Chapter 46

“Things underground should be fine for a while.”

There was still quite some time left until the next quest would happen.

Nothing special should happen until then.

Preparations like resupplying could be done at that time.

Now, it was time to pay attention to the affairs within the school again.

Tsk!

Lost in my thoughts, the arrow strayed far from the target.

It didn’t really matter since it wasn’t a test, but…

“Alright, everyone stop. Clean up and gather around.”

A man with a large build and towering height shouted.

He was Lawrence Lambert, the archery professor.

Known as ‘Giant Bow’ Lawrence,

he was famous for using an incredibly massive bow,

a longbow as tall as his over 2-meter height, made entirely of solid iron.

He only used iron arrows.

The iron bow, powerful but heavy and hard to handle, wasn’t commonly used.

Iron arrows also weren’t widely used due to their weight affecting the range, despite their lethal power.

Probably only Professor Lawrence could combine iron with iron arrows to achieve tremendous power, range, and accuracy all at once.

As one would expect, he was one of the continent’s top archers, easily counted on one hand.

“Has everyone gathered?”

“Yes!”

The students of the common class responded in unison.

“Then, let me say a few words.”

Professor Lawrence spoke with his characteristic stern expression.

Perhaps that coldness was the reason why his arrows were frighteningly accurate.

“Your progress in skill is rubbish.”

And so it began.

The verbal assault, something Professor Lawrence specialized in.

It was also why he was unpopular among the students.

The students disliked him even more because most of what he said was unpleasantly true.

“The problem is not with my teaching method; it’s your lack of effort.”

His immense pride in his teaching was evident.

But he was right.

There was no better way to teach archery in a group setting.

Being a master archer with a complete understanding of the craft, he could teach the students with precision, leaving no room for error.

The only issue was time.

With the limited time allocated for classes, the students had to make up for what was lacking through personal effort.

That’s what he was pointing out.

They probably had no excuses.

Only a few of the common class students actually put in the effort.

Of course, including myself,

“I am, of course, disappointed. I hope to see more dedication from all of you.

……”

“Yes.”

A voice meekly replied.

Professor Lawrence frowned slightly with his thick, prominent eyebrows, seemingly displeased.

Then he continued.

“Though it may not seem possible for you, the evaluation date has been set. Next week, at this very time. Just be at ease, as the results will reflect your efforts.”

‘I wonder if it’s around this time for the second year,’ I thought.

A bit earlier than the first year.

But the difference was negligible.

The tradition of granting students who placed within the top ten in their respective year’s archery evaluations the right to participate in the upcoming hunting contest organized by the Public Safety Office.

Hence, the schedule was similar for all grades.

‘Wait, this might be…’

I suddenly became engrossed in thought with a realization.

Within the top ten in archery in my grade.

When I played as the protagonist during the first year, it was absolutely impossible.

The competition was too fierce among my peers; no matter how much I learned from Hiresia or how much chaos I caused, I couldn’t bridge the gap.

To close that gap, I had to be at least in the second year.

And only very skilled users could do that.

Therefore, the hunting contest event was essentially an event that the protagonist could only experience in the second year.

But.

‘Maybe it’s possible?’

If the current first year is openly called a golden generation, then the second year is treated as a bad harvest.

In other words, much easier to handle.

Of course, it would still be difficult with my current skills.

However.

‘If I master the basics, it might be doable?”

Mastering the basics of archery.

Considering my experience, it wasn’t too far off.

Of course, even if I had achieved that as the protagonist, it was still impossible to make it into the top ten, but now it was different.

Now I was in the second year.

‘Alright, let’s give it a try.’

If successful, I could aim for various rewards at the hunting contest event.

It was worth the challenge.

I decided to invest more time in archery for the time being.

Sizzle.

Casually grilling meat over the fire as usual was the silver-haired, silver-eyed high elf.

As I approached, Hiresia lifted her head.

And then,

“Huh?”

She widened her eyes slightly and tilted her head in curiosity.

“What?”

“Have you changed somehow?”

“Changed?”

I asked back, not understanding her implication.

“Hmm, it feels like that annoying sensation has lessened.”

“Cooler.”

