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Chapter 46 - ““Is it a metal dragon?””

Lyra stood at the bow of the INS Gerald R. Ford, her silver hair dancing in the sea breeze. At 250 years old, she had witnessed centuries of change, but nothing quite like this. The massive aircraft carrier beneath her feet was a testament to human ingenuity, a far cry from the wooden ships she knew in Britannia.

As she gazed out at the horizon, memories of her past flooded her mind. Born on a remote island in the Britannia Kingdom, Lyra had shown exceptional magical talent from a young age. Her parents, both skilled mages, had nurtured her abilities, teaching her to draw power from the sea and its creatures.

She remembered countless hours spent on the beaches of her home island, studying the tides and communing with marine life. It was there, under the watchful eye of the moon, that she had first discovered her ability to manipulate water on a grand scale.

"The sea never ceases to amaze," Lyra murmured, her emerald eyes reflecting the vast expanse before her. She thought of her journey from a curious young mage to becoming the strongest magical practitioner in Britannia. It hadn't been an easy path - years of study, countless experiments, and no small amount of danger had shaped her into the powerful Marine Mage she was today.

Her hand instinctively went to the small shell hanging from her neck, a focus for her magic and a reminder of home. The carrier's engines hummed, a stark contrast to the natural rhythms she was attuned to.

As she stood there, Lyra's mind wandered to the pivotal moments of her long life. She remembered the great storm that had threatened to destroy her home island when she was just 50 years old. It was then that she had first summoned a Tidal Surge, turning back the tempest and saving countless lives. That day had cemented her reputation and set her on the path to becoming Britannia's magical protector.

Now, surrounded by technology she barely understood, Lyra felt both humbled and invigorated. "Lady Lyra?" A young sailor approached, looking nervous. "The Captain was wondering if you'd like to observe a flight operation?"

Lyra smiled warmly, sensing the sailor's unease. "I would be delighted," she replied, her voice gentle. As they walked, she reflected on how far she had come from that young girl on a remote island, now standing on a vessel that seemed more magic than machine.

They reached the flight deck just as an F/A-18 Super Hornet was preparing for takeoff. Lyra watched in awe as the jet catapulted off the deck, roaring into the sky with a power that rivaled any magical creature she had ever encountered.

"By the tides," she breathed, her eyes wide. "It's like a metal dragon."

The man beside her chuckled. "That's one way to look at it, ma'am."

Throughout the day, Lyra engaged in deep conversations with the ship's engineers and scientists. She listened intently as they explained concepts of physics and mechanics, her agile mind drawing parallels to the magical theories she had spent centuries studying.

As night fell, Lyra retreated to her quarters, her mind buzzing with new ideas and possibilities. She sat cross-legged on the floor, her coral staff across her lap, and began to meditate. The gentle rocking of the ship reminded her of the tides of her home, and she felt a sense of calm wash over her.

In the quiet of her room, Lyra reflected on the implications of what she had seen. The Empire's technology was powerful, there was no doubt about that. But so was Britannia's magic. She thought of her centuries of magical research, of the marine creatures she had befriended, of the tides she had turned. Perhaps, she thought, there was a way to bridge these two country, to create something greater than the sum of its parts.

As she drifted off to sleep, lulled by the distant hum of the engines and the ever-present call of the sea, Lyra dreamed of a future where magic and technology coexisted in harmony.