After an hour, Solis reached Mailie, carrying Razille on his back. She was still unconscious, her breathing shallow but steady. The moment they entered the Postknight Academia infirmary, the nurses rushed to take her in. Solis watched anxiously as they attended to her, wiping the sweat off his brow. It wasn't until much later, after she had been settled into a cot, that Razille began to stir. Her eyes fluttered open, disoriented, and it took her a few moments to regain her composure and steady her nerves.
Meanwhile, the infirmary doors swung open with a bang as Tedric entered with Almond in tow. The tension in the air was palpable, and it became immediately apparent they were in the middle of an argument.
"Sir, it's a huge burden to be teamed up with someone who isn't equally strong," Almond said, crossing his arms and speaking with an air of arrogance. "So I told her not to follow me. That's all. It doesn't matter anyway—if I complete the task, she passes too. So why should I bother?"
Tedric sighed deeply, his calm demeanor contrasting sharply with Almond's cocky attitude. "That's not how it works, Almond," he replied firmly. "In bigger, more dangerous missions, you'll need to rely on your team. Abandoning your partner isn't just reckless—it's a failure in teamwork. Yes, you're strong, potentially stronger than anyone else here, but that's no excuse to be arrogant or irresponsible."
Almond scoffed, brushing Tedric's words aside with a dismissive wave. "So what? If you're strong enough, you don't need anyone else. I'm not here to make friends. My only goal is to become the greatest, most powerful legendary Postknight the world has ever seen."
The air grew thick with tension as Solis, standing silently nearby, clenched his fists. Finally, he couldn't hold back any longer.
"Do you really think you can become great by leaving people behind?" Solis spoke, his voice cutting through the argument like a blade. His frustration with Almond's attitude was evident.
Almond turned to him, narrowing his eyes. "And who asked you to butt in? This has nothing to do with you."
"It has everything to do with me," Solis shot back, his voice steady but impassioned. "You don't understand what it means to be a Postknight. It's not just a title or some badge of honor. It's a responsibility. Our job is to bring hope, to protect, to keep smiles on people's faces. How can you call yourself a Postknight if you're willing to abandon someone in need just because you think they're a burden? Being a Postknight isn't about power—it's about helping others, no matter the cost."
Tedric glanced at Solis, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. Almond, however, wasn't impressed. Instead, he laughed bitterly.
"Oh, spare me the hero talk," Almond sneered. "You think you're some kind of savior? Let me tell you something—being a hero requires strength, talent, and skill. And you? You're just some ordinary village kid, dreaming of being a 'decent' Postknight. Don't lecture me."
The heat of the argument reached its peak when Elizabeth, the head nurse, suddenly stepped in. She stood between the boys, her piercing gaze silencing the room.
"Would you boys please stop this nonsense?" she snapped, her voice sharp and commanding. "This is an infirmary, not a battleground. There are patients here who need peace and quiet. Now cut it out!"
Almond flinched at her words, clearly intimidated by her authoritative presence. "Uh... sure. I'm out of here," he mumbled before quickly retreating from the room.
Elizabeth turned to Tedric, her expression softening. "Your student has come to her senses now," she informed him, gesturing toward Razille's cot.
"Oh, that's a relief. Thanks, sweetheart, for handling this," Tedric replied with a sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck.
"You're welcome. But don't you have a report to give to HQ?" Elizabeth reminded him with a knowing look.
Tedric's eyes widened. "Oh, shoot! I almost forgot! Sorry, I've got to run!" With that, he dashed out of the infirmary.
Solis watched him go, his admiration for the older Postknight evident. "Isn't he amazing, ma'am?" he asked, turning to Elizabeth.
She chuckled softly. "Yes, my husband is indeed amazing. You must be Solis, right? Tedric talks a lot about you."
"Really? In what context?" Solis asked, his curiosity piqued.
Elizabeth smirked but didn't answer directly. "That's something I can't tell you. I don't make a habit of sharing the things my husband tells me in confidence."
"Oh, I understand. That's totally fine," Solis replied, though he couldn't hide his disappointment. "But why was he in such a hurry just now?"
"He's heading to Postknight HQ to report on your recent assessment," Elizabeth explained.
Solis froze. "What?! The assessments are reported directly to HQ?"
"Of course," Elizabeth said with a nod. "It's standard protocol."
"Oh no…" Solis began to panic, pacing back and forth. "I was late on my return. Will that affect my score? What if I fail? Oh no, oh no…"
Elizabeth placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Calm down, Solis. Did you tell Tedric the reason for your delay?"
"Y-yeah, I told him everything," Solis stammered.
"Then you don't have to worry. Tedric will manage," Elizabeth said with a kind smile.
Solis took a deep breath, her words soothing his nerves. He looked around the infirmary and thought about how kind and compassionate both Elizabeth and Tedric were. Their dedication and humanity elevated the entire place, making him feel grateful to be a part of it.