Chapter 98
Chapter 98
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: A Crash Course in Flying
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"Am I doing this right?"
"Spread them wider. Like that, you'll just plummet straight to the ground."
I was currently in the forest, receiving a flying lesson from Aser.
I thought I'd be practicing in my Su-in form, but Aser first taught me how to flap my wings while in my human form.
"It's important to ride the wind well. No matter how big your wings are, if you can't read the air currents, you'll lose your balance."
"How do you read the air currents?"
Aser wore a troubled expression.
It was the look of someone who had never consciously thought about how to do it.
"It's difficult to explain in words. It's something one usually learns naturally."
"Then I can just learn it that way too."
"To be honest, Lady Aileen, you're a bit late. Timing is crucial for everything..."
Aser trailed off. I didn't need to hear the rest to know what he meant.
He meant timing is important, and I've missed mine.
"......Don't tell me I'll never be able to fly?"
"I'm not sure. We'll have to try it to find out."
That can't be right. I started to worry.
I had already anticipated, to some extent, that I was late in learning to fly.
But if it turned out I couldn't fly, I would be devastated.
As I looked up at Aser anxiously, he gave a faint smile.
"Flying is the most important ability for a bird. It wouldn't do if you couldn't."
"Right?"
"Yes. Since you're late, you'll just have to learn everything in one intense session."
......Huh? Did I just hear that right?
I whipped my head around to look at Aser.
He had a calm expression, as if he hadn't said anything out of the ordinary.
"I thought it would be a bother, but now that I'm actually teaching you, it feels strange. It's like I'm teaching one of the clan's young ones."
"Well, you're half right."
"Well, technically, you are half right. Being here like this reminds me of when I first learned to fly."
Aser smiled faintly, as if recalling his childhood.
I was inwardly surprised and stared at him.
I thought he was always so gruff, but he can smile like that when he thinks about his childhood.
Sensing my stare, Aser covered his mouth and cleared his throat.
"Anyway, when I first learned to fly, I was both excited and scared."
"You were scared too, Aser?"
"Everyone is afraid of their first time."
So it's not strange for me to be worried and scared about my first flight, right?
It's not just me; Aser was like that too.
His words put me at ease. I let out a sigh of relief.
"So, what do I need to do?"
As I asked with a determined, solemn expression, the corners of Aser's mouth lifted gently.
"With that much determination, you should learn quickly."
"Really? How quickly?"
"You'll learn much faster than you think."
My eyes sparkled, filled with anticipation.
At the same time, however, a question arose.
It doesn't seem like I'll learn quickly just by listening to explanations in my human form like this...
"Is there another method besides what you're telling me now?"
"Yes, there is."
"What is it?"
At my question, Aser smiled brightly.
"How? You learn with your body, of course. Don't you learn fastest when you just dive in?"
"......."
"If you're pushed from the top of a tree, you'll flap your wings, if only for survival."
"......."
"That's how I learned, too. You'll get used to it after a few tries."
Aser explained simply and pointed to a towering tree.
I followed his hand and blankly tilted my head up.
The tree looks especially tall today... It's just my imagination, right?
"Now then, shall we go up? Could you please change into your Su-in form?"
"......Are, are you serious?"
"Yes. I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to practice the Black Mamba's educational philosophy that practical experience is everything."
He was referring to what Baon had said. I answered immediately.
"Now that I think about it, that educational philosophy doesn't seem so great."
"I, for one, think it's a rather good method."
"......You're joking, right?"
"There's no need to worry too much. At least this isn't a cliff."
I couldn't believe my ears.
Does that mean if there had been a cliff, he would have taught me there?
As I stared at him with eyes full of disbelief, Aser spread one of his arms as if to show me.
A massive wing unfurled with a flap.
"See? If it looks like you're going to fall, I'll save you, so you don't have to worry."
"......You promise?"
"Of course. My own life would be in danger if something happened to you, my lady."
That's true. And Mesis is nearby, too.
In a true worst-case scenario, he would come and save me.
I decided to trust him, just this once. And I changed into my Su-in form as Aser had requested.
Poof!
"......."
"*Peep, peep?*"
Is this good? I showed him my transformed body, and Aser's golden eyes widened.
He crouched down and muttered in fascination.
"I expected it, but you really are tiny. ......Well, you should be able to learn just fine. I doubt you'll get blown away by the wind."
"*......Peep?*"
What? I froze in shock.
"Well, you are a bird, after all."
"*Peep?! Peep!*"
What are you talking about? You didn't say anything about me getting blown away by the wind before!
"It'll be fine."
Aser held me in his arms and shot straight up into the air. I gasped.
I felt like I had only blinked, but we were already at the top of the tree. Aser gently set me down.
"*Peep, peeeep.*"
*Whoooosh.*
The wind blew fiercely. With dozens of trees planted all around, the wind seemed to blow even harder.
"*Peep, peeeep. Peep...*"
This is a bad idea. It's too high. I hugged the tree tightly and held on.
Then, Aser reached out to me.
It looked like he was trying to pry me off. I cried out with all my might.
"*Peeeeep!*"
Don't come here! Go away!
But it was all in vain. Aser picked me up with ease.
My legs, which had been braced against the tree, dangled helplessly in the air.
I looked at the distant ground and shook my head frantically.
"*Peep-peep-peep!*"
Aser tapped my wings and said.
"You remember my explanation from earlier, right? Flap your wings quickly at first, and then hold them steady once you catch the wind."
"*Peep!*"
"A Su-in's survival instincts can be quite surprising at times, so don't worry too much."
"*Peep, peep-peep-peep!*"
Wait, just a second!
"No 'just a second.' I'm letting go now."
Aser understood what I was saying and refused flatly.
At the same time, the hand holding my body lost its grip.
"*Peeeeeeee!*"
The ground began to rush up toward me at an incredible speed.
I flapped my wings with all my might.
*Flap. Flap-flap!*
Even in the final moments of my fall, Aser didn't move an inch.
He said he'd save me. He said he'd fly down and catch me if I was in danger! He said I didn't need to worry!
A deep sense of betrayal washed over me.
I should have known when he showed me his huge wings just to reassure me.
Aser opened his mouth and spoke dryly.
"Ah, I forgot to mention this earlier, but you shouldn't keep kicking your feet. You'll fall faster that way."
"*Peeee?!*"
"It was so obvious that I didn't mention it, but I suppose I should have."
He must have left that out on purpose.
It was obvious he was trying to push me into an extreme situation to force me to fly.
So this is what he meant by practical experience being important.
I moved my wings with all my strength. My small wings beat rapidly in the air.
Just you wait, Aser.
*Grind.* I gnashed my beak. Then, seeing the ground getting closer and closer, I squeezed my eyes shut.
I'm falling