SSS Ranked Taboo Student-Chapter 237: Do you want to see it now?

Strazh Academy was a Russian-based school rather focused on combat specialists.

In English, its name was translated to Sentinels Academy.

The chopper landed and they all alighted.

Welcoming them was a tall two-story corporate building.

(Urban Line Private Firearm Centre.)

There was no other building in the surrounding area 1 km away.

While on the chopper, Aiden had also spotted the huge outdoor shooting range behind the building.

’I’m here to get a gun licence?’ Max thought in disbelief. Excited by the thought.

Under the lead of the instructor, they all walked into the building.

The interior was simple and clean. Bright LED panels lined the ceiling, casting a white glow across polished concrete floors.

The reception area consisted of a long counter of reinforced glass where firearms could be checked in and out.

Behind it, racks of neatly arranged pistols, earmuffs, goggles, and protective vests were on display through locked transparent cabinets.

The building looked empty.

Other than the mysterious man with shades on by the reception counter, Max noted it was only the Elite group and Strazh, aka Sentinels, present.

’Truly sounds like a secret training base for something the whole world government is trying to hide from the public view.’

The Sentinels had gone ahead, shoving through the tinted glass doors. Distant voices could be heard conversing in Russian language amidst laughter.

Though the instructor still had a carefree look, Max noticed the soiled look on the Elites’ faces.

Just as he felt puzzled, he soon got to know why.

"Okay. John, Kieran, Ash, and Leo. You boys know what is coming for you, right?"

"You lost against them last time, so make sure not to lose this time."

"Head to the outdoor range."

Then winking at the girls, the instructor flashed a smile.

"You girls can sit and watch the show."

The four boys shoved through the tinted glass doors without a word. The girls exchanged glances and then followed.

Max was left alone, facing the carefree instructor’s gaze.

"Oh well. You can call me Mr. Arlo, by the way." He suddenly said, patting Max by the shoulder as he turned to the shaded man behind the counter. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"We have a new addition. He’s going to need a gun and shooting after this."

The man behind the counter didn’t say a word and barely nodded while adjusting his pair of dark shades.

"Cool."

"Let’s go." He said to Max.

They shoved through the tinted glass doors and appeared on a long stretch corridor with a door at the other end.

There were two doors stationed on each side of the corridor.

Mr. Arlo led Max through the first one on the right. And when he stepped in, Max was left speechlessly mesmerized by the sight.

A neatly stacked weapon vault separated in sections.

’Handguns, Revolvers, Shotguns, Rifles, Tactical, SMGs.’

Max read each label in daze.

He saw it.

Glocks, Colt Python, Mossberg 500, MP5s.

The weapons here were enough to equip 5 fully functional squads or elite units.

"Tell me. Seeing all this, which gun do you feel the most excitement towards?" the instructor suddenly asked, his arms folded as he stood by the side.

’Should I say everything?’

Although he was tempted, Max pointed at a black, sleek, fashionable shotgun displayed neatly on the shelf.

"Oh. Just what we needed." The instructor commented, seemingly impressed with Aiden’s choice. Not expecting him to still point his hand.

"And that." Aiden pointed at the sleek Desert Eagle with white grip.

"I see. Long and quick short-range then."

"Have you handled any of both before?" the instructor asked.

’Sure. If in game counts.’

But Max knew better than to say this.

He simply shook his head, making a negative nod.

"I thought so."

"Grab the Desert Eagle and follow me."

Max did as he was told, grabbing a firearm for the first time.

They exited the door and entered the one directly opposite.

Just as he was about to wonder, he couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.

The space was actually an indoor shooting range divided into fifteen individual lanes.

Mechanical target tracks hummed softly as they slid back and forth with cardboard silhouettes.

Boxes of ammunition were kept near the shooter stand. Be it SMG or shotgun ammo.

"You can practice here for today. Once you’ve exhausted the cardboard sheet, replace it and leave it there. I’ll review your skills after this. Remove that safety though."

With that said, Max felt the instructor’s hard grip on his shoulder before dashing through the door.

’What the fuck? He doesn’t seem willing to take his time but wants to watch the other guys’ challenge.’

Shaking his head with a wry smile, Max placed the gun on the counter and put on earmuffs.

If anything, all his senses had gone through a bit of adjustment. Leaving his ears exposed for a long time while he practiced wasn’t going to be a good experience.

"Let’s see how this works."

Unleashing his curiosity, Max removed the safety and pressed the trigger.

Bang!

A deafening, sharp boom erupted, stunning Max.

Max held his breath and stared in daze at the gun.

His grip had been slightly loose, so the recoil took him by surprise. He completely missed the shot.

’What was I even thinking?’

Max tightened his grip and shot again.

This time the recoil muffled under his true strength, his grip firm.

But he still missed the shot due to his split focus.

Max kept trying a few times, managing to finally hit the cardboard sheet.

"Yes."

Seconds later, he was just slipping in new ammunition into the depleted gun magazine when the sound of the door forced him to glance towards it.

There Briar stood with an awkward smile, gazing at him.

"Hi. Am I interrupting?" She said, fidgeting her fingers before walking closer.

Max dropped the magazine and also turned to face her.

"Not really." Max responded composedly as he cleaned his sweaty fingers.

"Okay." Briar kept approaching till she was just two steps away from him.

They both stood in silence for a second before Max decided to break the ice or she at least changed her mind.

"Do you want to see it now?"