Martian Archer

Leon sat in a stiff-backed chair, staring down at the glowing holographic tablet in front of him.

The first challenge of Academy Horizon's entrance exam wasn't about aiming or shooting.

It was about knowing.

Cyber Arrow Enhancement… Bow Customization… Arrow Physics… Tactical Strategy…

Leon felt a cold sweat run down his back.

This wasn't his battlefield.

If it were a shooting test, he would have figured something out.

But a technical exam?

He was screwed.

Cyber Arrow Enhancement

The first section detailed advanced arrows used in modern warfare:

Electric Arrows - designed to stun targets or disable machinery.

Explosive Arrows - built for destruction and breaching cover.

Hacking Arrows - used to override enemy tech.

Leon read the multiple-choice questions, his mind racing.

> How do you optimize an electric arrow's conductivity?

A. Increase the core's voltage

B. Reduce the arrow's weight

C. Use a polymer coating for insulation

D. Increase the shaft's flexibility

Leon hesitated.

On Mars, Red Bolt Industries made electric arrows for mining operations. Workers used them to short out malfunctioning drones or break rock formations.

He knew this answer.

> A. Increase the core's voltage.

A small victory.

But then the next question came.

> What is the standard cyber-arrow firewall encryption used by military forces?

Leon blinked.

" …What?"

His fingers hovered over the screen, unsure.

He guessed.

Bow Material & Customization

This section asked about the best materials for different climates and combat situations.

Leon had worked with Martian scrap metal his entire life, modifying cheap bows that barely held together.

He knew nothing about Earth's advanced materials.

> Which bow material is ideal for high-humidity environments?

A. Carbon-fiber alloy

B. Martian Steel

C. Nano-ceramic plating

D. Laminated wood composite

Leon's gut told him metal bows rusted in moisture.

> D. Laminated wood composite.

Motion of Arrows

This section focused on the physics of shooting at moving targets.

Wind resistance.

Gravity calculations.

Predicting enemy movement.

Leon knew this in practice, but putting it into mathematical formulas?

It was a nightmare.

> If a target is moving at 5 m/s and the archer shoots at a 45-degree angle, how much should they adjust for drag force in a high-wind scenario?

Leon stared at the equation-filled page like it was written in alien language.

He sighed.

"Guessing time again…"

Tactics

This section focused on long-range battle strategy.

> If an enemy sniper has superior positioning, what is the best countermeasure?

A. Flank from below using terrain as cover.

B. Engage in a direct duel.

C. Use smoke arrows to block their vision.

D. Fall back and reposition.

Leon grinned.

This was common sense.

> C. Use smoke arrows to block their vision.

At least this part made some sense.

Final Results

After two grueling hours, the exam ended.

Leon slumped back, exhausted.

"That… was brutal."

A few minutes later, a holo-screen displayed the results:

PASS THRESHOLD: 65%

LEON ORTEZ: 66%

Leon's heart pounded.

"I passed…?"

He barely scraped by.

But he did it.

As he stood, Hugo's voice boomed from the crowd:

"BARELY PASSED?! BAH-HAHA! YOU REALLY LOVE LIVING ON THE EDGE, HUH, KID?!"

Leon exhaled sharply, gripping his contestant badge.

The physical exam was next.

And that… was his real battlefield.