"Perfect , Chevalier . The rest takes this as an example." Montinguez nods appreciatively to the sixteen- year-old who puts satisfied the weapon aside. He has taken every target on the outside arrangement for the shooting training without difficulties but it doesn't surprise anyone.
In almost everything he does, Tibor is basically among the best and he became the favorite student of all trainers in a record time. Especially Montinguez doesn't hide from the others of the vintage that he prophesied a similar succesful future as the parents of the young Chevalier got.
"Would someone else like to try it ? " Nobody answers. Only a few students dare to compete with Tibor, except one . Unimpressed Giulia raises her hand, ignoring the whispe...rs behind.
"You actually want to try it? In any comparison you were inferior to Tibor." The mocking tone in Montinguez voice only makes her angrier. It's true that Tibor was always a bit better than her. But this time she wouldn't be beaten, not in the eyes of Montinguez, deputy director of the project. She has to convince him, she must show him that she is the best.
She breathes shallow, takes the pistol in her hand and begins to count the beats of her heart. In the sixth heartbeat she pulls the trigger without even batting an eyelid. Their comrades hold their breath when she hits the center of the target.
A smile appears on Moninguez face. "This should be interesting ." He ranges Tibor a second weapon and says:" . Whoever missed first lose. And now go on."
The two give shot to shot without even the slightest trace of nervousness or weakness. Both hit and ignore when their comrades discussed behind them and bets are made. Nobody grants Giulia a victory , mainly because of the fact that she meets without exception everyone in the project with the utmost arrogance and cold-heartedness . She never cares about popularity , for her, the only thing counts is to be the best.
Tibor hits the tenth target right in the middle, exactly where the heart of his victim would be. Giulia also wants to pull the trigger, but the twittering of a little bird attracts her attention. Missed .
Tibor smiles contentedly , almost all of their little duels end like this. But Giulia doesn't seem to care about it. "Look down, you idiot . " He approaches the target, only to stare stunned to Giulia, and then to Montinguez. The little sparrow which has distracted her from her real target lies dead below. "Who won now? ", they hear the others asking . They don't know what's going on.
With the bird on the hand the instructor turns to the troops. " Tibor and Giulia are both excellent shooters , but one of them manages without hesitation to direct the weapon at a living being. Would you do it if it was not a bird but a man, Giulia?" Montinguez looks at her, then he nods with satisfaction. Of course she would not hesitate , never.