Boar Dev #1

Andras would inevitably take Lukas to the wilderness, though it wasn't for a pleasant stroll! After their expedition into the temple itself, Andras required some finalization on ironing out the kinks and details of his fighting abilities. He's climbed the ranks within the Order, reaching a rank that was not accessible to just anyone. He had dedicated himself to pursuing justice, but even upon reaching a milestone, he could not falter. As others around him refined their skills, he had steadily come to realize that he was lacking in those regards. He had a solid grasp upon his skills, but he wasn't pushing himself as hard as he could have.

 It was for this very reason that he had begun to seek out inspiration, after hearing the advice from his seniors. While some Magi were content with the prospect of simply making something up on the fly, Andras required a 'trigger' of sorts to act upon. It was for this reason that he sought the wilderness to give such inspiration, his eyes scouring the surrounding area with intensity. They duo shuffled quietly through the forest canopy, sunlight occasionally spilling through the foliage as he delves into a crouch. He's taken note of fish and bears in the distance, the occasional birds of prey swooping through the air. Deer and the like prance through the forestry, their innate senses doing well to steer clear of the armor-clad warrior.

"The purpose of me bringing you out here is to acquire some inspiration for myself. I've had plenty of ideas on what I need to work on, but I feel as if I need to change my very foundation of fighting. The way I fight now is too straight-forward, and it's easily seen through by those who maintain the same level of skill that I do."

 It was a problem he realized when he had fought Stein, struggling to overcome the gap in their abilities. Stein had taken on an advanced understanding of his magic, and while he had ultimately lost his arm to Andras, it was too close for comfort! If Andras remained lax, he could end up in similar straits, which had pushed him to seek out something to give him that 'push'... He looks to Lukas for their input, the duo remaining within thick underbrush in order to not disturb their natural surroundings.
(Andras)

Andras and Lukas talked about something dealing with training once before, some months back. Then the two got busy and it was placed on the back burner, until now. The Knight was far too on edge considering recent events with Moonfall to want to go on a peaceful walk throughout the forest with someone he held dear. They concluded it'd deal with training though they weren't too sure so, they made sure to come prepared, cloak over their shoulders, staff idly holstered on their back.

They assumed it'd be a spar but, Andras moved far too quickly. Their eyes drifted around the forest, eyeing the various, more keen animals that sensed danger from the armored Knight and his companion. They stopped and looked around, perhaps their forest colored locks gave them more stealth than Andras in his bright armor. They pinched their chin as their lips parted.

"Ah-" Oh, quiet. They lowered their voice. "Ah.. Inspiration? Are we going to..." Looking around, they saw nothing but trees and animals. Andras wouldn't fight like a tree, far too stiff for his more beast like fighting- It clicked. "Are we watching animals then? What animal could you possibly watch?" They looked around once more, last time they checked, bulls didn't frequent the forests surrounding Orsona.
(Lukas)

Andras remains silent for a long moment, gently gesturing for Lukas to cease speaking as rustling nearby could be heard. His finely tuned senses were at an all-time peak, immersing himself in the forestry. Much like a hunter, he felt it impertinent to place himself into a similar mental state as one would a predator of sorts. Naturally, it was difficult to be too stealthy, but the creature in which he wished to observe wasn't exactly worried about being attacked. Sure enough, squealing could be heard as a rather large boar could be seen crashing through the underbrush, accompanied with a slightly smaller one. Two males were fighting one another for dominance, trampling the soft terrain as dirt splattered about. An entirely messy affair, but Andras' eyes remained locked upon them with gently widening eyes.

 He took note of how the boars themselves attacked, deceptively straight-forward in their attack patterns. They duo attempted to skewer one another by charging in,yet were able to flexibly contort their direction at the last second. These minute changes would provide great difficulty in being predicted, leaving him to contemplate on how he could utilize this for himself. His attacks were always broadcasted, but with added agility being placed into his powerful strikes, he could possibly manage the same effect.

 Blood splatters from the hide of the smaller male as the large one slips its large tusk across its bristly fur. Even glancing blows held the capacity to earn a solid strike, leaving him to lean in slightly as he observes the duo. Naturally, he had removed a pencil and paper, frantically dictating notes in revelation to this development.

"They seem to attack in a predictable manner, but even the smallest shifts in their heads can change the direction and pathway of the tusks entirely. They're deceptively elusive in nature, and I can learn a lot from their attack patterns. My spear isn't much different, but it's also heavy. I applied a lot of work to my body in order to manage it, but with enough training I'll be able to do last minute calculations of my own." He murmurs, the realization hitting home as he partially reels from the simplicity of the situation.

