Zane: The Atlantean Prince

CHAPTER 22: ARCHERY TRYOUT

Zane entered the classroom. It was still half-empty and everyone was busy chatting. He scanned the room and searched for a better seat. They looked at him when he entered the room. He lowered his head, went to the back row, and sat near the window. He felt their eyes on him. It made him feel uncomfortable. "Why are they staring at me? Did I do something wrong?" He shook his head lightly. "I just want to have a normal, peaceful college life."

He just ignored them, pretending he did not see those students staring at him, not because he was a snob but because he was shy, and he also wanted to avoid any possible bullying from his classmates. He did not want to experience it again. He sighed deeply.

He spaced out and thought about his dream last night. It was so weird that it felt real. He recalled the dark, reddish sky that looked like blood, and the damaged buildings after the big earthquake he made. He also recalled the huge male voice he was not familiar with. It sounded so far away but the echo could be heard everywhere. It was so loud and creepy.

He shook his head, clearing his thoughts. "It was just a bad dream. It will never happen," he said to himself. "Who would struck me using lightning?"

Students arrived one by one, and the last to enter the classroom was their male professor. He is in his thirties, wearing a white polo and black necktie.

"Good morning, class," the professor greeted them. "I am Marcus Ford, your professor in Management 101. How's your day?"

"We are perfectly fine, Sir," a woman from the front seat said. "Inspired because I saw some handsome guys on the basketball team." She giggled.

Their professor cleared his throat. "Okay! To start the class, please introduce yourselves in front and say something or anything about you, like hobbies and talent. If you can sing or dance, that's better." He looked around and called the girl who responded earlier. "You may start."

The girl stood up and went to the front. "I am Bridgette Greene, eighteen; I was a cheerleader in Senior High and am planning to pursue it for our basketball team! Thank you!" She returned to her seat.

"Okay thank you. Next." Their professor pointed to the guy seated next to Bridgette.

Zane was still spaced out, and now his mind floated while staring at the sky. He suddenly remembered his immortal friend Eurus. He has not visited him yet since he won the Archery Championship. He taught him archery.

Zane's eyes went wide when he saw Eurus entering their archery field.

"Meet our new archery club member, Eurus," Manager Hanks said to the trainees. "He is just advanced level, kids, so learn from him."

Eurus waved his hand to greet everyone, then he winked at him.

"You can start practising with Zane; help him out." Manager Hanks left them.

"What are you doing here?" he asked the immortal.

"To teach you how to shoot arrows." He grinned. "Let's use the ordinary arrow in the meantime."

"You always surprise me," he said, sounding complaining but he was happy deep inside.

"Stop complaining. Let's start practicing."

"The next one is... you." He heard his professor's voice but his mind was still occupied. Though he felt everyone was looking at him, including his professor. He quickly stood up and walked towards the centre. He hated introduction during the first day of the school year. He hated getting attention from strangers.

He cleared his throat before started speaking. "I'm Zane Cole, turning eighteen in a couple of months." He just bowed a little and he was about to go back to his seat when his professor asked.

"What is your hobby? Or do you have any talent to show in class?"

He only likes one thing, aside from doing well in academics. "A-archery, Sir."

He heard his classmates making noises of shock and amazement.

"Right! You are the one on that billboard in front of our school!" one of his male classmates said.

"Oh yeah, the handsome guy who won the district tournament! I saw that video!" another girl said.

He gave an awkward smile. "Y-yeah." He had no idea what that video was about. "It's probably on the local news or something." He just shrugged his shoulders.

"Are you joining the Archery Club?" Professor Ford asked. "We could win the interhigh tournament if you will participate as our school representative."

He nodded a bit. "Yes, Sir. The tryout will be later after the class."

"I will watch later." He scanned his students. "Extracurricular activities help people develop self-confidence, personality development and even public speaking. I encourage everyone to join different clubs, that will bring out the best in you."

"Yes, Sir," Everyone agreed. They were still whispering about him but Zane just ignored them.

