Rolo had finally decided to get serious after what seemed like an eternity.
He took a sword stance that Archibald recognized from one of the six original [Thunder God Stances].
Its name was the [Connecting Gods' Legs of the Heavenly Abode's Two Step Flash], and Archibald remembered hearing about it when he was only six years old.
He watched in awe as Rolo vanished in a flash of light, moving at an unbelievable speed that shocked everyone.
Archibald used his eyes and ears to keep track of his surroundings, but the blinding flash of light made it difficult.
Suddenly, he heard the sound of Rolo's blade slicing through the air, and he quickly stepped back to avoid being struck.
Rolo's first slash missed, but his second attack was a descending diagonal slash from the left that Archibald barely managed to block.
Their swords clashed with a fierce intensity, causing sparks to fly and the sound of metal on metal to echo throughout the fields.
The force of their colliding blades created a powerful gust of wind that displaced leaves and rocks, making it difficult for anyone nearby to stand still.
"You're an excellent swordsman, Archibald," Rolo said, grinning wildly as he continued to attack.
Archibald fought back, using all of his strength and skill to keep up with Rolo's lightning-fast movements.
His heart was racing, and his hands were slick with sweat, but he refused to give up.
Suddenly, Rolo changed tactics and began to attack from a different angle.
He swung his blade low, aiming for Archibald's legs, but Archibald quickly jumped back, narrowly avoiding the attack.
Despite their intense battle, neither fighter made a fatal mistake.
They both seemed evenly matched, and the tension in the air was palpable.
"Is this all you've got?!" Rolo shouted, his voice dripping with arrogance.
Archibald gritted his teeth and responded, "I've got a lot more where that came from!"
Suddenly, Rolo lunged forward with a quick thrust, but Archibald managed to sidestep.
In that moment it happened.
An instantaneous blitz from where Rolo stood.
He appeared before Archibald so abruptly, that the lad lost his footing.
After all, he was already exhausted by Rolo's first serious attack.
Both swung their swords at almost the same time, but Rolo was quicker.
Instantly, he disarmed Archibald.
<
THUD!
Archibald blocked the attack, but barely avoided getting his face sliced.
"Ha! I can't believe you blocked that, Archibald! You're truly a Pendragon!" Rolo laughed loudly, panting slightly from their intense battle.
Archibald looked confused, wondering why Rolo was suddenly complimenting him. "What are you talking about?"
Larc, who had been watching the battle with the others, spoke up. "I can't believe you survived that chain of attacks, Archibald. He's got some skills!"
"Yeah, even though he's a pervert," Rumia added, making everyone laugh.
Excluding Lamperogue as expected.
Lamperogue raised an eyebrow and asked Rumia, "Are you actually complimenting Archibald?"
Rumia denied it instantly, saying, "No, of course not!"
Lutessa chimed in, "But you just did, Miss Rumia"
She denied it again.
On the other hand, Archibald felt proud of himself.
He'd managed to hold his own against Rolo, one of the best swordsmen he'd ever seen.
Of course, Gadi was in a level all of his own.
Felinela watched the banter with amusement and said, "Archibald is amazing, even though he's a weirdo."
Fatima, who was serving as the judge, suddenly declared that Archibald was the winner of the duel.
"Wait what?! How am I the winner?" (Archibald)
Archibald was surprised, as Rolo had clearly disarmed him.
But Fatima explained that the rules stated that if he survived Rolo's attacks for 30 seconds, then he'd be declared the winner.
And that was exactly what Archibald had done.
Even better, since he went for minutes.
Everyone cheered for Archibald, who grinned widely.
"I did it!" he exclaimed, feeling proud of himself and his skills.
Rolo just shook his head in disbelief, still amazed that Archibald had survived his attacks.
Rolo was placing his colossal sword, <
"That was quite the battle," Rolo said with a grin. "I can see now that you're a talented warrior. Keep sharpening your skills, and I'm sure you'll go far."
Archibald nodded.
"Thanks, that's what I've been trying to say all this time. I've been training since I was three, so although I may be young, I have years of experience." (Archibald)
Rolo's eyes widened in surprise.
He'd heard it before, but hearing it again still came as a surprise to him.
It was hard to believe that was even a possibility.
"Three years old? That's impressive. I started training when I was twelve."
Archibald chuckled lightly. "Twelve? That's practically ancient," he joked.
Rolo chuckled too before turning serious again.
"I can't believe you dodged an Amber-ranked sword skill." (Rolo)
He was referring to the original [Thunder God Stance].
Third stance, [Connecting Gods' Legs of the Heavenly Abode's Two Step Flash].
Archibald shrugged. "I didn't really dodge it because I was skilled enough for it. I already read on the attack years ago."
Rolo raised an eyebrow. "Who was your master?"
"Gadi Veltits," Archibald replied.
Rolo shook his head. "I don't know who that is."
Archibald grinned. "He isn't a famous swordsman, but he's great in his own way. He taught me everything I know."
"(He's also a proud bastard and womanizing son of a bitch who's slept with more women in a week than I have in my entire life. I hope he has gonorrhea and dies!)" (Archibald)
While he thought this, his face exuded a smile.
Rolo extended his hand for a shake, and Archibald returned the favor with a smile.
"Welcome to the team, Archibald," Rolo said warmly.
Archibald's smile widened. "Thanks. I'm excited to be a part of it."
"(Still it's hard to believe a guy with one eye can be so strong..)" (Archibald)
Seeing as Rolo had only one eye, Archibald always attacked from his blindspot.
And yet, it proved futile.
It was as though Rolo had eyes at the back of his head.
As Rolo left Archibald, Rumia, Lutessa and Lamperogue approached him.
"You were amazing out there Sir Knight," Lutessa said with a wide grin.
Archibald grinned, "Thanks, it's just one of my many qualities."
"Is being a pervert one of them?" Rumia asked with a teasing smile.
Archibald cleared his throat, "I'm a man of culture, not a pervert."
Rumia giggled, "We all know that's not true."
Lamperogue, who had been quiet up until now, spoke up. "You did well, Archibald. Still, I expected you to win."
Archibald looked surprised, "Did you really have that much faith in me?"
Lamperogue nodded, "Yes, you're more capable than you think."
Meanwhile, Fatima and Rolo were talking a little distance away.
"The real reason you didn't want Archibald in battle was so he wouldn't end up like your son," Fatima said.
Rolo wore a sorrowful smile, he missed his son.
"You're right," he said with a nod. "I couldn't bear to see him get hurt like Stefan did."
"I'm sure he won't, this boy, Archibald... he seems like an interesting find," Fatima watched the red-haired boy.
"I agree," Rolo lowered his head, arms folded.