Mounted Archery is one of the oldest games in the modern era. People added many things for the purpose of getting entertainment where power doesn't involve. If a powerful person wins a game easily, there is no need for that game to happen because they can tell the result before the game started.
Mounted Archery was one of them, where skill and sharp perception matter, not power. That's why it was still one of the most popular games in the world.
In this nation, Sen Academy is the best in this event from the day it debuted in this nation. Once upon a time, this academy wasn't one of the best, however, they still manage to win the game, so they can be proud of this game without a doubt after sprinting. They have earned 321 Golds in Sprint in 501 matches where they have won 298 Golds in the Mounted Archery in 511 matches, for your information, before this tournament 130 national tournaments were held in 160 years. (Remember: One game has four events, Origin, Soul, Expert and above expert.)
From the new bloods, Atia and Homeland were the best of this era. So, it made them somewhat angry when Zulkarnine trash talked to them.
Zulkarnine was waiting for them to come and start the race. There were others from Sen and St. Joseph academy, but they didn't dare to talk between the Era's best and challenging youth. Who knows what bad will happen, if they barge in without knowing their position?
The linesman who was standing there for everyone to come confirmed that no one is coming anymore and said,
"Start!"
All of them started to run with the horse. There is a total of 9 targets that they need to hit with the bow. Hitting each target gives the participant 12 points. And those who can run with the horse to the finishing line first after hitting 5 or more targets will receive 15 points extra. But there is another issue. You can have 15 points by hitting the target if you hit in the middle. Except for the middle no matter where you hit the target your score will be 12, only one arrow can be shoot at one target, so there is no comeback if you miss the first arrow to hit the target.
Atia said to Homeland,
"Don't worry about our computation no matter who wins between two of us still counts as a win, we just need to defeat that big mouth."
Homeland nodded. They were in front of the first target. They raise their bow and shot the arrow, both of them pin the target at the same time.
"They are good. Both of them got 12 points."
Zulkarnine was just behind them, he raise his bow too and hit on the middle with the arrow. Which means he got 15 points.
"That just a bluff, I guess even he didn't expect that it will hit in the middle, look at his expression."
Homeland said. It was true, even Zulkarnine didn't think that it will hit in the middle of the target. The two of the best were in front of the second target, they successfully hit the target without missing and run for the next one with the horse. Zulkarnine also were behind them and hit the target and it was middle again.
"The hack! How lucky is this bast&rd!"
Atia said with surprise. Even the best archer cannot say with certainty that, they can hit a target with ease.
The third one hit on the middle of the target too.
The fourth one too.
"What the! What's happening!"
Homeland frowned.
"This guy wasn't lucky, he is good. Damn it!"
Atia accepts that this boy is talented, but she has still the courage to fight back. She hit the middle of the fifth one, her score is 63 now. Where it was again taken over by Zulkarnine, who again hit the middle of the fifth target.
At the end of the race, Atia reaches the endpoint first. She didn't miss any of the targets as she was in her best form today, She even hit two arrows in the middle of the target. Her score was 129. Homeland was second to come at the finish point whose score was 120 where he hit the all target without hitting in the middle and because he was second he got 12 points. And the third who reach the endpoint was Zulkarnine whose score was 144, he got 9 points because he was third. So, in the end, those who have the highest score won the match.
Zulkarnine said,
"Looks like you guys finally have known your place. No matter, how strong you are remember there is someone who is stronger than you. Play this game with a fresh and pure mind, and you can win the match easily, or you will lose even if you hit all of the targets and finish the match as the first person."
Saying that he went away with his horse and gave it to the student who gave him that horse.
Zulkarnine look back to them and wave his hand.