Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

In the blink of an eye, the day of the finals arrived. The month-long Medical League was finally wrapping up. By now, the top three spots seemed pretty much set in stone. They were the Austenberg team, the Medical Organization, and Team M. If it weren't for Flora's injury, Austenberg snagging first place would have been a given. But with Flora's hand out of commission, her participation in the finals was off the table. So, whether Austenberg could still clinch the top spot was anyone's guess. With just half an hour left before the competition kicked off, most teams had already gathered, chatting away.

"It's such a shame about Flora," someone commented, full of sympathy. "To have this happen right before the finals, it's got to be tough on her. She was so close to winning, and now she doesn't even get to compete."

"Who says Flora's not competing?" someone else chimed in. "I overheard Austenberg team members at the hotel saying she's in for the finals!"

This bit of news caught a lot of attention.

"She's competing? But isn't her hand injured?"

"Yeah, I heard it was bad enough that even holding a fork is a struggle, let alone a scalpel."

"Are you sure you didn't just catch a rumor? I can't see Flora risking it."

"Me neither."

"I'm telling you, I heard it with my own ears. But whatever, you'll see once the Austenberg team shows up!"

The crowd's curiosity was definitely piqued.

Finally, as everyone eagerly waited, the Austenberg team arrived at the venue. Flora, masked up and in a white lab coat, walked slowly at the back, subtle yet impossible to overlook. Everyone spotted her immediately.

To their surprise, Flora really was there and not just to watch, but to compete! They all saw the competitor's badge tied around her waist.

"Flora, if it gets too much, just back out, alright? Don't push yourself. It's just another competition," Mr. Tanner advised Flora, clearly worried.

He'd seen too many people who,

despite injuries or minor issues,

insisted on performing surgeries and ended up ruining their hands, never to operate again. He knew Flora was sensible, but he couldn't help but fret.

Flora gave a gentle nod, letting him know she understood.

Soon, the competition kicked off, and the host took to the stage to lay out the rules. The finals were all about practical skills, testing participants' surgical prowess on ultra realistic mannequins with built-in sensors.

These models felt and were structured just like real humans, ensuring that participants could perform without hindrance. The system would guide them on the next steps, and any mistakes would be caught instantly by the sensors.

Even the tiniest error would trigger a warning, helping participants catch their slip-ups. This approach was a safety move-after all, you couldn't exactly practice on real people. With the rules explained, the host started calling out the names for the first round.

"From the Medical Organization, Orla; from Team R, Mulan; from the Austenberg team, Flora, Joy... All participants, please head to the stage!"

The named participants got up and confidently headed to the competition stage. Flora stood up too.

"Good luck," Felene said, raising her fist in an encouraging victory gesture.