"Truthfully you are mediocre. I do not understand why our Teacher has chosen this kind of learning method when it comes to you. You are very good practical-wise, but your theory is atrocious.”

  Kano said to Gabrio. Gabrio was sitting in front of Kano. Kano held a stack of papers. Written on the papers were numbered questions.

  “Theory-wise you have a lack of understanding. Practically you are a physician with attainments that wouldn’t lose to some of your seniors. I did hear rumors that Teacher was raising your skills through live practice. How many have you dissected in the past years?”

  “Ah, I don’t know.”

  “I see. Your expression is telling. I would too. But Gabrio, my junior, this intuition requires the ability to work together and create a viable research. You have indeed fulfilled your role as the head researcher. Your researching ability needs practice, but you’ve got the basics at least. But do you know what makes us physicians?”

  He raised a finger, “We rely on our wits and then make a decent conclusion through the scientific method that our teacher had drilled in our skulls. Yes, there are things in this world that are not sufficient enough for us to understand. Nonetheless, you must remember that this is something that cannot be done without the proper hard work. I understand that you have practical experiences. You are knowledgeable when it comes to practice and the art of doing it. But a good physician must not always focus on the salient aspects of the wound. He must also wonder what, when and even who had caused the wound in the first place.”

  He raised a second finger, “The cause of the wound that is ailing your group is the inability to work together to achieve your roles. Yes, you have done your roles, but most of your research is messy, unorganized, and does not match with the content of one another. There are three of you. You have done most of the handiwork while the two of them did the leg-work. Your teammates, they came to me explaining how all of it was your fault. How you had many excuses which resulted into this dilemma that you are facing. It’s simple, you failed in regards to this work. You are a survivor, Gabrio. You’ve always been one, but in terms of academics… I do not know if you are lazy but brilliant. Or simply you do not care how to do it. I’ve seen you. Heard of you. How you reached this far despite your lackings. I wonder if that is your power of persuasion or guile?”

  He threw the stacks of papers in the trash bin. He took a bottle of kerosene, poured it on top of the stack of papers dropped in the bin. “Your documents have been properly researched by our Professors. The three of them have unanimously decided that your team has failed in this regard.”

  “I see.”

  “A minimal reaction. But you at least understand that you failed. I was half expecting you to make excuses, but this is a surprise for now. That is why I wonder how you will handle this.”

  He made an inquisitive gaze. Gabrio looked at the professor with a downhearted expression. His eyes were on the burning stacks of paper.

  “You may be surprised about this. But I always found you pitiful. We met when you were incarcerated, no? I saw you inside a small box, who was it again? That boxed you and beat you so you may learn your lesson? Ah, no need to glare at me, I know your relations with your ‘family’ as well.

  “But the thing is that I cannot make you pass with pity. This is academia, not a place of charity. Do you understand where I am going with this, Gabrio, my junior?”

  “I have an inkling.”

  “Not enough. You have failed in answering the questions that you’ve posed in your thesis. I truly want you to pass so it may bring me honor as well. But you must also understand that in my position, passing you is equivalent to insulting the mission and vision of this proud academia. Do you hear my words clearly?”

  “I do, Senior.”

  The senior tapped his white-gloved finger on the hand rest. “Bags under your eyes. Half-awake. Even your side is swelling from the work. While your other teammate, I have seen them mess around while I was out for dinner. Do you know why I scold you instead of them? You may think that this is unfair. But let me tell you that it is the privilege of the well-educated to guide the lowly educated ones. Personally, I want you to pass. But you have failed in the aspect of making use of your teammates. You utterly failed in that regard that I have to do this.”

  “I understand clearly.”

  He placed a hand on his cheek, “Do you have grievances?”

  “None, Senior.”

  “Of course you have. Your eyes flicker with disappointment. Do you know? Some of your rivals are even willing to help you. That is impressive to me. That they would want to take time to help you, but I have denied them this. I do not wish to tolerate failure. Now, my words may contradict, but you must not make use of your rivals this time. I want you to fail, Gabrio. I want you who had almost struggled and endured to reach this academia to fail and try. Do you know the guiding words of our teacher?”

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  Gabrio nodded, “We must always struggle. One foot at a time. To never give in to the argument of failures… the words that guide me. But truthfully, my heart burns, Senior.”

  “I can see it. So will you take the rope or do you wish to try?”

