Chapter 6: Natural Talent

Chapter 6: Natural Talent

(POV Aiden)

Without realizing it, I had spent my lunch timing inside of the Training room as well, but it seemed like the Lieutenant had expected something like this, since he had sent lunch to my training room.

I just continued eating there and training.

It wasn't even like I was bored. I was just so immersed inside of the Explosive Reach Footwork, and the Hologram literally showed my physical limit, right in front of me.

I was also extremely motivated by the Lieutenants actions during our fight, so I had a goal in mind to work towards.

Just like that, I spent almost my entire free time in the training chamber.

However around 45 minutes before the end of my time, I decided it was smart for me to probably enter the recovery pod. This way, I would be in peak condition before my second study session.

I knew that the others didn't need to study as much as me, but I didn't have the luxury of slacking at all. They were probably working just as hard as me, so every second I spent doing something counts.

Using the recovery pod is always one of the most refreshing experiences in the world.

It helps me remove all of my muscle fatigue, speeds up muscle recovery and provides my body with the essential nutrients to grow. It also provides mental rest so my brain is also in peak condition.

After getting out of the pod, I started my second study session.

Chapter 2: Mindset and Preparation

Rule 1: Always be alert

Rule 2: Keep a clear mind

Rule 3: Know your weapon inside and out

Rule 4: Keep your weapon well-maintained

Rule 5: Always have a backup weapon

Rule 6: Practice, practice, practice

After reading the in depth explanations of the 2nd chapter, I learnt 1 important thing. I had to know my weapon well, and if I am not mistaken, I would be learning that right now.

Alex and Gravis had come back and used the recovery pods during my study time, and we were all waiting for the Lieutenant.

It didn't take long, since he had arrived right on time, at 16 00.

"Right, once again you guys will be going into the training rooms. Alex and Gravis, you will mainly be focusing on using pistols. Aiden, you will be focusing on some other things." Lieutenant Khan stated.

For some reason, I was able to sense that Gravis was a lot less cold than this morning.

Even though he usually didn't talk at all, this time he seemed to be actually paying attention to the Lieutenant.

"The AI will be leading this program as well. I will only be monitoring. Alex and Gravis, once you hit 100 accuracy points, I will allow you to use this as free time as well." Lieutenant Khan stated.

The 2 of them were dismissed, as they walked into their training rooms.

"Now for you, Aiden. You will firstly also be required to master the usage of a pistol, however for you, you are required to hit 100 accuracy points on Level 5." Lieutenant Khan stated.

I still didn't know the actual difference between the levels but I just nodded since I didn't have that much of a choice anyway.

"Additionally, you will be learning the basics of a bow. Now for the bow, you will only have to hit level 3. For the sniper, you will have to hit level 3 as well. For an assault rifle, you will have to hit level 7." He stated his requirements.

"If you are able to do all of this, you will be certified as a Basic-Technology Marksman by the army. I will see to it you get your badge." He said, and then I raised my hand to ask a question.

"Sir, what is this badge about?" I asked him.

"Badges are a way of representing your competency in a particular field. Marksmanship, swordsmanship, spearmanship, science, rift studies and many more. A person with a badge certified by the Federation has a lot more credibility in their subject of study, some jobs even see it as the bare minimum. Usually you will have to go through a process to gain this badge but I can pull some strings as long as you hit the minimum requirements." He stated.

I couldn't help but feel grateful at the words of the Lieutenant. He was once again making my life easier, and I didn't know what to say to him.

He then nodded at me, and signaled me to walk into the training room.

[Recruit Aiden, your custom issued pistol is on your right. After fulfilling Level 1, you will be given access to the next weapon]

"What about my previously issued pistol?" I asked the AI.

[That has already been collected by Lieutenant Khan, he believes that it is useless for a future ranged dealer and a custom pistol is better]

Aiden's custom-fit pistol is a marvel of modern engineering, featuring sleek lines and a high-tech design that speaks to its advanced capabilities.

Its grip is ergonomically designed to fit perfectly into Aiden's hand, ensuring a comfortable and secure hold in any situation.

The pistol's frame is made from a lightweight, durable alloy that can withstand even the toughest conditions of modern warfare.

Its slide is coated in a special, low-friction material that ensures smooth operation and quick, accurate firing.

At the heart of the pistol is a cutting-edge energy cell that powers its advanced features. This cell can be easily swapped out in the field, ensuring that Aiden always has access to the energy he needs to keep his pistol firing at peak performance.

The pistol's targeting system is one of its most impressive features. It includes a high-tech holographic sight that can be customized to display a wide range of targeting data, including range, wind speed, and bullet trajectory.

This allows Aiden to make precise, accurate shots even in the most challenging conditions.

Finally, the pistol is equipped with a range of advanced safety features, including a biometric lock that ensures only Aiden can fire it. This helps to prevent accidents and ensure that the pistol is always in the hands of the right person.

