It's not magic?

" Come forward if you feel like you have the best aim." Noah proclaimed.

They glance at one another before three of them came forward, Tang, Milo and Cody. 

" Why do you think you have the best aim?"

" I think since I do well with projectile magic, I can hit my targets better." Tang said confidently. She had seen how Noah was able to obliterate that merchant's arm with a flick of his fingers. She believed she would be able to do it under his guidance.

" What about you too?"

"I...don't like close fighting." Cody said with some hesitation. He wasn't cocky enough to compare himself with someone like Tang but since they were selecting people that fight at a distance, it was his best chance to overcome his severe physical limitations.

" And you, Milo right?"

" I just think I am better suited for it." He didn't saw anything, only smiled with confidence. There was definitely something strange about the kid but Noah again chose to ignore since they didn't have much time.

" Alright, I only asked for volunteers but that doesn't mean others couldn't participate in it. I have with me, three types of weapons. They are equally deadly close range but some are better than others when enemies are charging from a distance."

Noah unveiled the box containing the guns he summoned prior to this training sessions. There are enough rifles to go around but there are only three snipers.

He was torn between two choices but ultimately he picked, Accuracy International L115A3 or AWM L115A3 which is a more famous abbreviation among enthusiasts. 

Not only is it very effective at extremely long distances, it's also one of the most durable sniper rifles available.

After testing the weapons accuracy in temperatures ranging from -40 degrees to 158 degrees fahrenheit, and it worked perfectly. A bolt that never freezes and a chamber that never jams is worth its weight in gold. 

His other option was the Dragunov, Russian-made weapon capable of firing a standard 7.62 round and is as reliable a weapon as the standard issue AK model infantry rifle used by the Russian armed forces.

AWM used .338 rounds so it really didn't made a difference since the rifles he summoned used 5.56 so he had to summon different ammos for every other weapon.

Needless to say, they both had similar effective range of up to 2,500 meters but the option that intrigued him was Dragunov is battle-proven in urban combat, preferred because of its lightweight construction. Most importantly is its interoperability among regular Russian troops.

It's could also be used as a semi-automatic at shoulder level and handles like an AK. Anyone who fires an AK will be able to operate the Dragunov. 

For the handguns, he went with Dan Wesson DWX. Even if he was out of the army, he occasionally visited firing range so that his skills didn't deteriorate which is why he was aware of the latest weapons in the industry.

DWX handling was excellent, it weighs around two pounds and had a effective range of ten to twenty meters. It's not that one couldn't shoot beyond it, this range was best for accuracy. With a twenty bullet capacity, it was enough to mow down anyone daring to fight you at close range.

Ultimately he wanted to take his time to see which weapon fit the candidates, he could slowly let them get accustomed to different weapons. Unfortunately, he never expected the kids to show up so Dragunov could become a viable choice in the future.

" Doesn't they look like same iron weapon he used? But how come there are so many of them?"

" There are different types too? That long one looks powerful. It also has different design, I didn't know metal like these existed."

" I am leaning toward these short ones. Even me and Julia could lift these right?"

" Yes."

They started discussing but didn't dare to touch anything. They had seen what happened yesterday when one of their friends tried to play around with that weapon.

He almost killed someone! They were afraid of loud noises that it made when it whenever it fired! What's to say it wouldn't go off as soon as they touched it?

" Alright, before I showed you how to use it I have to tell you something." Noah interrupted them to gather their attention.

" I know you were worried about not being able to learn magic when you came here but these weapons don't need magic power to operate." He dropped the bombshell.

" Eh?"

" It can be used by anyone. How? That's something we will learn during the week but I want to tell you it beforehand so that you wouldn't feel discouraged." Everyone was shocked. They didn't know what to say. Noah didn't wait for them to ask questions.

He picked up the handgun and started shooting the tree in the distance.

" Steady your aim. If your arms keep swaying like this you wouldn't be able to hit anything!" Noah yelled out from behind.

" How can you expect us to do when you have us doing all those crazy exercises?"

" Keep your voice down. I don't want to do another lap because of your complaining."

" Fire!"

