Oran Knight is out (2/3 chapters for today)
Late-Arriving Freshmen (3)
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Upon a suggestion from an unpleasant classmate named Saxon, I was nominated by the veteran instructor. So, I stood up. As I took out the rifle from my bag, nearby friends Heinz, Sonia, and other Team B members gasped in surprise.
“Lux! What… is that?” (Heinz)
Heinz asked me a rather silly question.
“This? It’s a sniper rifle.” (Lux)
He, then, shook his head in response.
“Well, I can see that it’s a sniper rifle, but do you use it with the barrel connected?” (Heinz)
The rifle I had was a set consisting of a main body longer than my height and a barrel of equal length that can be attached to the body.
‘It’s something my grandpa used, so it’s all I know, but is it different from usual?’
“You can use it connected or separate. When shooting something far away, you use the long end. I won’t be using it this time.” (Lux)
“Huh. First time seeing a rifle like this.” (Heinz)
As we chat, the veteran instructor chimes in, “Ah, that brings back memories”.
“Do you know about it, instructor?” Heinz asks, and he replied, “Of course”.
“It’s quite tricky to handle. Nowadays, only veteran snipers use it. This is a sniper rifle commonly known as that ‘Counter’.” (Instructor)
There were various theories about its name’s origin. but the instructor also told us that one was that it was as long as a bar counter, and another was that even if one were attacked by an opponent, their bullets couldn’t reach him, but his could. So, he could win even if he was the one in charge.
“Ha, even if you bring out something so grand, it’s no use if it doesn’t hit anything!” (Saxon)
Saxon taunted, but I ignored him and prepared myself.
“…Just in case, have you fired magical bullets before?” (Instructor)
The instructor asked, and I nodded in response.
Even children knew that everyone had a certain amount of magical power flowing through them. Although there might be slight differences depending on physique and physical strength, there was no such thing as an extremely large or small amount of magical power. However, there were aptitudes for releasing magical energy, broadly categorized into three types. They were “Magical Core,” “Magical Attire,” and “Magical Projection.”
A “Magical Core” allowed one to solidify and release magical energy externally, capable of causing damage akin to being hit by a stone when thrown. By skillfully controlling the magic core, it became possible to shoot it out of a gun as a bullet. Heinz and I were good at this. “Magical Attire” involved wrapping magical energy around the body, akin to wearing sturdy armor. It could also be flowed into swords to increase their strength. “Magical Projection” was used by professions like doctors. I didn’t know the details, but it seemed that it was a specialized type with very few practitioners.
While one could use Magical Cores or Magical Attire without specific training, proper practice was necessary for specific applications, such as using them as bullets, like in this case. For inexperienced individuals attempting to shoot a gun, there was a risk of misfire. The instructor likely asked to confirm this.
When I mentioned using this rifle for hunting back in the countryside, the instructor nodded in understanding.
“Normally, rubber bullets are used on campus, but today, use magical bullets. It’ll better demonstrate your skills. There’s enough distance, and the thicket acts as a barrier, so it should be safe.” (Instructor)
With that, he urged me to continue preparing. As I prepared, shouts from the adjacent training ground could be heard. They seemed to be running around the perimeter. After finishing my preparations, I checked the wind. A gentle breeze. It was calm.
Yeah, this should be fine.
As everyone watched attentively, I aimed carefully and slowly pulled the trigger. The bullet was fired with a dry “turn” sound, missing the target Saxon had designated by just a fist’s width and disappearing into the woods.
“Haha, not so impressive!” (Saxon)
Saxon and his entourage taunted, but Heinz interjected.
“That was really close! There aren’t many students who can hit that distance accurately!” (Heinz)
“Are there really students who can hit accurately?” (Lux)
I asked.
“Yeah, some of the seniors.” (Heinz)
I see. People can really hit that accurately. Impressive. I’ve still got a lot of practice ahead of me.
“Your skills are good. Let’s begin the lesson!” (Instructor)
With that, the veteran instructor clapped his hands, signaling the end of the diversion. He prompted the students to prepare for training, and that brought this matter to a close.
—
Across the thicket separating Lux and the others’ training ground from where another class was engaged in stamina-building running exercises, a bullet sliced through the wind shortly after the running students passed by Lux’s training area. Unnoticed by anyone, the bullet surged forward and cleanly pierced the target at the far end of the adjacent training ground, creating a hole about the size of a little finger’s tip off-center from the target’s bullseye.
—
The hectic first day of school ended, and Lux sat at his desk, reflecting on the day’s events as he prepared to write in his diary. What surprised him the most was undoubtedly that. The fact that there were several people who could read the flow of running individuals and shoot through the center of the target. He thought the world truly was vast.
By the way, what are those targets in our training area used for? They’re placed in such obvious spots, even someone closing their eyes could hit them. They can’t be for sniper practice, right?
Just like Heinz and others, I was convinced that it was probably for shooter’s practice. Then, I picked up the pen.
Author’s Note
The distance the bullet can fly will vary depending on the precision of the bullet’s refinement and the user’s skill. The instructor decided it was okay because he didn’t think at all that the shot from a freshman who had just enrolled in the school would be able to maintain momentum all the way to the other side of the next field.
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