Arthur's Point of View

Dwardew Palace

Sitting in the armchair, my body relaxed as I leaned back with my eyes closed. “Sir?” Harlow called out.

“Just a minute,” I told him. “That’s all I need.” A few moments of silence went by.

“Arthur?” Typhon called out after a moment.

“Moments over.” I mumbled with a sigh and opened my eyes. “Yeah?”

My student looked worried. “Are you okay?”

I gave him a tired nod. “Yeah. Just a little tired. It’s been a rough few days.” Then I held my chest as it pounded randomly. “That poison was more difficult to deal with than I thought as well, but it doesn’t appear to be too serious.” Soon, my eyes focused on his wound. “What about you?”

H0lding up his forearm and showing the bloodied bandage, he sighed. “I’m alright, thanks to Kheri.” The boy went quiet for a moment. “You were right. I should have kept a level head.”

Standing, I moved in front of him and kneeled down so he would be more comfortable. “Ty, when you became my student, you became reckless. I don’t know if you’re doing it to copy me or if you are just overly ready to put yourself in harm’s way.” I gave a small shrug. “It doesn’t really matter.”

“But I want to be like you. A hero who always puts others first!” Typhon replied earnestly. “Always jumping into danger without thinking about the consequences of it might hurt you. To always come out on top.”

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A frown came to my lips. “Listen to me very carefully, Typhon. I’m training you so you don’t end up like me. So, you can actually become a hero, unlike me. That’s not what I want. I want you to be better than me.” Gently I reached for his wounded arm and held it up. “Can you heal like me?”

“No.” Was his muted response.

“Have you ever come back from the dead?”

He shook his head. “No.”

Sighing through my nose, I put some energy into his arm. “You’re not me, Ty, and I’m going to make sure you never are.” I told him as I let go of his arm, which should’ve been healed a little bit like Kheri’s wound. “I don’t leap into danger headfirst without thinking about the consequences. What immediately comes to the forefront of my mind is that many people will die if I don’t act.” I told him.

“But you react so quickly.”

I nodded. “I do because I know the stakes. Do you really think I didn’t think of hundreds of different scenarios when we were on our way here? Do you really think I always come out on top? I died, Ty.” He became quiet and still at that. “The difference between you and me is that I’m much older and have far more experience.”

“I just wanted to help.” He said quietly.

“That’s completely fine, but you’re not all-powerful. You are young, reckless, and a liability when you act as you did. I’m not saying you shouldn’t’ve helped.” I then placed my hands on his shoulders. “I’m saying you should’ve waited for instructions. Kheri had the speed, and you had the power. If it had been another Ghoul, I’m confident Kheri would’ve been able to handle it. However, she almost died because of you.” My grip tightened on his shoulders slightly. “That’s not a burden you want to bear. After all, if she fell, others would’ve as well.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll do better next time.” My student told me.

With a nod, my arms fell to my side as I stood. “See that you do.” Placing a hand on his head, I ruffled his hair slightly. “That being said, hold your head high.” I playfully and lightly punched his chin. “Not many would’ve jumped into such a fight against an opponent stronger than themselves.”

“You do it all the time.”

“Yeah, and it comes with its own problems, but as the strongest person here, I don’t have a choice. The difference is, you’re not the strongest yet.”

He then looked at me with a smirk. “Yet?” Ty repeated.

I nodded with a small smirk. “Yet.” I confirmed.

I moved away from him but stopped as he spoke up. “Arthur!” There was urgency in his voice, and I looked at him as he seemed unsure. “There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

“Okay?”

“That Ghoul said something that stuck out to me.” Ty started.

“Be careful with believing what the enemy might say, Ty. You never know if they’re just trying to fuck with you even on their deathbed.”

Shaking his head, my student continued. “This was before he was losing. He said I was your newest student and was ordered to specifically kill me.” My eyes widened slightly at that. “Then he said that he was going to give me to her after he compared me to the Dragon King.” Then he looked me in the eyes. “What did he mean by ‘newest student.’”