Brice (Lightning)

Step after step, you count the twenty paces. Only a second passes but it feels like minutes are ticking by. You consider what to. What to lead off with. Should you immediately try to attack? Should you try to avoid Brice's first attack then move to strike. He was a second-year student, just like you, but he attended the academy last year as well. He probably knew more spells than you. He has probably seen more duels than you have too.

"Begin!" Misaki calls and you are out of time to think. Out of time to panic too. You have to act.

You spin on your heels and, without thinking, channel the lightning through your body. Like with the practice target, your arm snaps up pointing directly at Brice and the pure white of your lightning tears across the court with a thunderous crack. Brice hardly has time to stop his casting in an attempt to react as the bolt slams into his chest, sending him flying back. His body slams into the magical barrier lining the court causing the blue walls to ripple from the impact and audible gasps of shock come from your fellow House Phoenix members watching the duel.

Alarmed at what you just did, you stand there for a moment staring at Brice's limp body leaning against the barrier as a thin trail of smoke drifts from his now scorched chest. Did you win? Did you hurt your friend? Slowly, Brice stirs and rises to his knees. How could anyone take a hit like that? Wait, the barriers didn't flash and disappear signaling the end of the fight did they? Before you can think to throw another blast at your opponent, Brice looks up at you and you notice his eyes are glowing red. His gaze pierces yours and your head grows faint as the world around you begins to spins.

Barely aware of your surroundings, under the weight of your eyelids, you stumble around fighting to stay on your feet. Consciousness feels like a slippery notion and you yearn to just let go. Through your blurry vision, you watch as Brice rises to his feet and takes short painful steps, closer and closer to you. Yet you feel confused. It's nice that your friend is coming to help you. Maybe he will make sure you make it back to House Phoenix so you can lay down in your bed for some much-needed sleep. Maybe no one would mind if you just laid down and took a nap here in the park.

"What are you doing?" A faint voice calls to you from nowhere. "Snap out of it!" Its cold tone scolding you. "You can't lose to someone like this!"

Lose? What's going on? Snap out... Lucidity returns to your mind in a rush and the sight of the dueling court brings you back to reality. You remember that you are at the team tryouts. That you are in the middle of a duel. You blink your eyes and your vision begins to clear. Brice is a mear few steps away from you and panic begins to set in. You stumble a few steps in no particular direction as your balance has yet to return and Brice takes his last few pained steps towards you.

Instantly, you channel energy through your arm and stand up straight while swiping upward. Claws of lightning tear into Brice from waist to shoulder and he trips backward reeling. As his body hits the floor, a flash of blue all around you signifies the end of the match.

You look around still not fully sure of what exactly happened. Brice is already sitting up and examining his chest that displays no wounds. He looks up at you, his eye wide. "I honestly thought I had you for a moment." He tells you and you extend a hand to help him to his feet.

"I thought you did too." You admit. "I completely forgot what was going on there for a minute. What was that?"

"A sleep charm." He informs. "After that blast to the chest, I thought my only chance would be to incapacitate you. How did you..."

"Nicely done. Both of you." Misaki interrupts, the busty Asian full of enthusiasm. "A lot of talent to work with here. Ok everyone, gather around." You look around to see the other match has ended too with no indication of the victor. "You all did well today, especially for your first time dueling. I think the other houses could have a lot to fear from phoenix this year but we still have a lot of work to do." Peeking around at the faces of your fellow House Phoenix members, you notice Harmony glancing at you with a smile. When she notices you though, her attention returns to Misaki. "Tonight I will be comparing notes with Professor Schwartz to discuss the teams. Tomorrow is our first day off from classes and we will be meeting here again, after lunch, to discuss some more basics. So please don't be late." Misaki finishes her speech and dismisses you all.

You, Lee, and Brice gather to discuss tryouts. "Wow, guys." Lee says. "That was more fun than I thought it would be. What a rush."

"Yeah, I wasn't sure I would like it but I did." Brice admits. "Even though I lost, I want a chance for a rematch. You really pushed me." He tells you.

"I don't know if I'm up for a rematch. That charm was almost too much for me. Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead." You joke.

Brice laughs but a second later his face turns to a confused look. "Yeah, how..."

"Not bad." Brice is once again interrupted, this time by Harmony. "Although, you should never give your opponent the chance to get back up." She scolds you but you ignore her cold tone.

"You were pretty good yourself. You didn't give that poor kid a chance." Your praise causing her stern look to soften with a slight smile.

"We'll just go on ahead." Lee announces grinning. "Come on Brice, let's go get some dinner." He places his arm over Brice's shoulders and leads him off.

You and Harmony watch for a moment as the two boys walk away. "So... About what I said earlier." You begin and Harmony's attention returns to you, one eyebrow raised in anticipation. "Maybe I shouldn't have teased you about the date thing. I knew what you meant when you said it."

"I suppose I can forgive you this time." She says with a smirk. "If we are going to be teammates, it's the proper thing to do."

The two of you begin walking in the direction of House Phoenix. "As my teammate, are you still willing to tutor me on illusions?" You inquire.

"Are you sure I'm the one you want tutoring you? As it turns out, your friend with the stone golem is skilled on the subject." Harmony inquiries almost joking.

"Yeah, Lee is good but he hasn't already taken the class." You smile back at her.

The two of you walk all the way back to House Phoenix chatting about the dueling tryouts and your mutual hopes of joining the competition league. Despite maintaining her impossibly proper demeanor, Harmony's cold exterior once again seems to fade away. You hope it doesn't come back overnight, like last time.