Skeet shooting

The next few months flew by for Alex almost imperceptibly. For almost two years of training, he was so used to them that he took them almost for granted. Apart from the fact that he had to spend every night in his bed, recuperating for going to dinner, Alex was more than satisfied. When the main part of the training to improve his endurance was completed, he was finally able to fully assess his progress.

If by the age of eight he was already freely reaching the indicators of an average adult, then as he approached nine, his strength developed further, approaching the level of professional athletes. Now it was no longer a problem for him to lift a weight approaching a hundred kilograms or run a short distance, overtaking a person on a sports bike. The overall speed of movement and reaction also made a qualitative step forward. It was still impossible for him to dodge the bullet, but it was quite possible to get away from the trajectory of the upcoming shot in time. In a direct collision with an ordinary person armed with a firearm, he had every chance to emerge victorious even when starting at a medium-long distance.

And yet, Alex always tried to remember that he was only at the beginning of his journey. He knew perfectly well that the average exorcist in any of the churches could easily overcome the sound barrier when moving. And those who were at the very top had speeds that allowed them to overtake the sound at least several dozen times. Of course, the strength indicators of such people were in no way inferior to their speed. Despite its apparent fragility, the human body was still capable of achieving a lot.

Finally, when the exam date for the right to study the art of the exorcist was about two months away, Alex's teacher decided that it was time to give him basic knowledge about the handling of tools of his future profession.

- There are always two main methods, - Father Joseph alternately took out the lightsaber handle already familiar to Alex and a massive pistol with an extremely thick barrel from his bosom. – Stab or shoot. Usually both are used at once. Although in cases where the creature is particularly tenacious, cutting or burning may also be necessary.

- And what is your favorite method, Father? – Alex smiled, who, as always, obediently stood two meters in front of his teacher. – I dare say that the sword…

- I guessed it, - the elderly man grinned in agreement. "In my day, most still used swords or spears. Some even used black keys.

- Black keys? Alex raised an eyebrow questioningly.

- I'm sure you've read about them, - Father Joseph sighed sadly, as if remembering something important. – It was the first successful attempt of the Church to create a sacred weapon of mass production. However, then the Heavens gave us lightsabers and light-shooting pistols and most of the past options were forgotten.

"I seem to remember now," Alex nodded quickly. – In the chronicles of the monks during the Hundred Years' War, this name flashed quite often. Black blades that could destroy offspring ... however, apart from the name and a short description, I don't seem to have found anything.

- You still don't know much, young Alexander, - the man adjusted his belt and activated his lightsaber. – Throughout its history, the church has been trying to find the key to the final victory over the enemies of the human race. The Black Keys are just one of many inventions that have now sunk into oblivion. During my service, the development of so–called cyborg executioners, who replaced parts of their bodies with consecrated cybernetic limbs and organs, was actively discussed. It seems that this has remained a project. Recently, all the pundits have been busy with genetic engineering, trying to bring out the descendants of the great heroes of the past, and it seems that there are even successful samples ... well, okay.

Interrupting abruptly, Father Joseph raised his blade.

- You will learn everything you need during and after your studies at the academy. And now let's start, first I'll show you how to hold a sword properly for a blow, then try it yourself....

***

From that day on, fencing and shooting lessons were added to the usual physical performance and reaction training. If Alex had no problems with the second one, shooting at moving targets even became something of a respite for him. Then with the sword he somehow did not work out right away. He himself did not know what exactly the problem was, and although his mentor continued to assure him that he just needed time, Alex himself literally felt that this weapon was not suitable for him.

"A very strange feeling..." - once again scrolling the blade in his hand, Alex could not help but wince. – "I'm doing everything right, almost perfect! But every time I have a feeling that my hands are out of place...damn, it could be a problem if I really don't get used to the sword..."

At that moment, his teacher, standing on the other side of the monastery courtyard, deftly threw something into the air, and then another and another. Abruptly throwing the sword into his left hand, Alex pulled out a pistol from his belt and fired a series of quick and accurate shots, as always, with a victorious smile, he watched as five small wooden targets were hit by his light projectiles.

Alex looked down at the gun in his hand. – If the rest were just as easy…

- Now the attack!

The sound of his teacher's voice instantly made Alex jump aside. Without letting go of the sword and pistol from his hands, he zigzagged towards the man standing not far away. Father Joseph, armed with a similar pistol, was already methodically firing at his pupil. Light bullets literally filled the air.