Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Chapter 623 Deep Breath

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Andrew wielded the bow, letting the solidity of the instrument convey his purpose.

A mixture of responsibility and excitement bubbled up inside him now having a microphone. His gaze settled on the first target, so close and yet so far away.

A discreet ear microphone provided an uninterrupted connection with the audience, even as he prepared for the crucial moment.

"Dear friends, let's start with the basics. Shooting with a bow requires precision, determination and constant attention to the goal you're aiming for - in other words, focus. The first part is visualization, because this imbues the arrow with potential. If you can't imagine the arrow hitting, it definitely won't hit. The aim, the technique, the thoughts, all culminate in steps that bring us closer to what we want to achieve."

With a slight adjustment, the angle of the bow harmonized with the target, with the tension of the string pulsing through his fingers and the contained energy flowing like a restless river.

"Evaluating the angle and visualizing the arrow's trajectory is like tracing the path in a race. Sometimes the path is intricate and, I bet track and field athletes will agree with me, it's often not even possible to see beyond the track, but that's the main thing. Setting our sights on the result and our minds makes us overcome any obstacle that comes our way."

A slow exhalation came from his lungs, calm seeping into every fiber of his being. The sound of his own heart beating echoed in his ears, a cadence of determination. His once trembling hands now rested firmly, as if they had long been destined for this moment.

"The moment to release the arrow is when an archer decides to advance. It's when calculation and preparation merge into a single gesture. The bow bends, the arrow is released."

A deep breath expanded his lungs, filling him with the energy of the moment. His eyes fixed on the center of the target, and then he released the first arrow upwards, watching it cut through the air like a comet. Silence stretched through the air for an instant that seemed to last an eternity, as all eyes followed the arrow's trajectory.

The arrow plunged towards the target, hitting it with an impact that seemed to resonate throughout the arena. The sound of the arrow hitting the target was accompanied by an avalanche of sounds and shouts of support from the audience.

"Success is not just about hitting the target, but about the journey that gets you there." Andrew continued, his voice echoing with fervor. "The arrow may deviate a little in its flight, but with practice and dedication, we can correct its trajectory and bring it back to the center."

He raised his bow again, preparing for another shot, each movement calculated and precise. "Now, you might be asking yourself something like: 'But how do professional and non-professional archers manage to calculate arrow trajectories so well?' And I'll happily answer that question."

Andrew took another arrow from his quiver and placed it in the bow.

"Calculating arrow trajectories is a combination of intuition and refined technique." Andrew explained enthusiastically, while the crowd kept their eyes fixed on him. "First, it's important to understand the forces involved: gravity, air resistance and the speed of the arrow. Each of these elements influences the flight of the arrow in a unique way."

He closed one eye and directed his gaze at the target.

"In a challenge like this, the angle of elevation is crucial. If you look too far forward, the arrow will miss the target, if you aim too high the arrow will lose speed and energy, becoming more susceptible to being disturbed by other forces and missing the target. If you aim too low, you won't hit the target." While showing how it was done, Andrew joked, pointing the arrow at the semi-transparent screen that was in their way, which drew a laugh from the crowd. "To find your balance you have to constantly adjust, and at some point you'll feel confident enough to release the arrow."

The muscles in his arm flexed as Andrew pulled on the bowstring, the tension increasing with every centimeter.

"Now, releasing the rope is the real fight between precision and fluidity. It's not just releasing the rope, it's sensing the exact moment when the accumulated energy should be released. It's a compromise between control and trusting instinct."

At that moment, the microphone picked up the sound of the arrow being released, a soft and powerful sound that echoed throughout the space. The arrow flew towards the second target, cutting through the air with incomparable grace. The audience held their breath as they followed the arrow's trajectory with glazed eyes. The arrow found its target, very close to the center, and a roar of approval exploded in the arena.

"As in life, focus is crucial," he continued, now preparing for his third shot. "As we align our goals and remain attentive to our target, our actions take shape with a clear purpose. If you stop to think about it, it's all quite simple..."

He pulled on the rope again, the familiar feeling of tension becoming a reminder of the next message he wanted. However, when he released the arrow this time, it missed the third.

"As I said, focus is important." Andrew said, once again making everyone laugh. "To calm the mind, there are many techniques, psychological, biological and even personal, such as having an object, an amulet, a point to look at, but the main and most powerful way is definitely to use breathing. It's simple, you just need to become aware of it, inhale and exhale deeply and in a controlled manner. This helps to calm the mind, center the thoughts and improve the connection between body and mind."

As he spoke, Andrew noticed that the crowd was completely involved in his words, absorbing every tip and technique he shared. He knew that teaching wasn't just about passing on information, but also about inspiring others to discover their own potential, so he inevitably smiled.