Then I realized what she was talking about.

When I swapped the title for , my charisma had suddenly jumped up a grade.

From F- to E-.

Even though it’s still rubbish, there are levels to rubbish.

…I had become slightly better rubbish.

That’s why Hiresia, with her sensitive senses, seemed to have noticed.

But to be honest,

‘…That’s admirable.’

It was a sincere emotion.

To have felt so vividly the discomfort coming from my worst charm with her much more sensitive senses than a human’s, and yet to treat me the way she did.

Whether it was because she was a high elf and less prejudiced, or it was just her values, it was admirable either way.

I had discovered a hidden side of her that I hadn’t seen playing as the protagonist.

“Seems like you’ve gained some manners, huh.”

I mumbled vaguely.

“Hmm, indeed, it’s much better than at first.”

There was no need to explain that the ‘much better’ was due to the meat.

She was still the one whose expression couldn’t be controlled whenever I bought her expensive meat, ecstatic to the point of death.

“Sure.”

I replied emotionlessly and plopped down beside her.

If it were a man and a woman, the atmosphere might be charged with tension.

But there was no such atmosphere between a high elf and a human, not even a particle of dust worth.

Sizzle.

“Here you go.”

Hiresia tore off a well-roasted leg of a bird and handed it to me.

It was a scene symbolic of the shortened distance between her and me.

Considering how I was almost beaten like a dog the first time I tried to steal her meat, it truly felt like a world of difference.

After all, even a dog knows to be thankful to the person who feeds it meat, so it would be absurd for a High Elf, one of the highest intelligences, not to know gratitude.

“Thank you, senior.”

I, too, expressed my gratitude in a primate-appropriate manner and bit into the bird leg.

Crunch crunch.

The taste was plain with just the right amount of salt, quite decent.

Especially when I was as hungry as I was then.

“But.”

Munch munch.

Hiresia, who had already eaten half the bird, opened her mouth.

“You’re engaged, aren’t you?”

Her bringing up my engagement out of the blue caught me off guard.

I chuckled in disbelief.

She sure gets news fast.

Initially, she didn’t even know who Max was, so considering that, this is quite the progress.

“Yes.”

I affirmed briefly.

“But your fiancée is the student council president, right?”

“Yes, yes.”

That famous person everyone in school knows.

“How far have you two progressed? All the way?”

“Cough, cough!”

I choked and coughed violently.

I was genuinely taken aback by the direct question.

No, this person… no, this elf is unbelievable!

This would be outright s*xual harassment in real life.

Wow… to think that I’m being sexually harassed by a High Elf, what an experience.

“Haah.”

After calming my coughing fit, I looked at Hiresia with a dumbfounded gaze.

“What kind of question is that?”

“Hm? What’s wrong with asking? I’m just curious about what the perfect student council president’s nights are like.”

Hiresia was still oblivious to what she had said wrong.

It seemed she had absolutely no awareness that she had made a mistake.

This is when the difference between our species really hits home.

“Listen, in human society, that kind of question is taboo, and you shouldn’t just casually bring it up…”

I explained seriously.

Seeing my serious expression, Hiresia seemed to realize her mistake.

“Ah… really? I see, I’ll remember that.”

Hiresia learned a lesson in human etiquette.

At least she wouldn’t make the same mistake again.

I shook my head and spoke again.

“Besides, my relationship with the student council president isn’t what you think, senior.”

“Hm? But you’re engaged?”

“It was a political engagement to begin with… and I’ve screwed up so much that it’s nearly fallen apart.

To be precise, it’s because Max screwed up,

but anyway, if things had gone as they were supposed to, I’d be nearing the point of being disengaged.

I think I’ve managed to delay that time by throwing a few breadcrumbs to Regina.

“Wow, what kind of stupid thing did you do?”

It’s okay, I’m totally adapted.

I know elves like this very well.

Humans are really unpredictable. Engaged to such a woman yet acting foolishly…

“Ah really! Enough!”

I shouted.

It was my fault for calling it foolish in the first place.

So please stop.

“Hmm, perhaps I have been a bit harsh. Nonetheless, I offer you my sincerest sympathy.

