Reinventing Magic: An Inventor's Tale-Chapter 73: The Skyward Sentinel’s Ascent

The day of the test flight had finally arrived. The Aetherwing Skiff gleamed under the morning sun, its sleek frame reflecting the light as if infused with energy. Kael stood before the vessel, running a final check over the enchantments woven into its hull. Alice stood beside him, ever silent, her sharp eyes scanning for any imperfections. Satisfied, Kael turned to her.

"Alice, let’s board. I want to see how it handles."

Without a word, Alice stepped onto the skiff, her movements precise and fluid. Kael followed, running his fingers over the control mechanisms, testing their responsiveness. The scholars who had been observing the skiff’s development approached, their curiosity evident.

"My Lord," Lucien spoke, adjusting his spectacles. His silver hair was neatly tied back, and his blue eyes gleamed with excitement. "May we accompany you for the test flight? Observing the functionality of this vessel firsthand would be an invaluable."

Kael nodded with a small smile. "Of course. Climb aboard."

The scholars eagerly took their places, whispering amongst themselves in excitement. Mariel, her emerald eyes alight with curiosity, marveled at the intricate enchantments embedded in the skiff’s structure. "The layering of mana channels is really fascinating."

Cedric, with his rugged appearance and no-nonsense attitude, merely grunted in approval. "Looks sturdy enough," he muttered, giving the hull a firm knock.

With everyone secured, Kael took hold of the control grip, his fingers flexing over the lever that controlled mana flow into the skiff’s wind thrusters. He began to gradually feed mana, adjusting the lever in increments as if switching gears. A soft hum filled the air, and the skiff shuddered slightly before smoothly ascending into the sky.

The wind thrusters had been a success.

"Excellent," Kael murmured, adjusting their trajectory. "Now, let’s test the stealth enchantments."

He guided the skiff toward a nearby village. The moment they hovered above the settlement, he activated the refractive mana threads, bending light around the vessel to render it invisible. Below, villagers went about their business, entirely unaware of the skiff drifting silently above them.

One of the scholars gasped. "Incredible. No reaction whatsoever. They can’t see us!"

Kael smirked. "That confirms it. The stealth enchantment works."

He pushed the lever forward, causing the thrusters to intensify. The skiff shot forward at an incredible speed, slicing through the air with a smoothness that stunned the scholars.

"It flies faster than the first Aetherwing Skiff, this is amazing!" Gareth exclaimed, his sharp blue eyes analyzing the mana circuits embedded in the skiff’s core. "And yet, the ride is stable! The channeling is perfectly balanced."

Kael had anticipated this. While enchanting the thrusters, he had modified the enchantment sequences to enhance its speed. "Good," he muttered. "Now, let’s test the radar."

Kael flipped a small switch on the control panel, activating the skiff’s mana radar. A shimmering pulse spread outward, scanning the surroundings. The mana radar used a shimmering pulse to scan the surroundings, detecting any entities possessing mana and displaying them on a holographic projection. A moment later, a holographic projection materialized before him, detailing all nearby entities possessing mana.

Alice studied the display. "The radar is functioning perfectly, Master."

Kael nodded. "Next, we test the barrier. Alice, if you can please exit the skiff and prepare to attack."

The scholars stiffened. "My Lord, is it truly wise to test a defensive barrier while airborne?" Isolde inquired, her violet eyes filled with cautious intrigue.

Kael’s expression remained confident. "The enchantments can withstand spells up to Tier 5. I assure you, it’s safe."

Alice hovered outside the skiff, activating her mana flow. With precision, she fired a sequence of spells, beginning with a 1st Tier wind blast. The skiff’s shimmering barrier absorbed the impact effortlessly. She followed with a 2nd Tier ice lance, then a 3rd Tier lightning bolt. The barrier held strong.

The true test came when she launched a 5th Tier fire spell. A roaring inferno crashed against the shield, sending ripples across its surface. For a brief moment, a faint crack appeared before the enchantment stabilized.

Kael frowned slightly. "Tsk, The barrier needs reinforcement against higher-tier attacks."

Alice reboarded the skiff. "Awaiting next orders, Master."

"You did well, Alice. We will test the cannon next."

Kael activated the mana cannons next. Originally, he had intended to enchant them with the Proton Cannon spell, but its excessive mana consumption had led him to settle for the more sustainable Proton Beam.

Just as he was about to fire, the mana radar detected movement.

A swarm of wyverns loomed ahead.

The scholars paled. "We must retreat! We’re near a wyvern nesting ground!"

Kael, however, saw an opportunity. "No," he said, voice calm. "We need to test the cannons."

Leona, her fiery red hair whipping in the wind, grinned. "Now this is a real test. Let’s see if these weapons are worth their weight."

Activating the stealth enchantment once more, he positioned the skiff for an ambush. Taking aim, he fired the first proton beam. A brilliant streak of energy lanced through the sky, striking the lead wyvern squarely in the chest. The beast shrieked, spiraling downward.

"Direct hit," Alice observed.

Kael grinned. "Again."

With the skiff now functioning at near-optimal performance, it was time to truly push its limits.

Kael maneuvered the skiff through the wyvern formation, dodging their retaliatory strikes with ease. He unleashed another series of proton beams, targeting the larger wyverns to scatter the swarm. The air crackled with energy as the wyverns roared in confusion, unable to locate their attacker.

He maneuvered the skiff with precision, adjusting the mana flow to keep their position steady. He watched as the proton beams tore through the wyvern swarm, forcing them into disarray. Alice remained on the deck, watching in silence, as Kael had specifically ordered her not to engage—he wanted to see the full potential of the skiff’s weaponry without interference.

