''This was definitely a great speech, Wilson. You're pretty much assured to win now,'' said Aiden to Wilson; this time only the two of them could hear themselves.
''Hahaha, you overpraise me, Aiden; you've got my support for your speech; impress everyone too!'' kindly retorted back Wilson. ''
'Those mind games are getting boring; I can read you like an open book. Wilson, you really are a filthy human. With such a speech, it's impossible for me to win if I play with words too; my knowledge is far inferior to his; same for my charisma. So I will have to use something else instead.' thought Aiden.
"Well, well, well, this surely was an impressive speech there, Wilson; quite impossible to beat something like that. Well, not that I ever wanted to do so; something as empty as this isn't even worth my time to beat." The entire audience skipped a beat upon hearing the beginning of Aiden's speech.
"You see, everyone, I've remarked something quite funny in everyone's speech here, aside from Kal's one, and that is the fact that they all hold promises and are prone to be the best candidates for leadership, but they don't propose any actual plan. It's all empty words; sure, they may sound beautiful and reassuring, but are you all really going to place your trust in leaders that have absolutely no plan or ideas about what to do to try and change our situations?''
"Now, you must start to think and understand what I mean here, and just 3 seconds later you must be thinking things such as:
''Oh, but aren't you doing just the same thing?''
''In truth, you're just criticizing your peers because you lack confidence or because you had no proper speech prepared.''
''Haha, in the end, you're just the same.''
"And you'd be wrong because I do have some plans and ideas as to what we should do. So now stop having useless thoughts and prejudice toward me and listen closely!'' Aiden declared in an authoritative tone, rendering the few who talked during his speech completely frozen. Everyone fell silent.
"It doesn't matter who the heck gets picked as the leader; first of all, if he messes up too badly or too often, then he or she shall be stripped out of his privilege and get replaced by someone more suitable through another voting system.''
"Then, at present, even after we've selected our 'Main Leader', I suggest that all the other 9 persons who aren't selected get to become sub-leaders who will have their own factions made up of those who chose to join them instead of the winning candidate.
"That's because it seems too unreasonable to let the chosen leader take on all the burden alone; a single person can't manage this many people on his own. As fellow sub-leaders and followers, our role is to help reduce the burden of the main leader and try our best to not be a hindrance.''
"Hence my main point: we must create a proper hierarchy system and a new kingdom and choose a place to build the fortress for each of the leader's and sub-leaders peoples. The main leader and sub-leader will have a meeting room where only they can go to discuss very important matters and plan on stuff such as the economy, civilian management, building, fighting, politics, engineering, meds, new police, the Well of Ascension preparations, and so much more stuff.''
Aiden turns back to look at the eight flabbergasted competitors.
"And it seems that all of you still lack maturity and understanding, my fellow leader candidates, as you just fought bitterly for a mere title, blinded by your greed for power. The eight of you forgot the most important thing, which is the survival of humanity.''
"Our world may have changed into something akin to a game, but remember that it is our real lives that are at stake now; don't ever forget that. Human lives are not to be trifled with.''
"Back to my main point, we should also try to conduct various experiments on this new world's functions, as well as our bodies. We should have the few of you who are nineteen and twenty years old and who pursue science in college analyze the changes in people's bodies after entering the Well of Ascension.''
"Meaning we must also develop new technology and science according to our present world. Moreover, in our new societal order, people will all have assigned jobs. Everyone, under any leader and sub-leader, will either be able to choose a job they like or directly be assigned one if they are good at it and are willing to take it."
"We should respect free will as much as possible; we mustn't forget our roots. Even in this foreign era that lies ahead of us, we must stay level-headed and human. However, you all still need to have the maturity to understand that you can't just stand by and relax while doing nothing. No, as Wilson and most of the others said, we have to be united for things to work out properly."
"And I don't want any excuses to be made; if someone tries to flee from his duties, then he or she will be punished, as he or she hereby puts in danger humanity by not cooperating. Only those with legitimate excuses will be allowed to rest, such as sick people or those who have suffered greatly from mental shock or the loss of loved ones."
"Same for the injured; you will obviously be allowed to rest and heal your body. Now, everyone, I have much more to say and many ideas in mind that I feel the need to share, but my speech is getting long, and I must put an end to it."
"I do believe every single one of you here will make the right choice in choosing the main leader. I personally am not interested in the position, but I won't say no to more power if I'm chosen. After all, I don't think Wilson is more qualified than me or any of the other candidates for this position."
"Chose wisely everyone, and let's strive for a new life on this changed earth."
"Thank you for listening and sorry for my arrogant and rude behavior towards my future companions; I just felt the need to be honest; we just can't take our situation lightly."
Aiden bows down to the audience before regaining his spot.
''Hey Aiden, what was th--''
Wilson was interrupted by a heaven-shattering roar of applause; it seemed like Aiden truly deemed him unworthy since he knew his speech would make greater waves than his own.
