Event Story – THE LINK OF GUNSLINGER, ch.3

[kozvme]

 

Gast: I'm back~

Ren: ......

Gast: You had dinner, Ren? Perfect timing, I have something to ask you.
Did someone tell you we're participating in the shooting contest? The one with single and pair competitions.

Ren: Instructor Lily has informed me that we will be participating.

Gast: That so... Just to be sure, but you heard we're taking on the pair competition too, right?

Ren: ......
I refused at first, but I was told it's mandatory. And that if I said it didn't matter they were orders from the mentors leader, she could use any means to make me say yes...

Gast: So you ended up agreeing...

Ren: ......
I would have preferred honing my own skills if I could. It seems that for the individual competition training you get coaching from instructor Lily.

Gast: Eh, is that true?

Ren: And since she's a referee for the pair competition, she can't coach a specific team.
As rookies, learning is fundamental, so this is an opportunity to learn something technical. I don't want to waste my limited time.

Gast: Now that you mention it, being coached by instructor Lily is tempting.
But, ya know, it will be meaningless if you can't show the skills you developed with great effort in actual battles. I mean, during patrol today we were supposed to be stronger and yet fought with our backs against the wall.
The pair competition is supposed to feel like a real battle, so ain't that perfect training for us right now?
I'm also aware you want to become stronger, but...

Ren: ... Didn't I tell you I'll also take on the pair competition? No need to convince me.
However, I will simply attend. I have my mind on the single competition.

Marion: If you're attending, then get results in both single and pair competitions.



Ren: ! Marion...

Marion: It goes without saying that you will win in the individual competition, but show off your team's abilities to the fullest even in the pair competition.
I'm the one regularly training you. This team is the last thing you'd want to make a fool of.

Gast: Ah, haha... Gotcha.

Marion: You too, Ren... Understood?

Ren: ... Got it.
But just us rookies training is inefficient. Can't you also train with us, Marion?

Gast: Was also thinking about that. Can't you coach us or somethin'?
You're not a gunslinger, but it would be veery helpful if you could objectively point out our weak points and give us some advice.

Marion: ... Sorry to break it to you.
I plan to get on-the-job training privately and I don't think I can make much time except for our usual training.

Ren: I see...

Gast: Privately you say, what kinda training is that? Knowing you, you'll probably manage most of it.

Marion: T- That is... That doesn't matter!

Gast: My bad, sorry for asking so many questions.
But, if we can't rely on you, then... the other option is Doctor?

Marion: That's asking too much.
It seems that the details of the competition were delivered to Victor, but since he doesn't feel like going out of his lab... I am keeping them. Besides, do you think he's going to teach you?

Gast: Haha, not really...
Then, well, I guess we'll manage by ourselves for the time being.

Marion: I will try to incorporate combination training as much as possible into your usual training.

Gast: Yeah, thanks for that. Ain't it great, Ren?

Ren: ......

Gast: (Haha, Ren looks visibly uneasy...
But this is also an opportunity for us rookies to get to know each other, so Ren and I gotta do our best!)

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