NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7
“The target over there seems good.”
The nearest target.
It looks to be about 25 meters away, so it shouldn’t be bad for our first practice.
Shione, standing in the position I designated, was hanging her bow, waiting for my next instruction.
Without delay, I showed her how to do it and explained the method.
“Now, notch the arrow onto the string. This bow has a weak draw weight, so hold the tip of the arrow with your index and thumb.”
“Umm… like this?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Hmm. This looks different from what you just used.”
She’s already paying attention to my fingers again. I never imagined she would notice such subtle details.
I thought she would only be watching how well the bow was shooting.
It seems she was carefully observing not just the straightness of the bow but the entire method and process leading up to the shot.
She appears more eager than I expected, which is not bad for me as the instructor.
“What I just showed you is a different method.”
“Are you not going to teach me that style?”
“Isn’t this your first time handling a bow, Princess Shione? It would be better for you to get used to it this way before learning that.”
I have a strong feeling that a split finger technique wouldn’t suit her at this time.
I’d rather not see her struggle with the Mediterranean-style technique and end up giving up.
Maybe my thoughts passed through to her, as Shione nodded her head.
“Turn sideways toward the target. Then raise your arms to shoot.”
“Right, archers take this posture, right? Is this correct?”
“That’s correct, but… your arms are a bit low.”
“Do you mean I should raise them higher?”
“Yes, raise them until your arms are parallel to the ground.”
“Ugh.”
Oh dear, she’s way worse than I was expecting…
Trying to lift both her arms and the weight of the bow seems quite difficult for her.
As a result, her arms keep alternating between drooping at a decent height and attempting to rise.
Honestly, what are we going to do when we haven’t even drawn the string yet?
My sister was far more hopeless than I had thought.
“…Your posture keeps twisting.”
“…It’s because the bow is heavier than I imagined. Just give me a moment.”
This doesn’t seem like a problem that will be solved by waiting.
I put down my bow and approached her from behind.
“I’ll help you with your posture from behind.”
“What?”
“Excuse me.”
I stepped behind Shione, wrapping my arms around her as if to support her.
Her frame was quite larger than my thin physique, which resulted in a rather awkward embrace.
My left hand supported her arm while my right hand was poised to assist her drawing the string.
“How’s that?”
“…Isn’t it too close?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Umm…”
“Oh.”
It seems Shione was having strange thoughts during our sacred teaching time.
I’m earnest in my teaching, and she dares to think like that?
I have an overwhelming urge to lightly hit her with the love tap of a mentor.
Yet the difference in status between a student and a teacher is like heaven and earth; it’s such a pity I can’t treat her casually.
I shook my head inwardly.
“It’s fine. Your chest won’t wear out from this. Don’t worry about it.”
“Still, it’s not just that.”
“Is there something on my body?”
“No, that’s not it…”
“Then there’s no problem. Now, let’s focus on the bow, not my chest.”
“…Got it.”
What could possibly be bothering her about my rather unimpressive body?
This has been one of the most perplexing reactions I’ve encountered since falling into this world.
Well, in the end, I guess I have to be the one to be cautious.
I redirected my focus to explaining the technique.
“Alright, pivot your left arm a little to support the bow adequately.”
“This should be enough.”
“Just right. Now we have only to draw the string and shoot.”
With the arrow already notched using the pinch method I explained earlier.
Now all that’s left is to slowly draw the string back with a dead release.
“Now, keep your elbow angled upwards along a gentle line until the back of your hand touches your chin.”
Tremble tremble.
“It’s tougher to pull than I imagined. Is it supposed to be like this?”
“There must be draw weight for the arrow to move forward. If it’s really difficult, you can use mana…”
Ah, mana. Surely yesterday during my nearly lamenting monologue, Shione had mentioned she had attained skill as a sword user.
From what I’m seeing now, it’s hard to believe that, but if what she said is true, she must have quite a bit of mana as well.
If she used mana to lift the bow or draw the string, I wouldn’t need to be helping her.
Why did this only now come to mind?
Moreover, I don’t understand why Shione has been wasting her mana until now.
“Looks like you’re finally getting the hang of it.”
As Shione started using her mana, she steadily drew the string.
Following my instruction, the back of her hand touched her chin.
Since we’ve gotten this far, it’s best to hold until she fully releases the arrow.
I began to explain further.
“This stance is the fundamental posture.”
“Fundamental posture, noted.”
“It’s fine to miss the first time; aim for the target as you feel. If you’re too off, I will assist you.”
“Mm.”
Before long, Shione completed her aiming.
“Alright, now release your grip on the arrow.”
Thwack!
The first arrow released from Shione’s hand flew forth.
