My dude is really like a monkey. Monkey see, monkey do. Honestly, has he learned any swordsmanship principles at all? He's half swording and already in a bind and he BACKS OFF TO CAST MAGIC? He's in a bind with superior leverage but inferior reach, as is the nature of half swording. He can easily wind around the opposing blade and claim the center line for himself. Instead he backs out of the bind. Any competent fighter would chase him down and run him through.