  Gabrio grabbed onto his fingers. His smile curved downwards. The look on his eyes resembled those who would be staring blankly at the night. Gabrio looked up and saw the eyes of his senior. Always judging his actions. His expectations were that of a father looking at the failing son.

  “I do not like this look. It does not suit you, Gabrio of Fort Rava. But since your mind and heart had decided from the looks of it. Then I will give you a boon in hopes that it could help you. Self-reliance has always been a virtue. I may treat you differently, but I do not wish for you to even think of doing it this way. I will not pass you for the sake of our shared relationship with our Mentor.”

  Gabrio took the paper recommendation. It was a letter with the address pointing to old carthan. He took the paper with him. After he went out of the room. He spotted his group mates looking at him then leaving. Gabrio stared at the letter of recommendation.

  You failed. Get a job, find funds, and then try again. Is this what you ask of me, Senior? I… haven’t worked as a doctor for a long time. Even the funds that I have were handed or paid to me after working jobs in the town. It would take me months or years to get the funds again.

  His senior wasn’t willing to fund him personally. It was already enough that he even allowed him to enter this late in this academia’s semester. Nonetheless, the Senior insisted on self-reliance. Truthfully, if the man wasn’t so proud, he would have funded Gabrio. Nonetheless, Gabrio knew that his senior was looking for him to rise up from this failure.

  Gabrio walked the halls of the Academia. The afternoon light passed through the stained glass. Uniformed men and women sometimes glanced at his general direction. Gabrio wore his travel clothes and carried his luggage. It didn’t take him long to reach the front entrance. Once he got out of the main building of the Academia. Gabrio dragged himself to the entrance. His eyes went back to the main building.

  A doctor’s path will never be easy. You told me that. Everyone told me that. This country, the people, they do not know the little difference that we have. They understood the importance of this profession, but refused because it is not in their custom and a king had died under the hands of a Doctor. I understand this. I understand why the Senior wants me to succeed without anyone’s reliance, but it’s so tiresome.

  Gabrio thought to himself. He looked at his callouses-covered hands. He balled his fist tightly and his arms shook. His shoulder went up and down and a soundless scream came out of Gabrio as he held his hair. For a moment there was fire burning in his eyes, then it became blank as the void.

  Ting. Ting. Ting.

  But then light came again. He heard the forging of steel in his mind’s palace. The emotions were forged into steel walls to protect his heart. With that forging he took a step and left the Academia.

  For the following weeks he traveled the Old Continent looking for funds. Along the way he met individuals who needed helping. The United Continent was peaceful as of late, but bandits had always been somewhat of a scourge for these lands. Still, he was able to manage while taking his time to enter Old Carthan.

  It was then that he got a position to handle a clinic. He spent most of the time looking after the eldery while despairing at night. Although he was disappointed by the lack of respect for doctors to the point that in one night he had debated if he wanted the rope or a bullet.

  It was tiresome. His world was gray. And Gabrio found himself looking back at the failures. He would recall the teachings of his Senior. The disappointed looks on their faces and the shame of walking away.

  On a certain day however, he learned of a grand voyage from the mouths of the people. A grand voyage funded by the Chancellor of Aon and will be led by the Reconnoiter Company. Hearing this, Gabrio found himself taking his time to search for information regarding the voyage. He found the details. Read up on his duties and thought to himself that he must go.

  Truthfully, the more he stayed in this clinic. The more gray his world was becoming. There was something that he could do on this voyage. He wanted to be told what to do. And also wished to do something. If he stays in this town. To continue on like this. Could he grow into something more? He knew his path was long and for the rest of his life after his escape from the fort, he had done nothing but take safer steps. Careful steps that brought nothing but despair for him. He was stuck in a mud that he couldn’t move from.

  This is my chance to get out of this place. Away from these people. Away from all of these troubles. Not a bullet, not a rope, but a voyage will do good for me, isn’t that right, Teacher? You always did say that I am too weak-hearted.

  Gabrio said to himself. He took the paper, went to the Master who was looking for the crew members and presented himself in front of the Master. The master in-charge of hiring personnel looked at his papers and asked questions regarding where he came from and what he can offer to the Grand Galleon. Gabrio chose to say that he was a doctor and had practices as a surgeon just in case. After that, he waited for two-days until he was called by his people. When he got the job of being part of a clinic inside one of the Grand-Galleons. Gabrio left the clinic he was working at and packed his belongings to immediately join this voyage.

  Instead of a bullet.

  Instead of a rope.

  Gabrio of Fort Rava chose the voyage leading to the thousand islands instead.