Using a crossbow 

A few days had passed since Seth's conversation with Sir Vince- four days, to be exact. Seth sat alone on a wooden bench, idly watching the other trainees as they practiced their drills.

The sharp clack of wooden swords striking echoed across the training grounds. Everyone was paired off, practicing a specific move the instructor had demonstrated earlier.

One person in each pair was tasked with performing the move, while the other did their best to defend against it. The pairs took turns switching roles as several instructors moved among them, offering guidance and feedback.

Standing on a raised pavement, watching the children practice, was none other than Sir Vince himself. He observed them with a cold, silent gaze, standing still like a statue, his expression unchanging.

Glancing at the taciturn knight, Seth couldn't help but remember the events of their last meeting.

'Never mind that.'

Seth shifted his attention back to the trainees, who were training with increased fervor and determination- an intensity that hadn't been present in the earlier stages of their training. Yet, beneath all that enthusiasm, there was a hint of trepidation and tension, the trials now looming just around the corner.

'Perhaps that's why they're giving it their all.' He thought as he observed them.

His gaze then shifted to the couple dozen books piled beside him on the bench, and he couldn't help but scowl.

The young boy was in a rather foul mood as of late, and who could blame him? He had been excited when he first learned they would be having practical knowledge classes.

The class was supposed to involve survival training in the vast expanse of the Thornspire forest. However, Seth's excitement quickly turned to disappointment when he discovered that not only was he the sole attendee, but the instructor had also shirked his duties by handing him a stack of books to read instead of teaching him directly. 

On any other day, receiving a stack of new books would have left Seth elated. But he understood all too well the significance of this class, especially with the trials lasting three whole days.

'Three whole days in that place,' Seth thought, shuddering at the frightening prospect. 

He had seen the entrance to the Thornspire forest once, and the sight alone filled him with immense dread. Combined with all the horrors he read about the forest, it was enough to make any sane person avoid it like a plague.

"And yet, I'm spending the next three days there," he muttered, shaking his head at the thought. He couldn't help but feel utterly doomed.

While Seth was lost in thoughts of his impending doom, the training exercise had ended without him noticing. The trainees began to disperse- some chatting with friends, others leaving outright, and a few lingering for a short break before heading off. At first glance, the group of children appeared united, but anyone who paid closer attention would see the clear divide between the noble and common-born children.

Finally spotting Emily's figure emerging from the crowd of children, Seth hastily grabbed a book and pretended to be deeply engrossed in its contents.

"Young master we are done with training, should we head home?" Emily asked, her sweat-soaked skin caused her hair to cling to her face, while her damp clothes stuck to her body, subtly accentuating her growing womanly figure.

Seth, momentarily distracted by her appearance, finally processed her words and responded with a forced cough.

"Ahem. You can leave without me. I'll come home later, I'm still reading this book."

"But you-"

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Seth interrupted with a smile. "You've worked hard, you need rest."

He anticipated Emily would try to object, so he gave her no chance to argue.

Glancing at the setting sun in the distance, Emily sighed and reluctantly agreed, turning to walk away. She glanced back at him several times until she finally disappeared from sight.

Once she was gone, Seth dropped the book he had finished hours ago and stood up.

"Let's get started," he thought, his expression hardening with resolve.

*****

The vast expanse of the Blackthorn training grounds was now cloaked in the darkness of the night. With the night came an eerie isolation, as all the trainees had returned to their homes. At least, that was how it was supposed to be.

Unlike the usual serene silence that followed the trainee's departure, the air was now punctuated by a rhythmic sequence of sounds: a mechanical click, followed by a swift whoosh, and finally the unmistakable thud of impact. 

Standing alone at one end of the training grounds was Seth, sweat pouring down his face as his body shivered from the cold wind of the night that made contact with it.

"Missed again…" he muttered under his breath, his voice tinged with clear frustration.

Held firmly on his hands was a simple but sturdy crossbow, it had a straight wooden stock and a curved steel bow mounted at the front. A taunt string stretched across the bow, and a shallow groove where the bolts where nocked. Beneath the stock, a basic trigger mechanism awaited the pull that would unleash its deadly force.

A few dozen feet away from Seth stood a training dummy made entirely of straw, its torso peppered with bolts from the crossbow. Some bolts were embedded deep into the dummy, while the others lay scattered around it on the hard floor.

Despite the numerous bolts already lodged into the dummy, Seth couldn't seem to hit his target- the red mark on the dummy's torso- after numerous attempts.

This was why Seth had avoided going home early- it had become a routine over the past few days. With the trials fast approaching and his inability to use sword techniques or any skill requiring internal force, he had little choice. They had yet to be tested for their magic aptitude but the day of the trials was looming closer. As a result, Seth had decided that mastering the crossbow was his best chance for survival.

Although Seth had Emily, who would undoubtedly do her best to protect him, the harsh reality was that he would still die if he becomes a burden or worse, they'll both lose their lives.

'Besides, I can't leave it all to her.'

He had chosen a crossbow because it was considered easier to learn than a regular bow and didn't demand much physical effort- an important factor given his frail body. However, despite the crossbow's reputation for being simpler to master than its traditional counterpart, he was still struggling with his aim.

Reaching into his quiver for another bolt, Seth realized he had exhausted all the available ones. He would need to retrieve the bolts already fired at the dummy to continue his training.

Grumbling about his inability to hit his target, Seth walked over to the dummy and began pulling out the embedded bolts. As he worked, his gaze drifted to a nearby sword rack, where a group of training swords was neatly arranged. 

Seeing the swords, Seth's interest was visibly piqued, and his previously tense expression softened. After a moment of hesitation, he walked over to the sword rack and picked up one of the training swords.

The moment his hand firmly grasped the hilt, a strange sensation washed over him, causing his eyes to tremble slightly. The feeling was almost indescribable- like rediscovering something long lost. If he had to compare, it was similar to the excitement he felt when holding a new, unread book.

"How peculiar…" he thought.

Holding the wooden sword, Seth weighed it in his hand giving it a few experimental swings to get a feel for its balance.

Closing his eyes, he recalled the movements demonstrated by the instructor- ones he had watched several times before. With deliberate focus, Seth began to move, swinging and thrusting the sword. Despite it being his first attempt, his movements carried a strange, inexplicable grace, as though the sword was an extension of him.

After finishing the final swing, Seth paused and took a long, contemplative look at the wooden sword in his hand. A hint of disappointment flickered across his face as he sighed.

"Not even close," he muttered softly.