🐈🐈🐈
ABOUT a month later, we were finally ready to mobilize our survey team to the Kichul Forest.
Our basic plan was to fly above the tree line, but there was a good chance we’d end up flying through the trees at some point. Accordingly, the survey team was made up of ten people divided into pairs to allow for greater maneuverability. Incidentally, the carts had also been improved by the magical device technicians, especially for our team.
Arshtag was the team captain. He’d been investigating Kichul Forest the longest, so I thought his quick decisions would be more valuable than mine.
Vellia was, of course, his pilot. None of the young wind mages could match Vellia’s abilities and leadership skills. It was unsurprising that Vellia had improved the most at flying in such a short amount of time. With these two leading the squadron, there was nothing to worry about.
We would fly in a V formation with them at the front and Seren and I bringing up the rear so we would have a good view of everyone. If anything happened, we could easily swoop in and rescue people.
The survey team and the wind mages are all reliable, seasoned veterans. And Gil, who just joined this year along with Seren, will be joining us too, spear in hand. I haven’t seen his fighting style yet. I’m actually a little excited to see it.
“Everyone… Tomorrow, we will finally begin our investigation. Now, we’re gathered here today to conduct some preliminary flight training.”
Everyone nodded along solemnly as I spoke.
“All the wind mages have been undertaking flight training, but the other survey team members have little experience of being airborne. Today, I’d like you to acclimatize to the sensation of flying outdoors. We’ll need you to master balancing and shifting your weight in response to sudden changes in speed and sharp turns so that you can work smoothly in tandem with your partner.”
I explained the purpose of the day’s training briefly, then left the rest to Arshtag. Arshtag stepped forward, his bulk imposing, and raised his voice.
“Okay then, everyone… Get into position!”
“Roger!”
The group responded to Arshtag with great enthusiasm. I hopped on the back of Seren’s cart. It’s been a while since we’ve ridden a smaller-scale, compact cart like the ones prepared for today.
“Amazing, Vellia, you’re so stable it’s hard to believe you’re even floating.”
“Right? It’s been so hard to get to this point, though,” Vellia responded to Arshtag’s earnest praise jovially.
“Wow, amazing!”
“It’s really floating!”
“It’s a bit scary not having your feet on the ground.”
The rest of the team was exclaiming with surprise and excitement.
Well, of course they would. I had a similar reaction the first time I flew.
“Survey team members… I can assure you that we’ve been fully trained, so please don’t hesitate to step aboard.” Vellia grinned good-naturedly.
Meanwhile, I called out to Arshtag, riding behind Vellia. “Arshtag.”
“Listening.”
“Since this is the first time the survey team’s going to be flying, I think it’d be a good idea to do a little test run first so they can get used to it.”
“Understood. Vellia, let’s try a little flying.”
“Okay. I’ll move slowly, but hold on tight.”
“Right.”
After making sure that Arshtag had a firm grip on the cart rails, Vellia moved forward slowly.
“Whoa.”
“Are you okay?”
Interesting… Despite his brawny physique, Arshtag seemed a little unsteady.
“Fine… But it feels strange to see the scenery moving even though I’m not moving myself,” he said.
“Right?”
“Moreover, I seem particularly aware of the wind pressure on my back.”
“Ah, just bear with that. The cart’s motions are controlled by wind pressure coming from various directions.”
“That’s how it works? Baffling.”
“Shocking, right? But if the person riding behind shifts their weight, that affects the way the cart controls as well. Things might get a little unsteady.”
“’Scuse me?”
“I mean, since your physique is quite different to the other mages, Arshtag, it’s just a bit more noticeable.”
As I digested what Vellia had just said, I glanced over at Seren, who nodded emphatically.
“It’s the same as when we use wind gusts for assisted running. Different people with different physiques and running abilities would require different amounts of wind gusts, right? It’s the same principle.”
Thinking about it, that may well be true.
“Wind mages really need to fine-tune things that much?”
“Mm-hmm. I’d like to work on some fine-tuning myself, but things are a bit tight here. I’d rather we fly to the plains, as steady as we can, then meet up near the big tree there. Once we’re there, we can swoop and glide to our heart’s delight.”
“I see. Then let’s all meet at the big tree on the plains! Safety first, don’t push yourself!”
“Roger!”
“Well then, Vellia, let’s go.”
“All right! Make sure you hang on tight.”
“Whoa!”
With great speed, Vellia and Arshtag zoomed out of the window.
“Hey! Arrgh! What happened to safe flying?! Oh, heck!”
“Ahaha! It’s so unusual to see you lose your cool, Arshtag!”
We could still hear them from afar. It looked like Vellia had a need for speed that matched Seren’s… Yikes. I guess, though, when a person gains superspeed for the first time in their life, they’re going to want to test it out.
“Uh… Everyone… Please slowly make your way to the meet-up point,” I addressed the remaining team members. “As Arshtag said, safety comes first.”
“Sure thing.”
“Got it.”
“Vellia’s having a lot of fun.”
The remaining wind mages set off on the test flight with wry smiles, consulting with their survey team partners riding behind them as to what was a comfortable speed for both.
Naturally, perhaps, none had the ease of Vellia’s flying, and some of them seemed to be struggling with carrying a passenger and the adjustments involved. They swayed and wobbled around the room a few times before finally gaining the confidence to exit through the window slowly.
“We should go, too. I think we’d better take up the rear,” I said to Seren.
“Right.”
We’re hanging back to monitor the others, but I’ve already told Seren that we won’t get involved unless something really dangerous happens. If we swoop in to help them too often, they won’t improve, and we can’t hold their hands during potential battles in the forest. We need a strong squad of pair teams who help each other out and keep each other balanced.
I hope today’s training will help each pair build a relationship of solid trust.
✦ ✦ ✦
🐈🐈🐈
WE arrived last at the large tree in the plains, having been monitoring those flying ahead all the while. Vellia stood there waiting for us, smiling and waving big, but Arshtag was sitting down at the foot of the tree, looking worn out already.
“You all right?” I asked him.
“…Yeah.”
I’d dropped my voice so the others wouldn’t hear. Arshtag looked at me with a dour expression. His short, straw-colored hair looked like it’d been through a storm. Vellia had no doubt been directing a few air gusts at it.
“I went a bit too fast. I think he got airsick,” Vellia explained, looking a little bit remorseful. I nodded and began to generate my magic.
“You should consider your partner’s feelings when flying.” After I lightly healed him with water magic, Arshtag’s complexion improved immediately.
“Ah… Sorry.”
“You’re the captain, after all. I just want everyone to be in top condition for today’s training.”
I tried my best to smile so I wouldn’t sound too stern. Naturally, Vellia did look surprised… But a lot of people have seemed surprised by me lately. So I suppose it’s normal.
As long as Arshtag could make the most of the training to follow, then there should be no issue.
“Join us once you’re feeling better,” I said, and then I strode off to get on with things.