The Repulsion

"Enough holding back—let's use everything we've got to drive away this storm giant," Lilia said, glancing between Bennett and Lucian as it became clear that diplomacy was futile.

Lucian hesitated for a moment, then activated his system's appraisal function, spending 10 Reverence Points to assess the storm giant.

[Creature]: Storm Giant

[Classification]: Magical Creature • Giant Class • Storm Giant

[Description]: A sentient being capable of manipulating storms and limited lightning. However, few know that these powerful creatures have a fear of intense light…

"Intense light?" Lucian murmured, slightly surprised. Observing Bennett and Lilia readying their combat tools, he stepped forward. "Let me take the first attempt at handling the giant."

Bennett and Lilia exchanged surprised glances. Given the challenges of high-altitude combat on a moving airship, taking on a storm giant in such conditions was nearly impossible. For Lucian to volunteer suggested confidence bordering on arrogance.

"Could he be nearing full sorcerer status?" Bennett wondered, suddenly on guard. If Lucian's power was approaching that of a full sorcerer, all of Bennett's strategies to outmaneuver him might be for naught.

Lilia, on the other hand, studied Lucian with renewed interest. According to her superior's orders, her mission was not only to monitor Bennett but also to keep a close watch on Lucian, this rising third-tier apprentice.

Unaware of their inner calculations, Lucian raised his hand, focusing his mental energy as he constructed a basic light-collecting spell. Bennett, watching Lucian's formation of the spell model, frowned in confusion—it was simply an enhanced light beam, more commonly used as a light source in caves or dark environments. Why would Lucian rely on such a trivial spell in battle against a storm giant?

Lucian compressed the light into a small, concentrated orb in his hand. "Carrie," he called, and as she ran over, he quickly enchanted one of her arrows with the intense light sphere, much like he would for a fiery arrow.

Carrie nodded and shot the glowing arrow directly into the heart of the storm.

Both Bennett and Lilia were baffled, unable to comprehend Lucian's tactic. The orb's offensive capability was minimal, barely capable of injuring even a weak apprentice.

But before they could question him further, the arrow reached its target. The intense flash that followed forced several of the ship's weaker apprentices and crew members to shield their eyes.

"Cursed humans!" the storm giant's anguished voice echoed from within the storm. The creature's entire body appeared enveloped in a blaze of light, and the surrounding storm began to dissipate as the giant stumbled back in pain.

Lilia stared at Lucian in amazement; he had driven off the storm giant with the simplest of light spells.

Lucian calmly generated another intense light orb, preparing for a follow-up. However, the storm giant, unwilling to endure another hit, quickly retreated with the storm, vanishing into the clouds.

"I read about storm giants in a book from the library," Lucian explained, noticing the stunned expressions on Bennett and Lilia. "It mentioned that storm giants have an aversion to intense light, much like humans fear fire. So, I thought I'd test that out."

His tone was casual, but Bennett and Lilia exchanged glances, understanding that Lucian's application of knowledge demonstrated formidable skill. To drive off a storm giant in such a challenging environment spoke volumes about his power and intelligence.

"Well done, Lucian," Bennett remarked with a forced smile. "For someone who hasn't been a third-tier apprentice for long, your knowledge is extensive. I expect our mission will be easier with your abilities."

"Just luck," Lucian replied modestly, uninterested in drawing further attention. His brief display had already made his point—no need to keep flaunting his strength, which could heighten Bennett's wariness and complicate future plans.

Bennett's eyes flickered with tension. Lucian's unexpected strength was unsettling; Bennett now felt his role as the group's leader was under threat. But he quickly forced a smile.

"Lucian, I agree with your earlier idea," he said. "We'll proceed in small groups to Cossay City, observing the situation from the garrison before making any moves. In the meantime, we can conduct preliminary scouting and perhaps capture a few fey if possible.