" Steady your aim. If your arms keep swaying like this you wouldn't be able to hit anything!" Noah yelled out from behind.
" How can you expect us to do when you have us doing all those crazy exercises?"
" Keep your voice down. I don't want to do another lap because of your complaining."
" Fire!"
*bang* *bang* *bang* *bang*
Everyone started firing, Noah wanted do individual test but they didn't have time for it. He was teaching them to at least hit one bullet out of two, a fifty percent accuracy was enough when they were dealing with monsters. It would be hard for them to be unscatched under a hail of bullets.
It's been three days since he told them his secret. They were confused at first but when they were able to fire the weapon under his guidance those dazed look turned into admiration. Surprisingly they were pretty understanding and since then no one questioned him.
" Julia you are doing good, just be mindful of your stance so that you don't fall down."
" Yes sir!"
" Rita, turn off the safety, I don't want a repeat of what happened yesterday. You barely missed your feet."
" Yes sir!"
" Milo and Tang....good work."
" Thank you sir!"
" Luke, you need to be more accurate. I know it's hard but keep practicing."
" Yes sir!"
" Cody...you too."
" Y-yes sir.."
Instead of master, he told them to call him sir. Master sounded pretty extreme for him, although it was common in this world. Sorcerers took in apprentices which was a master and pupil relationship but he had heard it was a sacred union akin to them sacrificing their life if they demanded it.
He was happy being their drill sergeant which was more up his alley. There was no reason to burden these younglings with such contracts.
" Alright, take a break. Make sure to eat your proteins bars along with water. I don't want anyone to pass out in the middle of training!"
His summoning magic came handy in supplying them with essential food while heavy training. Proteins bars, some multivitamins, other high nutrient food. He was unsure if it would suit their taste and not make them sick but after testing it out, they were able to properly digest it.
His theory that they were proper humans was confirmed, although these kids began test victims they were happy especially when he gave them 'gourmet' food like ice-cream or exotic juices in weird packages.
He asked them not to divulge where these things came from because he wasn't in a position to supply the whole village with it. They happily accepted, some did wanted to share it with their family but he cleary told them he wasn't able to do it right now. In case they sneaked some in, he made up excuse that it would turn in to poison if he wasn't there with them.
" Rita, Julia, Milo and...Cody come here for a second." he yelled out to them. They came running and neatly stood infront of him. He was impressed how they were able to understand discipline in few days.
He gave them a glance and was fascinated by how well their bodies were adapting to his intense training. It shouldn't be possible but they were changing rapidly, even Cody who looked like a twig few days ago was showing some muscles.
He really wanted to ask Nova what was up with it but since his 'personal assistance' was still in hibernation he wasn't able to learn anything. He shook his head to avoid thinking about these important things.
It was time for him to unveil the next weapon in his arsenal.
" After observing everyone, I feel like you four have the best aim. Didn't you ask me what these long weapons do?" He picked up one of the rifles, AWM that looked menacing. They were aware of both handguns and rifles as they were training with them for past couple of days.
If those 'small' guns packed such power, what about these long ones? Wouldn't it be much more powerful than anything they ever saw before?
" What? Are you doubting my judgement?" He asked.
" No sir!"
" Sir...." Suddenly he heard someone speak. Cody raised his hand.
" What is it?"
" I am thankful that you think highly of me but...will I able to do it too?"
" I don't know." Noah flat out answered him. He said what he felt without sugarcoating anything. Cody was the worst among them but that didn't mean that he was worse in term of talent, it just they were natural born talent.
He could feel how lesser Cody felt whenever he would announce their results. From physical endurance to the aiming ability, he was dead last every single day. But he didn't have a redeeming quality of not giving up that's why Noah wanted to test if he was able to overcome his physical power.
" Is...that so-"
" But that's not me to figure out is it? How will you know if you don't even try?" Noah said it with a smile. Cody who felt like he was being abandoned was rejuvenated again getting his approval.
Noah lined everyone up and began setting the sniper rifle. It was going to be much louder so he asked them to put up the special headband that he given out on second day. He laid down and set the weapon on a tripod aiming at a target that he asked Tang to set up.
It was the farthest tree marked red by tying up a old clothes around it. It was so far that they weren't even able to see the detail, only a red dot flickering in sunlight. He first used the binoculars to take the measurement and went through the necessary procedure to zero in on the target.
After few minutes of anticipation he grabbed the trigger and pressed it!
* BANG*