The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy
Chapter 0503

"Well, it's fancy," I say, gesturing to the gun. "And it has a scope. You point the crosshairs at the target and you shoot - it should work!"

He laughs at me again, I think genuinely pleased and entertained. "It's going to take a long time to get good at it, kid," he says, smiling at me and patting me on the shoulder. "You've got to learn the gun, how to adjust to the height, the wind patterns, your own bodily movements. Then once you've done that, I want you to master it sitting, and standing. Then we'll move the target further out, and so on." He nods to me, smirking as my eyes go wider and wider at each item on the list.

"It's going to take a long time, kid," he says. "And I want you out here every day practicing on your own time. If you only come once a week with me, it will take seven times as long to get you where we need you."

My mouth falls open a little at this because when - when the hell am I supposed to fit that in!?

"Problem with that order, Cadet?" he asks, an eyebrow going up. "Because I can take the gun back..."

I snap my mouth shut and straighten my shoulders. "No sir," I say immediately, putting a possessive hand on my new favorite possession. "I'll do it. I'll...figure it out."

"Right answer," the Captain says. "Now let's get out of here." Together we pack up the gun and sling it over my shoulder, heading down the makeshift ladder towards the ground. I hold my breath almost the whole way, hating going down much more than I hate going up, and only half listening to the Captains instructions about saving my targets from my individual practice so that he can evaluate them. He only pulls my attention fully back to him when my feet are on the ground and he says my name.

"We need you, Ariel," the Captain says, clapping a warm hand on my shoulder. I look up at him, surprised and a little awed that he's not calling me Clark, pretending that nothing's changed. "Our army is currently lacking in sharp shooters - we've got a few grunts that can shoot from a distance, but a real sniper? Who can put a hole in a quarter from a mile or more?"

I blink a him in shock because - does he seriously think I can do that someday?

"You could make a real difference in this war, Ariel," the Captain says seriously, tightening his fingers on my shoulder. "Besides, the sooner you get good at this, the more desirable you'll be as a candidate in the Games. Not that I imagine either Jackson or your brother will let you be picked last, but if you can actually snipe - you'll be a help instead of a hindrance."

I frown as I look up at him, taking a step back. "Wait, what are you talking about?" I ask, tilting my head to the side. "What are the Games?"

He laughs again, shaking his head at me. "Why don't you know these things, Ariel? Every other Cadet in this school knows what's coming up this semester."

I scowl, looking away, embarrassed. "The boys...kind of tell me what I need to know when I need to know it."

"Well, then be sure they tell you about this," the Captain says, giving me a steady nod and turning back to the castle. "No time for it now. Let's get you in for your lesson with that madwoman Neumann insisted on hiring for you."

I can't help it - I burst out laughing as I trot at the Captain's side with my new rifle slung over my shoulder, eager to keep up.