Chapter 4 Exercises

  Being an excellent archer is not easier than being a swordsman, the only advantage is that most of the time archers do not need to face their enemies directly. However, if they are confronted in close combat and get caught up close, most of the time there's no way out but death. In this regard, an excellent archer must learn how to keep distance from his enemy, agility becomes indispensable.

  In Uncle Lock's words: In the army, archers are always protected objects, but when going out for adventure, no one can take care of you. So how to set traps and escape is a must-learn lesson. Primary archer assessment tests your archery skills, intermediate archer focuses on testing how to escape, how to set traps, and archery becomes part of the test rather than all of it.

  "In close combat, your teacher Allen should have taught you a lot. Since you've passed the primary swordsman exam, you're probably stronger than most archers in close combat. I was going to teach you how to use a dagger, but since you're already a primary swordsman, let's stick with a one-handed sword instead. The only drawback of a one-handed sword is that it's hard to quickly draw when in close quarters, so I had the village blacksmith Anka make a special scabbard for you that allows for quick drawing, and also forged a slightly shorter-than-usual one-handed sword." Uncle Lock handed me a sword with an ingenious scabbard design - by pressing down on it while wearing it on my back, the sword would automatically pop out, very convenient.

  As I kept looking at the sword back and forth, Uncle Locke was also very happy. He patted my head and said to me: "You passed the primary archer exam, easier than I imagined, but don't underestimate the archer exam just yet. Only after passing the intermediate archer assessment will you be qualified to adventure in various places on the mainland, join local mercenary groups, of course, if you want to join the army, it's also enough qualification, only your father probably won't want you to go to the battlefield."

  "Uncle Locke, I never liked fighting. Every war results in countless deaths and families losing their men, leading to broken homes. I won't join the army; killing isn't my hobby. I want to use my skills to protect my family. That's what drives me to work hard. One day, Father and the uncles in the village will grow old, and I'll need to become strong enough to protect you all and this village."

  "Good, good, good! The general's child is indeed different from others. Uncle Locke must have taught you wholeheartedly, so that you can protect us in the future." Uncle Locke beamed with joy and excitedly patted my head.

  Although it's said to be so, I also know that passing the intermediate archer exam won't be easy. To get familiar with trap settings, Uncle Rock took me to the nearby mountains for a month of hunting. The two of us set up various traps in the mountains, mostly using things we found there. Uncle Rock was very skilled and his traps left me dazzled. After a month, I gave it my all, but probably only learned less than half of the trap settings. In Uncle Rock's words, although I haven't mastered everything, I should be more than enough to handle the intermediate exam. As for other skills like how to use terrain, weather, and environment to ambush enemies, or how to use nature to determine direction when lost, Uncle Rock taught me a lot of those too - many of which are even required for advanced archers.

  When we came back from the mountain, both I and Uncle Luoke were already dirty, but our gains were not small. Not only did I learn a lot of knowledge, but also because our traps caught many wild animals. When we returned to the village, almost every family got some game that we shared out.

  My father was even more delighted, because when several old guys were drinking together, Uncle Locke highly praised my performance this time. It is said that Uncle Locke said that I have a lively mind, quick reaction, and extraordinary talent for learning various survival skills. As long as I persist, not only can I pass the advanced archer exam smoothly, but also hope to make up for my eye deficiency through these abilities, thus breaking through the level of advanced archer and reaching a higher level.

  Father heard Uncle Locke's words, delighted to drink three cups in a row, and repeatedly asked Uncle Locke not to spoil me this little rabbit. I listened in the corner with a straight face, performed well or still a little rabbit, alas, I really don't know when I can be not the most useless little rabbit in Father's mouth.

  In the following weeks, Uncle Locke collected materials everywhere and made me a very good bow. When I first saw that bow, I liked it. The bow body is made of three extremely rare types of wood, smooth and tough, with rich elasticity. Although it doesn't look impressive and has no luxurious decorations, its natural arc shape and thick feel immediately caught my attention. The bowstring is made from the tendons of several magical beasts, very sturdy and impossible to break. According to Uncle Locke, this kind of bowstring was collected by him through great effort in his early years, and now it's impossible to get, because the main material might be dragon tendon! Uncle Locke's words made me love this unassuming bow even more. Its low-key yet extremely practical style is exactly what I like.

  The bow is a good bow, but the arrow, Uncle Locke didn't prepare for me because I already know how to make arrows myself. Uncle Locke told me to do it myself, only by making arrows yourself can you experience the principle of arrow flight in the process, and constantly improve your archery skills. A person who doesn't understand his own weapon will never be able to break through.

  So in the following days, I kept making arrows until I sent the arrows I made to Uncle Locke's eyes. He looked at them carefully with his sharp eyes and nodded before I was qualified.

  I don't know if it's because of the recent arrow-making, but my archery skills have also improved. Within 100 steps, I can hit the target with 100% accuracy, even if it's a moving target. My control over strength is also just right, without wasting any extra power. However, due to my innate visual impairment, the error rate for targets beyond 150 steps increases greatly. At least 6 or 7 out of 10 arrows miss the mark, not to mention moving targets. This result makes both me and Uncle Locke extremely depressed. Uncle Locke said: "If it weren't for your visual limitations, you would absolutely have a chance to surpass me." After saying that, Uncle Locke let out a deep sigh, his face full of regret.