Malcom's heart sank as he sat on the bed, tears streaming down his cheeks, and the weight of shattered dreams pressing upon him. He looked at Lord Minato, seeking a glimmer of hope, as he asked, "Is this the end of the road for me?"
With a heavy sigh, Lord Minato replied, "I'm afraid so, Malcom. I am truly sorry."
The reality of the situation hit Malcom like a tidal wave, and he couldn't hold back his emotions any longer. He began to sob, feeling the weight of disappointment and uncertainty engulf him. It was a painful realization that his journey might come to an abrupt halt, leaving him with unfulfilled aspirations.
However, in an unexpected twist, Lord Minato's laughter filled the room, catching Malcom off guard. Confused, Malcom looked up at his mentor, wondering why he found amusement in such a distressing moment.
"What's wrong with you?" Malcom asked with a mixture of frustration and curiosity.
Lord Minato wiped away a tear from his eye, chuckling softly. "I apologize, Malcom," he said, trying to contain his laughter.
As Lord Minato unveiled the secret of diverse supernatural abilities, Malcom's mind swirled with surprise. Until that moment, he had only associated such powers with combat and battle, as society often highlighted the valor of fighters risking their lives. However, the healers, the ones saving and mending their wounds, remained concealed in the background, seldom acknowledged.
With tears still flowing from his eyes, Malcom looked at Lord Minato and asked with a hint of frustration, "Is this some kind of joke? Healing abilities? I've never heard of such a thing."
Lord Minato's smile remained unwavering as he replied, "No, Malcom, it's not a joke. Healing abilities are real, and Lady Maria is a master at it. You see, the world is vast, and there are remarkable powers beyond what we might initially comprehend."
The revelation left Malcom feeling a mix of emotions—astonishment, curiosity, and hope. The possibility of his arm being healed was something he had never considered. Perhaps there was a glimmer of hope amidst his despair.
"Are you certain this will work?" Malcom asked, seeking reassurance.
Lord Minato's confidence shone through as he assured, "I am very sure, Malcom. Lady Maria's healing abilities are exceptional. Trust me, you are in good hands."
Filled with newfound optimism, Malcom inquired, "Do you know where we can find Lady Maria?"
"Yes, she is currently on vacation somewhere in Havenbrook," Lord Minato replied.
As Lord Minato mentioned getting Malcom discharged to seek Lady Maria's help, a spark of excitement ignited within Malcom. Leaving the hospital meant he was one step closer to a potential solution, and he eagerly embraced the idea.
But amidst the hope and anticipation, Malcom couldn't help but express his feelings to Lord Minato, saying, "Why do you always make jokes at my expense? It's not fair."
Lord Minato's smile widened, and he replied playfully, "That's just who I am, Malcom. You should know by now that I enjoy teasing people, especially you. It's my way of feeling at ease."
Their conversation lightened the atmosphere, and Malcom realized that Lord Minato's humor was meant to comfort him, even in difficult times.
Determined to take action, Lord Minato wasted no time. He swiftly arranged for Malcom's discharge, ensuring they could find Lady Maria as soon as possible
As the hospital faded into the distance, Malcom and Lord Minato embarked on a car ride towards the location of Lady Maria. Lord Minato had sought her help, and her acceptance brought a glimmer of hope to Malcom's heart.
Curiosity got the better of Malcom, and he asked, "Where exactly is Lady Maria's location?"
"She's somewhere near Mana Beach," replied Lord Minato, his eyes focused on the road ahead.
After several hours of driving, the taxi eventually came to a stop. Lord Minato paid the taxi fare, and together, they stepped out of the car. The breathtaking view of the ocean greeted them, with waves gently caressing the shoreline. Malcom stood in awe, admiring the boundless beauty of nature.
Lord Minato smiled and remarked, "You see, it's very beautiful. Nature truly is something else."
Overwhelmed by the sight, Malcom simply replied, "Yes, so beautiful."
Their walk towards Lady Maria's location began, and Malcom's mind was filled with a mix of anticipation and worry. The prospect of healing was tantalizing, but doubt lingered in the back of his mind.
Noticing Malcom's concern, Lord Minato turned to him and offered reassurance. "Don't worry about your damaged arm," he said kindly. "Once you meet Lady Maria, I'm confident it will be fine."
"But how can you be so sure?" Malcom asked with a worried expression.
Lord Minato's voice was filled with conviction as he explained, "I've experienced firsthand the incredible healing abilities of Lady Maria. In my days as the strongest warrior, I faced many formidable opponents, some of whom left me on the brink of death. And each time, Lady Maria was the one who saved me with her extraordinary skills."
Malcom's eyes widened in astonishment. "She must be truly remarkable," he said in awe.
Lord Minato nodded with a smile. "Indeed, she is. Her healing abilities are unparalleled, and she has dedicated her life to helping others."
As they continued their journey, Lord Minato noticed Malcom's gaze fixated on his bandaged, damaged right arm. A tinge of sadness crossed Malcom's face, but Lord Minato offered a comforting touch on his shoulder.
"Don't be disheartened, Malcom," he said softly. "I've seen Lady Maria work miracles, and I believe she can do the same for you. Trust in her, and you'll see that hope and healing are not far away."
Malcom felt a sense of gratitude for Lord Minato's unwavering support and belief in him. The journey ahead might be uncertain, but with Lord Minato by his side and the prospect of Lady Maria's healing powers, Malcom felt a newfound strength to face whatever lay ahead.
