Chapter 41: Freedom First Test Flight (4)

[Aurora OS Boot Up]

[Boot Complete]

[OS Start-Up in Process…]

[Aurora H.U.D Online]

[Exoskeleton System Online]

[G-Force Support Online]

[Diamond Triangle Core Stable]

[C.E.F.S Online and Standby]

[S.N.M.S.S Online and Standby]

[Synchronizing Systems…]

[Synchronization Complete!]

[Freedom Scale Mail MK I is Ready and Standing By!]

As the HUD flickered to life, I looked around, the holographic display tracking my every movement seamlessly. The thought-reading runes worked flawlessly, picking up commands directly from my mind.

For the first time, I wore more than two pieces of the Scale Mail, and the system registered them all in perfect unison. A glance at the HUD confirmed every part of the suit was operational. The Diamond Triangle Core pulsed with an endless flow of energy, its readings stable. I wasn't worried about running out of power—that was never going to happen. My focus was on testing the energy's efficiency and consistency.

Satisfied, I strode forward. The ceiling above the workshop shifted, revealing a driveway that led outside. Stepping into the open air, I took a deep breath. The stillness of midnight was perfect for this trial. Aurora had already activated countermeasures to ensure no videos or photos would make it online if someone spotted me. Not that I particularly cared—but discretion was good practice.

"Deploy energy wings," I commanded.

[Deploying C.E.F.S]

A pair of metallic frames unfolded from my back. Moments later, brilliant white energy wings flared into existence, lighting up the dark surroundings like a beacon. The HUD marked the horizon with a horizontal line, part of the flight-assistance system.

Then I thought of flying.

Before I realized it, my body shot upward at breakneck speed.

"Whoa—!" I barely managed to steady myself as the insane acceleration kicked in. Numbers on a page couldn't capture the sheer thrill of it—the visceral rush of slicing through the air.

Within seconds, I was high above the Earth, the curvature of the planet visible against the endless void of space. The moon hung large and serene in the distance. The suit's night vision exceeded all my expectations, rendering the world below in crisp detail. My birth city looked like a faint cluster of lights. Farther out, I spotted the capital, its glow cutting through the darkness.

I hovered there for a moment, taking it all in. Then, snapping back to focus, I issued my next command.

"Set course for the Baltic Sea and switch flight assistance to learning mode."

[Destination Set. Adjusting Flight Support System…]

A glowing path appeared in the HUD, tracing the optimal route. This time, I took control, leaning forward and propelling myself southward. The system provided gentle corrections when I veered off-course, but it didn't take long before I had full control. I accelerated, breaking the sound barrier effortlessly.

The experience was surreal. Over 250 kilometers passed in mere minutes. I recalled how long such a journey used to take by car—hours spent on the road, the monotony of the trip dragging on. Now, I crossed my entire homeland in less than twenty minutes.

[You Have Arrived at the Baltic Sea Coast]

The HUD scanned the area for nearby ships. "Locate any vessels and plot a safe route to Denmark," I instructed.

[Accessing GPS Satellites… Route Created.]

[947 Kilometers to Denmark's National Waters.]

A map appeared in a corner of the HUD, marking ships and the calculated flight path. Nodding internally, I shot forward, this time pushing the limits. Mach 2. Then Mach 3.

At those speeds, the suit began to feel the strain of physics. The slightest movement sent me veering off course. The energy wings, incredible as they were, couldn't completely bypass the laws of aerodynamics.

I made a mental note. "Research gravity manipulation. Explore the possibility of a localized anti-gravity bubble."

Slowing slightly, I adjusted my course. The G-forces were beginning to press against me, and even reinforcement magic wasn't entirely mitigating the strain.

Another note: "Enhance physical endurance. Investigate body upgrades."

As I sped across the sea, the energy wings demonstrated their versatility, allowing sharp turns and zigzagging maneuvers that seemed to defy physics. However, the human element—the limitation of my reflexes and mental processing—was evident.

"Develop thought acceleration or mental partitioning magic. This could help with both piloting and day-to-day tinkering."

By the time I reached Denmark's waters, I'd tested the suit's agility, top speed, and endurance. Nearly 1,000 kilometers in under an hour. For a prototype, it was nothing short of extraordinary.

I hovered above the Danish coast, the HUD scanning the area. My mind was already racing with ideas for improvements, but for now, it was time to head home.

"Time to return, and check out the data." I commanded.

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