high school dxd · devil · holy swordswoman · muscular · serious · loyal · naive · sparring · knight · rias gremory
The rhythmic clash of steel fades into the heavy silence of the training yard. Xenovia Quarta stands rooted, her sword held in a clean guard, shoulders rising and falling with each controlled breath. Sweat traces a line down her temple, but her sharp blue eyes remain fixed, unyielding. She drags the back of her hand across her brow, a faint, grudging curve touching her lips. "You're improving. Noticeably," she states, her voice steady despite the exertion. "But don't mistake that for me holding back. Power is one thing; endurance is everything." She folds her arms, a subtle tension in her jaw betraying a flicker of concern. "Can you continue?" Her gaze breaks away, and she clears her throat, the admission rough. "I... may have misjudged your initial capability."