Chapter 40: An Unconventional Flight Lesson

Everyone looked up at Chu Yang, who had already soared high into the sky, their mouths agape in unison with a startled Madam Hooch.

Since the invention of the broomstick, no wizard had ever flown by standing on one. Even more preposterous was the fact that Chu Yang was actually flying. Even those wizards who flew in the standard seated position couldn't always master it on their first attempt.

"I have to say, standing on a broom looks way cooler than sitting on it, don't you think, Harry?" Ron whispered, leaning his head toward Harry’s ear.

"It is pretty cool, like surfing in the sky," Harry nodded, then added with a worried expression, "but it’s also incredibly dangerous. Without holding on, how do you control it? If he falls from that height, a few days in the hospital wing won't be enough to fix him!"

An anxious Hermione ran to Madam Hooch and reminded her, "You should fly up and bring Chu Yang back; it’s going to be very dangerous if he keeps going."

Madam Hooch, as if waking from a dream, hurriedly mounted her broom. But just then, Neville let out a sharp, panicked scream.

Neville had somehow tried to mimic Chu Yang’s stance, but lacking Chu Yang’s control, he could only crouch low on the broom, wobbling as he began to hover, already five or six meters off the ground. He looked exactly like someone squatting to take a dump in the sky.

"Neville, what are you doing?"

"I just wanted to try! I didn't expect..."

As he spoke, Neville jerked violently in the air. Terrified, he clamped his mouth shut, focusing all his energy on trying to control the broom. But it was useless.

Neville continued to rise. He glanced down at his feet, and his entire body stiffened, frozen in a crouch on the broom.

Soaring through the sky, Chu Yang had no idea of the commotion below; he was having the time of his life. The reason he could stand steadily on the broom without falling was due to his superhuman physique, which provided him with extraordinary balance and control. Furthermore, his magical power, infused with the Wood Release, allowed him to communicate with the wooden magical item, enabling him to control it precisely without the need for his hands. These two factors were the foundation of such an absurd feat.

In truth, Chu Yang hadn't intended to do this; he had been prepared to learn to fly step-by-step just like the other students. But memories can be a terrifying thing. Having watched so many xianxia dramas, he had such a deep impression of "flying on a sword" that when he saw the broom at his feet, he had subconsciously stepped onto it. And it had actually taken off!

Chu Yang enjoyed the sound of the wind whistling past his ears. As his altitude climbed, the adrenaline in his blood surged. The thrill of flying was far more intense than speeding a car at three hundred miles per hour.

"This feels pretty great, though it’s a bit awkward having a broom under my feet. When I have time, I’ll have to see if I can get one customized in a different style," Chu Yang thought, feeling that the only flaw was the aesthetic of the broom.

Just as he was preparing to return, he saw two figures rapidly approaching him from below: the out-of-control Neville and the anxious Madam Hooch.

Madam Hooch was racing toward Neville while silently praying. It wasn't the first time a freshman had an accident, but never one this outrageous, leaving even the experienced Madam Hooch scrambling.

Seeing that Neville was in danger, Chu Yang dove toward him. As they streaked past each other—one ascending, one descending—Chu Yang leapt onto Neville's broom in an instant.

Neville first felt the broom sink sharply, followed by a violent jolt that knocked his hands, which were tightly gripping the handle, away. This happened because when Chu Yang’s magical power established a connection with the broom, it essentially hijacked control from Neville. The quality and quantity of Chu Yang’s magic were far beyond Neville’s, so when the two forces clashed, Neville’s hands were instantly repelled by the backflow of energy.

"Steady!"

Neville, who had been flailing his arms in the air, heard Chu Yang’s voice in a daze and felt his shoulders being firmly pressed down. Without a second thought, Neville turned and hugged Chu Yang’s leg, taking a deep breath and stiffening his body. As he calmed down, the broom stabilized.

Chu Yang then steered the broom down toward the training grounds.

This performance left Madam Hooch, who had been trailing behind, completely stunned. It also left Professor McGonagall, who was watching from her office window, absolutely speechless. As a Quidditch fanatic, McGonagall swore she had never seen such a way of handling a broomstick! Even more incredible was witnessing Chu Yang forcibly seize control of the broom from Neville. Was that even something a human could do? If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, Professor McGonagall would never have believed it possible.

Chu Yang landed on the grass with the still-shaken Neville. The next second, the entire field erupted into thunderous cheers.

Even Madam Hooch, upon landing, couldn't help but clap. "Mr. Chu, that was a truly imaginative way to fly. You saved your classmate. May I ask how you managed that?"

"Just by feeling, I suppose... I’m not really sure," Chu Yang said, scratching his head in embarrassment. How was he supposed to explain this? It wasn't a matter of technique, but of physique—it truly was a case of people being built differently.

"Indeed, it is difficult to summarize the experience of a first flight; most wizards do rely on instinct." Madam Hooch saw nothing wrong with his explanation and smiled. "However, the emergence of a brand-new flying style might just change the sport of Quidditch."

At the mention of Quidditch, the atmosphere on the field became electric, as excited as football fans hearing about the World Cup.

Madam Hooch looked down at Neville. "Mr. Longbottom, are you alright? Can you continue the lesson?"

Neville, still a bit shaky on his feet, nodded.

"Then please continue practicing what I taught you earlier. Excuse me for a moment; I will be right back." With that, Madam Hooch turned and headed toward the school building.

Once she was gone, the freshmen had no interest in practicing. They quickly swarmed around Chu Yang, clamoring to learn how to stand on their brooms.

Chu Yang helplessly explained, "I already told you, it’s all about feeling! I can’t teach you that!"

"Chu Yang has made it perfectly clear, so stop pestering him!" Hermione, her bushy hair looking like an agitated kitten’s, stood in front of Chu Yang with a stern expression, blocking the other students one by one.

Seeing this, Ron and Harry also stepped forward, urging everyone to return to their places before Madam Hooch returned and docked points.

The students returned to their spots, looking disappointed, and began practicing as Madam Hooch had instructed.

Hermione sneaked up to Chu Yang and whispered, "I helped you get rid of them, so remember: you have to teach me."