Weapons of the Awakened
The drill sergeant, with the air of someone about to introduce a celebrity, began to speak, his voice resonating across the now-quiet shooting range. "Recruits," he bellowed with a hint of reverence, "it is my privilege to introduce you to Sergeant Major Harrison 'Hawk' Foster. A living legend in the world of precision shooting, this man has served in various theaters of war around the world for over three decades. His sharpshooting skills are unmatched, and his dedication to his craft has earned him the respect of every soldier who has had the honor of serving under him."
The drill sergeant continued, "Foster here is not just a decorated veteran; he is also one of us—an Awakened. His Mana Core has only served to enhance his already formidable abilities, making him the perfect candidate to instruct you on how to properly utilize these experimental weapons. From this point forward, Sergeant Major Foster will be taking charge of your training. I'll be observing from the sidelines, so don't think you can slack off just because I'm not the one barking orders at you."
With that, the drill sergeant stepped back, and Sergeant Major Foster took center stage. His piercing blue eyes surveyed the crowd of recruits, and I could have sworn he made eye contact with each and every one of us. There was a sense of gravitas about him, a quiet confidence that spoke volumes of his experience and expertise.
"Listen up," Foster began, his voice a deep, resounding baritone that cut through the silence like a hot knife through butter. "I'm going to divide you all into three different weight classes. Those of you who weigh between 60 and 79 kilograms will be in the lightweight class, 80 to 99 kilograms in the middleweight class, and those who weigh 100 kilograms or more will be in the heavyweight class. Your weight will determine which weapons you'll be assigned to use."
I listened intently as Foster explained the rationale behind this decision. It made sense; even with our enhanced strength and endurance, the laws of physics still applied. A gun that was too heavy would be unwieldy, the recoil potentially knocking us off balance or hindering our accuracy. I weighed in at 80 kilograms during my physical assessment, which meant I would be part of the middleweight class, but I couldn't help but wonder what kind of weapon I would be assigned. The thought of being saddled with a lower-tiered gun was a concern; I knew that such a weapon would be less effective against the monsters we might face, and switching weapons mid-training would only impede my progress and effectiveness with the gun I was assigned.
As I processed this information, I made my way over to the middleweight class group, my gaze falling on the impressive array of weapons laid out before us. Each firearm was a testament to the military's ingenuity and resources, designed to capitalize on the enhanced strength and endurance of the Awakened. The selection included a massive sniper rifle, a burly machine gun, and a heavily modified assault rifle. Despite their intimidating presence, a surge of excitement coursed through me at the prospect of wielding one of these formidable weapons.
These experimental arms were built to leverage the superior physique of the Awakened, allowing us to handle heavier, more powerful firearms than the standard-issue equipment. The weight and recoil of these behemoths would be too much for an ordinary soldier, but for those of us who had formed Mana Cores or developed Meridians, they promised a new level of combat effectiveness. The weapons were not designed to directly harness Mana, but rather to synergize with the heightened capabilities that the Awakened possessed, offering us a distinct advantage on the battlefield.
It was then that I noticed the stickers attached to each weapon, indicating the recruit assigned to it. My eyes quickly found the gun with my name on it—the assault rifle. It was the lightest of the three, which wasn't entirely unexpected given my physical assessment results. I couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment; the sniper rifle had caught my eye, and the thought of being able to pick off targets from a safe distance was undeniably appealing. However, it was clear that the military had its reasons for assigning each weapon to a specific recruit. Despite my initial disappointment, I recognized the military's allocation of weaponry as a strategic decision, surmising that they had considered other factors beyond mere weight classifications.
As I observed the other recruits in my weight class, I noticed that some, who appeared to be of similar body weight to my own, had been assigned the sniper rifle. Their confident demeanor and focused expressions suggested they had prior experience with such weapons. It was clear that the military's decision to assign these heavier, more precise firearms was based on more than just physical attributes; it also took into account each recruit's individual skills and background. This realization highlighted the diversity of talent within the Awakened ranks and reinforced the idea that while we all shared the ability to interact with Mana, our past experiences and aptitudes could lead us down very different paths within the military's specialized training program.
Turning my attention to the other weight class groups, I saw that their weapons followed a similar pattern of scaling based on weight. The lightweights had smaller, lighter versions of the guns, while the heavyweights wielded larger, more imposing firearms. It was a logical approach to weapon assignment, ensuring that each recruit could handle their weapon effectively without being overwhelmed by its size or recoil.
Despite not appearing to be particularly heavy himself, Sergeant Major Foster chose to demonstrate the training with the heavyweight weapons, a choice that highlighted his exceptional skill and the considerable strength needed to wield such imposing firearms. His proficiency with these weapons, which were not designed for someone of his stature, served as a compelling testament to his capabilities and set a high standard for the rest of us to aspire to.
"Even though these weapons vary in size and firepower," Foster explained, his voice carrying across the range, "their core principles remain the same. By demonstrating with the heavyweight weapons, I can show you how to apply these principles regardless of which weight class you belong to."
