Practice is for the best PV San closed

@Percival Gray
Being back at school was bittersweet and somehow still better than being at home. She wasn’t quite sure what was more intolerable, being dressed up and paraded around like a precious porcelain doll or being in constant mortal danger. Maybe this year will be different? Santario openly laughed at herself as she walked through the corridors to the duelling room. “Sure, and I am a pretty, pretty princess with a fairy godmother…” She muttered as she shifted her school bag on her shoulder and readjusted the other books carried in her arms. They had owls next year, and Santario was ensuring she would be well prepared.

Santario shouldered the door open, spotting Percival already there flourishing his wand. “I am surprised you beat me here, Percival.” Few could beat her to the duelling room, but she was probably carrying nine kilograms worth of books. Where he had left his robes was where she would set her books down and slide her bag off her shoulder before removing her own robes. Her hands searched through the pockets of her bag, quickly drawing out a green velvet scrunchie, and she started to plait her hair back. Once finished, San pushed up the sleeves of her light grey sweater before standing and smoothing her black pants. “I do not want you to hold back now. On the battleground, there are no friends or girlfriends.” Not when you were on opposite sides. She drew her cherrywood wand and hopped up onto the closest piste. “Whenever you are ready.” She said with a smile.

Soon enough, a familiar face walked through the door that brought upon the rarely seen smile "You should know me by now San. When it comes to arriving early you bet I'll be arriving first, especially for an important event like this" he remarked with another nonchalant flick of his wand, using one hand to reroll his sleeves a bit more.

"You have my word, San" he said with a brief nod of agreement "You may be my girlfriend, but I'm not going to go easy on you because of that fact. If you're going to get better, the training will have to be tough. I expect the same in return"Gray explained in a more serious tone as his wand hand let it hang loosely towards the floor "I'm ready when you are" he said back, indicating that the exhibition had begun. At first, Percival stared down at the girl he loved, trying to unnerve her and make her agitated about when he was going to strike.

Suddenly, the boy would flick his wand upwards and shout in a clear tone "Flipendo!" towards the girl in a swift and fast motion. For now, he just wanted to see if San was on the ball before he tried anything stronger.

[@Percival Gray, Y4, Human] 83.3% HP (750/900) STA: 9 | EVA: 10 | STR: 9 WIS: 7 | ARC: 7 | ACC: 11 Fearless Stat Rel - - ────── -4 Eva [2 Rounds] 150 dmg from Ventus Reducio Casts Flipendo Wisdom DC| 9 Wisdom Check| [d20: 13] + 7 = 20 > 9 → Success Accuracy Check| [d20: 12] + 11 = 23 Evasion Check| [d20: 13] + 7 = 20 23 > 20 → Hit Damage| 100 + 7 x 10 = 170dmg Effects| 170 dmg to Santario

[Santario Martin, Y4, Human] 83% HP (830/1000) STA: 10 | EVA: 7 | STR: 3 WIS: 11 | ARC: 10 | ACC: 15 Healing Sage Prodi Charms Impartial Fearless ────── - 170 dmg from Flipendo Reducio Casts Ventus Wisdom DC| 11 Wisdom Check| [d20: 18] + 11 = 29 > 11 → Success Accuracy Check| [d20: 2] + 15 = 17 Evasion Check| [d20: 1] + 10 = 11 17 > 11 → Hit Duration| Damage| 50 + 10 x 10 = 150dmg Effects| 150 dmg to Percival -4 Evasion 2 Rounds

A smirk played with the corners of her lips. “Good, because pulling punches is not my style.” Yes, this practice duel was for her, but in her mind, it was also for him. After everything they had been through over the past year, even as hazy as her memory was, she knew he needed to improve too. San became an ace at hitting things; a lot of practice with Alan had done that for her, even if he did take it a little easy on her training.

As he expressed his readiness, she offered him a resolute nod taking her normal stance and attempting to watch him for any trace of movement. This wasn’t as formal as a regular duel; they didn’t have a time limit. They would go until one or the other felt unable to continue without passing out, at least on purpose. The goal wasn’t to render each other unconscious, and San knew her limit, but sometimes spells came out more powerful than expected. Percival was strong enough to carry her, and she had the skill to bring him back to consciousness if necessary.

Tension built in the air as she waited, wanting him to make the first move as getting better at dodging was her priority, and it would show. As his wand started to move, she reacted immediately. “Ventus!” San sent a wind stream at him while attempting to dodge the blue brilliance of his knockback jinx. Yet, the girl would prove that evasion was what she needed to work on, sure she was sturdy and could take a good few hits, but the way Flipendo knocked the wind out of her lungs was not something she would ever get used to as it collided square on with her. She caught her breath and saw that she also managed to hit. “You have gotten better.” The fact that her wind jinx had hit him surprised her. She had popped off too quickly and was almost sure she wouldn’t have struck him, but by some pure stroke of luck, she did. “You sure I am not distracting you?” A light jibe, something she was not known for during duels, but it wouldn’t stop her for long. “Rictusempra.”

"I'll hold you to that!" he said with a smirk back to her, preparing to fire a spell straight into her body. He was happy San seemed to be enjoying herself, dueling after all was her ballgame. Which in turn was perfect, as it would prove to be a learning experience against such a strong opponent. Whether she knew it or not, Gray knew she was going to go far. With that, he flicked his wand and managed to hit San with a good flipendo. In return, he was met by a Ventus that sent him back a few steps in agony. Gray had a feeling it was going to be uphill from here on out.

"Thank you..." Gray breathed out with a smirk, before shaking his head lightheartedly at the fact she was distracting him "If it wasn't for those beautiful eyes staring at me things would be a whole lot easier!" Gray replied with a small chuckle, keeping the duel cool and relaxed for now "It's just a shame they'll be looking up to the roof once I've won!" Percival soon followed, adding a bit more confidence and bite back at the girl. Seeing a movement in her arm he did the same, and with a quick swish of his wand, he aimed the next spell right at her eyes.

"Obscuro!"