 *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang*

Everyone started firing, Noah wanted do individual test but they didn't have time for it.

He was teaching them to at least hit one bullet out of two, a fifty percent accuracy was enough when they were dealing with monsters.

It would be hard for them to be unscatched under a hail of bullets. 

It's been three days since he told them his secret.

They were confused at first but when they were able to fire the weapon under his guidance those dazed look turned into admiration. Surprisingly they were pretty understanding and since then no one questioned him.

" Julia you are doing good, just be mindful of your stance so that you don't fall down."

" Yes sir!"

" Rita, turn off the safety, I don't want a repeat of what happened yesterday. You barely missed your feet."

" Yes sir!"

" Milo and Tang....good work."

" Thank you sir!"

" Luke, you need to be more accurate. I know it's hard but keep practicing."

" Yes sir!"

" Cody...you too."

" Y-yes sir.."

Instead of master, he told them to call him sir. Master sounded pretty extreme for him, although it was common in this world. Sorcerers took in apprentices which was a master and pupil relationship but he had heard it was a sacred union akin to them sacrificing their life if they demanded it.

He was happy being their drill sergeant which was more up his alley. There was no reason to burden these younglings with such contracts.

" Alright, take a break. Make sure to eat your proteins bars along with water. I don't want anyone to pass out in the middle of training!"

His summoning magic came handy in supplying them with essential food while heavy training.

Proteins bars, some multivitamins, other high nutrient food. He was unsure if it would suit their taste and not make them sick but after testing it out, they were able to properly digest it.

His theory that they were proper humans was confirmed, although these kids began test victims they were happy especially when he gave them 'gourmet' food like ice-cream or exotic juices in weird packages. 

He asked them not to divulge where these things came from because he wasn't in a position to supply the whole village with it.

They happily accepted, some did wanted to share it with their family but he cleary told them he wasn't able to do it right now. In case they sneaked some in, he made up excuse that it would turn in to poison if he wasn't there with them.

" Rita, Julia, Milo and...Cody come here for a second." he yelled out to them. They came running and neatly stood infront of him. He was impressed how they were able to understand discipline in few days.

He gave them a glance and was fascinated by how well their bodies were adapting to his intense training. It shouldn't be possible but they were changing rapidly, even Cody who looked like a twig few days ago was showing some muscles. 

He really wanted to ask Nova what was up with it but since his 'personal assistance' was still in hibernation he wasn't able to learn anything.

He shook his head to avoid thinking about these important things.

It was time for him to unveil the next weapon in his arsenal.

" After observing everyone, I feel like you four have the best aim. Didn't you ask me what these long weapons do?" He picked up one of the rifles, AWM that looked menacing. They were aware of both handguns and rifles as they were training with them for past couple of days.

If those 'small' guns packed such power, what about these long ones? Wouldn't it be much more powerful than anything they ever saw before?

" What? Are you doubting my judgement?" He asked.

" No sir!"

" Sir...." Suddenly he heard someone speak. Cody raised his hand.

" What is it?"

" I am thankful that you think highly of me but...will I able to do it too?"

" I don't know." Noah flat out answered him. He said what he felt without sugarcoating anything.

Cody was the worst among them but that didn't mean that he was worse in term of talent, it just they were natural born talent.

He could feel how lesser Cody felt whenever he would announce their results.

From physical endurance to the aiming ability, he was dead last every single day. But he didn't have a redeeming quality of not giving up that's why Noah wanted to test if he was able to overcome his physical power.

" Is...that so-"

" But that's not me to figure out is it? How will you know if you don't even try?" Noah said it with a smile. Cody who felt like he was being abandoned was rejuvenated again getting his approval.

Noah lined everyone up and began setting the sniper rifle. It was going to be much louder so he asked them to put up the special headband that he given out on second day. He laid down and set the weapon on a tripod aiming at a target that he asked Tang to set up.

It was the farthest tree marked red by tying up a old clothes around it. It was so far that they weren't even able to see the detail, only a red dot flickering in sunlight.

He first used the binoculars to take the measurement and went through the necessary procedure to zero in on the target.

After few minutes of anticipation he grabbed the trigger and pressed it!

* BANG*