Chapter 16: Spreading Rumors
Sebastian didn't take long to get used to the bow provided in the clan. At first, he still missed the target but even though Kathrina hadn't helped him, he was able to hit the sides of the archery targets within ten minutes.
Although the courtyard's size was quite big, it wasn't like they started at the very end. Sebastian took a spot twenty yards from the target to get used to the bow.
"Young master..." Kathrina muttered. She didn't know whether to praise or be angry at Sebastian. It was evident by his pose in the beginning that he really didn't know how to shoot but even without her guidance, he moved after every shot and ended up with the perfect form.
"I've practiced archery for a long time but I haven't seen a genius like the young master in all my life..." she had practiced archery for nearly a decade and she had confidence in her abilities. Although Sebastian would still need time to reach her level, she didn't think that he'd need too long.
"Young master... can we discuss the matter of the payment? I really don't want to receive it..." Kathrina looked like she was about to cry.
Sebastian fired the arrow loaded in his bow which hit the very center of the target and turned his eyes towards Kathrina, "that again? I'd feel bad if you were to receive nothing from the extra work so just don't mind it."
Seeing Sebastian nonchalantly turn his head after that perfect shot, she tried to reason with him, "but I'm really not doing anything to help..."
Sebastian looked at her sorry figure and sighed. "Just give me tips on how to improve, that's more than enough."
Hearing that, Kathrina nodded vigorously. Although he knew she was scared of him, what was up with her not wanting to accept the money?
"Ah, young master, use the muscles on your back to pull the bowstring," Kathrina suddenly spoke up and Sebastian stopped his shot.
"Like... this?" He did as she said and pulled the bowstring back further.
"That's enough, this will greatly improve the accuracy and strength of the arrow. I will retrieve—" before Kathrina could finish her words, Sebastian's arrow left the bow and whistled through the air.
It wasn't very loud but Kathrina heard it. Her eyes widened into saucers as she looked at the target, the arrow at the center was split in half and replaced. A beginner managed to split an arrow into half from twenty yards away.
"Ah, did you say something? Also, I'm going to move to thirty yards now, I don't think I'll be able to miss at twenty anymore so..."
Sebastian's words would've sounded like a boast but Kathrina didn't think it was.
"Young master... may I try it for a bit?"
Sebastian tilted his head but handed over the bow and quiver anyway. She took the quiver, unfastened the strap, and hooked it on her belt.
"Ah, so that's what it's for."
Kathrina didn't seem to register Sebastian's words as the air around her changed. She retreated to fifty yards as she held the bow in her hands.
She took five arrows and held them with her draw hand. Taking a deep breath, she stared at the target and then moved.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh whoosh
Sebastian didn't see the arrows fly, he just heard the sound of the arrows whistling past him and when he turned his head towards the target subconsciously, he saw the five arrows split each other through the middle in quick succession.
"Amazing..." Sebastian muttered while looking at the arrows that had been split in half. They hadn't fallen, they were just dangling from where they previously were.
"Young master, this is just a part of what I've learned over the decade I've spent learning archery. But, shooting stationary and while moving are different things."
Saying so, she moved. Her left hand held the bow firmly while her right hand moved towards the quiver on her right thigh. She moved to the side and fired the arrow without so much as hesitation and hit the target beside the one that they had used before.
She repeated the same feats using a variety of movements. Jumping, rolling, leaping, she did shots that Sebastian thought were impossible. But he had a question after seeing those movements.
When Kathrina had finished, he approached her and asked, "is there some sort of trick you're using to prevent the arrows from falling out of the quiver?"
Kathrina tilted her head, "does young master not know? Most of the high-quality quivers sold today come with magnets. They're settled between the leather at the bottom of the quiver. They're perfectly calculated so the user won't feel the arrows being restrained but unless pulled, the tips of the arrows are stuck to the bottom.
"Earlier, when I rolled on the floor, I had to maneuver my leg in a way that wouldn't break the arrows or let them fall. It's not like young master will have to do those things yet, it's enough to just learn how to fire an arrow while moving."
—The black quiver is made by master craftsmen. Whether it be a single arrow or half a hundred arrows, they won't fall. I've no idea of the principle used to make it though.
"Guess I worried for nothing," Sebastian thought to himself. "I see. So, what should I do now?"
"Since your form is almost perfect all we need to do is—"
Just like that, their first day of practice continued until night.
"James, did Amy come looking for me?" he asked as he walked inside the dorm room. Freddie and Willow didn't seem to be present.
"I wouldn't know. You should ask the other two later, I was out doing something and only came back a few minutes ago."
Sebastian sighed. It had already been three days since he had woken up and Amy hadn't come to see him once after that time in his room.
