Practice duels, round two.

The line progresses with each member of the team taking their turn on the range. Soon enough, it is you're up as you stand at the line of white stones waiting for Misaki's instructions.

"Focus on your target, prepare to throw, incant the words vola sagia, then let loose." Your captain instructs.

You give Misaki a quick nod before readying yourself, staring at the now-familiar stack of stones at the end of your lane. "Vola sagia." You repeat the words as you throw your arm forward. The bright flash of the missile leaves your hand and flies down the lane to crash into the target.

"Good. Good." Misaki says. "Next."

You turn to make your way over to your teammates who have already gone. Harmony is standing there impatiently looking at no one in particular. You debate approaching her to ask if everything is alright but doubt she would admit to anything being wrong. "Why can't the girl just open up a little bit?" You ask yourself. While you wait for the last of your team to have their turn on the range, you occasionally glance in her direction and it seems she is intentionally avoiding everyone around her.

Misaki and the last participant join the group and she calls for everyone's attention. "Ok. Now that everyone knows these two basic spells, it's time to put them into action. Like yesterday, we are going to pair up, perform the duelist's charm, then you will each take turns firing a missile for the other to attempt to shield."

The members of your team gather in twos, everyone eager to avoid pairing up with Harmony. You immediately look to Lee and Brice only to find they have already teamed up together.

"Sorry bro, she's all yours." Lee shrugs sympathetically.

"Hey, if anyone can take her, it's you." Brice tries to reassure your confidence.

You swallow hard as you approach Harmony, her face showing a level of displeasure that makes it clear why she is often referred to as the ice queen. "Looks like it's just you and I." You announce trying to keep the mood light.

"Hm. Very well." She answers without even looking at you.

"Everyone teamed up? Let's begin." Misaki says. "You two and you two." She indicates two of the pairs, including Lee and Brice.

"So..." You begin, trying to make small talk. "How's your project coming along?"

"I finished it last night of course. Not that it's any of your business." She snaps at you coldly.

"Is everything ok?" You ask concerned.

Harmony finally looks at you with a dead stare. "Yes. Why wouldn't it be?"

Despite her words coming out calmly, you just know something is bothering her. "Ok, if you say so." You pause raising your hands in surrender. "But you know, if you ever wanted to talk to someone..."

"I'm sure I could find someone better to talk to than you." She cuts you off sharply. "Look, let's just wait our turn and get this over with."

"Ok. Ok." You admit defeat.

The first pairs soon finish up taking turns launching missiles at one another. From what little you were able to catch, Brice was right, timing your shield is easier said than done. One of the boys missed enough blocks that his duelist barrier was broken before Misaki called for the switch. Lee and Brice, on the other hand, were trading blows rather evenly with both of them blocking many of the other's shots.

With it now your turn to face off against Harmony, the two of you enter the court. You grip each other's arm and recite the duelist's charm causing the blue spheres to surround you both followed by the magical barrier that lines your court. After taking the standard twenty paces from each other, you turn to face Harmony. "So do you..." She doesn't wait for you to finish before launching her first missile, catching you off guard. Try as you might, you fail to raise your shield in time, and the flash of light slams into your chest, knocking you to the ground. "Ok, I see how it's going to be." You say climbing to your feet. The second you are up again, Harmony sends another blast your way without giving you a chance to prepare yourself. Again, you fail to summon your shield in time, and the second missile slams into you, dropping you yet again.

Laying on the stone floor of the courtyard, you look over to see both Lee and Brice wince at the beating you are taking. Your chest aches but the duelist's barrier protects you from most of the damage and pain.

"Get up." Harmony commands you.

"Come on. At least give me a chance to get on my feet." You demand.

"Do you think your opponent will give you that chance in a real duel?" She quips back at you.

"This isn't a real duel, Harmony." You try to inform her.

"Isn't it?" She contests callously.

This time, you climb to your feet ready. Just as you guessed, as soon as you are up, she lets loose another attack. Swiftly you raise your hand and manage to block the attack and immediately follow it up with your own. As the flash of light flies for the angry girl, she deftly stops it with her own shield. Without a wasted second, Harmony already has her other hand casting her fourth attack.

Having already blocked her previous spell, you feel confident in your timing and materialize your defense right as the missile reaches you. The shield flashes bright as the projectile crashes into it and you are quick to prepare your follow-up. However, before you can cast it, another missile slams into your shoulder, forcing you to the ground a third time.

"Ok. That's enough Ms. Ashcroft." Misaki announce. "The point was to allow each other a chance to practice your defenses."

Harmony lowers her hands and turns to face the team captain. "Oh, I gave him a chance!" She insists pointedly.

Misaki traces a casting rune in the air. "Nisto ruia." She says and the blue duelist barriers around the court and both you and Harmony flash before fading away. "I think you are missing the point." Misaki argues. "Over here." She points to the side of the court, away from the rest of the group, where the two girls start a private discussion.

Lee rushes over to you to offer a hand. "Damn bro. You ok?"

"Yeah. I'll be ok. Not sure I can say the same for my pride." You laugh taking his hand.

Looking over at Misaki and Harmony, you can see the two of them in a heated debate despite not being able to make out what they are saying. A minute later Misaki points to a path leading away from the courtyard and Harmony storms off.

"Alright team, I think this is a good place to call it for the day." Misaki tells your group as she approaches. "We will take tomorrow off and meet up here after class the following day. In the meantime, I encourage you all to practice these basics with each other. Just don't get carried away." That last bit comes almost as a growl.