A Hidden Talent?

"Right in the middle... huh? I purposefully didn't tell you how the wind or distance would affect the bullet and how it traveled, yet you were able to grasp the idea so easily... well, Carl, it looks like the Ouchy is yours to use from here on out. None of my soldiers have been able to wield it so casually. On the flip side of things, many of my soldiers use that Quiver and Projectile-Summon, so you'll have to create distance between yourselves." Fudo said, walking over to another bench to sit down.

"This is a weird weapon. Where did you get this? Did you make it or something?" I asked Fudo, but he only shook his head and leaned backward.

"Not exactly. I had it commissioned based on a book I read about the Old World. You see, apparently, weapons like that were commonplace, but as far as I know, I'm the only one with such a tool. Of course, I tried to use it effectively, but every time I picked it up, I found myself missing every single bullet. I'm not sure what it is, but only in close combat was that weapon useful. I could put the barrel of that Ouchy into somebody's chest and pull the trigger, and they couldn't heal it, no matter what they did." Fudo told me.

I nodded, looking at the weapon in detail before answering him once more.

"I feel like I've held one of these before... hey, Charlie, when you made that bow on the beach, was it easy to use for you?" I asked him.

"Uh, yeah. It was like I had already held the weapon beforehand." He explained.

"That has to do with my ice as well. I had barely ever used it at a range, but all at once, I gained that intuition and could accurately place it no matter how far." Belle added in as well. With the four of us crowded together, I picked up the Ouchy again and analyzed the side of it.

"Hm? The metal is a little bent, right here." I pointed to the edge of the barrel while showing it off to Fudo, and he got close enough to bite the thing, peering into the bolts and screws holding it together.

"I've never seen that..." He said.

"I want to study this thing. It's like a mobile cannon, the way you explain it, and I think this could be quite a powerful addition to your arsenal. Well, all things considered. I have to ask, what exactly are we defending ourselves from?" I asked Fudo.

"Well, everything and anything really. Sometimes, if dangerous animals come down from the mountains, we call our army to take care of them. But, ever since we got word of people on that Isle we went up to from Zeal, we've been on the edge of our seats... and things have been getting tense. I don't think you'll ever seem combat again, but on the off-chance you do, we want you to live." Fudo explained. I sensed sincerity in his voice, but I knew that being a soldier wasn't as simple as 'never seeing combat again'.

Hell, I've seen what's on the horizon. I can almost guarantee those people Sky met with, that bird girl, that black-haired man, and that other person, we'll end up fighting them again one day. I don't want to, but being here and training would help me with that.

I had seen what is to come next. I've seen our opponent, and I know what they're capable of. One of them can even fly! I want to focus on her the most. If she's the transport for that man... Eirikr... then I would be helping Sky out more than I can even imagine. A lot of things are on their way, it's hard to stay relaxed here.

"I just wanted to test your abilities so I can help you train for tomorrow, but does anybody have any questions or concerns?" Fudo asked, slightly tilting his body up to seem welcoming of any questions.

"I do have one. Now that you know our eyesight capabilities, what do you plan to do with it? And, what will happen to Carl?" Belle asked, standing up with a curious posture.

"Well, I'll probably get him an adjustable scope on the end of it, or I'm sure we'll find something. Remember, just focus on improving yourself, and I'll push everybody else along." Fudo explained.

"Fudo, how long have you been doing this before? And, are your only talents to snipe things from far away?" Charlie asked after staying quiet for a bit.

"Since I could harness my Essence Strands. Alatus and I are only two years apart, and I'm the older one, so for two years longer than Alatus. And no, I'm a tracker mainly. I sit in the grossest parts of the world to analyze tracks, and with this eye hidden behind this bandage, I can follow them to the exact inch of their current position. I planned to teach Carl this skill, but depending on how Charlie performs, I might consider him as well." He said.

Fudo got up from the bench with crossed arms and stretched out, dismissing us to return to Alatus before he walked into the barracks to greet other soldiers.

"Other people... that's going to be the hardest part. I wonder how much they differ from us?" I suggested to Belle and Charlie.

"We seem to be pretty similar, and you're like Sky was, right? No memories at first?" Belle asked me.

"That's right. And, I've been meaning to ask you. Ever since Sky corrupted his System, if you even know what that is, he's always been a growing concern for me. Did he seem... violent, in The First Trial?" I asked Belle.

This was the thing I've been waiting to ask ever since I saw her.

Sky and I have butt heads together ever since he killed Raven on the beach, and his mentality had been completely changing ever since. I deemed him a threat at first, but as I got further in my life and did regrettable things, I only appreciated his drive to protect us by any means necessary. Understanding who he was in The First Trial would confirm my suspicions.

"Well... it would be easier to explain with everybody else over dinner. Can we wait until then to do that?" Belle asked me. I was satisfied with that answer and nodded, following the group back to Alatus.