Meet up with the dueling team.

After your late night, you struggle to wake up in the morning. Sleeping in until almost noon, you finally drag yourself out of bed. Pharos stares at you from where he is perched atop the chest at the foot of your bed. He periodically dips his head towards the chest, indicating he wants what's inside.

"Yeah, I know boy. You should have been fed already." You apologize as you approach and Pharos jumps to his perch clearing the way for you while letting out a squawk.

Opening the chest you remove some bits of dried food from the bag and lay it out on the desk for your familiar. "Here you go." You tell him as you take a seat. Watching as he moves in front of you to peck at his meal, you consider how much time you have before the meeting in Delmorgan Park with the other dueling hopefuls. Having missed breakfast, you decide lunch is a priority and quickly get yourself ready for the day.

You quickly clean yourself up and put on a fresh uniform, including your new House Phoenix jersey. Taking out another handful of the dried feed, you dump it on top of the wardrobe. "Don't eat it all at once now. I'm leaving this here for you in case my day drags on longer than expected." Pharos flaps his wings at you then nods his head as if to say he understands. "Good boy." You tell him while stroking a finger along the top of his head. "When I get back, I promise I'll take you out to fly around some. You're probably feeling a bit cramped up in this room huh?" Pharos once again flaps his wings and gives you another squawk. "I'll try to be quick." You tell him as you exit your room.

Upon entering the house dining hall, you notice they have only started today's lunch service. The smell of hot beef emanates from the kitchen as you wait your turn in line. Looking around the room, you don't see anyone you recognize. "Probably for the best. A conversation would only hold me up even more." You think to yourself.

Soon enough it's your turn and the short man in the kitchen takes your order, informing you it will only take a minute. You find an empty table to wait and consider your performance the other day at dueling tryouts. Brice almost had you in your duel. How is that sleep charm of his so powerful? There has to be a better defense to such things than the ones Arcanist Hellgrave spoke about in his book. You seriously doubt the rules of the dueling tournament would allow the use of an artifact but his sphere of reflection did sound promising. Who would be familiar with such a spell? The words seemed simple enough: circumdantibus reditus. The rune, on the other hand, looked rather complex and the one diagram shown in the book wasn't the clearest on where to start or the proper steps in tracing it. Messing up a spell like that could lead to disaster for a beginner you assume.

A plate containing a hot beef sandwich with a side of mashed potatoes is placed in front of you, interrupting your train of thought. "Bon appetit." The slim server says then hurries off back to the kitchen.

"Maybe one of my professors knows more about the sphere. Or could at least point me to someone who does." You think taking a mouthful of the warm sandwich. None of your classes seem particularly focused on magical defense so it's hard to decide who would be best to ask. Perhaps Professor Dove would know, the book did come from her private library. Or it might be best to stick to one of the book's more basic spell defenses for now.

As you ponder the options, you are once again interrupted by someone approaching you. "Hey there." A familiar voice says.

Looking up from your plate, you see Ophelia. Elegant as ever, her uniform hugs her luscious body and she greets you with a smile. "Oh, hey Ophelia." You smile back at her.

"Again, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for bailing on our plans the other night but I promise to make it up to you." She says warmly.

"Don't worry about it." You reassure her. "You're a busy girl. How are your plans coming along anyway?"

Ophelia takes a seat next to you as she answers. "I think I have most of it worked out. Only a few minor details left. There should be flyers posted around the school before the end of the weekend but it should be held two weeks from now. So start thinking of a special lady to ask." She says with a smirk.

"I take it you are already taken then?" You joke.

"I will be far too busy during the festivities." She laughs followed by a smile. "But I might be able to squeeze a dance in for one lucky guy."

"I might be able to fit in one dance myself." You smirk back at the third year.

Ophelia playfully mocks being insulted with a gasp while gently slapping your arm. "If I can find the time, you better as well." Her smile threatening to entrance you. "Well, I better get going. I have some work to finish up but feel free to drop by my office later. If you can fit it into your busy schedule." She teases before standing to leave.

"I'm supposed to meet the dueling team in the park after lunch. I don't know how long that will take or what we are even doing today but I'll stop by sometime this weekend." You assure her.

"Sounds fun. Tell Misaki I said hi." Ophelia says before heading for the exit.