Her two eyes followed the arrow.
Thwack!
The arrow landed in the target.
Not quite in the center, but not on the edge either.
Seeing her arrow stuck in the target 25 meters away, Shione gazed at her own hand as if in wonder.
“This time, I want to try it myself.”
Shione shot another arrow just as I had instructed.
Thwack!
This time her arrow lodged itself on the edge.
“I feel like I’m starting to understand bit by bit.”
She shot again, this time hitting well inside the edge.
“One more time.”
With a careful dead release, she aimed at the target once more and let go.
Her gaze remained fixed on the arrow, frozen on the spot.
“You’ve hit the center cleanly.”
“I feel like if I shoot once more, I might hit the center again. What do you think?”
“Well, we can find that out by shooting again, can’t we?”
“…I’ll shoot again.”
“I’ll fetch the arrow.”
Shione accepted the arrow I brought and focused once again.
The look in her eyes was nothing like when she was munching cookies while buried on the bed.
The dullness in her gaze vanished, replaced by a bright, dedicated focus that was a pleasant surprise.
I never imagined I’d see such eyes outside of eating.
Have I saved a life?
“Thank you.”
With the arrow in hand, Shione immediately took action.
Thwack! Thwack!
Once again, she nailed the center.
“….”
Quietly contemplating her results, she completely packed the quiver and moved.
From a 25-meter target to what looked to be about 40 meters away.
I silently watched her.
“Do you think I can hit this one too?”
She grabbed the arrow and readied herself, but suddenly seemed nervous when it was time to shoot.
Hitting the target would be unlikely; it looks to be almost 50 meters away.
It’s a bit much for someone who’s barely shot three or four times to aim for the center.
Plus, unlike Earth’s archery bows, hers doesn’t even have a sight. And right now, icy early morning winds are shaking everything.
Honestly, I thought her arrows would miss or at least skim the edges.
But right now, I didn’t want to say even a word of criticism.
“When an arrow is released, it draws its truest path when the archer believes in themselves without wavering. Just—”
Shione glanced at me with a dead release.
“Just clear your mind and shoot. Then you will hit it.”
“Alright.”
Whoosh!!
This arrow, unlike the ones she shot before, soared with a sharp sound.
Thwack!!
In an instant, the arrow struck the target.
Not in the center, sure, but definitely not on the edge.
What mattered to her was that her arrow hit the target.
“…I hit it!”
Her usually drooping lips curved into a smile.
After succeeding in hitting once, it seemed her confidence swelled; she shot two more arrows.
One hit the target, and the rest followed suit.
“…No way, I’m shooting better than at the start.”
I picked up a mechanical compound bow, far superior to the one she was using, and began my practice.
I vaguely remember trying to aim at a similar 50-meter target, yet my arrows hardly ever grazed it—not even the edges.
I meant to help her find a hobby, but has she found a talent instead?
While I was lost in thought, Shione called out to me in a defeated stance.
“Can you come over and help me?”
“Help, you say?”
She had been shooting well until just a moment ago, didn’t she?
“This time I want to do it purely with my own strength, without relying on mana.”
She moved to the target 70 meters away, and began to nock the arrow, pulling back the string once more.
Her trembling arms spoke volumes as she spoke.
“I feel like I can gain some conviction about myself with this one shot.”
“…Please wait a moment. I’ll be right there to assist.”
I approached her and supported her left arm as it lowered, gradually assisting her to draw the string.
Once her posture was solidified, she steadied her trembling right arm, aiming carefully.
“I’ll release now.”
“Thank you.”
I lowered my hands, which had been sharing the load.
And then—
Huff.
Shione took a breath, and in a moment, she sent a single line flying from her stance.
At the same moment, her arm stretched out.
She hadn’t even realized her posture faltered. Her entire focus seemed directed towards that one release, causing sweat to bead on her brow.
“Ha, haha.”
A sound like air escaping, a soundless laugh.
Then a bright, radiant smile appeared on Shione’s face.
“It wasn’t the sword, but the bow. Maybe the bow could be different.”
Her arrow, though it hit the edge, managed to embed itself in the target.
It may have been a result of sheer luck.
But even as mere luck, it was enough to show her the potential she had longed for.
Shione turned back, her expression brimming with excitement as she locked gazes with me.
“Can you continue to teach me archery from now on?”
“Of course.”
“If that’s possible—”
As the sun began to rise, painting the sky red at the horizon, she made a promise right there.
“…I want to come here every day at this time.”
Shione, after some hesitance, spoke resolutely.
“Can you help me with that?”
I nodded in agreement to Shione’s request.
“That’s a good decision.”
From rotten food to fermented treasures.
The once withered state of my master began to transform.