198 - Thunder

"Don't worry, everyone. In a few days, the new aerial route will be established from Greenville to Iyeta. It'll only take two to three days. We can gather again then," Lynn reassured amidst the farewells.

Responding to the crowd, Lynn exchanged a few words with Raphael and those bidding him farewell. Eventually, his gaze settled on a witch approaching, holding a dark gold medal, surprising him.

"Lady Aurora, didn't expect you to come personally."

The legendary witch, clad in a vibrant crimson gown, just as she did during the decoration ceremony, had personally embedded the renovated "Sun Crown Medal" on Lynn's chest.

"Victor is busy restoring the 'Lost Mist,' and Harof has matters to attend to, so I'm here to represent them," Aurora chuckled, handing over a tome of magic to Lynn. "This is what you wanted..."

Accepting the hefty book—a tome of illusion magic—Lynn recognized the unfamiliar material, probably the hide of an unknown magical creature, bearing the title "Visual Manipulation and Magic Illusions."

"Thank you for going out of your way, Lady Aurora," Lynn expressed gratitude, intrigued by the magic called "True Illusions." Hence, he had asked the council for a book on illusion magic to delve into it when time allowed.

"Oh, I have a question. Why did you set that spell of magic on me in the first place?" Lynn was puzzled. He had no connection with Aurora, and they weren't familiar, making it difficult to comprehend her actions.

If it was merely to leave a contingency before leaving Greenville, the seers of prophecy might have been more suitable than himself. And what did that brown star signify?

"Let's save those questions for our next meeting," Aurora's face held a faint smile, withholding information.

Seeing the legendary witch playing coy, Lynn shrugged, turning to Phillip and the others, saying, "Let's go back to Iyeta."

***

For two consecutive days, Lynn and the others remained on the airship. Flying had been amusing initially, but after several experiences, the journey became somewhat monotonous. Except for occasionally using magic to ward off attracted storm birds, they only spotted sparse clouds in the sky.

However, not every day went smoothly. Midway through the flight, dense dark clouds loomed ahead, fierce winds whistled, and raindrops trickled into the cockpit...

"This is a storm warning." Phillip's expression turned grave.

They were now at an altitude of over a thousand meters, and being struck by lightning, leading to the airship's downfall, was no joke.

"Lydia, find a nearby spot to land and wait out the storm. We'll depart once it passes..." Phillip suggested cautiously.

However, Lynn intervened, "No, ascend directly, Lydia. Before the storm hits us, let's fly above the cloud layer."

Ascend? Phillip was taken aback. Wouldn't that be plunging into the storm and thunder? Before he could protest, Lydia was already at work, channeling magical energy through the modified alchemy array. Helium produced from alchemy, transported to the auxiliary airbags, propelled the ship upward.

"Charge." Lydia exclaimed excitedly, steering the airship straight into the dark clouds, akin to a knight charging into battle, leaving Phillip to protect himself hastily.

"This madcap." Phillip cursed, unsure of the safety of this endeavor. Yet, with Lynn's insistence, he had no choice.

Lynn remained unperturbed; helium supplied the lift, which was relatively safe, especially since the storm clouds had just formed.

As expected, the airship traversed unharmed, breaking through the storm clouds.

As if transported to another world in an instant, intense sunlight bathed them, dispelling the storm that had blanketed the skies.

Stunned, Phillip stared at the sun overhead, the recent event feeling like a surreal dream, beyond belief.

"What just happened? Professor?" Jenny asked, astonished.

"The cumulonimbus clouds of a storm typically hover between one to two kilometers. Crossing that distance is the key. To be extra safe from lightning, flying higher is better," Lynn explained with a smile.

Everyone present was astounded; they had never imagined reaching above the clouds could evade a storm.

After ascending over three thousand meters, Lydia passed control of the airship to Darren and the others, curiously perched on the edge, her feet dangling, seemingly risking a fall.

Below their feet, the storm raged, thunder booming, lightning streaking through the dark clouds as if to tear them apart.

"Is that lightning?" Lydia's eyes sparkled with fascination, seemingly intrigued by the destructive spectacle.

Philip and the other wizard apprentices were equally spellbound. They had never thought they would one day hover above the clouds, witnessing lightning traverse the skies. It felt incredibly surreal.

"Professor Lynn, was the magic you used in the Sun Crown Tower related to thunder?" Phillip suddenly recalled.

The magic Lynn had used, the "Electromagnetic Railgun," had nearly deafened him. In terms of speed and destructive force, it was the most potent magic Phillip had ever witnessed, seemingly harnessing the power of thunder.

In Greenville, many wizards sought control over this terrifying power of nature, yet due to its rampant and swift nature, thunder remained difficult to control, lacking a distinct school of mastery.

"Yes, it's a manipulation of the electromagnetic field," Lynn nodded, then glanced at Phillip and the others, saying with a smile, "In truth, thunder isn't something rare—it's within each of us."