While the apprentices were strategizing ways to protect themselves on the deck, Lucian, Bennett, and Lilia were discussing mission details in the largest cabin of the airship.
"This is the map of Cossay Island," Bennett said, spreading out a parchment map and pointing to a few marked spots. "Here is the garrison, also known as Cossay City. It's more of a fortified outpost than a true city."
Bennett pointed to two other spots marked with circles, one red and one green. "This red circle is the last known location of the second-tier apprentice, and this green one is where a third-tier apprentice had a skirmish with a fey creature." He paused, looking at Lucian and Lilia as he proposed his plan. "The airship is too large and visible. If we land in Cossay City, those hidden fey on the island will immediately know we're here. My suggestion is to land before reaching the city and infiltrate the island separately under the guise of adventurers or other identities."
With no objections from Lucian or Lilia, Bennett marked the meeting point on the map. However, Lucian couldn't help but frown. Bennett's plan hinted at an intention to engage the fey creatures directly, which contradicted Lucian's own objectives. Knowing there was likely a full sorcerer backing the fey, he preferred to avoid open conflict, opting instead for a cautious standoff to buy time.
"Bennett, I think this approach is too risky," Lucian interjected. "If there's a sorcerer-level threat supporting these fey, direct confrontation could lead to disaster."
Bennett scowled, understanding the risks but determined to seize his chance on Cossay Island. This was his last shot at advancing to a full sorcerer; if he failed, he might remain an apprentice indefinitely, forced to serve his family's interests until death.
Turning to Lilia, he sought her support. Given her own advancement struggles, he thought she would naturally ally with him against Lucian. But to his surprise, Lilia agreed with Lucian.
"I also think rushing in is too reckless," she said, her gaze flickering as she weighed her own priorities. This left Bennett isolated and reluctantly considering a compromise. Just as he was about to respond, the airship shook violently.
"What's happening?!" Lilia was the first to react, rushing out of the cabin to find a crew member. "Explain!" she demanded angrily.
"Look outside, my lady!" The crew member pointed, trembling. Following his gaze, Lucian saw an unnatural storm swirling nearby, lightning flashing within it.
"Damn it! Didn't the academy already establish a non-aggression pact with the Giants of the Cloud Nation? Why is there a storm giant here?" Bennett cursed, striding to the deck's edge. Amplifying his voice with sorcery, he called out, "We're apprentices from Graybone Academy!"
But there was no response. Instead, the storm intensified, and lightning bolts shot toward the airship, forcing everyone on board into high alert.
"Activate all defensive arrays immediately!" Bennett barked to the crew, striding toward the control centre.
"How are we encountering a storm giant on a well-established route?" Lilia muttered, her face pale. Although storm giants were only as strong as third-tier apprentices, the enclosed space of the airship made it nearly impossible for any of them to fight effectively. Their only option was to rely on the airship's sorcerous defences—but the resources powering these defences were costly magic stones.
"This giant is from the Cloud Nation, all right," Lucian said grimly. "It's likely here under specific orders, pretending to ignore our academy's pact as a pretext to obstruct us." Yet, amidst the apparent danger, Lucian couldn't help but feel a spark of interest; the more chaotic things became, the better his chances of manipulating the situation to his advantage.
A thick arc of lightning shot from the storm, slamming into the airship and jolting its right side.
"Masters, we can't let the storm giant continue attacking!" The white-haired captain hurried over, his face tense. "At this rate, we can hold out for an hour, two at most."
"Retreat to the nearest town," Bennett finally ordered, face taut. Attempting to push through the storm would be sheer folly.
As the airship began to retreat, however, the giant showed no sign of relenting. Instead, it surged forward, bearing down on them with relentless determination.