Jian dazedly walked into the school gates, clutching his bag in his hand. "So he actually came back... Why did he leave me a keychain?" He had no clue why, but he somehow regretted not cherishing that small thing.
That person had been the kindest person he had ever met in his life. He gave him a place to stay and also gave his grandfather the least straining job.
Jian bit his lips. "He must think I'm a charity case... anyways. Let's forget about it." He shook his head to shake those thoughts away.
The training room was closed. He peeked his head in. It was just 5:15, and none of the other seniors had come in. It was just him.
Rolling his shoulders, he walked in and started to do his stretches. One by one, his seniors filed in. They all changed into their training gear and did stretches with him.
"Hey, today I'll teach you how to release an arrow. You've got to gear up."
The archery senior taught him how to wear his protective gear, and in no time, he was ready for actual practice.
"Now I need you to stand in that position and draw your bow as I've taught you."
Excitedly, Jian picked up the compound bow and showed him his practiced skills. Strangely, the bow that was tight harder to draw seemed much easier to use. He checked if the strings were tightened. "Did someone else use this?" f.(r)eewe/bnov\ll.com
"No, this is yours officially." The senior handed him an arrow. "You can only use arrows that are the width of your arm, or else they will snap. Right now you only have bamboo ones. We can order you metal ones after you get the hang of it."
Jian happily nodded and took the arrow from him.
"You notch it here." The senior showed how to notch the arrow with his own bow. "And draw your arrow and let go."
His arrow shot swiftly and hit the center of the straw target bag set up in the corner of the room.
"That's how easy it is. I want you to practice 100 meters first," he pushed Jian closer to the target.
Jian mimicked exactly how the senior did and drew his arrow. Strangely, his arms that were used to trembling felt very strong. Usually, his muscles would strain just to draw the bow, but it was so easy today.
He frowned slightly. "Someone must have loosened it."
"Now release."
Jian did so. His arrow whooshed through the air, hitting the target in the side, and to his surprise, he watched the arrow disappear from the straw target bag that was kept in the corner. "Where did it go?"
"Wait, the arrow must have snapped..." The senior ran back to the target. "Shit..." his excited scream alerted everyone.
Jian ran up to him. "What is it? Did the arrow break?"
"No..." the senior blankly gazed at the arrow that was embedded in the wall.
Jian blinked at him. "Does that happen?"
"No....."
An even more awkward silence followed.
"Give me your bow."
"No, I'll make sure not to do that again!" Jian hid his bow.
"I just want to check the tightness..." The senior took the bow from his reluctant hands. "Fuck, how tight is this string! How did you... are your arms okay?" He worriedly ran up to him and touched his shoulders. "Do you feel any pain?"
Jian shook his head. "I'm fine."
The senior gazed up at him like he was looking at an alien creature. "Okay then... We might need to get you your metal arrows faster." Saying so, he walked away, scratching his head.
Jian gazed at the arrow with a frown. He walked up to the wall and knocked on it. "It's solid brick... how did I even do that? Was it just the arrow? Or was it some superhuman strength..."