Trapped in Another World With No Magic

Chapter 158: Picking Up a Trail

Daniel's training of firearm usage and safety goes smoothly. No one tries anything dangerous, even though, if anyone is a traitor, their hands have now been on one of Zenkon's game-changers. Of course, such a person would not have an easy time escaping, since Hekate and Doephluev are creating a magic-proof zone by milling around with the radioactive materials.

It's possible the spy is aware, but it's also clear that there is a long game in play, at best.

"May I, Mother?" asks Daniel as the Grand Duchess studies the pistol she has been given.

"Please do," replies the matron of the Stalvaltan family. Daniel has her aim at the target again, and he gently adjusts her arms and footing. He then has her adjust her grip on the pistol. "Be careful of the slide here..." explains Daniel. He draws his own semi-auto pistol and swiftly unloads it. Once done, he locks the slide back and shows her how it passes over the back of the pistol, and if she holds her off-hand thumb on top of her right hand, she'll get what is known as a 'slide bite'. "The slide is going back, whether your hand's in the way or not." She nods, adjusting her grip as instructed, and he adds, "Now, aim down the sights, and with them in line, place the front sight on your target."

"And then, I simply pull this trigger?" asks the brunette, surprised that it's so straightforward. Rifle shots and other pistols are ringing out as well while the others practice.

"That's right, Mother. Keep your grip on the pistol, and just try to fire one shot. Whenever you're ready."

She trembles a little, but Daniel knows that she is considered a sorceress. She's not as skilled or powerful as a Stalvaltan Guardsman, who are highly trained battlemages. She's used to palace intrigue, has been recently nearly assassinated, and has been the ruler of the warriors of her family's house since her husband passed.

Aramellianna pulls the trigger of the pistol with a great deal of hesitation and caution, and when it reaches the release point, fire and thunder boom forth, kicking the pistol back. Her posture is good, and she manages to keep the pistol under control, bringing it back down to her firing plane again, though she is pretty unstable. "Oh my!" remarks the Grand Duchess. "I feel like I could defeat monsters now."

Daniel laughs. "That's the goal." He then touches her shoulder blades gently, adding, "Make sure you lean forward a little more so your body absorbs the recoil some. This will help you stay on target when you fire more shots.

She nods, taking his advice to heart. "Now, go ahead and fire a couple of times. In a perfect world, all of your bullets will hit the bullseye, but if you can at least reliably hit the target with successive shots, you'll achieve the main goal."

"And, what goal is that?" asks Aramellianna, expecting death to be the answer.

"To stop the threat to you." She looks at him, and he adds, "This is no different from a sword in this way; it doesn't have to kill your target to do the job, but it needs to be capable of killing your target."

She smiles. "I see..." She aims down the sights, taking a moment, and then firing three shots in fairly quick succession.

Unsurprisingly, the Grand Duchess is able to hit the target on single shots, but she hit a little ways away from center. The second and third shot of her quick succession both missed entirely.

"I see I will need more practice," remarks the Grand Duchess dryly.

"We all suck at it at first. If you hit bullseye every shot on your first day, I'd accuse you of being a Mary Sue."

She giggles warmly. "Forgive your dear Mother. I will strive to not suck. At this, at least." She gives a nymph-like smile, which could be innocent or devious on her beautiful and wise visage.