Chapter 5: The Land of Machines

Episode 27: Flight Training Redux

Part (1/5): A New Kind of Peace

The morning sun cast a golden hue over Draft, marking the start of a new day. Akira descended from his room with a lighthearted smile, still basking in the lingering warmth of last night’s camaraderie. However, the moment his feet touched the ground floor, the lively chatter of his teammates erupted around him.

He sighed, leaning against the doorway as he watched the scene unfold. “So much for a peaceful morning…” he mused to himself, though there was no real frustration in his thoughts—only amusement.

Laughter filled the dining area, turning what should have been a calm breakfast into a miniature battlefield for attention. Instead of annoyance, Akira found himself smiling. His deep brown eyes scanned the chaos before him, a quiet thought forming in his mind. “But maybe… this is the kind of peace worth preserving.”

Ever since arriving in Arcadia, his life had been defined by battles and constant danger. He had seen his comrades injured too many times, and if he could prevent that, he would do everything in his power to keep them safe. If this morning’s lively bickering and playful competition were another kind of happiness, then it was one worth protecting.

After watching for a moment, he took a deep breath and stepped forward, immersing himself in the cheerful chaos of breakfast.

By the time the meal came to an end, the team naturally split up, some helping the kitchen staff clean while others prepared for the day ahead. Akira, still feeling the lingering exhaustion from dodging teasing remarks and subtle rivalry throughout breakfast, let out a long sigh of relief. But just as he was about to relax, a single piece of news reignited his energy, making his eyes gleam with excitement.

“Zekhtau’s back—with the new equipment.”

The words alone sent a thrill through him. He could hardly believe that the man had already finished crafting what they had only discussed the day before. “This guy really is the ultimate supporter,” Akira thought, recalling the brutal yet exhilarating battle of Six Hell Modes he had endured against Zekhtau. If that fight had secured them this level of support, then every struggle had been well worth it.

“Let’s go meet him!”

With that, he turned to his teammates, his enthusiasm infectious, and they all quickened their pace toward the training grounds. There, standing with his usual composed demeanor—but wearing a slightly wider smirk than usual—was Zekhtau. His expression radiated confidence and a sense of pride, like a master craftsman eager to unveil his latest masterpiece.

And Akira had no doubt that whatever awaited them was going to be nothing short of groundbreaking.

Part (2/5): Skybound Sparks

The mid-morning sun gleamed off the sleek new equipment Zekhtau had brought with him. His wide grin said more than words ever could. As he strode into the training grounds, an unmistakable glint of pride flickered in his eyes—like a craftsman unveiling his magnum opus.

“Come, all of you! Take a look at what I’ve made,” Zekhtau announced, his voice brimming with confidence.

He reached for the first piece—a pair of reinforced boots, their sleek design glowing faintly with embedded fire runes.

“Let’s start with this—the Ignis Boosters for Draco.”

Draco perked up immediately, barely containing his excitement. He slipped into the boots without hesitation, surprised by their lightweight yet sturdy feel. Zekhtau adjusted the internal settings, then stepped back, gesturing for Draco to give them a try.

A low hum filled the air as the embedded propulsion units activated, tiny jets of flame igniting beneath his feet. Draco pressed down lightly—and shot into the sky.

“Whoa! I can actually fly!” he shouted, his voice bursting with exhilaration.

He soared upward, weaving effortlessly through the open air. The team watched, some in awe, others in mild concern, as he accelerated higher, dipping into sharp turns and rapid spirals. His natural affinity for aerial movement had just reached a whole new level.

“Draco, be careful!” Elina called out, her tone laced with warning.

But caution was the last thing on Draco’s mind. Laughing, he pushed the boosters to their limit—until he miscalculated a turn.

Thud!

A loud crash rang through the clearing as he collided headfirst into a tree. Leaves rained down as he tumbled to the ground, landing in a dusty heap.

For a moment, there was silence. Then, still sprawled on the ground, Draco burst into laughter.

“That was incredible!” he coughed out between chuckles, shaking off the impact as he climbed to his feet. He turned to Zekhtau, grinning ear to ear. “You really outdid yourself. Thanks, old man!”

