The battle commenced with numerous failed attempts.
Rubik stood firm, his feet planted firmly on the ground.
Archibald charged at him repeatedly, sword in hand.
Archibald's attacks were swift and precise, aimed at Rubik's chest in a bid to end the fight quickly.
However, Rubik's [Spatial Magic] proved to be a formidable foe, thwarting each of Archibald's attempts to land a hit.
He simply clicked his tongue, and Archibald found himself teleported to another part of the room, far away from his target.
Archibald refused to give up, his determination unyielding as he relentlessly pursued Rubik.
Despite being teleported over a thousand times, he pressed on.
He refused to let his fatigue slow him down.
He adapted his strategy, attacking at different intervals each time he reappeared in the room.
Sometimes he would strike three seconds after teleportation.
And other times he would attack immediately.
1,462 tries, no success.
1,523 tries, no success.
1,622 tries, no success.
Each time, he learned something new, gaining insight into Rubik's unique abilities and limitations.
Rubik, however, remained calm and composed.
He taunted Archibald as he evaded his attacks effortlessly.
Unbeknownst to him that Archibald had slowly grasped understanding of his abilities.
「The intricacies of his [Spatial Magic], if this was Elden Annulus, it would be a composite skill.
If I were to detail its components then its:
[Range Barrier], which extends his control over space,
[Spatial Awareness], which allows him to react instantly to my movements,
and [Position Alteration], which enables him to manipulate my position in space.
In Elden Annulus, there's a possible way to counter this, either with a debuff spell or an antimagic barrier.
But this is real-life.」 (Archibald)
Despite Rubik's mastery over his magic, Archibald refused to give up.
He charged forward again and again, hoping to land even a single blow on his opponent.
"I told you Archibald, a sword can never defeat magic.." (Rubik)
Then, Archibald had a breakthrough.
He finally realized the true extent of Rubik's speed.
With each click of his tongue, Rubik became increasingly elusive and began to outpace even Archibald's own agility.
Despite how ridiculous and seemingly out of place such a gesture was in the heat of battle, Rubik performed it with an effortless ease that suggested it was something that came naturally to him.
However, Archibald wasn't one to give up so easily, and he persisted with his relentless attacks.
Each time, Rubik teleported him away.
And Archibald was left just inches away from his target.
Just shy of making a crucial hit.
Still, he focused on his battle strategy.
Archibald made a conscious decision to stick to his simple, yet effective tactics of continuously attacking.
Though he knew that Rubik's formidable [Spatial Magic] was the one thing that could truly outclass him, he was not afraid.
After all, it caused no physical harm, and therefore represented no true danger to him.
Archibald chose to attack from different angles than he had before.
It was an effort to unravel the secrets of this [Spatial Magic].
He knew that there were countless positions that Rubik could teleport him to within the room.
And that it was possible the number of options was infinite.
However, Archibald realized that every person had their own idiosyncrasies.
It dictated the positions they preferred and dispreferred.
This gesture was a conditional reflex.
Thus, if he could discern the structure of Rubik's preferences, he would be able to determine which of the many possible positions to which Rubik would teleport him.
Though he understood it was a daunting task, Archibald was determined to persevere and was willing to search tirelessly to find the green snake in green grass.
To hone his fighting instincts and focus his awareness, he utilized the [Sword Saint Arts].
Through his discipline and sharpened focus, Archibald hoped to gain the upper hand and overcome his opponent.
Rubik was well aware of the gravity of the situation at hand.
He must focus his efforts on constant teleportation to wear down his opponent.
Each of Archibald's attacks was executed with precision.
It came from different angles.
Progressively stronger and quicker than the last.
Despite Rubik's [Spatial Awareness], he still struggled to keep up with the speed and force of Archibald's attacks.
If he made a single mistake, it would give Archibald the chance he needed to close in and strike.
He constantly monitored Archibald's movements from all angles.
And then warped him to another location in the room if need be to avoid his strikes.
Even a moment's lapse in focus would have catastrophic consequences for Rubik.
This battle for survival demanded unparalleled instinct, foresight, and creativity.
Both in attack and defense.
Archibald needed to outwit Rubik in order to win the fight.
If he could predict exactly where he would appear once Rubik warped him, the moment of hesitation for a spell might be enough for Archibald to land a crushing blow.
However, Archibald's sharp instincts paid off.
On his 5,672nd attempt he found a way to land a hit on Rubik.
He managed to predict where Rubik would warp him to next.
With a lightning-fast dash, he grazed Rubik's midsection before he was teleported away.
"What?!" (Rubik)
Rubik was taken aback as he clutched his abdomen.
The wound was not severe, but it still stung.
"How did yo—!" (Rubik)
"All I did was to analyze your mental habits to discern the certain positions in the room you preferred and those you avoided. This analysis provided a layout of potentially endless positions, and I finally uncovered your pattern. You believe the further I am from you, the safer you'll be, — as it'll take more time to reach and attack you again. But it seems you were wrong.." (Archibald)
After their brief pause, Archibald resumed his attack at the same speed.
He struck with calculated precision.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
However, Rubik regained his focus.
He acted with even greater speed, avoiding Archibald's attacks by teleporting him across random positions in the room.
Rubik was aiming not to make the same moves twice.
At the same time he ensured that he maintained a certain distance between himself and Archibald.
In a bid to create an unpredictable pattern.
Still...
Archibald noticed this strategy.
Even random movements could reveal a pattern.
He patiently studied Rubik's actions.
Ready to capitalize on a slight deviation in his attack that could expose his pattern.
Archibald continued attacking Rubik, but Rubik remained elusive.
Continuously, he teleported Archibald and his attempts away.
Finally, the opportunity presented itself.
"That's it!" (Archibald)
Rubik made an inadvertent move.
A small tremor that Archibald determined could reveal his next move.
Archibald recognized this, and as soon as he was teleported to another position, Archibald was waiting, already in the stance for his next move.
With decisive action, he swung his blade, with lethal force.
He drove it deep into Rubik's side.
This caused blood to spurt out and stain the floor.
Rubik fell to the ground, holding his wound, struggling to get back up.
Archibald stood in triumph, wiping the blood off his blade.
"And that's that," he said.
Rubik lay on the ground, with blood pooling around him.
He struggled to understand how he could have been beaten.
He had outclassed Archibald in every way.
And yet somehow he found himself defeated.
Rubik searched his mind for answers, but they eluded him, leaving him no choice but to accept defeat.
But Rubik was not content just to lay there waiting for death.
Instead, he summoned the last of his strength and asked Archibald, "Who are you?"
Archibald responded with a calm and confident stare, "I'm an unmotivated bastard turned swordsman.."
When they battled, it became clear to Rubik.
Archibald was not just a swordsman, but a master of the art.
At this point, he had become a —Master of Thunder—.
[Thunder God Arts] :: Master
After 10,624 tries and 2 hits.
Archibald had become immersed in the arts of the Thunder God.