Chapter 59: Broomstick Realities and the First Beast Hunt

Su Liyue and Ye Xingchen returned to their respective dormitories, where they retrieved the magic brooms each student had been issued on their first day of enrollment.

Despite their designation, these brooms were virtually indistinguishable from ordinary ones, their only notable difference being a slightly larger size that made them marginally more convenient for riding.

Ye Xingchen still recalled his initial astonishment; how could mages in this world possibly soar through the skies on brooms the moment they began their training?

This was a stark contrast to the cultivators of the immortal cultivation world, who either wielded flying swords or precious aerial artifacts, or whose personal strength had to reach a formidable level before they could take to the skies.

Yet, these mages, defying all expectations, could ascend with a mere broom, leaving the humans of Earth—who had painstakingly spent centuries developing airplanes—to wonder at their own efforts.

He remembered the very first day Ye Xingchen and Su Liyue attended their flying broom class.

Both had been brimming with curiosity for this novel ‘toy’ from another world, even fantasizing about embarking on a global journey atop these brooms, much like a certain ‘scum witch’ (TL Note: A common internet slang term, ‘xiewanü,’ referring to a mischievous or somewhat unreliable witch, often associated with characters like Kiki from Kiki’s Delivery Service or Elaina from Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina).

Reality, however, quickly delivered a harsh blow; prolonged broom riding proved an experience far worse than cycling.

After just one class, their bottoms ached relentlessly. While bicycles offered the comfort of a padded seat, these brooms presented nothing more than a bare wooden stick between one’s legs.

For Su Liyue, as a female, it was barely tolerable, but for Ye Xingchen, in his male body, it was nothing short of torture; prolonged sitting could even ‘jam his nuts’ (TL Note: A humorous euphemism for discomfort or injury to the male genitalia).

Only then did he truly comprehend why mages in this world invariably opted for alternative modes of transport.

Beyond their convenient portability, the magic brooms’ most significant utility likely lay in their function as cleaning tools for students’ dormitories.

He had to admit, the academy’s thoughtful arrangement was truly… comprehensive.

***

From a dusty corner, Liu Yuxuan unearthed his long-forgotten magic broom, then sidled up to Ye Xingchen with a mischievous grin.

“Xingchen-ge (TL Note: A term of address for an older brother or a respected male peer), you surely haven’t found a team yet, have you? How about we reluctantly make do and partner up? There’s strength in numbers, and unity is power, after all!”

“Go on, get out of here! Who said unity is power with you?”

Ye Xingchen waved him off, a thought flickering in his mind: ‘Why don’t you just belt out the national anthem, ‘March of the Volunteers,’ to truly set the mood?’ “I already have a team; go find someone else to make do with.”

Liu Yuxuan first adopted a woebegone expression, but then, as his gaze fell upon the broom in his hand, his eyes suddenly sparkled with a look of profound realization.

“Xingchen-ge, you’re not planning on giving Campus Belle Su a two-person flight later, are you?”

Ye Xingchen froze at the suggestion.

‘A two-person flight? With this flimsy broom’s weight capacity, it would likely snap in two halfway through the journey.’

‘If he truly wished to carry someone, wouldn’t it be far more appealing to embrace Su Liyue and soar through the air on his sword?’

“You’re overthinking it; it’s merely a regular team arrangement.”

“But Xingchen-ge, your team only has two people! Even if you’re a couple, having me as a witness wouldn’t be a problem, would it? I promise to be a perfectly considerate ‘village guardian’!”

Liu Yuxuan clung on, refusing to give up.

‘A village guardian?’ Ye Xingchen’s mouth twitched involuntarily.

‘Anyone unaware might assume he was cultivating a harem! Su Liyue already had Mu Wanqing, a veritable ‘lightbulb’ (TL Note: A common idiom for a third wheel or unwanted companion), accompanying her.

“Stop dreaming,” Ye Xingchen flatly refused, without a moment’s hesitation. “Mu Wanqing is Su Liyue’s best friend; they’ll certainly stick together. I’m merely accompanying them as a dutiful escort.”