Within a few minutes, they arrived at a magnificent mansion, seemingly as vast as a castle. Malcom's face lit up with surprise and excitement as he exclaimed, "Wow, that's incredible! This place is so big!"
Lord Minato smiled in agreement and replied, "Yes, it's quite grand." However,he lightly tapped Malcom's head, teasingly saying, "Shut up. Why do you have to act like such a low-class person?"
Malcom turned to Lord Minato, trying to defend himself, "But I am from a humble background."
Lord Minato tapped Malcom's head once more, saying, "That may be so, but there's no need to make it so obvious to everyone."
Malcom nodded, realizing that Lord Minato's teasing was all in good spirits. "I understand," he replied.
Taking Malcom's left hand in his, Lord Minato pulled him inside the mansion as the gates opened. The opulence and grandeur of the place left Malcom in awe, and he couldn't help but marvel at the sight before him.
As they entered the grand compound of Lady Maria's mansion through the ornate gate, Lord Minato released his hold on Malcom's hand, allowing him to explore the impressive surroundings. Filled with curiosity and awe, Malcom ventured forward, unaware of the misfortune that lay ahead.
In an unfortunate twist, Malcom accidentally knocked over an exquisitely designed pot, causing it to shatter into pieces. The sound of the breaking pottery echoed through the air, alerting Lord Minato to the mishap.
Lord Minato's eyes flashed with anger as he quickly made his way to Malcom's side. With frustration evident in his voice, he sternly scolded, "You idiot! I trusted you for just one minute, and you managed to break such a valuable item. Do you have any idea how much that costs?"
Feeling remorseful, Malcom looked at Lord Minato with a sad expression and whispered, "I'm sorry." Despite the apology, Lord Minato delivered another firm hit to Malcom's head, emphasizing that words alone couldn't mend the damage done.
Attempting to explain himself, Malcom tried to speak, but before he could utter a word, Lord Minato's patience wore thin, and he struck Malcom's head once more, instructing him to remain silent.
As Malcom and Lord Minato stood in the compound of Lady Maria's mansion, a sudden interruption from one of the rooms above caught them off guard. A woman's voice rang out, commenting on how cute they looked together and mistaking Malcom's relationship to Lord Minato.
Startled by the unexpected comment, Malcom glanced at Lord Minato with a puzzled expression, hesitantly questioning, "Dad?"
The lady from the room above misconstrued Malcom's words, believing he had indeed called Lord Minato his father. Excitedly, she exclaimed, "Wow! Lord Minato, you finally decided to marry and have a child. That's wonderful!"
Lord Minato, wanting to avoid any further misunderstanding, swiftly spanked Malcom's head again, sternly instructing him to keep quiet.He spoke in a hushed tone, making sure the lady couldn't overhear, "Shut up! Zip your mouth and stay silent for a moment. Don't say anything."
In a heartbeat, Lord Minato's expression transformed, and a smile with a tinge of pink on his cheeks replaced his earlier stern look. He decided to play along, addressing the lady upstairs, "Oh, Lady Maria, he is not my son. There's no need for me to marry anyone when the perfect woman is right here."
Malcom, trying not to be heard by Lord Minato, whispered under his breath, "Who ever thought the so-called fierce warrior would fall in love?" He wore a slight smile, amused by the situation.
Lord Minato, catching wind of Malcom's remark, turned to him with a hint of anger in his eyes. He delivered a powerful hit to Malcom's head, causing him to fall to the ground.
However, Lady Maria intervened, shouting from above for Lord Minato to stop hitting Malcom. Concerned, she looked down and expressed her disapproval of the situation. "Lord Minato, please stop hitting him," she implored.
With a smile directed at Lady Maria, Lord Minato looked up and replied, "Oh my dear, I am sorry. It was just a little playful banter."
As Lady Maria graciously excused herself to unlock the door, Malcom and Lord Minato found themselves in a moment of unease. Lord Minato's face was etched with fierceness and anger as he firmly gripped Malcom's shoulder, warning him not to act foolishly.
Malcom, feeling the weight of Lord Minato's words and the fear in his eyes, shivered with anxiety. In a trembling voice, he assured, "I'm sorry. I won't do anything. I will obey you, sensei."
Upon hearing Malcom's compliance, Lord Minato released his grip on Malcom's shoulder. He then proceeded to clean the dirt off Malcom's clothes. With a softened tone, he said, "Good boy, good boy."
As the door swung open, Malcom's eyes widened in awe, for before him stood a figure of incomparable beauty. The person's radiant presence seemed to emanate an ethereal glow, leaving Malcom mesmerized and unable to tear his gaze away.
This enigmatic person possessed an allure that surpassed any beauty Malcom had ever beheld. The elegant jewelry adorning their body sparkled like stars as the sunlight caressed them, adding to the person's enchanting aura. Their dress, fit for royalty, complemented the splendor of their appearance, making it impossible to resist the allure.
A sense of reverence and humility washed over Malcom as he found himself in the presence of someone seemingly divine. The figure's beauty seemed to transcend the mortal realm, evoking a sensation of encountering a goddess of beauty herself.
With an air of grace, the person gestured for Malcom to enter the house. However, Malcom remained rooted to the spot, captivated by the enchanting sight before him.
In that moment, time seemed to stand still as Malcom's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. He knew not who this person was or their connection to Lady Maria, but their presence alone left an indelible mark on his his heart.