Elmer didn't want to back down from a duel because part of him had always wanted to partake in something so dramatic, even if his hand shaked a bit as he brought the cigarette to his mouth. He would only be a phony if he fancied a Byronic hero and then backed down from a duel.

"Byron died for Greece's independence and he wasn't even Greek," Elmer pointed out. "Besides, why are you so confident I'll lose? I got excellent NEWT scores in all of my wand based subjects. Just because I chose to follow my passion that doesn't mean I can't use a wand." He wasn't an auror, but he could at least defend himself in a duel with an adult wizard.