Oran Knight is out (2/3 chapters for today)
New Counter Features
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*Today’s Diary*
Today, after school, I went to the practice area with Lamie-senpai and others to test the performance of my beloved rifle, Counter, which Frank fully maintained for me.
It was my first time experiencing it, but I learned that it’s incredibly gratifying when the performance of your beloved rifle improves. I even felt a bit emotional.
So, I thought I should record this feeling to never forget it.
—
The day of unveiling the new Counter.
Originally, I thought it would be during a drill, but since the practical class was still a little ahead, and Lamie-senpai was pestering me to see it, we decided to unveil it today in the form of a test shoot. The members were Lamie-senpai, Saras-senpai, Bianca, who was always hanging around the club building, Frank, who maintained the rifle, and one more person.
It was a second-year senior, Reager-san, whom I had seen at gatherings before but never spoken to. I had heard from Lamie-senpai and Saras-senpai that Reager-san was a sniper highly regarded by them.
Although Reager-san was a second-year student, I heard he was older than Lamie-senpai. So, even Lamie-senpai and the others spoke to him using polite language. It seemed he entered the academy despite already having battlefield experience because he wanted to study properly, which was an unusual background. That was probably why they respect him.
Reager-san was shorter than me but had a stocky, rugged physique. His presence felt like a rock. I thought of him as a senior, or more like a “san,” so both Bianca, Frank, and I tend to call him by that honorific.
Reager-san was a very quiet person, so even when Lamie-senpai introduced him, he only said, “Yeah. Nice to meet you”.
I understood well that he wasn’t suited as a candidate for the fake lover commotion from the other day.
The reason why Reager-san joined us this time was due to his insatiable curiosity that led him to re-enter the academy after having been on the battlefield. He heard about the maintenance of Counter in a conversation with Lamie-senpai and expressed a strong desire to observe.
By the way, Lamie-senpai tends to be a bit loose-lipped. I don’t mind, though…
Also, this time, instead of the usual mock urban practice area, we used the practice area for the test shooting.
The reason being, this time we were simply testing the performance, such as range and speed, so the practice area, where the situation was easier to understand, was chosen over the urban setting.
Putting aside the power, my beloved rifle Counter had a range that reached the hills to the north and south. I was looking forward to seeing how much the power had changed thanks to Frank’s maintenance.
Using the practice area after school requires permission. Normally, it was rarely used, so much so that Rick-san casually picked Wamo mushrooms there. Basically, there weren’t many units that require such long-range test shooting.
In times like these, having a third-year student, the club leader, and a child of a famous noble like Lamie-senpai was really helpful. It was not that the teachers decided whether to lend the area based on who asked, but it was undeniably smoother when talking to someone like her. However, today, the research department had requested to use it in the evening, so we were instructed to leave promptly if the research department officials asked us to vacate the area.
After placing the target on the southern hill and arriving at the northern hill, we hurried to prepare before getting kicked out. Of course, there was still more than an hour before sunset, so there was no real need to rush, but knowing others were waiting made us feel a bit pressured.
While I was connecting the barrel for long-range shooting, Frank began setting up the mount he had prepared for the first-year joint exercise the other day. It seemed this version had been improved based on feedback from the previous use. He also asked me to test it for him.
The snipers, including Lamie-senpai, gathered around Frank’s mount. Even though its use was limited, the potential to improve accuracy piques the interest of any sniper.
As I continued preparing, I casually said.
“Since we’re here, how about everyone tries shooting with my beloved Counter on this mount?” (Lux)
Everyone’s eyes lit up. Especially Lamie-senpai, who excitedly said, “Really!? Really!?” in high spirits.
That’s only natural because although she’s touched my beloved Counter before, she’s never shot it.
This is not just for me, but it’s an unspoken rule among snipers that, even if it’s a manufactured product, you don’t let others test fire your beloved rifle. Without the owner’s permission, it’s rare for someone to fire another person’s rifle. That’s why, although Lamie-senpai had touched it, she never asked to fire it.
I’ve heard that some people don’t let others touch their rifle at all, saying it changes the balance of how the magic flows through it and makes it harder to handle. That’s typical of snipers, whose lives depend on the accuracy of a single shot. I don’t mind that much, so I’m okay with it. Though, I wouldn’t lend it out, of course.
“Can I… also try?” (Reager)
The usually silent Reager-san asked, and his eyes were gleaming.
“Of course.” (Lux)
I answered, and he gave me a small nod.
