[color=0072bc][i]'So that's what they're for.'[/i][/color] Bruce thought, not surprised that both of his attacks were unsuccessful. He'd suspected that Ross had an advantage in earth manipulation already.
The next question seemed to revolve around Ross' sword- was it the primary source of his superior affinity, or did having it simply enhance his abilities? Regardless of the answer, the problem presented was the same. If Bruce wanted to strike another hit without getting killed, he'd either have to first separate the blade from Ross, or Ross from the earth.

Storing away his thoughts for the moment, Bruce summoned his chains again, shooting two lengths out from beneath each of his robe's sleeves. Each one wrapped around one of the three spires spiraling toward him. By retracting the chains rapidly and dispelling them once he had changed trajectory, he slipped between two of the spires and angled himself back toward the floor. 
On his way down, he erected three pillars that rose up to at least three times Ross' height, and another chain shot out that wrapped around the one nearest him. Without touching the floor, he swung around by the chain, and a ring of sand erupted from the ground inside the triangle formed by the pillars, which angled downward after reaching an apex and converging toward Ross. Bruce's intent was to momentarily blind Ross to his position while he catapulted himself toward the Gaian after dispelling his chain again, another length hidden beneath his robe sleeve. His other hand held his blade as he flew just barely at a level that would clear Ross' head, ready to react if his instructor took a swing at him.