[The pistol has now been registered to your Bio-watch as your weapon]

[A recording by a Captain from HQ will now be played. He will be teaching you how to use the pistol]

As soon as the AI made its statement, a new hologram appeared next to me.

As soon as the man inside of the hologram appeared, I realized that I had to look down, since he was barely half my height.

"Alright. AI in control, activate firing range." He said, as the room then transformed.

One side of the wall disappeared in its entirety, opening up a massive firing range.

"To whichever recruit I am teaching, I hope my words will allow you to survive in the battlefield." He said, as he then walked towards the firing range, as if knowing it was there.

"And I know what you're thinking, why is he so short? My reply to people who think that is simple. I may be half your height, but I am worth a thousand of you." He stated in arrogance, as I watched him grip his pistol.

"Now, make sure to have all your gear. For pistol users it's simple. You need to always have 5 fuel sources, at the side of your hip, and have your Aim Assist Gear equipped." He stated.

I then realized I didn't have mine equipped, so I looked back at the entrance to see the equipment waiting for me.

I quickly ran back and put them on.

Luckily, the recording pauses when people move away from it, so as I returned the man continued to speak.

"1 Fuel source can fire over a hundred thousand normal shots, but you will soon realize that isn't actually anything." He explained.

I didn't get how a hundred thousand shots could be nothing, yet I just kept my mouth shut as he continued to explain.

"I have 5 main points for you." He said, as he took up his posture.

"Your stance. You should adopt a stable and balanced stance when firing your pistol. This means that you should stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with one foot slightly ahead of the other for balance. Your weight should be distributed evenly between both feet, and your knees should be slightly bent to absorb recoil.

Your grip. Your grip on the pistol is critical to your accuracy and control. You should grip the pistol firmly with your dominant hand, using a high grip to help control the recoil. Your non-dominant hand should be used to support the grip, creating a strong, two-handed hold on the pistol.

Your posture. Your posture should be upright and relaxed, with your shoulders back and your chest out. Your head should be up and your eyes focused on the target, with your arms extended straight out in front of yourself.

Your breathing. You should take a deep breath before firing your pistol, holding it briefly as you line up your shot. You should then exhale slowly and smoothly as he squeezes the trigger, maintaining a steady hold on the pistol throughout. However this changes when you are rapid-firing, yet you are not at that level yet.

Following-through. After firing the pistol, you should maintain your grip on the pistol and keep your eyes focused on the target. You should be prepared to fire again if necessary, adjusting your stance and grip as needed to maintain stability and control." The old man explained.

Listening to that entire explanation, I couldn't help but nod a little, whatever he had said made sense to me.

"Then, you fire." He said, as a hologram of his bullet flew, and instantly hit the target displayed about 5 meters away.

"For speed, you just lightly tap your trigger." He said, as in a literal second, over 10 shots were sent to his target.

"The trigger is extremely sensitive for a custom made gun, so even barely tapping it at super human speed will cause it to be shot." He stated.

"Now for charging. Charging is simple. If you press your fuel source with your secondary hands thumb, and hold your trigger, it will charge your shots, for a maximum of your entire fuel source. Every second you charge, it's 1% of your fuel, meaning 1 thousand shots." He said, as he smirked and shot his pistol.

It was at that moment, that the pistol that was barely making any noise, made a massive explosive sound, and instantly, the target had been pierced through perfectly.

"For level 1, your task is simple. Shoot the target accurately 100 times, from random directions, at a fixed distance of 15 meters." He said.

I then waited, as the man's hologram had disappeared, and another one, similar to when I trained in the Explosive Reach Footwork, appeared.

A perfect model of me, shooting.

I watched my model, started the level, and waited patiently in a shooting stance.

Then, the instant a target appeared, he tilted his shoulders a little to figure the target.

Left, right, center, up, down, diagonal. Even 2 at once for the ending, he hit all of them perfectly.

Aiden's first time shooting his custom-fit pistol was a moment he would never forget.

As he approached the range, he could feel the weight of the pistol in his hand, its sleek design and advanced technology inspiring a sense of confidence and excitement in him.

Taking a deep breath, Aiden took aim at the target 10 meters away, his eyes focused on the holographic sight as he squeezed the trigger.

His Aim assist gear helped him focus on the target, making him not prone to any other distractions.

The pistol fired with a sharp crack, the recoil absorbed smoothly by his grip and stance.

To his amazement, Aiden watched as the bullet streaked towards the target, hitting the bullseye with pinpoint accuracy.

A grin spread across his face as he realized that he had just hit the target on his first shot, a remarkable achievement for a new recruit.

Excited by his success, Aiden quickly fired another shot, then another, each one striking the target with deadly accuracy.

He was amazed by the pistol's advanced features, which allowed him to adjust his aim and target data on the fly, even as he fired in rapid succession.

As he stepped back from the range, Aiden couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.

With his custom-fit pistol in hand, he knew that he had the technology and skills he needed to be a successful soldier, capable of hitting any target with deadly precision.

[You have succeeded in Level 1. Would you like to move onto the next level?]