Elina, however, was far less amused. Marching over, she smacked him over the head—hard.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“I told you to be careful! This isn’t the first time, and if you do it again, I swear I will get mad for real!”

Draco flinched, rubbing his head. “Alright, alright, I get it! My bad!”

Zekhtau, arms crossed, watched the exchange with a smirk before muttering under his breath, “I had to make them perfect… for your future. And for my granddaughter.”

His words were soft, but not soft enough.

Everyone’s gaze instantly flicked to Elina.

Fortunately for her, she was too busy chastising Draco to register what had just been said. But the smug expression on Zekhtau’s face said it all.

Akira stifled a laugh. From a mighty war strategist to a doting old man… Looks like Zekhtau’s priorities have changed.

Part (3/5): Wings of a Fairy

After Draco had his fill of excitement—ending his flight trials with laughter and a generous amount of dirt clinging to his clothes—Yue eagerly raised her hand as high as she could, as if afraid her brother wouldn’t notice.

“Big brother Akira! I want to try my wings next!” she exclaimed, bouncing on her toes in excitement.

Zekhtau chuckled softly before retrieving a carefully designed set of wings from a reinforced case. The four sleek, metallic appendages shimmered under the sunlight, their translucent surfaces reflecting iridescent hues like jewels of the sky.

Akira’s eyes widened. “Whoa… It’s even more beautiful than I imagined.”

Zekhtau stepped forward and swiftly helped Yue secure the harness. The wings were designed for ease of use, strapping on like a lightweight backpack. Each one moved fluidly, responding to the slightest motion of her body.

“You’re all set,” Zekhtau said, patting her shoulder.

Yue nodded, her eyes gleaming with excitement. She took a small step back, then leaped into the air.

A soft hum filled the air as the wings activated, but the near-silent propulsion made it seem almost magical. Her body lifted effortlessly, rising with a grace that seemed almost unnatural. Unlike Draco’s fiery propulsion, which tore through the sky with raw power, Yue’s flight was elegant, weightless—like a fae dancing upon the wind.

She flitted about, gently moving her wings to change direction, twirling midair as if she were playing. Her movements were so natural, so effortless, that the entire team found themselves momentarily entranced by the sight.

By the time she gently touched back down, Akira was already smiling in admiration. “You really look like a fairy.”

Yue blinked. A moment passed before her entire face flushed bright red. Clapping her hands to her cheeks, she let out an excited squeal. “Big brother, do you really mean that?!”

Before anyone could reply, she was already floating again—this time purely from sheer excitement.

The team chuckled at the sight, while Zekhtau smiled knowingly. “Looks like this was the perfect fit for her.”

Part (4/5): Soaring Arsenal

Keela stepped forward, her gaze filled with curiosity as she picked up the compact glider designed specifically for her. She turned it over in her hands, inspecting its sleek frame before glancing at Zekhtau with a skeptical look.

“Go ahead and try it,” Zekhtau encouraged with a nod. “And here—your railgun sniper rifle.”

Keela raised an eyebrow but didn’t hesitate. She hopped onto the glider, summoning a light gust of wind magic. Instantly, her body lifted gently off the ground, the glider responding seamlessly to her touch.

Unlike Draco’s fiery and aggressive aerial maneuvers, Keela’s flight was controlled, smooth, and precise. She adjusted her altitude effortlessly, shifting the glider higher or lower by manipulating the air currents around her.

“This is amazing!” she exclaimed, exhilaration evident in her voice. She soared upward, allowing the glider to carry her into a stable hover. Unlike traditional wings that required continuous movement, the glider allowed her to float effortlessly—like a bird riding the wind.

But the real highlight came when Zekhtau gestured toward her rifle.

“Try using the sniper function while lying down,” he suggested, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation.

Keela blinked in surprise before adjusting herself. She carefully lay flat against the glider, her body fully suspended in midair as if she were resting atop an invisible platform. Steadying herself, she aimed the railgun sniper.

A faint hum filled the air as electricity crackled at the barrel’s tip.