“Ugh…” Liu Yuxuan pouted, looking for all the world like a discarded puppy.

***

Students stood in neat formations on the training grounds, each clutching a standard-issue magic broom.

Some brooms were already bald beyond recognition, their bristles so sparse they resembled the thinning hair of a man experiencing a mid-life crisis, clearly indicating their frequent use for cleaning duties.

After a thorough headcount, the instructor gravely announced:

“This practical combat training will directly influence your academy ranking and resource allocation,” the instructor declared.

“This five-day survival exercise is the prime opportunity to test the culmination of your three years of study.”

“However, there’s no need for excessive tension! Any student who has diligently attended classes will find this level of challenge more than manageable. Instructors will provide covert protection throughout the entire exercise, and you may launch a distress signal at any moment if you encounter danger.”

As he spoke, the instructor raised his wand in a demonstration; a red spark shot skyward, exploding at a hundred meters into the distinct pattern of the academy’s emblem.

“Given that this marks your first practical encounter with magical beasts, the academy has specifically arranged a demonstration lesson,” the instructor explained, pointing towards the center of the training grounds.

“Observe closely, for this directly impacts the quality of your survival over the next five days!”

A sudden commotion erupted from the sidelines.

Three senior students entered the arena, carrying an iron cage within which a silvery-white figure could be faintly discerned, thrashing restlessly.

Following the sounds, it became clear that the creature was an adult Wind Blade Silver Wolf, a formidable specimen among Silver-grade magical beasts!

Su Liyue discreetly nudged Mu Wanqing’s hand, whispering,

“Pay close attention to the seniors’ positioning and their chanting rhythm.” Her gaze was fixed intensely on the center of the arena, recognizing this as an invaluable opportunity to glean insights from their expertise.

After all, in the immortal cultivation world, observing masters in combat was considered a crucial aspect of one’s own cultivation.

As the iron cage clanged open, the Wind Blade Silver Wolf burst forth like a silver streak of lightning, its sharp claws and fangs glinting menacingly under the sunlight.

This sudden, ferocious onslaught elicited gasps from many students, the majority of whom were witnessing a live magical beast for the very first time.

To claim they felt no fear would have been a blatant falsehood.

Yet, the senior student in the arena remained utterly unperturbed.

With a light tap of his magic wand, several earthen walls instantly erupted from the ground. The moment the silver wolf was forced into an abrupt turn, a precisely aimed wind blade sliced across its eyes.

In the very instant the beast roared in agony, a furious whirlwind spell descended, utterly engulfing it.

“How incredible!” the students exclaimed, their taut nerves immediately easing. It seemed magical beasts were not as terrifying as they had imagined.

The instructor nodded with satisfaction, his wand tracing an analytical diagram of the recent battle in the air.

“As the seniors demonstrated, magical beasts themselves are not terrifying; what is truly terrifying is the fear within your hearts. Every magical beast possesses a fatal weakness,” the instructor stated, as the light screen highlighted the silver wolf’s eyes, throat, and other vital points.

“Identify that weakness, strike decisively, and achieve victory—this is the very essence of practical combat training.”

The students listened with rapt attention, their eyes kindling with eager anticipation. Then, with a flick of the instructor’s wand, a magic storage ring materialized before each of them.

“These are the academy’s specially crafted storage rings,” the instructor explained. “They contain five days’ worth of provisions: compressed combat rations, magic potions, a spare wand, a medical kit, and, most crucially, a magical positioning device.”

Su Liyue infused the ring with her magic to inspect its contents, and couldn’t help but offer silent praise.

The rations were enchanted with preservation spells, the potion bottles bore detailed instructions, and even the bandages were imbued with healing runes.

Such comprehensive preparations were truly befitting Starcraft Academy, renowned as the cradle of mages. While the academy outwardly proclaimed its goal of tempering its students, it had secretly put in place extensive safety protocols.

The instructor concluded with a firm emphasis:

“Remember, if you encounter a Gold-grade magical beast and find yourselves unable to cope, you must immediately flee or call for help! It may well be beyond your current capabilities. Rest assured, instructors will also be covertly monitoring the movements of these magical beasts at all times.”