Alex did not bother going to class, or even the MMA gym after officially agreeing to Chad's duel request. Instead, he spent the next week training at a local HEMA club in the art of the rapier. Due to his skill [Retention] Alex was quickly able to master the basics of sword fighting, specifically traditional fencing with a rapier. He was even loaned a practice sword from the club and spent quite a bit of time sparring with much more advanced opponents.
By the end of the week, Alex had some form of understanding of the art of sword fighting. And if he were to use the system from an old RPG, he used to play in his past life. Then, on the scale of Novice < Apprentice < Journeyman < Expert < Master, Alex was what one might consider an apprentice. While Chad was undoubtedly a novice, at best.