Once everything was ready, I peered through the scope, aiming at the target set on the southern hill. Up until now, even though Counter’s bullets could reach the hill, the power would diminish to the point where it had no killing power.
*Bang*
The usual light firing sound echoed, but the aftertaste was longer and more powerful.
Not bad.
The bullet I fired sliced through the wind and accurately hit the target on the southern hill. Confirming through the scope, I turned to look at everyone behind me.
“The power is definitely up. I can feel it. And just as Frank said, the speed is in a different league. You’re amazing, Frank.” (Lux)
“Of course, I am.” (Frank)
Frank replied with satisfied look on his face.
“Well then, next…” (Lux)
Just as I was about to say it, Lamie-senpai rushed forward with great enthusiasm. I smiled wryly and handed her my beloved Counter.
With a joyful expression, she took Counter and quickly composed herself, taking aim.
She looks incredibly picturesque when she’s in position. There probably aren’t many snipers with this much presence.
*Bang*
Lamie-senpai’s shot also hit the target.
Lamie-senpai turned around, looking deeply moved.
“This… isn’t bad… Maybe I should look for one too…” (Lamie)
She muttered seriously.
Look for one? A Counter? Aside from mine, only 50 were made, and it’s such an old model that who knows how many are still in working condition… But if it’s Lamie-senpai, she might just find one.
Next was Saras-senpai. Though the distance was sufficient, it seemed like he missed the target.
“It’s a good rifle, but it’s pretty delicate. It might be harder to handle than a tripod. You’re amazing for being able to master it, Lux. And Lamie, you hit the target on your first try, that’s impressive…” (Saras)
Next up was Reager-san. The result was the same as Saras-senpai’s, the bullet landed on the hill, but it missed the target.
“…I see… I see…” (Reager)
Regael-san nodded to himself, deep in thought. It seemed he gained some insight from the experience. (Lux)
Finally, it was Bianca’s turn. (Lux)
*Bang*
Bianca’s bullet lost momentum and fell to the wilderness before reaching the hill.
“Huh?” (Bianca)
Bianca tilted her head in confusion, but Saras-senpai offered an explanation.
“It just means Bianca’s magic flow isn’t smooth enough yet. Of course, she’s still better than an average sniper.” (Saras)
What this means is in order to shoot a bullet more smoothly, you need to channel the right amount of magic through the rifle as efficiently as possible. The smoother the magic flow, the more power and range the bullet will have.
“To be honest, it’s normal for a Counter to not reach the hill at all. The four of us here made it seem easy, but for most people, it might only go about halfway.” (Lux)
Hearing this, Bianca became dejected. Saras-senpai hurriedly reassured her.
“Like I said, Bianca, you’re in the top three among the first years. There’s no need to feel down. By the time you’re a third-year student, you’ll be able to hit the hill just fine.” (Saras)
“But… Lux made it, and…” (Bianca)
Bianca said with frustration, when Reager-san, who had been watching silently, spoke up.
“Bianca, stop comparing yourself to Lux and Lavitomivia. These guys can channel their magical power efficiently as if it’s a natural talent. To put it mildly, they’re monsters.” (Reager)
Both Lamy-senpai and I were unsure how to react to this ambiguous statement from Reager-san, and we exchanged small, awkward smiles.
As we were having that exchange, a soldier emerged from the forest and waved at us, shouting something as he approached.
“Those are soldiers from the Research Building. Alright, let’s pack up. Lux, thanks for the valuable experience.” (Lamie)
With those words from Lamy-senpai, we began packing up and descended the hill. As we got close the soldiers coming from the forest, Lamie-senpai spoke to one of them.
“Sorry for keeping you waiting. We’re heading out now.” (Lamie)
“Ah, thanks. Sorry to trouble you further, but when you leave, please exit through the southern forest. We’re bringing in classified materials from this (eastern) side.” (??)
“Understood. We’ll do that.” (Lamie)
After bowing politely, we headed south. From the corner of my eye, I noticed a large, white box being carried by four people from the eastern forest, but I didn’t turn my head and simply continued walking straight out of the practice area.
—
That night.
While having dinner with Heinz, Ratt-kun, and Frank as usual, the glass on the table rattled slightly.
“An earthquake?” (Ratt)
Ratt-kun asked, but it wasn’t strong enough to really feel.
For a while afterward, the glass continued to tremble intermittently. We all tilted our heads in confusion, wondering what it could be.
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