After the initial greetings finished, the senior members led the newcomers through the area, their steps echoing with an air of authority. Adrian, the captain, explained, “Here in the Archery Club, we train to achieve mastery over precision and timing. This range is designed to challenge your accuracy, your ability to adapt to changing conditions, and to develop an unerring eye.”
Elara, the vice-captain, continued, “The indoor training hall is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to analyze and perfect your form. Remember, every detail matters in archery—from how you stand to how you breathe. It’s about becoming one with your bow and arrow, and that requires unwavering dedication.” 𝐎𝑣𝗅xt.
The reason why such equipment was dedicated to the Archery grounds was that the Current Bow Empress was a student who graduated from Arcadia Academy.
‘As expected, coming here was the right choice.’ Astron thought. Even though he thought he may have wasted his time before coming here, now that he saw the facilities, it was evident that this was the correct choice.
As Astron listened, he watched as club members demonstrated their skills, their arrows flying with elegance and fluidity that seemed almost otherworldly. The environment was intense yet inviting, a place where dedicated marksmen could thrive.
There was a reason why the students there were displaying such amazing skills. It was because they were the ones that left after the competitive setting of the club left the ones without any skill out.
And just to explain this to newcomers, Elara continued to speak. “However, let me be clear—the Archery Club is not for the faint of heart. Our standards are high, and our expectations are even higher. We are not interested in mediocrity; we seek excellence. Those who cannot meet our standards will not remain.”
Then, Adrian turned his attention to the sides.
“The way you will be eliminated will be related to your performances on the practical tests. If your notes don’t meet our standards, we will subject you to a test where we will test your skills and dedication. And then, we will decide whether you will stay in this club or not.”
As Adrina finished his words, he turned his attention to the students around them. “Any questions?”
“…..” Nobody answered since none of them had the guts to do so, and those who had didn’t have any questions.
“No? Good.” Seeing that his message was conveyed, Adrian finished his words.
“Then, before we finish, please come here and take your identity cards,” Elara said, pointing towards the cards on the table.
“This card will let you have access to club facilities no other can access. Don’t ever lose it since we won’t be giving anyone another one.”
As her words sank, the members made their way toward the table and took their cards.
A card with a simple symbol of a woman holding a bow in her hands with the bow stretched and aimed at the sky.
“Now, we are finished for today. You can stay here and train. You can also watch the seniors if you want, and you are free to leave if you wish to do so.”? As Elara finished, the newcomers looked at each other, not knowing what to do.
Just like that, the orientation finished.
******
As everyone got their identity cards and the instructions finished, we were left alone in the club room.
Some of the newcomers looked uncertain, unsure whether to stay and train, watch the seniors in action, or leave altogether.
‘Well, now we shall start with the reason why I am here for.’ I thought.
For me, the choice was clear. I was here to learn, to absorb as much as I could from those who had already mastered the art of archery to a certain extent and make it my own. I made my way toward the area where the senior members were training, drawn by the prospect of observing their techniques up close.
As I approached, I could see a bunch of seniors training there. Even though the place was fairly empty since it was Friday evening and it was quite late, I still had enough material to observe.
I was keen on observing their techniques, understanding both their strengths and areas that could be improved.
‘It is time to do what I am the best at.’ I thought. Observing and understanding.
SWOOSH THUD
One of the seniors exhibited a meticulous approach. Their stance was composed, with every muscle in their body appearing taut yet controlled. Their grip on the bow was unwavering, and the release of the arrow was seamless, showing years of disciplined training.
‘Hmm…He is more reliant on his strength than his usage of mana.’ I analyzed. He was a slightly bulky person, and the bow he was using was a longbow with a big string that could exert a lot of strength.
‘This is certainly not my style, but the way he uses his muscles is certainly different.’ Looking back at my posture, I compared both in my head.
Analyzing their style, I recognized the impact of their body build – robust and sturdy, favoring the immense draw weight of the longbow. It was a strategy that prioritized power, reflecting the anatomy of someone with developed pectorals and biceps. Comparing this to my own leaner form and the compound bow I favored, I mentally noted the unique muscular distribution required for their method.
However, that didn’t mean I couldn’t use it. With enough training, I was sure to adapt this to my own.
But there was one thing that made this way of using a bow less effective. It was the fact that the usage of muscles overly would make it harder to move swiftly. That meant he was more like a sniper that attacked with high firepower.
‘But if I manage to compress this style onto my upper body while making myself swift. Certainly, this seems adaptable to other styles.’ I took a note and continued.
