Postknight Chronicles

While Solis and Elizabeth were deep in conversation, Razille stirred in her cot, trying to calm her racing nerves. She gritted her teeth and flexed her fingers, testing her strength. Slowly, her voice, though weak, broke the quiet.

"Elizabeth…" she called faintly.

Hearing her, both Elizabeth and Solis turned toward her and hurried to her side.

"Hey, settle down, girl. You're still injured," Elizabeth said gently but firmly, placing a steadying hand on Razille's shoulder as she tried to sit up. "Don't move too much; you'll only make things worse."

Razille gave a weak smile. "Thank you."

"There's no need to thank me," Elizabeth said, brushing off the gratitude with a warm smile. "You should thank this lad." She nodded toward Solis, her eyes sparkling with pride in him.

Razille turned to Solis, studying him for a moment before recognition dawned on her face. "Huh… thank you. Wait a second, you're that energetic kid, right? What's your name again?"

"Oh! My name? It's Solis," he replied with a hint of pride. "But… how did you get into trouble like that? Can I know?"

"Well, I'd like to hear that too," Elizabeth chimed in, her curiosity evident as she crossed her arms and leaned slightly toward Razille.

Razille sighed and began her story. "It all started after we were sent off on our missions. Almond and I were preparing when he suddenly challenged me to a sparring match. He said he wanted to test my strength. I didn't want to back down, so we fought… and, well, I lost. Badly. After that, Almond just left to complete the mission alone." Her fists clenched as she recalled the humiliation. "Frustrated, I went into the forest to clear my mind, but then those creatures came out of nowhere—a pack of dire wolves! I tried to fight them off, but I was already exhausted. If it weren't for Solis…" Her voice faltered as she met Solis's gaze. "Well, that's the whole story, I guess."

Elizabeth and Solis exchanged glances before nodding. "Yeah, pretty much understood," they said in unison.

Razille managed a small laugh at their synchronized response, but before she could say anything more, Solis stretched and yawned dramatically. "Well, I think my part's done. Man, I'm starving. Time to grab a meal. See you all later!" He turned to leave, waving casually.

"Hey, wait a minute!" Razille called out, her voice more forceful now.

Solis stopped and turned back, tilting his head. "What do you need?"

Razille hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Why did you save me back there? You know there was a pack of dire wolves, and according to the Postknight guidebook, beginners are supposed to avoid them. Why did you disobey that and risk your life?"

Solis smiled warmly, his expression both kind and confident. "Does it really matter that much? Those are just guidelines, not rules set in stone. If I followed them too strictly, I'd forget what it really means to be a knight—'to save the weak and protect peace.' That's the true motto of being a knight, isn't it? After all, Postknights are knights too, in our own way."

Razille blinked, taken aback by his sincerity. "You're weird," she muttered, though her tone held a hint of admiration. Reaching into her bag, she pulled out a small bottle filled with a shimmering red liquid. "Here. As thanks for saving me, take this."

Solis took the bottle, examining it curiously. "What's this?"

"It's a health potion I made myself," Razille explained, a small smile tugging at her lips. "But it's not just any potion. If my calculations are correct, it'll boost your strength and stamina for about 20 minutes."

Elizabeth's eyes widened in amazement. "Wait, you made your own unique potion? At your age? That's incredible, Razille!"

Solis looked equally impressed. "Wow! Is that really such a big deal, Mrs. Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth nodded enthusiastically. "It is. Only a few with advanced knowledge and skill can create unique potions. It's a rare talent. How did you manage it, Razille?"

Razille blushed slightly, her fingers brushing over the potion bottle. "I've spent my whole life in the woods. Nature has always been my greatest teacher. If you pay attention, it offers everything you need."

"Well, that's incredible. You're amazing, Razille," Solis said, his admiration genuine.

Razille smiled shyly. "Just call me Raz. I prefer that."

"Got it!" Solis and Elizabeth said in unison again, causing all three of them to share a laugh.

Solis tucked the potion carefully into his bag. "Thanks, Raz! I'll make sure to use this wisely. Now, I really need to go eat. See you later!" With a final wave, he left the infirmary, his steps light and cheerful.

---

Later that evening, in his dorm room, Solis sat on the edge of his bed, staring out the window. His mind replayed the events of the last 48 hours—the dire wolves, Razille's rescue, and Almond's arrogance. He sighed, leaning back against the wall.

"Man, that was exhausting," he murmured to himself. "I've still got such a long way to go. I'm not strong enough yet, not responsible enough. If I want to reach my dream, I'll have to work harder. A lot harder."

With that resolve, he clenched his fists and smiled faintly. "One step at a time."