Yarra’s Adventure Notes
Chapter 841 - 106: Before the Storm

Chapter 841: Chapter 106: Before the Storm

"It’s going to rain." This was the exclamation every resident of Third Flame City would make when they looked up at the sky.

The weather on Butte Plateau was somewhat similar to that of Whispering Swamp, but still quite different. Whispering Swamp, in the summertime, typically experienced a rainy season, with almost every day spent in rainfall, the incessant downpours transforming the swamp into lakes, and the lakes merging into a vast sea. Butte Plateau, however, was drier, with much less frequent rainfall than Whispering Swamp; yet, when it did rain, the downpours were anything but sparse, washing away the scorching heat that ravaged the world.

Therefore, every commoner on Butte Plateau longed for rain, and whenever it rained, it was like a festival, enjoying the coolness the downpour brought. Children would often sneak out of their homes and play in the rain with abandon, their vision blurred by the heavy rain, yet unable to extinguish the joy and Passion in their hearts. They would continue playing until worried parents dragged them back home, then heated water for their baths, followed by a sound thrashing.

However, today, as the residents looked up at the gloomy sky, they did not feel the usual pre-rain joy, but rather were immersed in pain and agony. The sky was particularly overcast today, with grey storm clouds obscuring the azure sky and blocking the dazzling sunlight. It was not yet noon, but the sky was as dim as evening. Although there was no direct sunlight causing scorching heat, the grey clouds hung low over the city, making the air feel dull and oppressive, causing a sensation of breathlessness. The suffocating air was filled with the dampness before a storm; in the sweltering environment, even standing still, one would find sweat oozing out continuously, soaking their thin clothes, making the moist clothes stick uncomfortably to their bodies.

Actually, such weather and suffering were not rare occurrences, occasionally happening a few times during the rainy season, but this time was different. From the oppressive silence, the people instinctively felt waves of unease, as if something terrible was about to happen, as if some danger was about to befall everyone.

"It’s going to rain." A few hundred meters above the ground, on the Floating Island, some Mages occasionally stepping out of the laboratory looked at the sky outside the island, their faces grim, echoing the same sentiment.

From the edge of the Floating Island, the grey clouds surrounded them, whether above or below, all enveloped in shadows. Unlike on the ground, being high up, they could hear the rumbling thunder echoing within the clouds, almost invisible flashes of lightning streaking across the layers, emitting a burnt smell intermittently. The Mages, positioned high in the sky, with their sharper senses compared to ordinary people on the ground, felt the unease as well, not a fear of imminent danger, but a heavy sinking feeling, as if weighted down, sensing ominous signs all around them.

"It’s going to rain." Felic, busy as ever, found a rare moment of rest and strolled out from the main door of City Hall, standing on the steps outside, hands behind his back, gazing up at the brooding sky. The rolling clouds in the sky grew thicker and darker, obscuring his view, even preventing him from spotting the familiar Floating Island that always hovered in the sky. Felic shook his head, sighed softly, and spoke to himself, "This must be the first storm of the year, the rainy season is finally here. Heh, I always used to hate this oppressive period before the storm, but today is strange, I don’t know why, suddenly feeling that even such weather has its likable aspects, after all, during this time everyone is filled with anticipation for the upcoming downpour. This longing for the future, no matter how many times I see it, it always fills me with envy."

"Governor," another young Grey-robed Mage also stepped out from the City Hall, his youthful face filled with confusion as he asked, "Did something happen to you? Why did you utter such a sentiment?"

"Ah, it’s just the weather affecting my mood, making me feel a bit down," Felic shook his head softly and said, "Sometimes when I feel down, I wonder if living a normal, ordinary life like these people for a lifetime could also be an incomprehensible happiness. Indeed, ordinary people lead monotonous and dull lives, unable to comprehend the glory of professionals like us, but can we really understand the purest joy they derive from their simple lives? Living like them might seem pitiful, going through life in a haze, but sometimes ignorance is bliss. At least they don’t have so many unnecessary worries, nor so many anxieties."

"Ha, Governor, you must have forgotten that I too came from such an ordinary family," the Grey-robed Mage said with a laugh, "You only see the good in their way of life but miss the most important point. Even if they live such plain, dull lives, their lives are still full of troubles and worries. From this perspective, ordinary people and professionals are essentially the same. Thus, I’d rather choose to have more troubles than return to that ignorant life. After all, having seen a more splendid world and experienced known happiness, returning to ignorance would be the most painful torment."

"Ah, you don’t understand," Felic did not continue the argument and instead said with a rare smile, "But that is fine, for you are the hope of this city. Keep striving, and in the future work hard to restore the city that I and others spent a century to build to its former glory."

"Restore?" the young Grey-robed Mage scratched his head, confused, "Why restore its glory? Under your and several predecessors’ management, our city is already perfect."

"Just a slip of the tongue," Felic shook his head, "Don’t worry about it. Weren’t you planning to go home to have a meal with your parents? Make sure to come back early. Well, never mind, it’s good to spend more time with them; consider it half a day off. It doesn’t really make a difference anymore, go on."

"Thank you, Governor," the bewildered Grey-robed Mage, completely unable to comprehend what Felic was lamenting about, was nevertheless happy about getting half a day off. Therefore, the young man nodded and had taken a few steps away before suddenly remembering something. He turned back and said, "Sir, you should also return to Floating Island early, especially since it’s about to rain."

"Yes, I know," Felic didn’t move, still standing with his hands behind his back on the stone steps, "But I still have to wait for some friends, some friends from afar."