He went back to his chair and sighed. Now his classmates' attention is on him.

***

Zane left the room immediately after the class dismissed for the Archery tryout. Carrying his backpack and his bow and arrow bag, he went straight to the outdoor archery range.

He was amazed when he saw it. It looks like a small arena or a gymnasium. It has twenty lanes in total, and there were also various target lanes available including a simulation of bowhunting for a live target. There was a huge monitor for the audience to see the target. The outdoor archery range has an area allocated for the audience. People were watching the tryout, some were supporting and cheering their friends who were trying to join the club.

He went to the registration table. "Excuse me, I would like to try out," he said to the guy assigned to the registration.

"Please sign here in our log book, and here is the registration form. Fill it out and submit it immediately. The tryout will start in fifteen minutes." The guy looked at his wristwatch. "No, ten minutes."

"Noted. Thanks!" He looked for an armchair so he could fill out the registration form properly.

"Zane!" Tommy called his name so loud that everyone in the archery range looked at him.

"Tone down your voice!"

"Oops, sorry." He covered his mouth. "Has it already started?"

"Not yet." He filled out the form and returned it to the guy at the registration table.

"Zane Cole," he said. "Nice. I saw your District game that's why you looked familiar. I am Drake, the president of the club. You may proceed to the tryout area."

"Thank you." He went back to Tommy. "Let's go to the audience and sit there."

They both sat at the vacant chairs closest to the try-out area. He took out his bow and arrow case.

"You have a nice set of bow and arrow," one of the guys from his back said.

"Thank you," he casually replied. Manager Hanks gave this compound bow of medium length to him. It was comfortable to shoot with, and it was lightweight.

"Zane Cole." Drake, who was also assigned to the tryout, called him. He went closer to the guy while carrying his bow and arrow.

"This is the first round. A twenty-meter and fifty-meter shooting range. Got it? You have three chances in twenty-meter and two chances in fifty-meter. Good luck." Drake stepped back a bit to give him enough space.

Zane nodded. He aimed his bow and concentrated on a tiny spot on the target. He relaxed his fingers. Shooting with both eyes open, he pulled the string and discharged the arrow. It went straight to the centre.

"Ten," the scorer shouted.

The audience clapped and cheered but he did not hear it. He was too much focused on what he was doing. He aimed his bow again and pulled the string.

"Ten," the scorer shouted again.

Zane does not have issues hitting the target because he knows his eyesight is better than anyone. He aimed the bow again and hit the centre of the target for the third time.

"Ten," the scorer shouted and clapped.

"Proceed to the fifty-meter shooting range," Drake said to the staff.

Zane proceeded to the fifty-meter range and aimed at the centre of the target. He hit it with ease.

"Ten," the scorer said.

"Whoa!" The entire audience could not hold admiration and clapped for Zane.

"I remember him! He was the Third District Champion this year with a perfect score!" another audience screamed.

"Yeah! He defeated the three-time champion!" another one agreed.

More loud whispers came from the audience.

"One more, then you are in," Drake stepped back a bit.

Zane raised his bow and released the string without hesitation.

"Ten." The scorer could not help but clap for Zane.

"What range can you go?" Drake could not believe what he saw.

"100 meters, or more, I guess." He scratched his head.

"You are rare, one in one thousand years!" Drake exaggerated a bit. "But no kidding. You are amazing. Your Archery Club taught you so well."

"Not really," he said to himself. "It was Eurus who helped me during his free time." He chuckled. "Am I in?"

"Of course you are!" He tapped his shoulder. "You can rest now. Our required training is every Wednesday and Friday, but you can come here anytime to practice on your own or help our junior archers."

"Thank you." He went back to the audience where Tommy was sitting.

"You are awesome, Zane!" Tommy exclaimed. "You will be famous to all the girls in this school!"

He was not interested in women. He only wanted to see one girl. I hope to see her soon. "Thanks, it is just really my hobby." I wonder if I could already use the bow and arrow Eurus gave to me. I want to start hunting kakodaimons. I need to find Eurus and ask him about it.