"Hey, Sully. I hope you had a refreshing nap. You were saying so much nonsense, I was convinced you were mad. I even had to hit you for your own good. Sorry for that! I hope it didn't hurt too much," Arthur replied with a smirk on his face.
'Ah, feels like talking to Colton.'
The boastful blonde's face switched from condescending to downright murderous, "So you've got a tongue as well. Did I just hear you say something about taking on the Behemoth? Do you think you can pull it off with that flimsy weapon of yours and half-baked skills?"
Arthur glanced at the spear in his hands before returning his attention to Sullivan, "How is yours any better?"
"It increases its user's speed and agility, what could get better than that?"
"I find that weapon of yours amusing. It increases your speed and agility while eating away at your stamina. One might say you've traded your endurance for a faster way to die," Arthur crossed his hands.
He remembered what had happened when they were escaping from the Behemoth that he still hadn't laid his eyes on. Behemoths were monsters the prince had only heard of in stories of the past.
But never in real life.
Powerful Elemental beasts that were feared by many to be highly destructive. One behemoth was said to give an experienced hunter a hard time to take down. And that was saying a lot considering the staggering power difference between the First Years and experienced hunters.
"You're right about that. That's why I say it's suicide to go against that thing," Sullivan scoffed.
At this point, most of the First Years were watching the two of them argue and listening in on what they had to say to each other. Amidst boredom and fear, this was the most intriguing form of entertainment.
"Think about it, Sully. The behemoth chased everything in this direction including all the other monsters. By my estimation, we are about a hundred students here and probably the only ones left.
After bringing us all together like this, the bastard retreated. What creature would do that when now would be the best time to take us all down in one go?" Arthur jested, prodding the blonde boy with one of the many theories he had been brewing.
"You don't know the mind of Dark Supernaturals. None of us does," Sullivan muttered darkly.
"That might be true but I do know the minds of humans. You've seen how the monsters die too. They are made from magic. If this really is a simulation, how do we get out of it? How do we finish it?
You've seen the sun set. You've seen it rise. How long do they plan on keeping us here? The forest is all but cleared of monsters.
Since the beasts explode after being killed, we don't even have a source of food. The forest is full of oak trees and nothing else. Considering all these facts and observations, what conclusion do you think I'm forced to make?" Arthur argued.
Sullivan was quiet for a moment, pacing about in search of an answer to their situation. However, while he was pacing his eyes sparked with an emotion that made Arthur uneasy, "With that kind of logic, anyone can see your point.
But… at the same time, it could also be a way to meet your ends," Sullivan sneered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Arthur asked.
"You want us to join forces—"
Arthur was appalled, 'I mean… that would definitely make our chances better but… damn, why didn't I think of that?'
Sullivan wasn't done, "—With your measly pack of four, there is nothing you can do against a Behemoth. So of course, you'd want an alliance… no doubt with you as the leader. What makes you think you're worthy enough to be my equal?"
'Equal? What's this guy blabbering abou… Oh,' Arthur's mind lit up like a light bulb before bursting with mildly controlled anger.
'POWER!!! We FACE DEATH AND HE FINDS A POWER STRUGGLE. What's wrong with this guy?' Arthur grew irritated almost immediately.
After everything he'd said, Sullivan was able to read between the lines and somehow find something that supposedly wounded his pride.
"I don't recall saying anything about being your equal," Arthur lowered his voice.
Sullivan's expression got darker, "Oh? Did that cheap shot you pulled get to your head? I've seen the way you've been acting this whole time.
You think you're cut out to be a Leader, don't you? I mean, there is nothing wrong with dreaming big, but do you think you of all people deserve that position?"
Arthur had never thought of becoming a leader till this point. He just kept speaking his mind about what was happening around them. Sullivan, on the other hand, already had his status as a Leader established amongst his friends.
It was obvious from the way Ace and Donnie treated him. He was their Leader and they were loyal to him. Their group had grown considerably larger during the Sorting, too. Instead, of three, a pack of almost twenty students stood behind him.
They snickered amongst themselves as they watched this argument, giving Arthur derisive looks and nodding their heads in disappointment.
On the other hand, Arthur only trusted Darius to have his back. The two of them were great friends but that didn't make Arthur a leader by any chance. He considered Darius his equal in every way.
If anything, the son of the Arcanium was bound to be the one giving orders to a commoner… but that wasn't the case with Darius. He didn't abuse his name like the children of high-ranking nobles normally did.
"If you think yourself lower than me, who am I to deny your standards?" Arthur sighed, feigning innocence.
"What was that?"
"I mean, you're implying it right now. I've made no claim to be a Leader and yet here you are, barking and squealing to remind me of my place in society," Arthur responded in an even more carefree tone.
The prince could feel Darius's piercing gaze at the back of his head but he was too far gone. Sullivan had pushed plenty of buttons already.
"Watch your tone."
"Make up your mind, then. Arguing will get us nowhere," Arthur sighed, "Because I know Leaders are meant to be strong… and the last time we sparred, you seemed too weak to withstand more than one of my attacks."
This seemed to be the last straw for Sullivan as the blonde unsheathed his blade. Arthur narrowed his eyes at the lusterless blade wondering what would happen next.
And in the next second, a heavy clang rang through the clearing as the blade of a lusterless steel sword met the mercury adamantine blade of a lance in furious combat.