Practice duels, round two.

The line progresses with each member of the team taking their turn on the range. Soon enough, it is your turn 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 step aside, making room for Harmony to take your place on the firing line, to watch her perform before joining the others that have already had their turn. Without receiving any instruction, she says a couple of words while quickly throwing a hand towards the target down range. The bright grayish-white bolt flies from her hand to strike the enchanted pile of stones and they topple to the ground.

"Nicely done." Misaki compliments before waving the next boy forward.

Harmony turns to look at you, a confident smile visible on her face. "Impressed yet?" She asks with a poise only she can muster.

"I thought I was the one that needed to impress you." You quip as the two of you head for the dueling courts.

"And don't forget it." She teases while you wait for the last of your team to have their turn on the range.

Misaki and the last participants soon 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."

"Would you like to be my partner?" You ask Harmony.

"Actually, I think I would prefer that." The edges of her lips threateningly close to a smile.

"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 did your project turn out?"

"Didn't I tell you last night? I completed it of course." Harmony says

"Yeah, you did say that. I was just curious how it went though." You admit.

"Well, it's difficult to explain but it worked rather well. With only one surprising outcome." She says playfully cryptic in her choice of words.

"Is everything ok?" You ask concerned.

Harmony finally looks at you, her eyes showing a brightness you had never seen in her before. "Yes. Why wouldn't it be?"

"I don't know. You seem..." You pause trying to find a word that won't offend her. "Different than usual."

"What do you mean?" Harmony asks.

"Well..." You begin to say, again at a loss for words on how to explain without possibly setting her off.

Before you can continue, Misaki interrupts the conversation. "Ok, you two are up."

The first pairs have already finished up their 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. Before taking the standard twenty paces from each other, Harmony adds. "Good luck." Again, her rare smile graces you.

Turning to face each other, you see Harmony standing at the ready. "Do you want to go first?" She asks you, instead of giving the command.

"Ladies first." You insist.

"Ok. But remember, be mindful of your timing." She warns before launching her first missile your way.

You watch as the grayish-white bolt makes its way to you, carefully judging its distance. Right as it is about to make contact, you raise your hand and repeat the incantation.

"Good." Harmony compliments. "Now, your turn." She prepares for your ****.

Taking a firm stance you focus your gaze on your beautiful teammate standing across from you. Her uniform skirt lightly fluttering in the gentle afternoon breeze. You say the words as you throw your hand forward and the magical bolt races to your partner. With expert timing, Harmony conjures her shield to block your attack. The yellow tint of the shield flashes against the gray of the missile in a brilliant display of light around the remarkable blond before they dissipate into the air with the crackle of arcane energy.

The two of you continue to trade blows like this for the next few minutes. Picking up the pace with every volley, the rough exterior of Harmony's expression softens until she is smiling brightly and clearly enjoying herself. She practically glides along the court in a dance switching between attack and defense. The colorful display of magical lights accentuates her graceful beauty.

Mesmerized by the sight before you, you hesitate a second too long and fail to successfully block her latest attack. The blast slams into your shoulder, spinning you around to tumble to the hard stone floor of the court, the impact jarring you as if being violently awakened from a peaceful dream.

Looking up as if through a fog, you see both Lee and Brice wince at the hit you have just taken. Your shoulder and chest ache but the duelist's barrier protects you from most of the damage and pain.

"Oh my god. Are you ok?" You hear Harmony's frantic voice over the sound of her steps on the cobblestones as she rushes to you.

"Yeah, I..." You falter in your words trying to clear your head as she helps you sit up. "Not sure what happened there."

Harmony is now kneeling at your side as you sit there collecting yourself. "You missed the timing." She explains with concern.

"Yeah but.." You try to respond.

"Very well done you two." Misaki interjects before tracing a casting rune in the air. "Nisto ruia." She says. The blue duelist barriers around the court, you, and Harmony flash and fade away. "Ms. Ashcroft, why don't you help your boyfriend up, we are going to call it a day for now."

"My boyfriend?! He is NOT my boyfriend." Harmony protests before turning to storm off the court, leaving you sitting there still dumbfounded by what just happened.

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.

"Alright team, listen up." 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 laugh.