Chapter 14 Maintenance of the Magic Gun
The military training for new recruits in the kingdom is officially said to last 3 years, but that doesn't mean you only get assigned to your unit after 3 years.
Throughout the training period, your suitability is continuously evaluated, and gradually, you're assigned more tasks in areas you're good at or temporarily placed in specialized departments.
In reality, by around the second year, your assignment starts to take shape, and you begin interacting with the officers and colleagues of your future unit.
And so, I ended up being assigned to the newly established Arcanist unit, instead of the Arcane Engineer department I had hoped for.
Luka and Thomas were my first juniors.
Both of them were recruited through the general exam, which anyone from 16 could take, and later, it was discovered that they had the potential to be Arcanists.
As their mentor, I stuck with them until they became certified Arcanists, and we were in the same unit until I retired.
They were basically like little brothers to me.
I'm not sure how I feel about them still relying on me after I retired, though.
"Please!"
Thomas handed me a large magic gun, and I reluctantly took it while Yuruyana watched us from a distance.
The setup was now the opposite of earlier.
I couldn't help but think how I'd rather be talking to a girl as I casually checked the gun on the counter.
"Thomas."
"Yes!"
Charging up the magical energy and getting into position, Thomas, as if he knew exactly what to do, moved to the opposite side, by the window near the entrance.
He pulled out a big metal pot with handles from his Arcane Art bag and held it against his chest.
"Wait, no way."
Yuruyana, who had been watching with interest until now, realized what we were about to do, and just as he shouted out, I pulled the trigger without hesitation.
First shot.
The sound of metal rang out as the bullet hit just slightly to the right of the center of the pot.
The next 5 shots came in rapid succession.
The sound of metal being struck continuously echoed, and smoke started rising from the metal plate Thomas was holding.
"That's a little warped."
"Ah, I knew it. I accidentally dropped it the other day..."
I pulled a chair up to the counter and sat down, immediately starting to disassemble the gun.
Thomas quickly returned to my side.
"Again? You've got strong hands, so how do you keep dropping it?"
"I wonder why, huh?"
Not that it's funny.
This big dog was pretty smart, becoming an Arcanist in just 3 years from having no magic talent at all, but he was oddly clueless.
"Thomas, are you okay after that? You're not hurt, right?"
Yuruyana peeked out from behind the door, startled by the loud noise, and asked cautiously.
"Yeah, being tough is my strong point!"
"Tough, huh?"
Yuruyana looked at Thomas, who was nodding with a carefree smile and a clenched fist, feeling a bit exasperated.
I understood that feeling since I often felt the same way, and I nodded along.
"But Tsukumo, that's dangerous. What if it hit you?"
I got scolded too.
Before I could say anything, Thomas replied with a blank look.
"Senpai would never miss with a magic gun, right?"
"No, sometimes I do miss."
What I trust isn't my aiming skills, but Thomas's ability, which is said to be impenetrable.
He's top-notch in body enhancement magic and creating defensive barriers in the military.
So I shot with confidence.
I couldn't just make a hole in the wall of the house.
"At least I've never seen you miss."
"If it's a properly maintained one, maybe, but if you tell me to hit someone in the forehead with a twisted one like this, that's impossible."
"That's what you call missing."
Thomas, who would be in the most danger if he missed, was grinning, making Yuruyana a bit uneasy.
"I heard you're a genius, but you were really good in the military too, huh?"
"Of course! I mean, being the top graduate of the Arcane Art Academy, unlike me who can only do high output, he's really good at delicate adjustments."
"Top graduate?"
"Didn't I mention that?"
"I only heard you were juggling both."
"I was top in both! Isn't that amazing?"
Thomas leaned forward with sparkling eyes, and Yuruyana took a step back.
Even though graduation was over 5 years ago, I wished he wouldn't bring it up, but once Thomas got going, I had to physically shut him up.
And my hands were busy with magic gun parts.
"The way he handles Arcane Machinery is top-notch, and he's good at teaching, and his cooking is delicious too."
He's always looked up to me in a weird way, but it feels like Thomas' opinion of me has become almost godlike compared to when I was active, and it's making my back itch as I head into the assembly now.
I definitely like assembly more than disassembly.
"By the time I quit, they were calling me 'Two Star Demon,' but there was another nickname at first, and I liked that one better──"
"Thomas. It's done."
"Ah, yes!"
I shot 6 times at Thomas' pot by the window again, confirming each shot hit exactly where I aimed before passing it back to him.
"Thank you! I feel like the gun's happy when it's maintained by you, senpai."
"That's not it. I'm a civilian now, so don't bring such dangerous stuff around."
"R-right, you're right. Sorry. I'm glad to hear you have a cute girlfriend though, I feel better now."
"Not a girlfriend, just a freeloader...…)"
As I was putting away the tools, my vision suddenly started to warp.
Ah, crap, I let my guard down.
I thought I was getting better thanks to Yuruyana, but listening to Thomas talk made me remember all sorts of things.
"Tsukumo?"
Yuruyana rushed over as I staggered and crouched down.
"Are you okay? Just rest for a bit…"
"Idiot, you're pale! Thomas, take him to the back! I'll guide you!"
"Okay!"
With the sound of their panicked voices as the last thing I heard, my consciousness faded.
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