Chapter 205

Chapter 205: Test Flight of the Vanguard Ship

It wasn’t meant for two people, but one.

No longer a "two-seater Skyship"—now it was the "Vanguard ship."

For designers Norton and Wells, they’d only modified Midi’s brilliant concept, simplifying and optimizing it for practicality. To them, the "two-seater Skyship" remained just an idea in Midi’s mind, not a tangible creation.

But Midi, as a reincarnator, knew the "two-seater Skyship" wasn’t mere theory. In his past life, it had been perfected by countless designers.

Back then, Norton hadn’t contributed to Skyship designs, and Wells had likely died in his brother’s schemes.

Yet now, with the alchemist Norton and genius designer Wells collaborating under Midi’s guidance—armed with future knowledge—their efforts yielded results surpassing mere butterfly effects.

This shift from "two-seater Skyship" to "Vanguard ship" wasn’t just improvement—it was evolution.

“Let’s test it!” Midi cut straight to the point.

An Elven pilot leaped into the Vanguard ship’s open cockpit. As the Aether Liquid in the Aether Ring churned faster, invisible buoyancy lifted the silver, dolphin-shaped craft. With a rhythmic engine roar, it shot skyward.

To avoid Imperial detection, the ship stayed low, darting around the factory’s test area—hovering, turning, accelerating, diving, climbing with practiced ease.

Pausing mid-air, its twin cannons spun to life, spewing fiery projectiles that shattered a target a hundred meters distant.

Finally, it executed a precision dive, releasing a concealed bomb. The dummy ordnance—matching real bombs in weight and shape—arc gracefully to crater the center of a ten-meter ground target.

“Cannon fire equals two peak-level gunners’ combined strength!” Norton exclaimed. “Using earthly stones could boost power beyond human limits!”

Wells added, “That bomb rivals secret silver explosives—nearly as destructive as an ironclad ship’s main cannon! One hit sinks a Dragonbone Warship!”

“Well?” they asked in unison, confident gazes fixed on Midi.

To them, he wasn’t just a genius commander but the visionary who’d harnessed Aether Stone for the Skyship’s Aether Ring—a revolutionary leap.

“The Vanguard ship surpasses all expectations,” Midi stated firmly. “You’re both geniuses. But…”

_But?_

Their pride faltered at the word. Praise then criticism? Had they overlooked something in the design? Was altering the two-seater concept a mistake?

As they exchanged worried looks, Midi continued:

“But _I_ made a grave error.” He sighed bitterly.

The flaw lay not in their work, but in his oversight. Before departing for the Sea of Three Towers, he’d explained every Skyship detail—except how to actually _fly_ one.

The Elven pilot’s “skilled” demonstration? To Midi, it resembled a toddler’s first steps—clumsy basics that’d get crews killed in battle. Needing to halt for targeting and bomb drops? Death warrants.

The Vanguard ship was fragile with limited range, barely matching ordinary gunners. Once stationary, it became an easy target for destruction.

Fixed-position bombing might work initially, but Empire forces weren’t fools. After observing patterns, they’d predict movements, dodge attacks, and even counterattack to intercept the ship.

In short, an era-defining weapon existed—but wielding it required skill.

“Gather all test pilots, selected pilots, and the Hawk Brigade’s magic research department at Deep Rock Island’s high point,” Midi ordered before leaping into the Vanguard ship.

A silver streak shot upward, carving a brilliant arc across the sky before darting toward a narrow exit—a three-meter-wide personnel door left slightly ajar.

Hearts pounded as witnesses imagined disaster. Before Norton, Wells, or others could shout warnings, Midi banked smoothly, slipping through the tight gap with ease.

The entire maneuver—launch, acceleration, exit—happened faster than thought. Fear and awe arrived late. Wells finally whispered, “Incredible…”

“To the high point!” Master Norton barked, remembering the order moments later.

As others scrambled, Miditested the ship’s limits, gliding low over Deep Rock Island. The single-seater’s improvements stunned him: compact frame boosting reaction speed, sleek design cutting air resistance, Master Norton’s refined Aether Liquid amplifying thrust.

This vessel could execute maneuvers his past life deemed impossible.

Spotting Norton’s group reaching the vantage point, Midi grinned. Time to perform.

He slammed the throttle. The Aether Ring hummed, propelling the ship like a comet through streets and structures—zigzagging between buildings, spiraling past dead ends, skimming rooftops.

To onlookers, the ship became a silver dolphin—diving, twisting, riding salt-tinged winds without slowing. Even battle-obsessed Tanius gaped, speechless.

Perfection? No. Midi was just warming up.

The Vanguard ship streaked toward the docks, weaving between ironclad masts before skimming waves into the reef zone—a labyrinth of jagged rocks where warships shattered.

Here, Midi found his proving ground.