As the wyverns flailed in confusion, unable to retaliate against a foe they could neither see nor sense, their roars of aggression turned to uneasy screeches. One by one, the creatures began to retreat, their wings beating furiously as they fled toward the safety of their nesting grounds. Kael observed the retreat with satisfaction, knowing they had proven the skiff’s stealth and firepower beyond doubt.

The scholars, still gripping the skiff’s rails in fear, slowly exhaled as the danger passed. One of them turned to Kael, his voice awed. "My Lord... this vessel is truly a marvel."

Kael allowed himself a small smirk. "Impressive, isn’t it? I plan to produce more of these to strengthen Bryndis’ defenses—especially with what lies ahead. In fact, I think it’s time we name the second skiff... The Skyward Sentinel."

He turned the skiff toward the horizon, eager to see what other limits they could push.

---

As they soared through the skies back to Bryndis, Kael analyzed the existing enchantments on the Skiff. The defensive barrier would need refinement once they returned to the workshop, but for now, Kael focused on ensuring stability and efficiency. Lucien observed closely as Kael adjusted the mana flow through the runes, taking mental notes on his technique.

Kael and Alice reviewed the stealth mechanism, ensuring its seamless integration with the Skiff. The cloaking field, already perfected, remained untouched—its fusion of arcane illusions and light-refraction principles rendered the vessel invisible to both sight and magical detection. Their focus now shifted to optimizing mana efficiency and stability for prolonged use.

The second Aetherwing Skiff neared completion, a testament to Kael’s relentless pursuit of innovation. Sleeker, faster, and more advanced than its predecessor, it embodied the perfect synergy of arcane mastery and engineering prowess. He named it the Skyward Sentinel—a beacon of progress soaring through the skies.

Meanwhile at the workshop. Harold, the estate chief steward, stood beside Alric, who was practically vibrating with excitement.

"Where is the Baron? I have urgent matters to discuss with him!" Alric demanded, pacing impatiently.

Harold chuckled. "He is currently outside the territory, testing the new aircraft."

Alric stopped in his tracks. "What?!" His face fell with disappointment. "I missed it?" He had been swamped with other responsibilities and had not been present during the Skiff’s assembly, making this news even harder to accept.

Harold squinted into the distance before offering a reassuring smile. "Oh, look! The Baron is already on his way back."

Alric turned sharply and, sure enough, the sleek silhouette of the Skiff could be seen descending from the sky, its smooth flight an undeniable testament to its engineering brilliance. The vessel landed gracefully near the workshop, and the passengers disembarked, their voices animated with excitement.

"That was incredible! The responsiveness, the speed—it felt like riding the wind itself!" one of the scholars exclaimed.

"The defensive runes held even when we pushed the barriers to the limit! It was revolutionary!" another scholar added, his eyes alight with fascination. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Kael stepped forward, a satisfied look on his face, only to be met by Alric’s tearful eyes. "My lord," Alric began, his voice trembling with frustration, "I missed it. I wasn’t there to see it in action."

Kael offered him a reassuring smile and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Do not worry, Alric. This was only the first test. You will be part of the next flight."

Alric’s face brightened instantly, and he bowed deeply. "Thank you, my lord! I won’t miss it next time!"

---

With the Sentinel now outfitted with a dedicated mana source for its mana cannon—now enhanced with the formidable Proton Cannon spell—and all necessary improvements complete, the time had come for Kael to embark on his next great journey—the search for Eldersilver. Alice, Lucien, and Isolde would accompany him, ensuring the expedition’s success.

Key vassals, scholars, and soldiers gathered outside to witness their lord’s departure. Some scholars expressed a desire to join the expedition, eager to witness firsthand the legendary Eldersilver, but their duties kept them tethered to Bryndis.

Victor Dalmont, the seasoned knight commander, stood beside Kael, his stance firm yet composed. "I wish I could join you, young lord, but I understand my duty. Bryndis must be protected in your absence."

Kael nodded, meeting Victor’s gaze. "I trust you to hold the fort while I am away. Protect Bryndis with your life."

Victor smirked. "With my life and beyond, young lord."

With the final words exchanged, Kael and his team boarded the Skyward Sentinel. As the Skiff ascended into the sky, the crowd below watched in awe, the sheer elegance of the vessel a testament to their lord’s genius. The journey to the sacred mountain, where the Eldersilver awaited, had begun.

The holographic map flickered to life, pinpointing their destination. Kael took a deep breath, gripping the controls. "Full speed ahead."

The journey through the stratosphere was smoother than expected, but the crew remained vigilant. The path to the sacred mountain was rumored to be fraught with peril, from aerial beasts to rogue dragons.

Alice sat near the ship’s core, her spirit crystal glowing faintly as she synchronized with the Sentinel’s mana systems. "No anomalies so far," she reported. "We should be reaching the outer perimeter of the mountain’s domain soon."

Kael adjusted the controls, his sharp gaze scanning the shifting symbols on the interface. "I’m detecting a mana disturbance ahead—subtle, but unnatural." His brow furrowed as he analyzed the readings. "It’s either a residual fluctuation or something is ahead us. Stay alert."

As the Skyward Sentinel advanced, the once-clear sky darkened. A surge of mana rippled through the air, and from the swirling clouds ahead, a monstrous winged creature emerged—a Storm Wyrm, its sapphire scales crackling with raw lightning.

Isolde stepped forward, mana swirling at her fingertips. "Well, Holy.. Would you look at that."

Kael smirked, gripping the control. "It looks like it found us. Let’s see what this ship can really do!"

Kael’s heart raced with a mix of excitement and apprehension as he gripped the control. This was the true test of the Skyward Sentinel.

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