Left to face off now, Moriarty and Gadi. The superiority between a Magus and a Swordsman was something argued across the world of magic. Both classes were the most superior in the eyes of the majority, but there's never been a clear, identifiable decision as to which one was the best.
The entire place was silent, so much so that it became uncomfortable even for Archibald who hid in the trees observing. But a thought did come to mind, 'These guys, their strength's on another level..'
What was the most mind-boggling for Archibald was how Gadi fought so much like a Martial when he was actually a Swordsman. It's an easy answer, he was of the "Ultranatural Class." Hence, best known as a Martial Swordsman. Adept with a sword and hand-to-hand combat.
("Well, let me tell you something, folks. If there's one thing I've learned from Elden Annulus, it's that distance is key in a fight between a Swordsman and a Magus. Hmm, there's a six meter range between those two bad boys. Now, if you ask me, the Magus has the upper hand here. Why, you ask? Because distance determines the flow of victory, my friends. A Swordsman needs to get up close and personal to win, while a Magus can just sit back and attack from afar with their fancy spells. So, if you're a Swordsman going up against a Magus, you better have some serious speed and agility to close that gap. Otherwise, you're in for a world of hurt. Trust me on this one.")
Archibald had never been so concerned before. The tension was so much a drop of sweat left his forehead.
"I'll end this in one hit.." said Gadi with an overconfident voice. But one cannot mistake this for a supercilious behavior which only begets one's failure.
He was certain he could win.
Moriartyʼs Archive hovered before him, he nonchalantly stared at his adversary, more than ready to scrape him off the map.
"Why someone would be so foolishly proud is beyond me... Your superficial attempt at confidence will only get you killed, hence, here we are." he too was more than confident in his abilities.
("This is really bad! Gadi should know distance matters, before he can even make a move the Magus' spell would've caught up with him.. Damn it Gadi why do you have to be so proud!")
From Archibald's point of view, Gadi's pride may well be his downfall.
He believed what every Swordsman should have was respect for their opponents. Not vainglory so great that they're blinded from the many possibilities of failure.
"Damn it.."
The young boy uttered underneath his voice. Velrossa still rests unconscious in his arms.
The two combatants stood motionless, Gadi was yet to sheath or touch his blade. Meanwhile, Moriarty was ready, anyone could tell from the cold mist surrounding him.
"Are you so proud you won't even unsheath your weapon and give me the respect I'm due..?" Moriarty said this to Gadi.
It was undeestandable. Any other individual would've unsheathed their blade before clashing.
Yet this fellow seemed so self-assured that he'd win it in one strike even if he was yet to even "touch" his Velgrynd.
[Velgrynd] :: A popular nomenclature for a magic sword.
Whereas Moriarty was religiously on his Archive, Gadi hadn't even assumed a stance yet. And with a question by Moriarty posed, he shrugged in response before he stated "Why would I get so jumpy about a fight... My grace is simply too gracious." he whipped his hair back and forth.
("Even now he can't get serious?! Damn this proud bastard!")
Archibald was so frustrated. Gadi was strong, undoubtedly. But his pride was another matter, and such a factor may prove to be his downfall. If he fell, it would invite problems for a number of people in the community.
He had the strength to protect them, but his personality only served to weaken him.
For the first time, Moriarty laughed, his laughter was a tad angelic. His eyes gently closed like he'd heard a funny joke.
Until. A complete loss of composure, "EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU DISGUSTS ME! EVEN WHEN YOU SERVED AS A HOLY KNIGHT, I COULDN'T BEAR THE SIGHT OF YOU! I'LL WASTE YOU WITH THIS ATTACK! PLEBEIAN!"
"That's what I like to see, the disgraceful side of your pretentious self.." said Gadi, a relatively calm voice. Unfazed, cool as a cucumber one might say.
Archibald on the other hand was in complete shock.
("Whaaaaat! So the cool looking guy with a personality as cold as ice turns out to be psycho?! This shit only happens in anime!")
