A beautiful contraption of the old age... better than magic and archery. The peak of Human Science and Dwarf Technology have led to its creation. Fast, piercing, a blast could sent a Mintian to heaven or hell. Truly, a worthy piece of modernity and our might.
...
Something is wrong, everyone in the Lunist Party knows.
My allies and I stood near the wall of the caferteria along with other groups, possibly the entire first year and second year, to watch a veteran with beards demonstrating the use of a strange contraption. The contraption looks like a piece of bend wood with a short sword attached at the end of it. I would think of it as a spear until the veteran held the contraption over his shoulder and seemed to be taking aim though what can be defined as a piece of glass with marks on it. The veteran's finger pulled at a small piece of wood near the place his hand was hold on and a loud explosion went off. It was only seconds after did we realize that nothing exploded except for a poor glass mug that was clearly a least a mile away from the veteran. It was the second time that I have saw a gun, and it looked nothing like the other one I have saw years ago.
The man in charge, Williams Guillaume, spoke to us in a loud and raspy voice that we would be learning on how to use the contraption called guns. This, of course, sparked a series of mumbles from the audience, but he was too busy handing out guns to us to acknowledge their questionings. Many started to examine this new weaponry and I did the same. Of course, we didn't get any bullets... at least not yet.
First of all, this one is definitely a lot longer than the pistol, that's what they called it, I used before. Second, it has a sword attached to it, probably so we can use this new gun to melee our enemy if we ran out of bullets, the equivalent of arrows to a bow. The way to use it is both similar and different. This new gun, due to its size, requires us to use both hand to hold it and it is a lot harder and easier to aim; Harder due to its extra weight and easier due to it having a scope to assist my aim.
I do not know what I expected but my teammates looked like complete fools when my gaze fell upon them. Unexpectedly, Hallam and Graciano are literally dueling with the swords on the gun. Ridge somehow had already dissembled the entire thing and is trying to piece it back together without any progress. Ingeborg pointed the barrel to her left eye and is trying to see something inside. Amateurs, they know nothing of the past, whatever history Trueman had tried stuff into them had gone wasted.
Williams Guillaume gave the groups one by one, a great way to avoid us accidentally or purposefully shooting each other. The second years got their ammunitions first and they are quick learners, though most of them failed to hit the target. Before us, some of the first years went and one of their gun flew out of their hand and hit someone in the head. Hilarious, and thankfully, we have helmets.
When it's our turn, we tried our best to copy the stance of those before us but still, Williams had to correct us. He looks like a normal Mintian except he had blond hairs and brownish eyes. He told us to hold the gun steady and aim through the scope and front sight housing. Do not check if we hit the target with out eyes but ears; the eyes stay fixed on the scope. He also said that we should aim a little higher since the scope is higher than the barrel. Once instructed, he told us to pull the trigger and fire. Though he instructed us well, only Ingeborg and I managed to hit the target.
"Its a lot harder than it sounds." Explained Hallam after we finished our training. The cafeteria had returned back into its usual set up and we sat at our table. "Honestly, the gun could have flew out of my hands too."
"That's why he told us to hold it steady." Said Ingeborg and she rolled her eyes.
"Why do we need guns anyways?" Yawned Ridge. "Guns are stupid." Of course he would say it's stupid, his aim is so bad he almost shot Williams.
"Its not." I responded. "Guns are a lot simpler and easier to use than bows and arrows."
"Simple." Said Ridge while he mimicked the quotation mark in the air.
I scanned my teammates and I saw that Hallam was reading a new book. "Hallam." I said. "What happened to Have Faith, you finished it already?"
"No." He responded. "I don't appreciate the idea that God governs us all and I just kind of dropped it." I was about to ask why when I remembered that the Gelumnatio sell propaganda about revenge on the angels and nodded my head instead.
"Welcome to science." Graciano said with a smile.
Hallam scolded. "I don't believe in evolution or your Antiaqua ancientness."
Graciano shrugged. "Well, you either believe in one or the other."
"So I guess we would have gun class everyday from now on before lunch?" Asked Ridge, checking our new schedule.
"Yeah." Said Hallam mournfully.
"Guys, are we going to invade the Orinkemi?" Asked Ridge suddenly, his smile diminished.
"Probably." Responded Hallam absentmindedly. "I mean, they don't just give us guns for no reason."
I thought about this possibility. Historically, thank you Trueman, the fatality rate of Mintians entering Orinkemi territory is around 95 percent. That percent decreased dramatically to around 70 percent when we brought guns with us. However, to say the least, all expedition failed to complete their tasks. So if we are going into Orinkemi territory, we are not going to survive the kind of madness in store.
"Well then, make this our last lunch." I said.
"Willier, it's not like they are going to send us in tomorrow." Exclaimed Graciano. "I do feel kind of confident, though. I mean, guns, guys. "
"Kill it before it kills you." I said and Graciano nodded his head. I still do not know what kind of relationship Graciano and I are in after he figured out my origin, but I think we are on good terms. Hopefully, Pyrrhus did not offend the Antiaqua as much as he did to the Gelumnatio and the Combustioantitheus.
The others have resorted to their own small talks and food. Graciano and I sit along and together. "How did you meet Ingnius." I said.
"Who?" Asked Graciano. He never eat lunch, like me.
"Ingnius, the Combustioantitheus that walked beside you that day." I said. Surely he still remember?
"Oh, that's his name." Said Graciano. "We just so happened to be heading the same direction and reached the same destination with different purpose." Acceptable excuse, still, strange.
"Oh, ok." I said.
"Why do you seek that friend, Marvick, to teach you about fire and blaze when you knew all about it already?" Wondered Graciano, eyes fixed on me.
"I know how to use it, I just need facts and reasons for things." I answered. half a lie on my part.
"Ah, welcome to science, then." Said Graciano automatically.
"Welcome to modernity." I returned. "Science is still too much for me." I don't really have the heart to tell him that I hate it.
"Understandable." Said Graciano, his gaze finally left me and went on to the other side of the cafeteria, though I doubt his thoughts followed him. I do wonder about his origin, too, for the House Draco is a very ancient one. They are powerful predators of the sea and fierce fighters. Unfortunately, they lack the power to regenerate their blood and flesh and are on the verge of extinction. I suppose he believed science could somehow save his bloodline, but I know better to rely on that.
After all, I am a product of former Combustioantitheus science, and that didn't help me or the clan.
YOU ARE READING
The Manipulators
FantasyI thought up of this story in my mind for three years, and I am going to write it out. Currently, this is a solo project with random inspiration from various sources. Do note that the author of this story might be bad at English. It is also recommen...
