But at the present moment, Eugeo found Raios and his comrade's usage of
«pride as a source of strength» to be incomprehensible. Boasting about
their high social status, looking down on students born in noble families
below theirs or those of commoners, ridiculing them... should that nature of
theirs really grant power to their swords? If he were to accept that,
wouldn't it bemire the «feelings of respect and affection towards others»
taught to him by his parents, Sister Azariya from the church, Gasupht the
village chief, and lastly, his childhood friend, Alice, when he was young?
Even now, when Eugeo was openly shown looks of scorn, he did not think
to neglect the minimum amount of respect—affection was a little
impossible though—for Raios and Humbert. However, if that attitude were
to feed their pride, if it were to increase the force behind their swords even
further, it would be really wasted on them.
That said, he didn't even have the slightest intention to choose a way of life
similar to those two and scorn others... this was what he wished to find out
before the official match next month. What exactly was the strength born
from pride? Having them offer guidance on their own accord like right now
could be a chance.
Eugeo quickly considered it in his head and added on an "It seems like what
that Kirito would think up of, huh" to his thoughts, before he opened his
once-closed mouth.