Chapter 383 - Parallax - Smash? (1/2)

After I said Parallax, the four were still staring at me blankly or with a smile saying that they didn't understand anything.

”O-Ok… Parallax… what is it?” Olivia asked, fidgeting.

”I told you guys we should do it in the actual class, heh. Well, let's just say that you four got a little~ heads-up compared to everybody that will be joining in the future. To put it simply, it is a phenomenon when the target and the reticle are on the different planes within the scope. You'll notice it if we start looking at targets at long range and the reticle starts to move away from the target you're aiming at.”

”Then what do we need to do?” Chris asked.

”Well, we'll need to make some adjustments so it wouldn't happen. I guess we'll be doing two more things instead of one to be completely done. Well, it depends if you want to go through with the second adjustment.” I replied.

”Y-Yes… I mean… how?” Chris almost hit his head on the table from not asking specifically.

”Hey! You said we need to do one final thing! Why did it suddenly become two?!” Olivia pouted.

”Heh, gotcha didn't I?!” I chuckled.

”...” everyone else.

”What we need to do first is adjust the reticle for our eyes specifically. Remember what the Ocular Bell is?” I started.

”It's the one at the back!” Olivia exclaimed.

”Hah! Five points for Hufflepuff! Hahaha, you don't need to shout but I like the enthusiasm.” I said then Olivia blushed from embarrassment.

”I got excited! What do you want me to do?!” her embarrassment was shortlived as she started shouting lively.

”Anyway, listen up. There's a locking ring after it and what I want you all to do is to turn it all the way to the other side. After that, get behind your rifle again and look at the reticle.” I instructed them as I made their rifles face the white wall.

”Okay, then what?” Rin asked.

”Close your eyes again and turn the ocular bell twice and look at the reticle again. If it is, turn it a couple more times until it doesn't get clearer. What I need you to do after that is to turn it back on the clearest one and instead of turning it a couple of times, do minute adjustments until it's crisp. Once it is, that means you've adjusted the reticle for your eyes specifically.” I explained and they started doing what I said.

”Okay, I think I'm good. What's the last one?” Cynthia asked.

”Well the last one is pretty easy, it's adjusting the knob on the left side of your scopes. It's the adjustment for the parallax and you could mess with it in the future on targets from varying distances. It's the same thing with the first thing I told you to do but this time, set it to infinity first. Keep adjusting it until the reticle is clear and the reticle doesn't move off target even if you move your eye around a bit while looking through the scope. It's just an easy way to adjust it but once you practice with it a lot, you'll know how much to turn the knob without putting it into infinity first.” I concluded.

”So, we're ready to shoot with it now?” Olivia asked.

”Technically, yes.” I replied.

”What?! There's more?!” Olivia was starting to get overwhelmed.

”You could shoot it right now but learning to shoot far is more than just configuring your rifle for yourself. Like our normal classes, we need to learn the fundamentals, understand what is MOA and Mils, study shooting positions, sighting the rifle, wind estimation and compensation, shooting angles, and so much more. There's a lot to learn but if you're really willing to, these things would just pass by like a breeze and you'll just find yourself shooting 800 yards like it's nothing.” I explained then the look on their faces told me that they had enough for today.

”Heh, if you're looking like that, let's continue cleaning the guns and help Kaley and Tatiana. Remember, it's complicated but it's not that hard. We don't know, you might be able to hit farther than what I did before.” I chuckled as I sat down next to Kaley. I put my gloves on and I continued cleaning the gun I left on the table.

”Could we really do that?” Chris asked.

”You won't know if you'll stop in the beginning, right? I'm gonna be honest and it would take time to reach my level but we wouldn't be always shooting targets that far. However, if we needed to, we would be able to. Shooting at the range of 800-1200 meters is already f.u.c.k.i.n.g good so set that as your goal in the meantime.” I replied.

The four were looking at me solemnly but it soon turned into a faint smile. They took their seats and they started from where they've left off after tidying up the rifles they configured.

”I want them all to get good but my best bet is on Rin. She's finicky like me and that helped me a lot in my experience. Hmm, Olivia might take from Kaley and Matthew too, we'll never know.” I thought to myself.

Time passed quickly and my armory got even crowded when Jared and Lois returned from clearing PNHS. Lois came in looking for Olivia while Jared came with Alex.

”Bro, what's with the rifles here? Oh! You've already taught them how to configure it eh? I guess I'll drop by on your class to flex a bit. Alex, want to try long shooting? It's kinda boring at first but the moment you hit far targets, it's f.u.c.k.i.n.g awesome.” Jared looked back at Alex.

”Sure, where do I need to start? Dad wanted me to use his shotgun but I want to use a rifle as well.” Alex replied and I even high-fived her.

”Good, I like you already. Dude, let her use your old M70.” I said to Jared.

”Oh, it's in my house. Let me get it for a sec. Wait here, I won't be long.” Jared said as he sprinted downstairs.

The moment Jared ran down, the girls started teasing Alex.

”It all worked out in the end, huh?” Kaley chuckled.