Chapter 42: Ch 42: The guns exploded

"Have these teachers gone nuts? Most of us are first-time gun users. How can they even suggest that we go against live targets? What if an accident happens? Noah, don’t tell me that you are thinking of going?"

Daniel asked as he grabbed Noah’s sleeve to hold on to him. There was a worried expression on his face that told Noah he was worried about him.

And truthfully, Noah was just as worried as Daniel was. And unlike Daniel, he knew that an accident would happen for sure.

His lack of action started to piss the teachers off, and they decided that if he was not going to come, they would come to him instead.

"Student Noah, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and come here."

The teacher in charge of the drill called for him publicly, and everyone looked at him curiously to see what he would do next.

Beside him, Daniel looked ready to fight. And knowing the other guide, Noah was sure he would piss someone off by saying too much.

So, to save Daniel, Noah decided to quickly stand up, and he gave Daniel an apologetic glance.

"I think it would be for the best if I do this drill. The teachers look like they want to eat me alive. And knowing them, they will make me participate anyway. So I might as well save myself some trouble and follow their command."

Noah told Daniel as he headed toward their teacher.

His actions made Daniel bite his lip and look even more agitated. But he did agree with Noah’s logic, so he did not stop him.

Noah only made it halfway before the teacher in charge grabbed his shoulder and tugged him toward the shooting range, where an esper-guide pair of teachers stood.

"This will be a two-vs.-two match. Espers are allowed to use their powers while guides will provide support. Let’s begin."

The teachers gave Noah no time to gather himself before the fighting began. Noah was forced to take one side while Ethan took another, and they started to fight.

Because Ethan was using his powers, he did not need to use his gun, but Noah was a different case.

He could not show off too much of his strength, so he decided to fire off a few rounds and purposely miss his teacher.

"Tsk, you will have to do better if you want to hit me."

The teacher spoke before she fired off a few shots of her own that missed him. But unlike Noah, who was playing around and purposely not hitting his teacher, she was aiming to hurt and even kill.

Thankfully, these bullets were not life-threatening...for the most part. And due to the first aid on-site, anyone who was hit would likely not die.

For now, Noah aimed his gun to knock the teacher out of the fight by injuring her leg, but he could tell that something was wrong with the gun as soon as he pulled the trigger.

The gun felt stuck, and then the bullet exploded inside it, causing an explosion.

Noah had thrown it away in time to avoid serious injury, but the explosion still took him by surprise, and he felt pain on the right side of his face and body.

"Shit! The gun exploded! Someone, get the first-aid kit right now."

One of the teachers yelled as the students started to panic.

Noah could hear the loud noises around him, but his concentration was currently focused on containing his injury and making sure he did not overreact and do anything foolish because he was hurt.

"Student Noah, allow us to approach-"

Someone was getting closer, and Noah’s instincts were telling him he needed to kill the other person and save himself. He almost let his powers out and drained the other person dry when he felt arms holding him tightly and refusing to let go.

Noah knew he was physically strong, but the other person felt as though he were made of stone.

"Shhh, it’s alright. I know it hurts, but it will start feeling better soon. Here, relax now."

Alan’s presence was heavy against Noah’s senses. He instantly felt calmer as soon as he heard Alan’s voice.

The pain was still there, but Noah could finally start suppressing it.

"I am going to knock you out now. Do not fight my powers. It will help you feel better."

Alan told him, and Noah tried his hardest to nod and not tense up. He felt a soft sensation wash over him, and his eyes closed. He was knocked out before he knew it.

...

The second Noah’s gun exploded, the hall erupted into chaos. Both students and teachers were too stunned to do anything, and then a few students threw their guns away and started running.

"Everyone, calm down! This is an accident and-"

The teachers tried to calm the students down, but there was no success.

But what Daniel did not understand was why they were even trying to calm the students down when the one who needed help was right in front of them?

None of the teachers had even checked on Noah, the one who was injured and was still writhing in pain.

Ethan was the only one trying to get to him, but a teacher grabbed him and pulled him back.

"I need to get to him."

Daniel whispered as he tried to get through the horde of people pushing him back. He refused to be defeated by the crowd as he kept pushing forward. But it was hard.

"Someone needs to help Noah-"

He tried to speak, but instantly felt jealous when he noticed that someone else had reached Noah before him.

It would not have been so bad had it been anyone other than Alan...no, it would have been just as bad.

Seeing Noah in anyone else’s arms made Daniel’s blood boil, and he wanted to destroy something...anything he could get his hands on. But he knew that now was not the time to show any of that.

The main thing he needed to focus on was getting Noah to safety and having him checked out. And if Alan was the way to make that happen, then Daniel was willing to accept it.