The Hidden Princess At All-Boys Alpha Academy

Chapter 0502

"Wow..." I whisper, leaning forward, my hand shooting out to touch the long, slim silver rifle that the Captain lifts out of the bag and sets up straight, balancing it on its two bipod legs so it stands up on its own. At the last second, I pull my hand back, not sure if I should. "Go on," the captain says, and I look up into his face to see a proud smile there. "I had this commissioned for you about a month ago - just got delivered over the weekend. Damn lucky you passed that Chemistry exam, too, because if the military had to pay for a lightweight miniature rifle like this that no one else could use..." his cheeks puff out as he imagines it. "I'd have hell to pay to your uncle."

I laugh a little, shaking my head as I lean forward and run a hand over the barrel and the forestock. "You had it made for me? It's...small?"

"To your specifications, yes," the captain says with a proud sigh. "It's one-of-a-kind and top of the line, Cadet, so. Don't drop it off the blind or anything. Cost a pretty penny. Want to see how she shoots?"

Desperately pleased I look up at the Captain and laugh a little, nodding eagerly.

He grins back at me and then we sit close together as he points out the features of the gun, shows me how to assemble and disassemble it, and then how to load it with the bullets from the bottom of the bag. When he's finished with that, we both lay out on our stomachs and he points out the white target below on the other side of the field.

mean, it's so small from this vantage point that I didn't

murmur, a little appalled. "Shouldn't I shoot at something...closer

fly wide. But he doesn't look over at me,

as he lays down his stomach and positions himself next to the gun, telling me how he's taking aim, how he's attempting to control his breathing and his body movements, how he's paying attention to the way that the breeze is blowing. Then, once he's ready, he moves his finger to the trigger and

no louder than a snap. The Captain stays still for a second and then sits

and then back at him. "Did

the Captain says, smirking proudly, and then he pulls the scope deftly off the rifle and hands it

it doubles as a spyglass, I look through the scope and gasp when I see that he did indeed hit the target - not precisely dead

in my excitement, I lower the scope and push it back at him. "Put it back on! Let me

the scope and then helping me lay down flat on my belly. He then coaches me through my position and my steps, helping me adjust when necessary. Finally, I take in a deep breath and pull

But to my disappointment...