"Even if she's the type to get shy easily, she hasn't let those situations last for more than a day and would usually come to find me the day after," Sebastian might just be being paranoid but what if something happened?
"Hm? Did something happen between you and the president?" James heard Sebastian's sigh and asked.
Sebastian looked at James for a moment, "I suppose it is good to have someone to talk to..."
Following that thought, he replied, "do you promise not to tell anyone?"
"Sure," James didn't hesitate in the slightest.
"Well, when I had just woken up, I had found out she was taking care of me the entire time I was asleep—"
He couldn't just tell James that Amy was in his bed, that would just spark more misunderstandings.
"—all sorts of things happened and she pulled me out of my chair. Because of the time I've spent not using my body, I felt weak and fell on top of her. I couldn't hold myself back after seeing her like that and we almost kissed and that's most likely the reason she's avoiding me."
At first, James had an understanding expression but it quickly turned into confusion, "why would she avoid you over that?"
"We aren't dating and I nearly took her lips, I think that's more than enough reason," before Sebastian could continue, James' brows rose up in surprise.
"You and the president aren't dating?!" he exclaimed.
"Didn't I already say that?" it wasn't just once too, Sebastian repeated it several times.
"But even at the mock battles a week ago, we called you her boyfriend and she responded with a huge smile! You didn't deny it at the time too!"
Sebastian smiled wryly, "don't get so riled up. Anyway, that's that. We aren't dating though I wouldn't be against it if we are but now's not the time. I'm going to talk to Feron tomorrow, I'll also ask Freddie and Willow, can you three help me spread some rumors?"
"Eh?"
...
"Did you hear about the rumors? Gilbert and the inept are going to have a duel at the banquet!"
"Why would they have a duel? I don't think it's true."
"No, listen to this: Gilbert has been trying to make the president look his way but she only has eyes for the inept, this duel will most likely have something to do with that!"
"I just asked information broker, he confirmed the rumors! Gilbert really is fighting the inept!"
"Seriously?!"
Similar conversations were happening around the school. Some dismissed it but after the information broke, Feron confirmed it, the school was thrown into an uproar.
They weren't interested in the result, it was obvious that Gilbert would win. They were interested in the cause. Why was the duel happening between them?
Sebastian didn't say anything related to Amy but people somehow managed to piece things together. Soon enough, Amy barged into his class and dragged him outside—ignoring the stunned gazes from the professor and students.
He didn't say a word and neither did she. They walked all the way to the back of the school before Amy raised her voice, "are you crazy?!"
Her face was one of distress and worry. Sebastian hasn't seen her face in a few days so he unconsciously smiled.
"And now you're smiling?! Gilbert Walt is someone about to become an Apprentice! He's someone on the same level as me, you're going to get yourself killed!"
He continued smiling at her warmly prompting Amy to raise her voice louder.
"Sebastian, please! We can still get out of this situation, I'll do everything I can so please don't accept the duel! I don't want to see you hurt!"
She had tears forming in the corners of her eyes. Sebastian stopped smiling and held her face in his hands. He wiped her tears with his thumbs and leaned close. He wasn't too tall compared to Amy but he was still over her by a few centimeters.
He kissed her forehead and spoke slowly, "don't worry about me. Have I ever done anything stupid without considering the consequences?"
Amy wanted to lash out at him but couldn't meet his eyes because of the kiss. "You hateful man. You bully. Dunderhead. You've done stupid things countless times..."
Sebastian laughed, "I'm sorry for worrying you. And, if you don't like me kissing you on the forehead, then I won't ever do it again." He retracted his hands.
"Ah—!" she raised her head and looked as if she had lost something precious. A moment later, after realizing that she had been tricked, she lowered her head and grumbled.
"When did you become so good at manipulating girls' hearts?" although Sebastian couldn't see her face, he could see that her ears were as red as could be.
He chuckled and whispered, "I'm not interested in manipulating other girls' hearts. I'm interested in manipulating yours and yours alone."
"J-jeez! I'm going to go now!" Amy quickly tried to break free and Sebastian moved to the side. She quickly dashed away but just as she reached the furthest distance he could hear her from, she yelled, "you lecher!"
Sebastian simply smiled as she departed. Once she was out of view, his smile faded. "I've managed to fool her today but it won't work forever. I've got to make another reason for the duel..."
If he were to tell Feron a different reason, then he could squash the rumors about Gilbert fighting Sebastian for Amy and replace it. If Amy were to find out that she was the reason for their duel, she'd definitely feel responsible. Sebastian didn't want that.
He clenched his fist, "I swear that this time, I'll be the one to protect you."
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