349 349 It Flies
“Now, if we can get today’s passengers forward, we will head back to the Fae Forest for the test flight of the bulk cargo plane,” Wolfe announced, bringing the five Magi women forward.
“These five Witches all need more treatment, so they’re coming to the forest with us for a while. If you’re friends with them, take a moment to say your goodbyes, as I don’t know when they will be back.” He added.
There were some tearful goodbyes from the other staff members before the five loaded their gear in the back of the plane’s storage compartment and climbed in the back doors to get settled into their seats.
“Now, for the inaugural power-up of the engines. Cassie, anytime you are ready.” Ella announced, bringing a round of cheering from the crowd.
This was the moment that they had been waiting for all morning, the flight of the plane that they had watched being made in front of their own eyes. It was an incredible feat for them and even more impressive when they could claim that they knew everyone in the group that did it.
“Clear the propellers,” Cassie announced, reminding everyone that they were an actual hazard, and the wind began to blow behind the plane.
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Cassie didn’t really want to leave Wolfe somewhere that she wasn’t, so before she could change her mind, she powered up to full throttle, sending the large vehicle racing across the lawn and smoothly up into the air before she retracted the flaps and activated the Gravity Magic in front of the plane.
The Professor took a device out of her pocket and let out an impressed whistle.
“This is a range finder, and I can use it to determine speed. They’re still accelerating, but they’re already over two hundred kilometres an hour. They will be home in the Frozen Wastes in no time at all.” She explained.
“That is impressive. We didn’t think that the plane would be able to sustain much over that, so she must be pretty near full throttle.” Wolfe agreed.
“It seems to have stabilized around two hundred and fifty kilometres an hour. Do you have a way to communicate with her?” The Professor asked.
“I do. Give me a second.”
[Hey Cassie, how much throttle do you have it set at, and how is the power draw? The Professor is curious.] Wolfe asked through their bond.
[Seventy percent throttle, with the Gravity Magic active. We’re using twenty percent of reserves an hour right now. It’s not a problem for me to replenish, and most of the Rank One Witches should be able to sustain this without any issues.
Some of the weaker ones might struggle, but the Magi girls in the plane assure me that they could all easily replenish what is being taken, so they could pilot the plane.]
[Thanks, I will see you as soon as I can. Say hi to Ember and Little Reaper for me.]
Wolfe turned to the Professor with a smile. “The plane is at seventy percent throttle, which I am told is the appropriate rate for cruising speed, with all the enchantments active, and it is using twenty percent of reserves an hour.”
The professor smiled back at him and nodded happily. “We might need to buy one of those from you at some point. Twelve hundred kilometre range at that sort of speed is enough to compete with human nations for ease of transport.
Being able to make it to some of the decent-sized towns in Myrrh Coven or to Sylvan City in only a few hours would be a game changer for us compared to using the buses. We’ve tried planes before, but they were like the ones the renegades use, too slow and too mana intensive to be practical for long-distance flights.
But at over two hundred kilometres an hour, most flying monsters couldn’t even catch it, so you could just fly around them to safety.”
Wolfe smiled at her optimism. If something that could fly more than two hundred kilometres an hour was chasing you, chances are you were pretty screwed to begin with. That sort of speed was reserved for greater Magical beings and Mythical Creatures like Gryphons and Dragons.
Though come to think of it, he had seen plenty of Gryphons on scout duty, the trained ones that the Sylvan Coven used, and they weren’t nearly as fast as that plane. Maybe they could be, but they didn’t usually fly that fast.
“What’s next for you and Ella? Are you remaining at the Academy for some classes?” The Professor asked hopefully, making her eyes light up in anticipation, glowing with the unconscious power flow as the Witch got excited.
“Unfortunately, no. We need to inspect a portion of the swamps for threats, and then we are going along the coast of the Frozen Wastes to deal with the threat from the new Mundane Army submarine that the Professors warned us about. After that, we will head home.” Wolfe explained.
“That’s quite the journey. Especially for only the two of you. What will you do if you pick up injured or crippled prisoners from the swamp? Oh, I suppose you can call your lovely airplane to get them. Still, it would be better to go with some guardians.” The Professor suggested.
“I couldn’t just steal people away from their tasks, and it’s not like there are a lot of guardians just waiting around. At least not anymore.” Wolfe sighed, dismissing her suggestion.
Technically there were a few, the ones from the group he had met in the woods and some on guard duty, but Wolfe didn’t want to take them on a dangerous trip into the wilderness when he could be bonding with Ella.
“Well, I see your point. And you’re both strong, so I guess there shouldn’t be any issue with you travelling alone.” The Professor sighed, afraid that something would happen to them.
“Fear not. They don’t need to travel alone. My Witch and I will accompany you on your voyage through the dangerous lands.” A deep voice announced, and the Goblin Paladin strode confidently forward with a sheepish-looking Christa in tow.
“You see, I owe Wolfe a debt, and I want to go with him to pay it off with protection. I promise I will come back to finish my schooling once we’re done, or at least send a message from wherever we end up letting you know that I am safe.” The blonde Witch mumbled, just loud enough to be heard over the whispering in the crowd.
“If that’s your decision, we will honour it. You should be aware that it will affect your chances of getting a Noble title upon graduation if you delay your time here though.” The Headmistress announced, coming from the building to chase Christa, who had ditched class to come out where the seniors were watching Wolfe.
“Well, that makes a four-person group. That should be plenty. Headmistress Peach, can you look after my motorcycle until I need it again? It’s still parked by the gates.” Wolfe asked.
“Of course. We do hope to see you again soon, preferably with my student in good health.”