He was coursing with energy, "NOW PREPARE! PREPARE TO WITNESS MY MOST POWERFUL ATTACK! IT'LL ERASE YOU FROM THI--"
He didn't finish his sentence. No, he couldn't rather.
In what seemed like a fraction of a second, time moved so unfathomably slow.
Like he'd dissolved into the air, Gadi moved with ease.
Neither Moriarty nor Archibald saw him even take a step.
What they did see, was the reappearance of Gadi behind Moriarty and a small clicking sound which emanated from his Velgrynd being placed back into its protective covering.
'How could he be so fast?!' Moriarty immediately asked himself.
Having blinked several times Archibald was trying to make sense of what he saw, "That's not possible! I didn't see him move even once, when did he--" the shock was so much he was incapable of completing his statement.
Hidden in the trees, Archibald reflected on what he'd witnessed.
Moriarty turned to face Gadi, seeing as the individual moved past him it would mean said individual was now behind him.
"I DON'T CARE WHAT LEVEL OF SPEED YOU CHOOSE TO DISPLAY HERE! IT'S OVER. FOR Y--"
Not the first time today he was unable to finish his sentence, but it was certainly his last.
He was dead before he'd even spoken any of these words.
A thin line like an incision appeared around Moriarty's neck before it spouted blood. The abrupt emergence of blood propelled his head upwards.
Gadi had decapitated him almost instantaneously. And as his head dropped to the ground it left a thud; the sound of a dull impact.
"Incomprehensible," "Unpossible," "Impossible," "Unrealistic," "Unimaginable." All these words popped into Archibald as he tried to process what he'd just witnessed.
A Magus that strong was circumvented so easily? Even when he had range on his side. Even with the complacency of his opponent.
Then again, Gadi wasn't complacent one bit. In fact, he was the exact opposite. This was brutality and ruthlessness of a demonic caliber.
With no regards for wanting to extend their talk any longer, he'd ended Moriarty in a single slash.
Archibald saw the headless body, and instantly his body was overrun with a feeling he wasn't used to, debilitating fear.
Always being locked up in his room in his old life made him feel safe. As such, he never dealt with the mental trials such a feeling would bring.
But seeing that head, forcibly separated from the neck. A corpse or carcass, whichever one a person might call it. The presence of it made his entire body feel cold. Like he'd been groomed in a mortuary.
A cold sense of fear he'd never felt before. He was paralyzed by it.
And why wouldn't he be? It was a traumatizing scene. One that might inspire his nightmares.
What Gadi had just use now, was a Gold level (6th rank) Thunder God Art attack called [Mystifying Blade of Illumination].
[Mystifying Blade of Illumination] :: This technique is considered the apex of Thunder God Arts. It involves channeling all the force of the sword into a single swing. Due to the incredible speed of the slash, which can reach the speed of light when fully mastered, and the immense power to cut a heavily-armored enemy in half, this technique is extremely difficult to evade or defend against. It is the existence of this technique that has earned Thunder God Art the reputation of being the strongest of the four arts.
("He... He just killed him...")
Before now, Archibald had forgotten the truth about any world. Death was always a recurring factor. The mere sight of it now, scared him more than anything.
It made no sense.
But one thing was for sure, from that they onward Archibald understood the fragility of life. To him, this was a wake-up call.
The sweat that rolled down his head and neck was enough proof of how scared he was.
He didn't even see even a glimpse Gadi's blade.
Then, the victor of the battle only sighed.
The look he wore on his countenance was something Archibald hadn't seen before.
Still and all, it was a look popular amongst people who were invested into the world of magic.
The expression on his face was best referred to as the "Face of Hubris." Characterized by relaxed eyelids with irises that hung from the top, a stern face with relaxed facial muscles and steady eyebrows.
A look that best screamed, "I will destroy you."
This facial expression was the greatest form of pride.
Naturally, only used by those who have religiously practiced the Thunder God Art.
Others described it as a look of moments before disaster, a look that showed nothing else mattered to the one who wore it.
It was the epitome of pride.
And the entirety of the Thunder God Art was based solely off pride.