Amelia sat on the hospital bed, the smell of antiseptic whiffed in the air a constant reminder of the battle she had faced. She held the report in her hands, reading through the details again and again, focusing on the part where she had gone missing. The words blurred together as she relived the moment of her failure. She had been controlled, forced to abandon those who needed her most.
She remembered what Mirko said to her, who sat beside her, a supportive presence despite her injuries. "Amelia, you saved us in the end. You did what you had to do."
Amelia shook her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I failed first. I let him control me. I left you and the girl. How can I believe I saved anyone when I know the truth?"
Mirko reached out, placing a hand on Amelia's shoulder. "We all have moments of weakness, but it's how we rise from them that defines us. You came back for us, Amelia. That's what matters."
Amelia looked down at her hands, the wounds a stark reminder of her ordeal. She knew some of these scars would never fade, a permanent testament to her failure. She had put too much faith in her chosen gift from the Deity, and it had been stripped away in the blink of an eye.
Lost in her thoughts, she didn't notice Principal Nezu enter the room. His small, rodent-like form seemed almost out of place in the sterile hospital environment. "Penny for your thoughts?" he asked, his voice breaking through the silence.
Amelia looked up, startled. "Ah, sir, it's you... No, just thinking about what happened."
Nezu nodded, his eyes kind yet piercing. "Yes, I read the report. It was quite an ordeal."
Amelia sighed, closing the report and setting it aside. "I let him get into my head. I lost control and put everyone at risk. How can I move forward knowing that?"
Nezu climbed onto a chair, making himself more comfortable. "Amelia, you faced a villain who played on your fears and insecurities. It's not unusual to feel overwhelmed in such situations. But what you did afterward, coming back and saving Mirko and the girl, shows your true strength. You didn't give up."
Amelia listened, but the weight of her failure still pressed heavily on her. "But the scars will always remind me of what I couldn't do."
Nezu smiled gently. "Scars are a part of us, Amelia. They tell our story, our journey. They remind us not only of our failures but also of our resilience. What matters is that you went back for them. Although reckless, you still saved them."
"I wouldn't have had to go back for them if I wasn't so weak. How did he do it?" Amelia's voice wavered with frustration and self-doubt.
Nezu's expression softened with understanding. "Amelia, it's not about being weak. We've found traces of a strange material as a vapor in the warehouse. It was composed of the same substance that harmed you before. That's what weakened you—not your own lack of strength or control."
"He knew about my weakness before I even knew about it. But how?" Amelia asked, a hint of frustration in her voice. "Only UA teachers should've known about it..."
Nezu's expression grew serious. "It seems we have a rat, and I'm not talking about me. The possibility of a spy within UA has been a concern for some time. This incident only confirms our suspicions."
Amelia's mind raced. She knew who the spy might be but didn't want to accuse anyone without concrete evidence yet. She had almost forgotten about them amidst the chaos.
Before she could respond, a nurse entered the room, checking on Amelia's vitals and preparing her for discharge. "The little girl you saved is doing fine," the nurse said, giving Amelia a reassuring smile. "She's with her family now, safe and sound."
A wave of relief washed over Amelia, but it was quickly followed by a surge of guilt. She had saved the girl and Mirko, but it hadn't been without cost. Her own weakness had nearly cost them their lives.
Nezu, noticing the conflict in her eyes, spoke gently. "Amelia, heroes are not defined by their moments of perfection, but by their perseverance through imperfection. You faced a new challenge and overcame it. That's what matters."
Amelia nodded, still feeling the weight of her experience but also a renewed sense of determination. "I'll be more vigilant," she said, her voice steadier now. Amelia took one last look at the report, her resolve hardening. "I won't let this happen again."
As she prepared to leave the hospital, she would not let this setback define her. She would learn, grow stronger, and continue to protect those who needed her, no matter the cost. She knew she had to push herself harder now, to train beyond her limits and to understand her weaknesses better than anyone else. This experience had shown her the importance of being prepared for anything, and she was determined to never be caught off guard again.
With each step she took, Amelia felt a renewed sense of purpose. The scars on her body were a reminder of her vulnerability, but they also symbolized her resilience and determination. She would not let fear or failure hold her back. Instead, she would use them as fuel to become an even greater hero.
As she walked out of the hospital, the sunlight felt warm on her skin, a stark contrast to the cold, sterile environment she was leaving behind. She was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, with unwavering determination and the will to push herself harder than ever before.