A lesson in archery

Noah's POV(Point of View):

Rows of bullseye targets were placed in the archery section, each positioned 2 meters away from each other.

The ground in this section was covered with lush carpets of grass.

There were different starting lines a person could choose from, ranging from 10 to 80 meters.

The archery section was separated from the rest of the gym by a transparent glass wall.

I walked over, holding my bow in one arm, and arrived at a specific archery spot.

'I have never held a bow in my life before this. And yet, I can already tell that this..is going to be fun.'

I examined the bullseye board—I didn't know what they were called.

For reference, Emily was using a flat bow while I, was using a recurve bow.

What is the difference?

I don't know.

I thought a recurve bow looked cool, so I bought it.

I placed an arrow on the string and stood straight.

I aimed at the target while holding the bow and started retracting the string with the arrow still in it.

𝑲𝒌𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒓𝒌! The string made a strange sound as I drew it, but for some reason, I wasn't able to fully draw it back, and it was putting a lot of pressure on my shoulder blade.

I let go of the string, and the arrow went straight at the target.

At the same time, I felt a little twinge on my left forearm, but I didn't mind it.

Instead of hitting the target however, the arrow hit the wall behind.

I kept trying and trying, but most of the time, it didn't hit the bullseye at all. Well sometimes it did, but I was sure that those were pure accidents.

Frustrated, I pulled back the string once again when suddenly, "You're doing it wrong, you know?" A voice interrupted me.

Turning my head gradually to the right, revealed a mesmerizing pair of golden orbs—Emily stood there, a few meters away, her arms crossed across her chest, her gaze etched with disapproval.

Raising a brow, I asked, "What exactly am I doing wrong?"

In response, she simply pointed towards my torso.

"The way you're standing and holding the bow is not right—no, forget that. What are you doing with a bow anyway? Didn't you used to use a machete?" She asked, confusion painting her face.

"I decided to learn archery as well. Archery seemed cool." I shrugged.

Emily sighed and shook her head as she began walking towards me.

I took a few steps back.

Emily smirked. Amusement danced in her raised brow, and her tone expressed bewilderment, "What are you doing?"

"Putting some distance."

"I am not going to eat you, y'know?" She chuckled, a warm sound. "Stop playing around..."

"I can't be sure. Last time you were all like, 'I'm going to punish you' and 'beat it out of you'...or something?"

Emily's face reddened but she quickly fixed her expression.

"That was just a joke... Seriously, you going to hold that against me?"

"I'm not. I don't feel so...comfortable with you being so comfortable around me."

She was about to fire back with a response when something caught her eye.

Pointing at my left arm, her frown deepened. "Noah, you aren't

wearing an arm guard?"

"Arm guard?"

"You don't know what an arm guard is, do you?" She narrowed her eyes.

"Of course, I know what an arm guard is."

'I didn't know...'

"Sure you do..."Emily shook her head with a smile.

"Of course, I'm smart you know?"I couldn't help but smile too...it was weird. Why was I playing with her?

In a knowing tone, Emily began, "When you shoot the bow, the string creates friction against your arm, it can cause injuries. Specially relics or high-grade spell based arrows. That's why wearing proper gear is important."

'Ah, that explain the twinge I was feeling on my left arm!'

Luckily, Nano seemed to have healed it instantly, leaving no marks.

Gently, Emily plucked the recurve bow from my grip, and my fingers let go softly.

"You're using a recurve bow, you see", she pointed her finger directing at my feet.

My eyes instinctively followed her gesture.

"That's not a good stance. If you stand upright, you won't be able to draw properly, nor maintain the necessary balance. This will not only strain your shoulder blades but also cause your shots to miss the mark."

She began to lecture me on archery for whatever reason...not that I hated it. Besides...her voice...

She positioned her right leg behind her, her upper body and chest slightly turned towards the right.

With her left arm firmly gripping the bow, she tilted it at a slight angle.

Drawing my attention once again, Emily pointed the middle section of the bow. "Notice the shelf instead of an arrow rest?"

"For optimal results, I recommend using feathered arrows and tilting your bow slightly like this", she demonstrated.

Gracefully, Emily pulled back the bowstring, the sound of tension resonating in the air.

The arrow soared through the air.

Finally, it found its mark right at the bullseye.

But my eyes were not on the arrow... it was on her. She looked so, "Beautiful." I exhaled, unaware that the words escaped my lips.

Instantly realizing my slip-up, I mentally cursed myself, as my face tinged red.

"Beautiful?" Emily arched her brows mischievously, a smirk playing on her lips.

Maintaining a placid expression, I quickly fixed my mistake, "I mean, your form was beautiful."

But soon my attention diverted to the glass behind Emily, which separated the archery section from the rest of the gymnasium.

To my surprise, at least ten curious faces were peering through the glass, watching us.

Noticing my distracted gaze, Emily turned around, "What on earth are you all doing there!"

-""Waaah!""

-"She saw us!"

-"She saw us! Run!"

They scattered away hastily.

I couldn't help but shake my head at their behavior.

But this whole encounter made me realize something—I misjudged Emily.

Despite my initial assumptions, she turned out to be genuinely kind.

She was different from what I had thought her to be.

I mean I somewhat knew she was good hearted from the novel but I didn't believed her to be this...kind.

But I cannot be friends with her.

I can't allow myself to befriend her.

She was a main character. I will not die a side character's death.

I have to draw the line right here and now before it becomes worse...and my simp side takes over my logistic reasoning.

"You know what? I didn't needed your help, that much. Although I admit you're pretty good at archery." I began in a more indifferent tone, while sighing.

Snatching the bow from her grasp, I asserted, "I mean sure...you're good. But what'sup with this constant need to boss around others? You wanted me to praise your talent or what?"

"That's not-"

"Shush!" I placed a finger on my lips. "You know Emily, you're good. But I don't like...all this. Just don't bother me next time I practice. Please?"

I turned around and began to walk away.

"Noah wait! That's not what I was trying to do," Emily tried to walk up to me.

But I stopped in my tracks and turned around, before adding," You really lack some gray matter, don't you?"

"What-"

"Put some distance between us. We are not friends. I don't like you that much, if I have to be blunt."

Emily appeared taken aback, a mix of confusion and sadness flickering in her eyes. No, that was a momentary reaction most likely.

Without offering any further explanation, I hastily left the place.

But an uneasy feeling tugged at my chest, as I continued.