"Why do I always fail? Why do I always fail others when it matters the most?" Pearl thought, even as her unconscious body remained still.
Then, the whispers from her past began to echo in her mind.
"Sorry, Miss Pearl, you failed this test."
"Sorry, Miss Pearl, you failed this test... again. I would suggest you consider changing your course. I don't think continuing this makes sense. You've failed the combat exam four times in the last two years."
"Pearl, your father and I talked about it. We think you should consider an alternative career. Fighting isn't appropriate for a girl."
Each voice felt like a stab to her heart, their biting words pulling her deeper into her frustration and sorrow.
"Why can't you all just leave me alone? Aghhhh!" Pearl screamed silently in her mind, her chest tightening as the memories swirled. "I want to become a postknight because I want to help people! I don't want to stay the same person I was that day. If I were brave enough... if I were strong enough... Marie wouldn't have died."
Her thoughts dragged her back to that day. She could see it as clearly as if she were there again. She and her best friend, Marie, had been playing in the school corridor, giggling and carefree, when Marie suddenly lost her balance and fell from the second floor.
"Marie!" Pearl's younger self had screamed. She'd frozen in fear as Marie dangled from the staircase railing.
But then, a new whisper joined the storm of voices. This one sent an icy chill through Pearl's soul. It was Marie's voice.
"Why didn't you save me that day? Everyone thinks I just fell, but that's not true. I managed to grab the railing. If you'd grabbed me quickly, I wouldn't have died. Why did you betray me that day? Why, you witch? Why!?"
"No!" Pearl's mental cry was filled with anguish. Her entire body trembled. "Oh, Marie! I'm so sorry. That day... I couldn't muster my bravery. I was terrified. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. Please…"
The painful memory overwhelmed her until she suddenly snapped out of the nightmare, gasping for air. She blinked against the bright lights of a hospital room. Her scream had startled a nurse, who rushed in to check on her.
"At last, you're awake," the nurse said gently, relief softening her expression. "You've been here for two days."
Pearl's voice came out raspy. "Who brought me here?"
"A boy. I think his name was Solis," the nurse replied, her face lighting up at the memory.
Solis. The name triggered a flood of recent memories. Pearl recalled the mission—they'd been tasked with delivering a postknight scroll to Riverside Hospital.
"Oh no! The scroll!" she exclaimed, sitting up abruptly despite her body's protests.
"Don't worry," the nurse reassured her, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. "We received the medicines. That boy also brought us the postknight scroll."
"Really?" Pearl asked, her wide eyes betraying her astonishment.
"Yes, and you're in Riverside Hospital," the nurse confirmed with a smile.
"Where is Solis?" Pearl pressed.
The nurse's smile turned wistful. "He left yesterday. He seemed to be in a hurry, which is understandable since he's a young postknight trainee like you. Did you know, dear, that boy was incredibly determined? He carried you here on his back for almost 20 minutes. Unbelievable, isn't it?"
Pearl's heart swelled with gratitude. "He really carried me... all the way here?"
The nurse chuckled. "Yes, it was quite the sight—adorable, even. He was so worried about you, though he tried to hide it. Boys that age can be amusing like that."
Pearl's cheeks flushed slightly. "Umm... I'll have to thank him later."
The nurse tilted her head, her expression curious. "But how did you two end up in such a situation? Was it those aggressive roblins?"
"Huh? How did you know about them?" Pearl asked, startled.
The nurse sighed, her face growing serious. "Well, recently, the roblins in this area have been acting strangely. They used to avoid the village, but lately, not only are they coming closer, but they're also attacking people."
Pearl frowned, her mind racing. "This is concerning. I'll need to inform Instructor Tedric about it."
After two days of rest, Pearl was finally cleared to leave. She stood at the hospital's entrance, her bag slung over her shoulder, and turned to the nurse with a smile.
"Thank you for your care," she said, bowing politely.
"Take care of yourself, dear," the nurse replied warmly, watching her leave.
As Pearl walked away, her resolve solidified. She clenched her fists. "I may have failed before," she whispered to herself, "but I'll prove to everyone—and to myself—that I can succeed."