Zap!

The silent discharge of energy sent a high-speed projectile tearing through the distance. Keela watched in awe as the shot struck her target with pinpoint accuracy.

“No way… I can actually snipe from the sky like this?” she murmured, sitting back up in amazement.

Zekhtau crossed his arms, a proud smirk tugging at his lips. “That was the goal.”

Keela couldn’t stop grinning. The possibilities this opened up were exhilarating beyond words.

While Zekhtau had crafted new flight equipment for Draco, Keela, and Yue, there was no need for additional modifications for Elina and Osiris—they already possessed highly efficient aerial systems. Mirelle relied on her magic to hover and attack, while Akira had his own unique ability to ride on darklight constructs, making specialized gear unnecessary for them.

However, Zekhtau had not overlooked their safety. As per Akira’s request, he had developed emergency devices for everyone. These included compact levitation belts capable of temporarily sustaining weight midair and grappling launchers designed for quick escapes from perilous situations.

With their new gear in hand, the team eagerly took to the skies, beginning their flight drills together. The training grounds soon echoed with laughter and determined effort as they experimented with their newfound abilities—some testing their top speeds, others refining their aerial maneuvers.

Time slipped by in a blur of wind and motion.

And before they knew it, the scent of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, signaling one undeniable fact—it was time for lunch.

Part (5/5): The Eve of Departure

The lively chatter around the dining table quieted for a brief moment when Akira made his announcement.

“Tomorrow, we set out on our journey.”

Excitement and unease rippled through the group. Though they had prepared extensively, the road ahead promised both danger and uncertainty.

“If that’s the case, let’s spend the afternoon with the people of this city as much as we can,” Mirelle suggested firmly. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Farewell Visits

Their first stop was the Cyborg Workshop, where the sound of metalwork and machinery was soon drowned out by warm voices of welcome. Uncle Pong, Little Eve, and Shenlong stood waiting, their newly repaired and upgraded bodies gleaming under the workshop lights.

“Our lady has returned!” The cyborgs’ voices rang out, filled with deep emotion.

“Why are you all acting like this?” Shenlong’s voice was as stern as ever, but the soft light in his eyes betrayed his true feelings. “They’re not leaving forever. Even if they do, it’s to secure a better future for us.”

Despite his strong words, his towering figure remained protective, his presence radiating silent warmth.

“Take care of yourself, my lady,” Shenlong added, offering a rare, gentle smile.

Beside him, Little Eve reached out a small mechanical hand to touch Yue’s fingers. “We’ll be waiting for the day you return in victory.”

Next, they visited the central kitchen, where the scent of freshly baked bread and simmering stew filled the air. The kitchen staff had prepared an abundance of supplies—both preserved meals and dried goods—for their journey.

“We’ve done our best. Please, all of you, stay safe,” the head chef said, her voice trembling slightly.

“Thank you so much,” they all replied in unison, their gratitude genuine.

As the afternoon waned, more and more residents of the city gathered to see them off. Unlike past encounters, where their excitement often turned into chaotic cheers, the people stood in an orderly line, speaking in hushed tones—many still wary of invoking Castro’s wrath after the last time he unleashed his energy wave to silence a riot.

“Good luck!”

“Thank you for protecting our city!”

Their words of encouragement filled the air, mingling with the bittersweet emotions of both joy and sorrow. But above all else, the people shared hope—hope for a brighter future, one that the team had fought hard to secure.

They spent the evening exchanging conversations, offering reassurances, and making promises to return. By the time they made it back to their base, the sky had deepened into twilight, and it was finally time to pack.

Final Preparations

The preparations for departure were swift and efficient. Bags were packed, equipment checked, and final arrangements made. The process carried on well past dinner time, yet the energy in the air remained high.

“All done!” Yue declared proudly, holding up her travel bag.

“Good. Get some rest tonight,” Akira advised, offering the team a reassuring smile.

And with that, they retired for the night, exhaustion quickly pulling them into a deep slumber.

Tomorrow, they would leave Draft behind and take to the skies—toward Skyperion.