The public howled for 3 minutes straight. Wilson didn't understand why he made such a huge impression when he said such rude words and clearly held hostility toward him during his speech. Instead, he expected his popularity to plummet, yet he was proclaimed a star. What was going on?
"You're wondering what it was, huh?" Said Aiden, staring at Wilson in haughty scorn.
''What?''
''It was honesty, Wilson'', continued Aiden. ''Something all of you lacked and didn't include in your discourse. However, you forgot that trust is the most precious thing between a leader and his subjects.''
''You were never qualified for this position, Wilson.'' finished Aiden.
The spectator fell silent right at the moment they realized Aiden and Wilson were talking. Their conversation could now be heard.
''Wha-what the fuck are you talking about, Aiden? What are you saying?!'' Wilson stammered angrily.
''Hey, calm down, Wilson,'' replied Aiden. ''What's gotten into you? Why are you attacking me suddenly for no reason?''
''YOU CRAZY BASTARD, WHAT DO YOU MEAN NO REASONS; YOU JUST SAID--'' yelled Wilson before getting interrupted again.
''Oh, you're talking about me saying the 'choose wisely' thing,'' Interjected Aiden. ''Well, what's wrong with that? That's a pretty passive request there. If you consider that arrogant, then I'm sorry, Wilson, but I call that leadership.''
''N-no, wha-wha, what? No, I'm not tal-'' The stuttering Wilson tried to answer.
''Yeah, don't worry,'' Aiden Interjected. ''I know you didn't intend to blackmail me. You're too kind for that, Wilson. However, I must still remind you that harboring such ill comments toward me is very unreasonable of you. Please think back about your actions.''
''What, WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU--'' Wilson entirely lost his control.
The crowd was completely astonished at the sight they were beholding; they all witnessed a new Wilson. Not that cursing was something that bad, but he was cursing at Aiden for no apparent reason, at least in the eyes of the public.
''Hey, what's wrong with you, Wilson?'' Kal intervened. ''I heard your conversation just earlier with Aiden. He simply said he was happy about how his speech turned out despite him being nervous. Shouldn't you praise him or at least just clap? Why are you suddenly cursing at him? Don't tell me you're mad because Aiden pointed out the fact that you're a fraud, huh?''
"Wha..what? No, that's not what I thought at all!'' Shot back Wilson awkwardly.
''It's all good, Kal. I don't blame Wilson; he didn't do anything wrong; I think he just misunderstood my intentions. Am I right, Wilson?''
''Hm, huh, I..I...'' sputtered Wilson.
''Am I right, Wilson?'' quietly reiterated Aiden in a tone so cold that it froze Wilson whole.
''Am I right, Wilson?'' coerced forcibly Aiden, wearing a mad smile on his face that made Wilson quiver in maddening fear.
Wilson, realizing that his popularity would degrade if he didn't answer like Aiden wanted him to answer, complied to his request.
''Ye—yes, you're right; I just misunderstood like an idiot. Haha, your right—haha''
''I'm happy to hear that, my friend,'' affirmed Aiden.
''Now that everything is settled, my dear companions, please all go on with the voting procedures so we don't waste time. Thank you all in advance.'' Enforced Aiden.
Everyone followed his instructions in obedience; no resilience could be seen on the people's faces or heard in the words of the people; Aiden had successfully claimed their hearts.
The other leader candidate urged everyone to make multiple lines and rows for them to vote in the fastest way possible. On the other side, about 30 students were charged with a mission, breaking into their school to find paper so they could all write. For pencils, everyone already had them in their school bags.
After all the needed stuff was reunited, the 4 thousand or so people went forth with the voting.
On their side, Kal and Aiden were far from the crowd and discussing the situation.
''Damn, Aiden, you fucking surprised me back there. You were darn cool, you know that?'' praised Kal.
''Well, thanks for the underserved praise; I just did what I considered right, and I don't regret anything, or perhaps just a little.'' returned Aiden.
''You have no reason to regret manipulating Wilson; don't worry, it's no biggies. That guy's a moron and an evil person anyway. You did the right thing, so no need for you to feel guilty, I assure you.'' Reassured Kal.
''Oh, so you knew?'' Reacted Aiden.
''Yeah, none of the others are smart or experienced enough to see it, but I am. And don't worry, you can trust me; I consider you my best friend, so it doesn't matter if you have a manipulative side to you. I know you are the most righteous person on earth, someone with a sense of justice so strong that he could do anything to fulfill his desires.''
''I'm truly overjoyed to see that you don't feel disgusted by me but instead understand me.''
''Of course, I understand you, and heck no, I won't ever feel disgusted by you. You're my friend, Aiden, and I'd do anything for you.''
''That reminds me that I should thank you for intervening in my conversation with Wilson; it did help me quite a lot in lowering Wilson's popularity.''
''Aha, no need to thank me; you did ninety-nine percent of the work anyway.''
Aiden and Kal continued their conversation and laughed heartily, but their conversation was cut short by 2 people who were walking in their direction. It was Arthur and Benjamin.
''Look who's coming; I guess it's about time we reunite with the crowd, haha,'' said Kal.