I watched intently as Sergeant Major Foster prepared to demonstrate the capabilities of the experimental weapons arrayed before us. He first picked up the Titan XR-50, the heavyweight class's assault rifle, its imposing size and weight making the other assault rifles appear almost diminutive in comparison. The dark gray cerakote finish of the Titan, accented by the blackened steel of its barrel and receiver, seemed to absorb the light around it, while its quad-rail handguard system promised a multitude of configurations. The middleweight class had been assigned the Vanguard MAR-30, a slightly smaller but no less formidable weapon. The lightweight class, meanwhile, would be training with the Phoenix LAR-20, a sleek and agile firearm designed to optimize their natural speed and maneuverability.
The names were a mouthful, and I knew I'd have a hard time remembering them all. My gaze was drawn to the weapon I'd be using—the Vanguard. Its sleek, imposing form was unlike any firearm I had seen in movies or read about in books. The Vanguard's design and the advanced technology it embodied promised a new level of combat effectiveness.
Foster's voice broke through my concentration as he addressed the assembly. "You'll all be using armor-piercing rounds during your missions," he said, his voice echoing off the walls of the shooting range. "But for the sake of our budget, we'll be sticking to standard ammunition for training. Waste not, want not."
There was a murmur of understanding among the recruits. It made sense; why expend valuable resources on target practice when cheaper alternatives were available?
"Now, listen up," Foster continued, his tone turning stern. "These weapons are not toys. They're pieces of sophisticated military technology, designed and manufactured in Tyrandis. They're expensive, they're experimental, and they're entrusted to you. Treat them with the same care and attention you'd give to your own child. Lose or damage one of these guns, and you'll find yourself back at square one, using standard-issue firearms. And trust me, your chances of survival out there," he gestured vaguely towards the gates, "will plummet without the proper equipment."
A chill ran down my spine at the thought. I knew the stakes were high, but the reality of our situation was driven home by Foster's words. We were being trained to face unknown dangers, and our weapons were our lifelines.
As Foster began his demonstration, he highlighted the significant recoil and weight of the weapons, particularly the assault rifles like the one I was holding. "You'll need to brace yourselves," he advised, widening his stance for stability as he shouldered the Titan XR-50. "The recoil on these babies is no joke."
And yet, as he fired round after round at the targets, there seemed to be almost no recoil at all. Each bullet found its mark with deadly precision, and I couldn't help but marvel at the level of skill and control he exhibited. It was a masterclass in marksmanship, and I knew I had a lot to learn.
As Sergeant Major Foster's demonstration concluded, he instructed those of us with assault rifles to begin our practice. With a nod of acknowledgment, I stepped forward to claim my assigned weapon, the Vanguard MAR-30. Its name, prominently displayed on the frame, was a symbol of the advanced technology I was now entrusted with. Beside the rifle, a harness equipped with a full set of magazines awaited me, while a stack of additional magazines was neatly arranged nearby, ensuring a steady supply of ammunition for our training. I secured the harness across my torso, feeling the weight of the loaded magazines against my side, and with the Vanguard in hand, I headed to the firing line, ready to embark on the next phase of my training.
It felt strange to be holding such a weapon. Just a few weeks ago, my life had been mundane, my days spent in the monotonous grind of an office job. Now, here I was, an Awakened recruit training with experimental weapons designed to combat monsters that had emerged from mysterious gates. It was a stark contrast to my former life, and it took a moment for the reality of my situation to sink in.
The Vanguard felt heavy in my hands, its bulk a stark departure from the lightweight office supplies I was accustomed to. I guessed the rifle weighed about 20 kilograms, and its length, which I estimated at a meter, was balanced but demanded a level of strength I was still working to achieve. The dark, matte finish of the weapon seemed to drink in the sunlight, while the occasional glint of metal hinted at the complexity of its design. Holding the Vanguard, I was acutely aware of the physical gap between myself and Sergeant Major Foster, who handled the weapon with such ease. I had made significant strides since leaving my office job behind, but it was evident that I still had a lot of work to do if I wanted to wield the Vanguard with the same ease and proficiency as Foster. The journey from an ordinary office worker to an Awakened recruit was just the beginning, and the road ahead—learning to fully harness the power of my Mana Core—promised to be both challenging and transformative.
I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves as I watched the more experienced recruits around me take their first shots. It was clear that some of them had been through this before; they handled their weapons with a confidence and familiarity that spoke of prior training. I guessed that not everyone had joined the military on the same date as I had. Perhaps some of these recruits had been part of the Awakened division for weeks, even months, before my arrival.
I didn't rush to take my first shot. Instead, I took a moment to familiarize myself with the Vanguard, adjusting my grip and stance to better manage its weight. I knew that accuracy was paramount, and I wanted to ensure that when I did pull the trigger, my bullet would find its mark.
As I stood there, weapon in hand, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the journey I had embarked upon. The path ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but I was determined to rise to the challenge. With the Vanguard MAR-30 at my side and the power of Mana coursing through me, I was ready to face whatever the future had in store for me.