 To fight like a boar, was to use his spear as an extension of himself. To imagine it simply being a hyper-lethal tusk of his own to utilize, and to plunge through the hides of his enemies! He shoots upward as he releases a happy bellow, acquiring one of those rare 'eureka' moments that leave the boars startled. They shift to him as they paw at the ground, and he blinks for a moment. As they began rushing toward him, his hand would plant downward upon the ground, a swarm of crystalline spikes rupturing from the terrain. Naturally, it's ward them off as they pricked themselves upon it, leaving for him to quickly dart off alongside Lukas.

"O-oh! Let's go!"
(Andras)

Lukas sat silently as their shushed with a mere gesture. Something must've been close, but what? Andras heard it coming but Lukas didn't rather, they started to feel a surge of weaker mana, two, jostling over closer and closer to the duo. They jumped a bit as two boars came rushing in and seemed to be fighting. Andras didn't move an inch. This must've been why they came.

They glanced at him, he seemed far too deep in thought, his emerald eyes appearing far more calculating than usual as he fixated upon the two fighting animals. Lukas on the other hand, didn't see what was special about them. Animals fought all the time, maybe more than humans did. All over petty things, like territory and mates... They blinked, perhaps no real difference existed between both species in that regard.

Their legs gently shifted up to their chest as they sat and watched the spar go on. Unlike Andras, they didn't note anything special about their movements at all however, as he started penning down some things, they glanced over at his notes and understood a bit better.. Then his muttering connected it all.

Then the boars looked over at them. They blinked before scrambling to their feet and falling Andras. Of course they could've fought off too measly boar.

(Lukas)

** You spot
 Lukas nearby! [Click to pursue] **
** You are attempting to pursue Lukas...! **

** You roll a Pursue score of 2995 against Lukas! **

** Lukas has rolled a Flee score of 2895! **

You have rolled higher than Lukas; you will catch up to them! You will find them 8 tiles to the south.

You pick up Firefly.

Andras would make some distance with Lukas as they made their way from the boars themselves, acquiring some modicum of privacy within the forestry. He releases a gentle exhalation as they come across a clearing, evidently eager judging by the expression upon his face. He had felt as if he had made a break-through, but he needed to see for himself whether the underlying aspects of nature would provide the answers he sought. His spear is unnotched from his back as he positions it before him, leveling it toward Lukas as he looks upon them expectantly. "Let's go a few rounds, Lulu. I want to see if my theory is correct!" He exclaims, though he doesn't go into detail as to what this theory is.

 If the boars were capable of utilizing minute changes to their attack style, he could do more than just last minute changes. His spear would become an extension of his own body, becoming a living weapon that would serve as a means to close the gaps upon his opponents. His thinking had been far too linear, previously, believing that he had to simply mow down everything in his path. But he could forge a path of his own, and reach the vitals of what he sought to skewer!

 Granted, he wouldn't try spearing Lukas with his weapon! Whatever the case, it would seem he was raring to go, looking upon his counter-part with an expectant gaze.
(Andras)

Andras assumes the Ifrit: Way of The Raging Demon stance!

When they finally got away from the boars, the opening the two ended up in smelled like a fight. They looked over at Andras, distance gained, spear drawn and aimed. Lukas blinked, a grin appearing.

"Oooh. Sparring? Alright, alright." They made sure to not talk any big talk this time as they brought their staff to their side. Smiling at the Knight, they remained more calm and collected as their tide like tendrils wiggled from behind them.

They didn't know his theory but had a vague understanding. He'd do as the boars did. So, they'd do as hunters did to boars. They adjusted their grip along their staff, neck tilting side to side.
(Lukas)

Lukas has engaged Andras in Restrained combat, with a capture roll of 0

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The battle had certainly been intense, and Andras found himself caught off guard with the mastery that Lukas possessed with water. Their power had only increased over the course of time, and the massive waves that bogged him down were quickly leaving him in a predicament. Even so, he was quick to adapt, and with the newly formed manner of thinking? He was soon acrobatically avoiding strikes that he had no business avoiding! Whips were side-stepped haphazardly as he skids along the terrain, going so far as to even leap over a beam of water that threatened to slam him through multiple trees!

 He became a blur of speed as he surged forward, his spear unleashing a series of brutal combination strikes that contorted in varying directions. Even glancing blows proved to be dangerous as he nicked Lukas' body, sending them flying as his change in tactics had clearly rewarded his efforts. Rather than barreling through everything, he had taken the opportunity to analyze his opponents, much like a Boar would when calculating its attack path. When opportunities provided itself, he would surge forward and punish his opponent severely!

 Unfortunately for Lukas, they'd wind up sprawled out along the ground as he systematically tore down their defenses, standing over them with a sense of dominance. A grin forms as he pants lightly, only to extend his hand downward as he motioned to help them up. "Many thanks! I've learned quite a lot, and you've gotten even more potent, Lulu. I should watch myself around you."
(Andras)