Extra's Ascent

Chapter 93 93: John's Appearance

"You will find him in one of the available indoor training facilities."

That was the message that had Aldrich wandering through the training halls of Eldora,

Then the man did something unexpected.

He closed his eyes.

"Is he crazy?!" Aldrich whispered, barely audible.

Shooting with eyes closed? That was absurd. No matter how skilled an archer was, attempting a long-distance shot blindly was an invitation to failure.

And yet…

Aldrich didn't immediately dismiss it as impossible.

Instead, he found himself even more intrigued.

If this man had landed all those shots, there was a method to his madness. Maybe there was something to learn here.

So he remained silent.

The archer drew the bowstring back, not far, just a short pull. Too short. Not nearly enough force to send the arrow flying the required distance.

Aldrich frowned.

From his understanding, the arrow needed far more momentum to reach its destination, let alone pierce through the already crowded center of the target.

He could have interrupted, pointed out the flaw in the draw strength, but he didn't.

If this man had landed so many shots without a single miss, then surely he understood that as well.

Perhaps… this was a test?

With the bow fully drawn but not enough to content, the man released.

The arrow soared through the air with unnatural grace, cutting through the space between the other arrows. In an instant, it found its mark, seamlessly embedding itself into the congested center of the target.

Aldrich's breath hitched.

He was mesmerized.

Almost unconsciously, his hands clapped together in genuine admiration as he stepped further into the room.

"That was incredible!" he praised, his astonishment evident in his voice.

The man turned slightly, glancing at him with mild amusement.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

Aldrich studied him more closely now. His attire? A sports uniform belonging to Eldora Institute revealed his identity as a student.

"Beyond beautiful." Aldrich admitted. "But choosing to pull that lightly… was that confidence? Or just a gamble on luck?"

The man smirked.

"Luck? Are you someone who believes in luck, Mister Aldaman?"

Aldrich wasn't surprised that the man knew his surname. His silver hair made him easily recognizable to anyone familiar with the Institute's current affairs.

"That depends," Aldrich replied thoughtfully. "I trust my abilities, but I know I wouldn't have been able to make that shot."

It wasn't an exaggeration. He wouldn't have even attempted it.

And that realization unsettled him.

Since when had he become someone who hesitated to challenge himself?

Archery had always been his passion, his means of self-improvement. Yet lately, he hadn't been training. He had neglected his skills, letting them gather dust while focusing on other aspects of this new world.

Had he subconsciously dismissed the bow as inferior?

Perhaps it was the knowledge that, in a world where warriors could move faster than bullets, an arrow seemed… obsolete.

"You seem to lack faith in your own capabilities, Aldaman," the man observed.

Aldrich's jaw tightened.

"Faith has nothing to do with it. I trust in the results of my training. But I haven't had the time to test my abilities or refine them."

A poor excuse.

Deep down, he knew the truth. He had chosen not to train.

For whatever reason, he had begun to downplay his bowmanship, convincing himself it wasn't as valuable in this world.

"Is there a reason why you've neglected your training?"

Time? No. That would be a lie.

The real reason was something he wasn't sure he wanted to admit.

Instead, he settled on an answer that felt easier to accept.

"I guess I've been too focused on adapting to this world and its rules."

The man regarded him with an unreadable expression before extending his hand.

"Then what about now? Are you up for some bowmanship practice, Mister Aldrich Aldaman?"

Aldrich's brow furrowed.

"You know my full name?"

It was one thing to recognize his surname, but his first name?

"Professor Mariana didn't tell you, did she?"

At the mention of her name, realization struck Aldrich like a bolt of lightning.

"You're the one she sent me to meet."

The man nodded.

"John Foster, fourth-year student of Eldora, S-rank in Bow Arts."

With a confident smile, John extended his hand further.

Aldrich stared at it for a moment before clasping it firmly.

For the first time in a long while, a familiar feeling stirred in his chest.

A challenge.

And he was ready to face it.