Delving into my analysis, I focused on another senior’s technique. Their movements flowed fluidly, reminiscent of a dancer’s grace. Their posture exhibited dynamic adjustments with every shot – an adaptable approach that showcased their agility. Muscles like the obliques, glutes, and quadriceps seemed to work harmoniously to maintain balance even during the action of shooting. She was training in the middle of a square training room where a lot of moving targets and projectiles aimed at her tested her skills.
‘A dynamic way of fighting. This made me remember Turks of the past.’ I thought. Even though I was a gamer, I liked studying war arts, and the warriors of Turks always got my attention with their horse-on-fighting style. Turning my attention to the seniors again, I analyzed her.
‘Her dynamic vision is certainly impressive. But, this style doesn’t suit her.’ The way she moved was certainly fast, but the fact that she was missing a lot of information about the environment and the moving targets made her not suited for such a style since she was constantly wasting a lot of energy while trying to dodge the arrows that she noticed at the last second. However, it seems she was also aware of that since she was trying to develop her style.
I contemplated the versatility of their style and how their reliance on different muscle groups aligned with their choice of a recurve bow. Their lithe and nimble form, apparent in their lean yet toned appearance, allowed them to manipulate the bow’s agility to its fullest. Comparing this to my own posture, I pondered the balance between power and finesse.
‘Even though she is not completely using it and needs to work on her awareness, certainly the way she is using her body to move this swiftly is impressive. I can clearly see the difference between those two.’ I thought, registering the strength of each style.
Lastly, my focus shifted to another senior whose actions were swift and purposeful. Their execution appeared efficient, suggesting a deep understanding of the equipment. Muscles like the brachialis, extensor carpi radialis brevis, and infraspinatus seemed to be activated with precision, facilitating controlled movements and accuracy.
This senior’s posture conveyed a sense of purpose, with each movement executed with minimal wasted effort. I recognized that their approach was centered around precise targeting and quick follow-up shots. It was evident that their training was dedicated to accuracy and rapid-fire, a testament to their meticulous discipline and mastery of timing. The way he instantly fired his shots like he was using a gun made me watch in awe.
‘What a precise marksmanship.’ Immediately recording his body in my mind, I was about to leave since the day was about to end, and I needed to train before going to rest.
However, just as I was about to leave, at the corner of the training grounds, I saw a figure standing alone.
It was Elara, the vice-captain.
SWOOSH SWOOSH
Arrows moved swiftly, each finding their mark. But the thing that made her most impressive was not her posture or anything. It was the way she utilized mana.
‘It is incredible.’ It was my first time seeing such a good mana utilization aside from Irina and Elanor, but they were both monsters in their own way.
‘Certainly, seniors are really good.’
She moved with a fluidity that seemed almost choreographed, her every action purposeful and economical. She almost didn’t make any unnecessary movements like she knew her body limits to the maximum.
‘This is how it should be. Knowing your body and adapting your technique to it.’ I remembered the figure under the moonlight, which was moving in a way that was similar but better than this. He also moved effectively without wasting any time.
‘As a grimoire that was specified for me, it is showing me the direction. I understand it a lot better now.’ I mused.
Seeing her and other seniors certainly helped me to see where my position was at. As I kept observing Elara, I could feel the mana around her getting chilly.
She was using Ice mana and imbuing her arrows with it.
‘She can even imbue specific type of mana on her arrows now, it seems. She must be good since they teach it at the start of the second year.’
This meant she didn’t have too much time to practice, yet she could do it here, and that meant she was talented at it.
SWOOSH CRACK
When her arrows imbued with ice hit the targets, the ice spurted from the tip of the arrow, making them surrounded by it.
SWOOSH BOOM
And with an explosion of fire, the frozen targets were blown up. I could see a faint smile on her face as she looked at her craft.
Her bowmanship was a harmony of efficient muscle engagement and expert mana control. Arrows imbued with distinct properties shot forth with swift precision, each strike hitting its mark unerringly.
Elara’s mastery over her craft was undeniable, and her expertise with mana manipulation was particularly remarkable. Her seamless integration of technique and energy imbuing was a sight to behold, setting her apart as a true markswoman.
As I was about to leave, I felt her gaze on me momentarily. She looked at me for a second and nodded in acknowledgment.
‘It seems she can at least appreciate others.’ And then she returned and continued her training, and I, too, concluded my observations.
With newfound insights, I withdrew from my observation spot and entered the indoor training hall provided by the club.
Armed with a deeper understanding of the various styles, I was eager to improve on my personal practice session. Guided by the lessons learned from the seniors, I focused on refining my posture, enhancing my mana control, and perfecting my aim.
The Archery Club’s training area had become my haven of improvement, and I was determined to adapt and evolve my own technique.
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You can check my discord if you want. You can see the illustrations of characters there.
The link to the discord server is in the description of the book.