After having almost no sleep on account of nerves and training, I've arrived at the training fields earlier than expected. Looking around, the area is actually quite nice, not to mention it's the first time I've been outside in a while. The grass is green and well looked after, there's an area with practice dummies made of metal, a horse paddock where quite a number of horses were running around getting some exercise, but what actually caught my attention was an archery range nearby with a single clear lane. I walked over to it and picked up the wooden training bow that was there after making sure no one else owned it, then, picking up and nocking an arrow, I let it fly.
[Kai] "missed..."
A few bystanders that saw my miserable attempt chuckled to themselves while musing that I was just a brat that didn't know the ways of hard work. Alright, let's see how your hard work compares to my cheats.
[Kai] "
That's it. I'm able to take into account the wind direction and speed, the state of the bow, the strength of the string, everything. I pulled back another arrow with ease, lining up the shot, and firing. The arrow soared through the air before rooting itself firmly within the bullseye.
After seeing what I'm capable of with just a training bow, I started wondering what would happen if I had something on the level of a heroes weapon. The thought amused me until a rather annoying shout came from the sidelines.
"Lucky shot! If you want, I'll show you real archery!"
This bastard. He reminds me of the pompous lesser nobles in light novels. His black hair was slicked back and he had a look on his face as if to say "be grateful, I suppose The great me will bless you with a glance at my skill!"
"Be grateful. I suppose the great me will bless you with a glance at my skill!"
He actually said it. I... I have no retort to that.. I'm actually at a loss for words. This guy wasn't at the banquet so I can imagine just how "great" this guy really is.
[noble guy] "the great Kristofer! I will show you what true archery is."
[Kai] "that would be greatly appreciated."
[Kristofer] "heh, then move!"
I stepped out of the lane and gestured as politely as I could without throwing up, for him to enter. He had a smug, self righteous look on his face as he entered and picked up the bow. He took a stance similar to the kind you would see from a professional. A proper, well trained stance. He nocked the arrow, aimed towards the same target that I had just hit, the bow began to glow and... wait what? Is that magic? His bow had a bronze glow covering it and the arrow itself was gleaming with the same bronze light.
[Kristofer]
The arrow launched into the air for mere moments before splitting my own in two, going in and out the back of the target, sailing further and embedding itself halfway in the wooden post behind it.
[Kristofer] "that, is true archery."
[Kai] "interesting. Would you be so kind as to tell me what technique you just used? I believe you called it "Piercing shot". Some kind of magic?"
[Kristofer] "hoho, wouldn't you like to know! Well, I suppose I will be gracious to the one that allowed me to show my skill. Neutral magic! While most people can use it, I doubt someone like you ever could."
[Kai] "neutral magic huh?"
[Kristofer] "you don't know? *scoff* you truly are a plebeian."
Keep calm, don't kill him, I can get some information from him. Then I can at least humiliate him.
[Kristofer] "very well. Neutral magic is something that anyone with basic mana control can learn through hard work and talent. In my case though, mostly talent. It requires only a small amount of mana but at different levels the amount of used mana rises just like any other magic."
[Valentina] "Neutral Magic is interesting alright."
[Kristofer] "V-Valentina! Wh-to what do I owe the pleasure?!"
[Valentina] "calm down Kris. I'm here for my friend here."
With her finger pointed indelicately at me, attracting the attention of the audience and seemingly confusing them, I simply smiled towards them.
[Kai] "if it's alright with you, I would like to try out Archery one last time."
[Valentina] "eh? You're an archer?"
[Kai] "it's more like something I've wanted to do rather than something I'm good at."
[Valentina] "heh, alright. Kriss! Give him the bow!"
[Kristofer] "Eeek! Y-yes!"
Kristofers pompous attitude took a full 180 degree turn when Valentina showed up. He handed me the bow quickly before stepping to the side and standing with his compatriots. As I stood ready to take another shot, I realised that the audience had increased quite a bit. Ignoring that and taking aim once more, I activated my disguise spell without any words after training it last night, in order to produce an aura similar to what Kristofer showed earlier. The sight of this shocked everyone here, especially Kristofer.
[Kai] "
With my precision returned I felt the familiar feeling of total accuracy, I increased the bows strength with reinforce, doing the same to myself with strengthen and finally gave the arrow itself more piercing power. This was all in an attempt to recreate the previous magic with my own abilities.
I let loose the arrow, sending it through the air at a shockingly fast speed, going through the hole in the target, through the wooden pillar and sailing into the forest behind, sticking itself firmly into the second tree it touched.
[Everyone] "..."
[Kai] "that was... unexpected.."
How the hell am I going to explain that!?
[Kristofer] "that-what-how-"
[Valentina] "Hahaha! I guess I should say "as expected" of the Lords left hand!"
Everyone in audible range turned to face the boisterous woman with shocked expressions. After the dawning realisation of how grave an error he had apparently committed, Kristofer knelt down in front of me, refusing to look up and just kept staring at the ground as he spoke.
[Kristofer] "m-my sincerest apologies for my insolence your greatness!"
After a few moments of silence, he stood back up again, attempting to walk away but Valentina spoke before that could happen.
[Valentina] "and your punishment, kris?"
A visible shock could be seen running down his spine.
[Kai] "punishment?"
[Valentina] "of course. What he's done by disrespecting you is punishable by death if you wanted."
That... I need to be more careful around Verren. But, this is interesting. If I were to give him the death sentence or if I would to spare him, no matter what I choose it will cement the way people think of me. Whether as cold hearted and merciless, or kind, caring and forgiving.
[Kai] "Kristofer."
[Kristofer] "y-yes?!"
[Kai] "I've decided on your punishment."
[Kristofer] "*gulp*"
[Kai] "shave your head."
[Kristofer] "p-pardon?"
[Kai] "you disrespected me yes, but you've also taught me about Neutral
Magic so I feel as if I could look past it, though, it would appear that a punishment is necessary so... shave your head. That is your punishment."
Tears began welling up in the formerly pompous mans eyes. Was his hair really that important to him? Have I just done something horrible? That wasn't my intention. I only meant to humiliate him a little.
[Kristofer] "Yes! Your greatness! Thank you for your leniency on the matter and know that I will always serve you from this day forth!"
His eyes were brimming with admiration and truthfulness. It seems I got myself a good servant. I wonder what I can use him for, his connections with the archers in the castle should be useful. I'll just think about it later. Why is he still here? Oh I suppose.
[Kai] "You may leave now."
[Kristofer] "yes!"
He stood up, bowed once, then ran off in another direction.
[Valentina] "haha! That was pretty interesting. The kind of punishment Verren would give him for something like that! Really, I can see why he'd want you as his left. You're kindred spirits!"
Not so sure about that. If I hadn't thought it through and just let my feelings decide for me, that guy would be hung drawn and quartered.
[Valentina] "you're here for our little spar right?"
When she said that, I saw and heard our surprisingly large audience gasp in surprise. Not surprising though since, although with the help of a potion, she was able to withstand a hit from Verren without sustaining any damage.
[Kai] "yes. Just please don't be too upset if I'm unable to perform as well as you seem to be hoping."
[Valentina] "after what I just saw, I don't think I have any worries about your performance."
Great. My little experiment's gotten me some unwanted attention and set unrealistic standards. I get the feeling this is going to hurt.