Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

Chapter 27: Archery

The instructors didn't hold back, and they demanded perfect execution on the tests. The easiest one was the history test since Rain had one hour to answer ten questions, and he had memorized all of the events of the first few lessons.

The others had been a bit more difficult since he had to copy the movements of Leion and Mona. Still, Rain had almost complete control over his body, so copying others had been easy.

As for the magic test, Rain just had to enter that state of meditation where his mana overflowed. Still, he had to wait until the next week to join the second course of the same subjects, so Rain had some free time and decided to use it to confirm his progress in a month.

Name: Rainendall

Level: 22 (530/2200)

Current Path: Human (Lv 65 - 310/4000)

Health: 1350/1350

Mana: 1550/1550

Stamina: 1630/1630

Strength: 127

Dexterity: 66

Intelligence: 90

Vitality: 135

Wisdom: 155

Endurance: 135

Luck: 72

Free Points: 40

Main Skills:

[Language Lv 48]

[Body Motor Skills Lv 39]

[Running Lv 38]

[Reading Lv 22)

[Writing Lv 16]

Support Skills:

[Basic Conditioning Lv 38]

[Basic Training 22]

[Language Proficiency Lv 26]

[Agile Movement Lv 21]

[Martial Arts Lv 26]

(Physical Path Lv 40 - Strength, Vitality, and Endurance + 02 per level.

(Student Path Lv 09 - + 03 Intelligence, + 03 Wisdom per level.

"I guess this is way more efficient; it is only natural since the instructors know what they are doing," Rain thought. "I didn't expect that I would be able to level up the physical path by twenty levels in just one month of training just because I did a few things that I wasn't used to."

Rain made a mental note to add those exercises to his daily training routine… all of them. It was better to keep all of his muscles sharp and well-trained. In any case, the next few days passed in the blink of an eye… probably because Rain didn't have to go to school. Still, as soon as he returned, he realized that he would have some interesting days ahead.

Rain looked for his next class in the military course and then passed a letter that Leion wrote for him to pass to the next instructor. The guy was another ever-so-serious soldier-looking guy, so he studied Rain for a short while.

"You are Roan's son, right?" The instructor asked. "I didn't think that he had time to train you. Then again, if you are here, you passed the other tests as well, and I can see him teaching anyone etiquette."

The new instructor seemed to be a chatterbox, at least. A lot less creepy than Leion… even though in that line of work, some creepy probably wouldn't last long. Regardless, before heading to the training grounds, the instructor introduced Rain to the other kids.

Although they didn't show much reaction, Rain could tell by their eyes they weren't looking forward to becoming his friend.

The instructor headed to the training grounds while the kids went somewhere else. Rain decided to follow the kids and see what he had to do. He imagined that the second course also had some tasks to do before and after the lesson.

Rain's guess was correct. They headed to a room that was used to store a bunch of things like training gear. The kids took a bunch of things from there, some targets, short bows and quivers filled with arrows. No one said anything to Rain, so he just grabbed some quivers as well.

"Follow the same exercises as everyone," The instructor said. "After that, just watch their practice and listen to what I say."

Rain felt like he had some problems with authority figures aside from his father and mother. It was getting all that thing or do what I say and don't ask anything. Regardless, the kids did some warm-up by using the same exercises that Rain learned in the past month. After that, they began to stretch their bodies, and then they organized the targets.

"Today, you all will practice free shots; you know the rules; if you miss the target, you have to complete a lap around the training grounds," The instructor said.

Anything that had the word free was supposed to be fun, but the kids sure didn't look like they hit the jackpot. It seemed that they didn't have to hit the bull's eye, but the target at any spot, and their accuracy wasn't that great, even at twenty meters away from the targets.

Rain paid attention to the posture of the other kids and studied it. A shooting stance with a short bow involved a combination of stability, balance, and proper alignment to ensure accuracy and maximize the power of each shot. Rain divided the whole thing into ten easy steps… or relatively easy steps.

Rain had to stand with his feet shoulder-width apart, parallel to the target. Distributing his weight evenly between both feet, maintaining a solid and stable base.

Position his body perpendicular to the target, with his shoulders squared. This helps to align his body properly and maintain balance throughout the shot.

Hold the short bow with his non-dominant hand, extending his arm straight in front of him. His grip should be firm but relaxed, allowing for control and flexibility.

Place an arrow on the bowstring, ensuring it rests securely against the arrow rest or the side of the bow.

With his dominant hand, grasp the bowstring near the arrow nock, using three fingers, index, middle, and ring, to create a consistent anchor point.

Bring the bow up to shoulder level, keeping his elbow pointed out to the side, and his wrist relaxed. This position allows for a smooth draw and release.

Align his body and aim at the target, focusing his gaze on the specific point you wish to hit. Visualize the trajectory of the arrow and anticipate the shot.

Begin drawing the bowstring back with his dominant hand, using his back muscles to engage and generate power. Maintain a straight line from his drawing hand to his anchor point near the corner of your mouth or the side of his face.

As Rain reaches his anchor point, hold his position for a brief moment to ensure consistency and stability. This allows him to aim accurately and control the release of the arrow.

With a steady and controlled motion, release the bowstring, allowing it to propel the arrow toward the target. Keep his bow hand steady and follow through with your release, maintaining your form until the arrow hits the target.