Tea afterwards, hm? Not the worst choice for an icebreaker, at least compared to arena battling. If Mercedes is offering, Sonya hopes the girl avoids picking anything too sweet. Though the setpiece was already beginning to sweeten up with her partner's kind commentary. They were words that don't fit a battle, but in all fairness the two appear to have a history together. The purple mage would likely get a little chatty if she was facing down a former friend too.
She may have missed the first time, but the staff user does not disappoint during her own initiation. Her opponent smiles after the magic connects, but Sonya is quick to wash that look away with another gust. She respects another magical woman's looks, but if anyone is going to be the last one smiling, it's herself. Can't trip up in front of a pupil that was looking up to her.
Any thoughts of a witty smirk and remark are removed by the swordmaster's sure strike. He certainly had a swift appearance, but Sonya expected to have one moment to react. No blood spills from the wound - hopefully the man wasn't thinking of going easy on her - but it still stings hard. His ally takes the opportunity to perform a follow-up, as she is easy pickings while recoiling back. It doesn't take a genius to know she's being targetted by both of them. She did jump out first and took the front of this battle, after all.
It only means that she had to prove her worth, like so many other scuffles in the past.
"Glad you got the note," Sonya replies to her aggressor as she flips a single page from her tome to retaliate the best she could on such a short notice. But there was more where that came from. "Sorry it isn't the most creative of tactics. But you want one that is? Here!"
Sonya 2/7HP hits Ethlyn 2.5/8.5HP with Anima [Roll: 7; -1.5; Ethlyn 1/8.5HP]
Sonya uses Sol! Heals 1.5HP. Sonya 3.5/7HP
Ethlyn 1/8.5HP hits Sonya 3.5/7HP with Assault [Roll: 11; -1.5; Sonya 2/7HP]
She keeps her book held in her left hand, still being the primary medium for the next cast - only fair in this tournament setting. However, she adds additional power from her soul, nothing life-draining, but rather life-stealing. The spell takes form as a gloomy, purple gale; almost mistakable for a thunderstorm. Sonya aims downwards toward the pink one's knees, a dirty strategy that only partially works. The enemy doesn't fall down entirely, but it is clear that she somewhat trips up as she counters with her staff.
The slight refresh from her draining cast is cancelled out, but the play is successful nonetheless. The wind mage lowly hops back to a safer distance, keeping her eyes on the sword user. No doubt he's preparing to tear into her poor, innocent body once more, but the healer is almost down...
"Go for Miss Claus' eyes while she's staggered. You can apologize to her later," she whispers to her adjacent ally without turning her back, keeping her attention to the foes. She recalls the male host mentioning Mercedes was worried she'd hold her back. As long as she could follow a leading lady, that shouldn't be a concern.