However, at the very moment she swung her racket,
The ball bounced sharply to the side after landing, completely different from the direction she had predicted, and she missed again.
"0-40." Draco's voice remained calm.
"This ball is impossible to catch. Its trajectory and bounce are unpredictable," Hermione thought, panting, as she braced herself on her knees.
"How is it?" Seeing her dejected face, Draco softened his tone. "Honey, should I slow it down a bit more?"
"Or should we switch to an easier serve?"
"No need!" Hermione straightened up, stubbornly raising her chin. "I just didn't quite grasp the pattern! Let's try again!"
Well, since the lady wants to figure out the pattern, then let's help her solidify it a bit more. Thinking of this, Draco's smile deepened.
The fourth serve was another spin serve. Hermione tried her best and moved ahead to the landing point she had figured out based on the pattern from the previous three serves. But Draco flicked his wrist, and the spin and trajectory of the ball changed again, landing in the opposite direction.
"Game over, second round finished," Draco announced, then added, "Looks like I've won two rounds already?"
Looking at the glaring 0-2 on the scoreboard, and then at the man opposite him grinning like a cat that had stolen cream,
An inexplicable anger surged within Hermione.
"That point doesn't count!" she blurted out, realizing immediately that it was a bit unreasonable, but she still forced a defiant stance. "You cheated with your serve! Using that weird, weird technique!"
"Alright, alright, it doesn't count." Draco didn't care about whether it counted or not. "If Madam says this point doesn't count, then it doesn't count. It was wrong of me to use that weird serve, I apologize."
This unprincipled apology drew another round of snickers from the audience. This wasn't a competition; it was clearly an attempt to please one's wife.
After being coaxed like that, Hermione felt a little embarrassed, but she still wouldn't let it go and started nitpicking:
"Those shots you just threw were all too... too cheating! Not fair at all! If you're so capable, then stop using those weird tricks and just serve and rally normally!"
"Alright, whatever you say, Madam," Draco agreed readily. "I won't use any weird moves from now on."
"We'll just serve normally and play normally."
Then, the style of the game changed drastically in the following matches.
The two players were evenly matched! At least on the surface, the tennis ball flew smoothly back and forth in the air, the number of rallies increased, and there were even a few long rallies from time to time.
Hermione was a little unaccustomed at first,
But she soon discovered that Draco was indeed playing normally against her, only his normal skill level was far superior to hers.
Therefore, she had to concentrate fully and run actively to keep up with the pace and return the ball. Gradually, she forgot about the score and devoted herself entirely to the match.
Sweat soaked Hermione's sweatshirt, and her hair clung to her cheeks, but she remained focused and serious with every swing of her racket.
The audience's initial surprise and amusement turned into admiration and envy; it was clear to everyone.
Draco was using his most basic skills to practice with Hermione and help her improve. This patience and dedication were more touching than the dazzling skills he had just displayed.
"Wow, they played really well." Becky rested her chin on her hand, her eyes full of envy. "Even though Draco definitely let her win, Hermione was amazing too, catching so many balls."
"And look how gentle Draco's eyes are," Mary chimed in, followed by a smile from Susan. "This is real teaching, isn't it?" Kate also offered a rare comment. "It's wonderful."
Jack and Tom looked at each other again, speechless. Well, they didn't even get the treatment of sparring partners; they were just punching bags. But seeing the couple so engrossed in their own world, all they felt was a sense of blessing and a touch of bitter envy.
The match proceeded in a tense and closely contested manner.
Hermione's intense focus and running took a toll on her energy; her breathing became increasingly rapid, and her steps began to feel heavy.
While Draco controlled the pace...
But after playing so many matches, his stamina wasn't inexhaustible, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
As another ball Accio, Hermione felt she couldn't keep up, but suddenly an idea came to her.
When Draco returned a weak, shallow ball, Hermione didn't rush in and smash it with all her might as she had before.
Instead, he made a feint to move towards the net and volley, leaning forward and swinging his racket forward as if to do so.
Draco was indeed fooled, instinctively taking a half-step back to prepare for her net play.
However, at the last moment, Hermione flicked her wrist, gently sliced the ball with her racket, and a small ball with little power floated over the net and landed in front of Draco.
"15-0!" Hermione excitedly announced her own score.
A sly and smug smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Pfft--" Someone in the audience couldn't help but burst out laughing.
" Miss Hermione's feint was brilliant!"
" Draco got tricked! Haha!"
Seeing Hermione grinning like a cat that had stolen a treat, Draco chuckled and shook his head. He accused her, "Honey, isn't this cheating? We agreed to a normal sparring session, but you used a fake move to deceive your exhausted husband?"
"All's fair in war! It's a tactic! Didn't you just use a feint yourself?" Hermione said, panting but very pleased with herself.
"Alright, Madam is right, tactics, clever tactics." Draco affirmed, cracking his knuckles, his gaze regaining focus. "Shall we continue?"
"Keep going!" Hermione was tired, but her enthusiasm was high.
After that shot, Hermione could clearly feel that Draco's return shot, while still normal, landed at a wider angle and was more difficult to execute, requiring her to move more actively.
As a result, after several rounds, Hermione was so exhausted that she could barely lift her arms, and sweat dripped down her chin.
By this time, Draco was also sweating quite a bit, and his breathing was no longer as steady as it had been at the beginning, but seeing Hermione so exhausted yet still persevering filled him with an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
Finally, after a long rally, Hermione stumbled, her return shot went into the net. She braced herself on her knees, gasping for breath, feeling as if her lungs were on fire and her legs were filled with lead.
However, seeing Draco looking even more exhausted, Hermione felt a pang of sympathy; he had fought far too many battles that day.
"No, I'm not fighting anymore..." Hermione gasped, waving her hand. "You've hit too many already, don't, don't push yourself..."
At this point, Draco was also nearing his limit, since a normal quick victory against Rabi would be more mentally and physically demanding.
But seeing Hermione's concerned eyes, he felt a surge of warmth in his heart and deliberately said, "Worried about me? Actually, I can still fight."
"Who, who was worried about you!" Hermione wouldn't admit it; she put on a stern face, using a fierce tone to mask her concern.
"I'm afraid you'll get tired and collapse, and there'll be no one to carry my bag! Come down and rest!" she said, picking up her towel and walking towards Draco in front of the net.
Without trying to be brave, Draco obediently walked to the net.