No, it’s not like anyone was actually hurt.

“But I’ll support you to the end. Don’t give up until the last moment.”

It’s really touching to receive such support.

“Alright, since I made a verbal slip-up, I’ll teach you one of my techniques as a sign of support.”

Enough already… Huh?

My ears perked up at the mention of a technique.

Not just any technique, but Hiresia’s technique.

This is huge.

A technique from such a significant and powerful figure isn’t something you can just pick up because you want to.

Considering my skill window is still mostly empty except for the empire’s techniques and basic archery, this is an emotional moment.

“Oh my, what are you talking about? Thank you. Thank you.”

I rubbed my hands together with a completely changed expression.

It seems that the engagement conversation has led to this lucky opportunity.

I even start to feel thankful to Regina.

“Ho, if you’re grateful, that’s good enough. Now, follow me with your bow, human.”

Hiresia led the way with a flick of her chin.

“Basics are important, but that’s only half of archery.”

At the training range, Hiresia spoke.

The fact that she referred to it as half shows how important basics are.

Clearly, I hadn’t chosen the wrong path.

“For example, this.”

She held three arrows at once in her hand.

And then.

Twang!

Zip! Zip! Zip!

The three arrows flew simultaneously and hit the target at exactly equal intervals.

The skill was chillingly impressive.

“With just basics, this is impossible.”

Contless Missiles

A signature skill of Hiresia that can shoot up to 10 arrows at once.

It’s practically on the level of an arrow Shotgun.

Essentially, as an archer, she was very strong even in one versus many situations.

‘This is impossible, no way.’

Even if it weren’t just Max but the main character, this would still be impossible.

It’s not a skill that can be learned just because it’s taught.

She knew that better than anyone.

Naturally, she would teach me another skill that I could learn at the moment.

“I understand, senior. Skills are indeed necessary.”

I nodded earnestly.

My eyes sparkled with anticipation.

So, now please bestow upon me one skill.

“That’s right. It’s as important as the remaining half.”

Hiresia continued.

“Even though you still lack the basics, I’ll specially teach you a skill that could be a lifeline in times of crisis.”

“Oh my… Thank you, senior!”

“Go ahead and be as thankful as you like.”

Hiresia smiled with an even more elevated air of pride.

Her eyes quickly became serious.

“I’ll teach you the Arrow that Never Misses.”

The Arrow that Never Misses?

Is it even possible to have something like homing arrows?

If it were anyone else’s words, I’d dismiss it as nonsense, but this is an elf… a personification of the bow itself.

It’s incredibly intriguing.

“Is that possible?”

“To be precise, one should say it’s absolute at the moment of shooting.”

“Isn’t that a bit too complicated?”

“Let’s make it easier to understand…”

Hiresia’s hand touched my head.

From it, a strange energy flowed into my mind.

“That’s the Arrow of Concentration , shot with the mind.”

“Th-this is…?!”

In front of me, countless golden lines appeared.

I realized they were the paths of arrows.

As the wind direction changed, those lines undulated and shifted.

“Shoot one quickly.”

Swallowing hard, I notched an arrow.

My eyes found a path leading to the center of the target.

The path was oddly skewed to one side.

The wind was blowing hard from the left.

‘Would it really hit if I shoot this way?’

The path seemed so off that I doubted it.

‘Ah well, just shoot.’

I released the bowstring.

Whizz!

The arrow flew.

It followed the exact path I had seen.

“Huh.”

Thud!

The arrow struck dead center.

It was my first time hitting the target in such strong winds.

I was stunned.

Only then did I understand why it was called the Arrow that Never Misses at that moment.

Because the perfect path is visible just before the arrow leaves.

This means that if the path changes before the arrow arrives, it could miss.

But.

‘Arrows are incredibly fast.

Before the path changes, it can hit the target.

Even if the path deviates slightly, it doesn’t matter.

It would still land near the target.

‘This will be very useful.’

For anyone who handles a bow, this is a dream like technique.

There’s no need to read the wind with difficulty, as everything is visible to the eye.

‘Wait, that means?’

My eyes lit up.

The archery evaluation for sophomores.

Maybe this will be a real hit.