Training-1

Next morning, Noah made his way toward the promised spot. He was carrying a box full of guns which would have taken a toll on his body but for some reason it was light as features.

He knew there was something weird going on with his body but strangely he didn't hate it.

At least he felt powerful and strong which was exactly what was needed for this mission. Instead of summoning just rifles, he decided to mix things up for this morning's summons.

Two snipers and rest were handguns. He felt it would be easier for them to learn it especially the ladies.

" Boss you are here!" Tang called out to him. He felt strange hearing her call him boss all of a sudden.

" I am not your boss and what are you even doing here? This is not place for kids." He tried to shoo her away but she was mad.

" I told you, I am not a kid! I am here to learn!" Noah looked around to see everyone's faces. They all looked like kids! How does Mera expect him to teach kids how to fire guns? Did they ever kill anyone before? Can they even stomach it? Noah almost gave up at the start.

" Who brought them here? I clearly asked to bring-"

" You asked to bring who were capable and fit enough for your training right? These are the only ones that wished to join so deal with it!" Mera shouted from behind. She looked like a mess, just like someone that wasn't a morning person.

" Chief...maybe you shouldn't say that." She was followed by few people that he could recognize from the meeting.

" Why? Isn't it you guys idea? Even when everyone voted anonymously, you shouldn't be ashamed about it." She gave Noah a little wink which was odd. 

" Is she telling me that the elders don't have much trust in this plan?" Noah thought. He could visibly see the people behind her face away from him. They weren't even looking him in the eye which made them look extra guilty.

" Is it fine? It's dangerous for them to be here. I don't care what you talked about but I will not put them in harms way." Noah walked up to Mera and said in a low voice so that brats didn't hear him. It would only make the situation more complicated in the long run.

" Come here." Mera took him aside. She wanted to have a private talk with him.

" I don't know what you are going to teach them but if you say it so seriously are you able to pass down your magic to those that aren't capable of it?" 

" Huh?" Noah realize that they were still under the impression that he was using magic to fire the rifle. Can't they simply ask him?

" No need to look at me with that silly face. They refrained from saying anything because you are the saviour of the village. Without you, I may not be....forget it." She sounded vulnerable for a second before donning her usual face.

" Why did you ever agree to it then? Can't you simply reject my request?" Noah was confused. No matter how much he helped them, he never exerted his influence or even demanded money from them.

" They were willing to send adults but with villagers working at maximum capacity, it would put a heavy strain on day to day activities." She replied. Noah realized he missed a important fact, Tang did tell him about it last night.

They had to gather firewoods and carry water from nearby stream before daybreak. With many people injured the responsibility fell into those that were not in that category. There was also cooking and taking care of small farms, it was tough living out in these woods at the top of a hill!

" But these kids-"

" They are not kids! Don't demean them by repeating it over and over again. Everyone here is older than fifteen many of them came here after helping their parents only because they heard they could learn something from the hero of the village." She said proudly. How could she not? They were her people, she watched them grow up in front of her eyes.

" Alright, I will not say it even then, are you willing to let them experience battle? How would you console them when they take their first life? Even for me, I still vividly remember it and it took years for me to come to terms with it. Sending helpless children to that path is not something I am fond of." Noah was upset. It's the duty of an adult to protect the innocence of children as long as they can.

If he put guns in their hand and train them, wouldn't it be same as the people that he hated most on Earth? He had seen enough in his life to know where that path leads to!

" You lot! What will you do if someone attacks this village!?" Instead of replying to Noah, Mera shouted out loud gathering everyone's attention.

" If those fucking bastards attack again, will you cower in fear seeing hail of arrows or fight back earning the freedom of your friends and family!"

" Will you stand at the top of the wall with me or run down the mountain to abandon your home!?"

" Answer me!"

" No! We will fight!"

" Yes! Like the hero of the village!"

" I will fight too!"

Noah looked at them respond enthusiastically with vigor in their eyes. It was all to familiar for someone who served in special forces. Just for a split second, they reminded him of his men. How they laughed before the battle and cried over those that left them behind after it.

Mera looked at Noah waiting for him to answer.

" I know that everyone is excited but I will only say this once. We are not playing games here. I will never ask a bunch of brats to join me on the battlefield-"

" We are not-" Tang tried to cut him off but she got a bop on the head for disturbing his flow.

" Let me finish. Where was I? Yes, battlefield. I will ask you because it is not a good think for anyone to go through it regardless of age. But the situation is dire which was why that Chief of yours asked me to train you." Noah paused for a second to look at their face. They looked more determined than ever which made him smile.

" So, I will give you final choice. It's alright for you to back off there is no shame in it. You can support this village in many other ways. Beside we are going to go against monsters. You might think they are different than humans but I will tell you they are similar to us in many ways." Noah started telling them about the Henwen he faced back in the cave.

He wasn't sure what else they were going to face when cleaning the mountain but he was told there were many humanoid monsters that had their own language that they communicated it and their own hideouts.

They were smart and used simple tactics like baiting the travellers or blocking the roads to wait for ambush. That's what he had heard from Alastair when they were travelling up the mountain.

" Killing any living being comes with a heavy burden. You might remember their faces right before the life left their body, it's even more prominent if you take another human life. I don't want to tell you this but it is not a good sight."

" Mister?" A boy who looked to be the oldest raised his hand trying to ask something.

" You are?"

" I am Luke! Mister, did you....kill anyone before?" He straight-out asked him. 

'' Yes, many, more than enough for a lifetime." Noah also replied with a straight face. He had already came to terms with who he was, there was no reason for him to hide these things from a possible conscript.

" Which is why I am emphasising this, don't be swept away by your emotions and do as Mera tell you to do. You might be young but you are grown enough to know what you want in your life. If you wish to put up arms against anyone you better expect them to retaliate. Which is why don't think about what your Chief said before leaving, decided on your own. I am giving you a chance." Noah wanted them to be on board completely but he also wanted them to know what was at stake.