◆ Chapter 7: The Lucor Technique
“I don’t think I’ve ever been here before.”
“You have never needed to because you don’t wield a weapon, Lady Mizuha.”
Sir Oden and Theos left to greet the king together, so the rest of us went on ahead to the training grounds. It’s only a short walk from the castle that takes less than five minutes.
The training grounds spread out next to the stone barracks. Many soldiers are outside training in various ways, such as swinging wooden swords and blocking with shields. Everyone stands at attention when they notice Cia, but they return to their mock duels when she says “Please continue.”
“Does everyone seem scarily fired up to you? Or is this normal for them?” Overwhelmed, Nady hides behind me, the fur on her tail sticking up. Her ears are flicked back, which only adds to her adorableness.
“I totally agree. Cia’s presence probably has something to do with it.”
“I believe they are putting on a show for you, Big Sis.”
“Nah, I doubt that.” It’s kind of depressing denying it myself. Fortunately, I’m saved from further embarrassment thanks to several dozen dry thuds repeating in rapid succession.
Following the sound, I spot around ten people loosing arrows in a row further down the training grounds. They are aiming for logs sticking out of the ground around 150 feet away. The target seems to be a cross that was carved into the log with a knife. My high school had an archery club, but this world doesn’t have the round stands or 3-D archery targets they did.
“Wow, look at them go! Nice shot!”
My feet quickly carry me straight to the shooting range. Everyone is taking turns shooting in sets of ten. Some hit the bull’s eye first shot, while others are nowhere close.
As I’m watching, I accidentally mutter “Aw, so close!” out loud. I clamp my hands over my mouth since my utterance drew looks. So embarrassing!
“Would you like to try your hand at archery, Lady Mizuha?” Lex asks.
“Can I? Won’t I get in their way?”
“Not if we use the far corner.”
“Th-Then I would love to. Watching piqued my curiosity. Oh, but will you teach me? I’ve never used a bow before.”
“Of course, m’lady.”
Just like that, my observation secretly turned into a test run. The bow Lex hands me looks completely different from the ones I’m familiar with.
It’s an ugly, unfinished-looking yew bow that’s astonishingly stiff and large, despite the knobs. The bowstring is locked in nice and tight, but I can see it fraying up close. It’s absolutely nothing like a composite bow or a manufactured product, which obviously, it wouldn’t be.
Not that an amateur like me needs a decent bow.
“Let the bow grip fall into the pocket of your hand… Yes, that’s it there,” Lex instructs. “Spread your legs a little more. Good. Now release the tension in your shoulders.”
“Uh, Lex? I know I asked for you to teach me, but can I get a little space…?”