Fumihiko Ikari's previous preparations, everyone had a concept in their minds that now was the running-in period for the pilot and the EVA.

Therefore, I am not disappointed with the current poor performance of Unit-00.

I was even excited that Unit-00 didn't fall.

Ikari Fumihiko asked.

"how do you feel?"

“It’s so hard to control.”

Ikari Fumihiko thought for a moment and explained randomly.

"Once you get used to Unit-0, it will be easy to drive."

Ikari Yui gave a reminder to Ikari Fumihiko.

"Ask her about her balance."

It’s not that I don’t want to ask Ayanami Rei directly, but I know that there won’t be an answer even if I ask.

Although she was not sure what was going on, she could feel that Ayanami Rei was not just listening to Fumihiko Ikari's words, but was refusing to contact her.

Ikari Fumihiko nodded.

“Are there any issues with balance? Any adjustments that need to be made?”

"Lei can't feel it now."

Now just maneuvering Zero requires full concentration, leaving no extra energy to focus on balance issues.

"Then just focus on driving, and if you are physically able, continue to try to walk."

Rei Ayanami nodded and said nothing more.

She was concentrating on driving Unit-0. One could tell from her expression that she was having a hard time controlling Unit-0 to move. Although she was careful enough, after taking a few steps, Unit-0 suddenly lost its balance and fell down, hitting the wall. The pain was fed back to Rei Ayanami, who was mentally connected with it.

"Uh--"

Ayanami Rei is unexpectedly strong.

If it happened to an ordinary ten-year-old child, this kind of pain would definitely make her cry out, but she just groaned and endured the pain.

Ikari Fumihiko asked nervously.

"Li, how are you? Are you okay?"

"It's ok."

In order to prove that she was fine, Rei Ayanami controlled Unit 0 and stood up again.

At the same time, a data monitoring staff exclaimed again.

"The synchronization rate has increased by 5%, and it is still increasing rapidly..."

Even Ikari Fumihiko's gaze turned over.

The synchronization rate finally settled at 24.35 percent and no longer continued to increase.

Seeing this, Ikari Yui muttered to herself.

"Do you feel the same way?"

Then he said to Ikari Fumihiko earnestly, "The current situation is just like a baby learning to walk. You have to learn to let go... No one can replace her in future battles, and the enemy will not have any mercy. Your overprotection of her now will only harm her. The best way to protect her is to let her grow up quickly."

Ibuki Emi also reacted.

"The Minister is right. The team leader is actually harming her by protecting her now."

Naoko Akagi opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but when she thought of her daughter Ritsuko Akagi, she didn't speak.

Ikari Fumihiko knew this truth, but he felt that there were still more than ten years before the apostles arrived, so there was no need to be so impatient and he could train slowly.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to refute, he heard Rei Ayanami's childish but firm voice.

"Li is fine. Li said she would protect Wen Yan."

"..."

The tender and young voice made Ikari Fumihiko unable to control his emotions. A warm feeling surged in his heart and tears welled up in his eyes.

For a moment I really didn't know what to say, and finally thousands of words came together into one word.

"Ah."

At the same time, I also feel sad for myself.

Even Rei Ayanami, who was born less than a year ago and looks only ten years old, is stronger than himself.

"Really? You have such a low tear point! You even moved me so much."

While wiping her tears with a handkerchief, Ibuki Emi handed Ikari Fumihiko some toilet paper.

Ikari Yui was moved but also became more worried.

If they really encounter an undefeatable enemy in the future, based on the current situation, Fumihiko Ikari will definitely be chosen as the sacrifice to promote Rei Ayanami's growth.

Ikari Fumihiko took the tissue and wiped away his tears.

Looking at Rei Ayanami who was gritting her teeth and persevering in front of me, I recalled all my experiences after the time travel.

A sentence popped up in my mind and I couldn't help but tell it out loud.

“The hymn of mankind is the hymn of courage, and the greatness of mankind is the greatness of courage.”

Everyone was immersed in Ikari Fumihiko's words.

Ikari Yui was the first to react.

"You always say something unexpected."

He paused for a moment, then repeated the sentence in a low voice.

“The hymn of mankind is the hymn of courage, and the greatness of mankind is the greatness of courage.”

Ibuki Emi came back to her senses.

“It is indeed courage that has brought humanity to where it is today.”

Ikari Fumihiko calmed down.

"The battle suit issue needs to be resolved as soon as possible."

Since we can't stop it, we can protect it in other ways.

Ikari Yui nodded.

"When I get back, I'll organize a meeting to finalize the initial design of the driving suit."

Fumihiko Ikari didn't say anything else. He suppressed his desire to protect her and watched Rei Ayanami silently as she stumbled over and learned to walk with Unit-00.

Another hour passed.

Rei Ayanami reported the situation while panting.

"It feels like the center is a little bit to the right, but it's not a big deal. Li can adapt to it."

Ikari Fumihiko nodded and told Ikari Yui his thoughts, "It's too troublesome to adjust it little by little. I think we should add a balance assistance system to EVA. In this way, even if EVA is injured and its balance changes during battle in the future, such a system can effectively reduce the driver's operating burden."

"I will consider this. For now, Unit-00's main function is to conduct tests and collect sufficient data. It is not suitable for making major changes."

After a pause, Ikari Yui continued.

"That's it for today! Tomorrow we'll change the training schedule to morning, noon, and evening..."

Before Ikari Yui could finish her words, Ikari Fumihiko interrupted her.

"Too often. Driving EVA doesn't take much away from your physical strength, but it mainly takes away from your mental strength. Such high-intensity training puts too much mental strain on the driver."

Ibuki Emi nodded in agreement.

"It's really not suitable for such high-intensity training."

Naoko Akagi also raised objections.

"The training plan should be adjusted in real time according to the driver's physical condition to ensure that the driver has enough rest time."

Ikari Fumihiko was ready to refute, but Ikari Yui nodded.

"That's it, make real-time adjustments based on the driver's physical condition."

After hearing this, everyone realized that Ikari Yui had said that before to put pressure on him, to prevent Ikari Fumihiko from being too protective of Ayanami Rei and setting the intensity of daily training too low in the future.

139. Cunning Woman

Faced with Ikari Yui's calculations, Ikari Fumihiko was a little angry.

However, although I feel sad, I also know that more training is a good thing for Ayanami Rei. After all, more sweating during training means less bleeding in battle.

Seeing Ikari Yui looking at him, he nodded decisively.

"I have no opinion."