Simultaneous Transmigration: From Japanese Anime to American Comics

Chapter 41: The Golden Snitch

"Damn, so that was their plan all along. No wonder they stood up for me."

Ron then threw a knowing glance at Chu Yang, while Harry just smiled sheepishly.

After everyone had left, Neville scurried up to Chu Yang, his chubby cheeks still streaked with tears. "Chu Yang, you helped me again! I don't even know how to thank you anymore."

Just as Chu Yang was about to say something polite, Neville awkwardly added, "If you could teach me how to fly, I'd be even more grateful."

Chu Yang: "..."

Meanwhile, Madam Hooch, on her way back to the building to retrieve something, bumped into Professor McGonagall.

"Professor McGonagall, where are you headed?"

"I was just coming to find you, Madam Hooch."

Madam Hooch looked surprised. "Is there something you need?"

Professor McGonagall eagerly asked, "I noticed something during the flying lesson earlier. What's with Chu Yang's unusual flying stance? Is it some new technique of yours?"

Madam Hooch quickly waved her hands, denying it. "That was an accident, something Chu Yang did unintentionally."

Professor McGonagall shook her head. "He seemed to be flying just fine up there. He handled the broomstick with such skill—it didn't look like a mere accident."

Madam Hooch hesitated for a moment, then chuckled. "Perhaps it's just natural talent. Some people are like that. The broom becomes an extension of their body, and they can use it without needing much training."

Professor McGonagall agreed with this, though she felt Chu Yang was even more exceptional than most cases she had seen. After all, he had already displayed numerous extraordinary traits.

A while later, Madam Hooch returned with a box, accompanied by Professor McGonagall, who simply observed quietly without saying much as Madam Hooch resumed her lesson.

Madam Hooch enjoyed the initial excitement during flying lessons when students were filled with curiosity and enthusiasm. But as the class progressed, many would eventually give up in frustration.

Learning to fly had its challenges. Flying well required even greater talent and a significant investment of time.

Modern-day wizards no longer devoted much energy to broomstick flying. After all, it wasn't as easy to use as Floo Powder, nor was it as quick and convenient as Apparition.

As a transportation method long rendered obsolete by the magical world, the broomstick would've been relegated to the dustbin of history if not for the popularity of Quidditch.

Once the students had grasped some basics, Madam Hooch prepared to release the Golden Snitch, reminding the class that they could try to catch it later.

Aside from Chu Yang, Hermione, and Harry—who had never watched a Quidditch match—the other students were visibly excited, including Ron and Neville.

Who hadn't, at some point, dreamt of being a Seeker under their parents' influence as a child?

Though this wasn't an official match, it was the closest these young wizards had come to realizing that dream.

That's why they were all so thrilled.

But what happened next took a strange turn...

A group of first-year students stood on their broomsticks, their faces filled with eager anticipation, shouting, "Up! Up! Up!"

The broomsticks did rise, but they threw everyone off, leaving them all in disarray—without exception.

It was then that everyone realized how difficult it was to maintain balance while standing on a broomstick!

"You can actually stand and fly on it? That's unbelievable!" Lavender Brown muttered, rubbing her sore backside as she got up from the grass, staring at Chu Yang in disbelief.

"What kind of special training did you go through? Or were you a circus performer before this?" Dean Thomas, utterly perplexed, looked down at the broom in his hand.

"Hey! I don't believe you can fly a second time. You'll fall just like the rest of us!" the spoiled and arrogant Pansy Parkinson taunted Chu Yang.

The trio notorious for losing house points, along with Neville, had also fallen heavily to the ground. Ron even rolled right up to Chu Yang's feet. As their eyes met, the air between them filled with awkward tension.

Chu Yang cleared his throat, then stepped onto his broom. Instantly, all eyes were on him, while Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall focused on the magical energy emanating from the broom beneath his feet.

The broom slowly rose into the air, and Chu Yang stood firmly atop it without the slightest sign of imbalance.

"He did it!" Daphne exclaimed in surprise, only to have Pansy quickly cover her mouth, glaring at her in annoyance.

"Mr. Chu Yang, how exactly are you doing this?" Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall approached, both shocked and curious.

Chu Yang explained, "Maybe it's because I have a naturally good sense of balance. I don't find standing on the broom all that difficult."

Madam Hooch eyed the broom under Chu Yang's feet skeptically, then tossed her own broom to the ground, intending to try it herself.

A moment later, she wobbled and fell off the broom, immediately abandoning the idea. This wasn't a stance just anyone could attempt.

Madam Hooch shook her head at the equally curious Professor McGonagall, whose face showed a hint of disappointment.

In a teasing tone, Madam Hooch reminded the students, "You'd better stick to the conventional flying position. Standing on a broom seems to be a privilege reserved for Mr. Chu Yang."

After witnessing Chu Yang's unique flying stance, switching back to the regular position left the first-years feeling a bit deflated.

But there was no other option. Only those who tried standing knew how difficult it was. Not only did they have to maintain balance, but they also had to ensure their magic continually influenced the broom.

Magic was a part of the body, and if the body couldn't stay stable, magic would naturally be affected.

After switching to the normal stance, Harry mounted his broom and immediately took off, smoothly flying in loops through the air.

"Whoever catches the Golden Snitch can keep it as a souvenir!" Madam Hooch announced, releasing the Snitch as she made her promise.

With a swoosh, Harry shot forward, moving so fast that he left a blur in the air.

At the same time, Chu Yang took off too!

He followed closely behind Harry, both of them chasing the Golden Snitch.

Chu Yang didn't care much about whether he could catch the tiny object; he was more interested in testing just how fast he could fly like this.

While the other students were still struggling to stay afloat, Harry and Chu Yang were already locked in an intense chase for the Snitch.

Neither of them looked like a novice trying to fly for the first time. They navigated through the air above Hogwarts with remarkable ease.

Just as Professor McGonagall was about to leave, she caught sight of Harry's flight, her eyes lighting up with excitement. As the head of Gryffindor House, her gaze was mostly fixed on Harry.

Gryffindor was in dire need of a good Seeker, and Harry's performance seemed to show great potential.