Always Second Best - Part 2 - State Alchemist

The girl sat at the south exit of the Central building. Everything Marcia had worked for had come to this moment. All of the endless nights studying would finally fruit before her. She had known for so long that she had wanted to become a State Alchemist. And now it was about to happen.

The physical exam was no problem. Her body was always at peak condition. Marcia even ran for miles after indulging in cookies. She would make something of herself, she promised. The very best. The only thing that could be an obstacle was the actual knowledge of alchemy.

In truth, nothing about alchemy came easy to her. In order to deconstruct and reconstruct and object, you need to understand their molecular structure and think about how you need to alter it on that level. What if someone simply didn't have a mind for science? What if someone wanted to perform alchemy but couldn't understand the finer points of the elements? That's why Marcia worked so hard. She forced herself to be able to remember. She forced herself to have a scientific mind. She had no talent; that much she had come to terms with. But, with anything, you can gain expertise through experience.

When an officer from Central called in her for her exam results, Marcia was almost in tears. She would get the word now - was she in or out? She was so young, of course there would be other chances to become a State Alchemist. After all, there was only one other child her age even trying to join. That was surprising, but it didn't deter her. The only thing that rattled Marcia's nerves was having finished the exam. She answered every question. She used every amount of brain power she had. Marcia was then slipped a sheet of paper as evaluation.

Her heart broke on sight.

They had rejected her. Marcia wouldn't become a State Alchemist. Everything had been for ... nothing. According to the letter, her score was just below that of another, taking her place in that year's recruitment quota. The end of the letter encouraged her to try again the next year, but wouldn't the same thing happen again? How could anyone reject another and then ask for another chance? Wouldn't they say the same the next time? Don't they say that every time?

She wanted to scream, but nothing came out. Her eyes became rivers as she walked back out of the entrance, not making a single sound as she did. Turning her head, looking through the deep locks of hair that blocked her view with her head hanging as low as it was, she could see a couple other officers talking to a blonde kid that had apparently taken the exam. He was being called to the Colonel's office. He was being given his pocket watch.

Marcia's chest heaved and heaved in equal parts sadness and resentment. She recognized him. Elric. The show-off from Risembool. He had taken her place. He was the reason she wasn't accepted.

And she would never forgive him.