Ch. 80 - The Basics of Flight

“That’s it~ Your posture is good, but don’t stiffen up like that. Relax your shoulders,” said Qing Xue.

Qingxue’s hand came to rest lightly on my shoulder, her tone gentle—warm in a way that eased my nerves more effectively than the words themselves.

“Next, we’re going to learn how to get the broom moving.”

She placed one hand on the front of the broom’s handle, steady and practiced.

“But since you’re still a freshman, your mental strength isn’t strong enough to directly control your mana yet. So your flight will be a bit shaky at first. Once you can manipulate your mana consciously, flying a broom is as natural as moving your own hand.”

She paused, cleared her throat. She might have realized she was rambling—yet she continued, this time more focused, “Alright. A flying broom is an alchemical construct, not just a piece of wood. So there is a built-in method for controlling it. First, place both hands on the handle.”

“Mm…”

I did as she said.

I felt it.

A sudden rush of energy, like a current uncoiling from deep inside my chest.

Seriously?

“Oh? Feeling your mana moving already?” Qingxue smiled knowingly. “Totally normal. The broom handle has mana-conductive filaments woven into it. See here—”

She pointed, and only when she did, I noticed the faint lines running along the wood—almost invisible, seamlessly blended with the grain.

“Those filaments help draw out your mana naturally. And the internal alchemy array converts it into lift and directional control.”

“So as long as you don’t deliberately block the flow, the broom will stay powered. Your mind may not be strong enough to direct your mana, but it’s strong enough to interrupt it—which is exactly what you don’t want.”

Her tone shifted into a warning:

“And that’s why you can’t panic while flying. Any sudden jolt mentally, and—”

She snapped her fingers.

“Mana flow cuts. Broom loses power. And you drop.”

“…Got it.”

“If you’re rich, you could buy a broom with a mana storage core. But honestly, those are bulky, ugly, and flying with one feels terrible. You’d rather carry a backpack full of bricks.”

“Mm-hmm…”

I nodded along—but most of my focus was elsewhere.

Because now that the broom was drawing in mana, I could feel something else: A connection.

If I focused even slightly… I could sense it. Not like seeing or hearing—more like knowing.

If I pushed my awareness just a little further…

It felt like I could move the broom with thought alone, which was ridiculous—and also exactly what Qingxue said was supposed to happen.

“Mana activation is just step one,” she continued. “The real key is mind control.”

Then she paused.

Her expression shifted.

A realization hit her.

“Wait. Yuehan—your mental strength. Can you project it yet?”

Her eyes sharpened with sudden urgency.

“If you can’t at least release your thread of consciousness, then you’re technically not qualified to learn flight yet. I really don’t want to find out I’ve been explaining brooms to someone who can’t legally fly one.”

She leaned in, searching my face— dead serious. “Be honest. Can you extend your mental perception outside your body at all?”

Of course, Bai Yu hadn’t told her any of this—if I truly couldn’t do it, that would’ve been embarrassing for everyone. Qingxue’s expression tightened with concern.

If I couldn’t project mental force, then I’d have to go back to studying theory until I could.

“Of course I can.”

I answered simply—not elaborating. There’s no need to brag. Showing off unprompted tends to annoy people. Better to demonstrate when it matters.

Qingxue let out a huge sigh of relief, shoulders dropping.

“Okay, good—good. Because otherwise I’d have to send you to the self-study benches, and trust me, that place is where spirits go to die.”

“Don’t worry, Senior. If Bai Yu sent me here, she made sure I qualify. I won’t make things difficult for you.”

“Hah! That girl’s actually being responsible for once? Now that’s the real miracle of the day.” She snorted. “Anyway—moving on. If you can project your mental perception, use it now. Feel for the control node inside the broom.”

“The what?” I echoed even though I already felt it.

“The mental interface. The part that connects your consciousness to the alchemy matrix. Once you find it, you’ll be able to guide the broom instead of just sitting on it.”

“I’ve already found it.”

Qingxue blinked—then raised a brow in visible approval.

“Oh? That fast? Nice. Saves me from having to explain it with… whatever vocabulary I don’t have.”

Then she lifted her hand.

I felt a wave of transcendence energy roll outward—an enchantment washing over me.

A protective barrier.

Right away.

Before I even left the ground, I stared at her. “…This is some VIP level treatment.”

“Don’t get used to it,” she said, but she was smiling like she enjoyed spoiling me anyway.

“Alright. Start slow. Do not shoot into the sky. That’s how people die. Just a gentle lift. Understand?”

“I’ll… try.” I guided the connection point carefully, letting my mana flow steadily. And then—

Lift.

The broom rose between my thighs, and instinctively I braced for the wooden shaft to jab me—

My eyes widened.

No way.

The broom… came with seat padding?

This was genius. Truly, the peak of magical engineering. Riding a stick vs. riding a mattress of gentle cloud support was the difference between public transit misery and business-class luxury.

Qingxue caught my reaction instantly and grinned.

“Cool, right? If flying brooms were uncomfortable, they would’ve never become a witch standard. Function is one thing—comfort is culture. Tradition matters, but so does not bruising your tailbone.”

“Slow. Not too fast—not too high.”

“Mm…”

The broom had more than enough lift to raise me fully, but I couldn’t bring myself to release my feet yet.

And the broom was swaying.

“Stabilize your core. If you feel unstable, lift a little higher and lean forward—low center of gravity. Now try letting your feet leave the ground.”

I nodded, breathed in, and lifted again.

For one perfect second—

Then panic hit, and I immediately touched down again with both feet.

“It’s fine. That’s normal. That is how everyone starts. We’re not rushing. For now, all we’re practicing is hovering in place.”

Her tone softened again.

“Good. Just like that—feet together, knees bent back a little. Focus your attention and minimize the sway…”

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