Magnus does retreat. This is an unfamiliar style of swordplay to him -- in Valhalla, the norm is less on swordplay and more on total defeat of enemies. It's a fun way to switch things up, though. Magnus has never been the one, on his floor, to go for the final kill -- usually he lets Jack take that on, while his own M.O. is more about disarming everyone with an accidental use of the Peace of Frey and trying not to die for as long as possible. So it's nice to be fighting with people who are also not going for a final kill -- they're just enjoying the... game, really.

He shifts his grip on his practice sword, and waits for Laertes to charge.