Everyone stared up at Chu Yang, who had already soared high into the air, mouths agape—just like the equally stunned Rolanda Hooch.
Since the invention of the broomstick, no wizard had ever flown while standing on it. Even more unbelievable—Chu Yang had actually succeeded.
Plenty of wizards couldn't even manage a proper takeoff while sitting on a broom using the standard posture…
"I've got to say, standing on a broom looks way cooler than sitting," Ron muttered to Harry Potter, tilting his head closer. "Don't you think?"
"It does look cool—like surfing through the sky," Harry nodded, then frowned with concern. "But it's way too dangerous. Without holding the broom, how do you even control it? If he falls from that height, it won't be something a few days in the hospital can fix!"
A panicked Hermione Granger rushed over to Madam Hooch. "You should fly up and bring Chu Yang back! This is really dangerous!"
Madam Hooch snapped out of her shock and hurriedly mounted her broom—but at that very moment, a sharp scream pierced the air.
It was Neville Longbottom.
No one knew when he'd copied Chu Yang's stance and stepped onto his broom. Unlike Chu Yang, he lacked the control to stand upright, so he crouched low, wobbling as he began to float upward—already five or six meters off the ground.
From a distance, it looked like he was squatting in midair to… relieve himself.
"Neville! What are you doing?!" someone shouted.
"I—I just wanted to try it! I didn't think—"
Before he could finish, the broom jolted violently. Neville yelped and clamped his mouth shut, focusing all his attention on staying balanced.
It didn't help.
He kept rising.
Neville glanced down once—and instantly froze stiff, clinging to the broom without daring to move.
High above, Chu Yang was completely unaware of the chaos below. He was having the time of his life.
The reason he could stand so steadily without falling was twofold.
First, his extraordinary physique granted him exceptional bodily control.
Second, the nature-based magic of his Wood Release allowed him to resonate more easily with wooden magical items. Even without using his hands, he could precisely control the broom.
Only with these two factors combined could he pull off something this outrageous.
In truth, Chu Yang hadn't planned to do this at all. He'd intended to learn flying step by step like everyone else.
But memory could be a dangerous thing.
Having watched far too many cultivation dramas in the past, the image of "sword-riding flight" was deeply ingrained in his mind. So when he saw the broom at his feet, he stepped onto it instinctively.
And somehow… it worked.
Chu Yang reveled in the wind roaring past his ears. As he climbed higher, the adrenaline in his body surged wildly.
The thrill of flying was far more intense than driving at three hundred kilometers per hour.
"This is pretty awesome," he thought. "Though standing on a broom does feel a bit awkward. When I get the chance, I should ask if custom designs are possible."
Just as Chu Yang prepared to head back down, he spotted two figures rapidly approaching from below.
The out-of-control Neville—
And the frantic Madam Hooch.
As she sped toward Neville, she silently prayed.
Accidents among first-years weren't unheard of—but nothing like this. Even with all her experience, Madam Hooch was starting to panic.
Seeing Neville in danger, Chu Yang shot toward him at once. One went up, the other came down—and at the instant they crossed paths, Chu Yang leapt across.
Neville felt the broom suddenly dip downward, followed by a powerful jolt that knocked his tightly gripping hands free.
That was because when Chu Yang's magic connected with the broom, he was effectively wresting control of it away from Neville.
In both quality and quantity, Chu Yang's magic far surpassed Neville's. When the two came into conflict, the backlash instantly forced Neville's hands away.
"Steady!"
Flailing in midair, Neville vaguely heard Chu Yang's voice—and then felt a firm hand press down on his shoulder.
Without thinking, Neville turned and hugged Chu Yang's leg tightly. He took a deep breath and straightened his body. As he gradually calmed down, the broom finally stabilized.
Only then did Chu Yang guide the broom down toward the training field.
This entire sequence left Madam Hooch utterly stunned.
So did Minerva McGonagall, who had been watching from her office.
As a die-hard Quidditch enthusiast, McGonagall swore she had never seen a broom handled like this.
Even more unbelievable—she had witnessed the entire process of Chu Yang forcibly seizing control of Neville's broom.
Was that even something a human could do?
Had she not seen it with her own eyes, she would never have believed it.
Chu Yang brought the shaken Neville safely down to the ground. The next second, thunderous cheers erupted across the field.
Even Madam Hooch applauded as she landed. "Mr. Chu Yang, that was an incredibly imaginative way to fly. You saved your classmate. May I ask how you did it?"
"By feel, I guess… I'm not really sure myself," Chu Yang said awkwardly, scratching his head. How was he supposed to explain it?
This wasn't a technical issue—it was a matter of physique. As the saying went, people's bodies were simply built differently.
"That's understandable," Madam Hooch smiled. "On a first flight, it's hard to put experiences into words. Most wizards fly by instinct."
She continued warmly, "But the emergence of a new flying posture may well influence the future of Quidditch."
At the mention of Quidditch, the field instantly buzzed with excitement.
Like football fans hearing the word World Cup.
Madam Hooch then looked down at Neville. "Mr. Longbottom, are you all right? Can you continue the lesson?"
Still a little weak-kneed, Neville nodded.
"Very well. Everyone, practice what I taught you earlier. Wait here—I'll be right back," Madam Hooch said, turning toward the castle.
Once she left, the first-years immediately abandoned all practice and swarmed around Chu Yang, chattering excitedly and begging him to teach them how to fly while standing.
Chu Yang sighed helplessly. "I already told you—it's all by feel. I can't teach you!"
"Chu Yang's explained it clearly—stop pestering him!" Hermione, her bushy blonde hair practically bristling, stood protectively in front of him like an angry kitten, sternly driving the others back.
Harry and Ron quickly joined in, urging everyone to return to their spots before Madam Hooch came back and deducted points.
The students reluctantly dispersed and resumed practice.
Hermione crept back up to Chu Yang and whispered conspiratorially, "I helped chase them off. You'd better teach me later."
(End of Chapter)