Malcolm rolled his wheelchair closer to Luna, his tone formal but curious. "What seems to be the purpose of your visit, Ms. Luna?"
Luna was taken aback by his formal gesture. She sighed, her expression softening. "Please, spare me the formalities, Mr. Heart. We're past that, don't you think?"
Before Malcolm could respond, Luna reached under the table and pulled out a sleek, metallic case. She placed it on the coffee table with a soft thud, her smile widening.
"This," she said simply, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
She opened the case, revealing two bionic legs inside. They were sleek and silver, their design both futuristic and elegant. The intricate details and polished surfaces made them look like works of art. Malcolm's eyes widened in awe as he leaned closer, his breath catching in his throat.
"Wow," he whispered, his voice filled with wonder. "They're even more amazing up close than they looked online."
Luna's smile grew as she watched his reaction. "I told you I'd deliver them, didn't I? These are top-of-the-line bionic legs, custom-made for you. They've got a 120% synchro rate, enhanced durability, and advanced mobility features. You'll be back on your feet in no time."
Malcolm stared at the legs, his mind racing. "I… I don't know what to say. This is incredible. But… why? Why go through all this trouble for me?"
Luna's expression softened, her tone sincere. "Because you saved the orphanage, Mr. Heart. Because you're talented, and I believe in your potential. And because… well, let's just say I have a soft spot for artists."
Malcolm felt a lump form in his throat. He looked at Luna, his gratitude evident. "Thank you. Really. This means more to me than I can say."
Luna waved her hand dismissively, though her smile remained. "Don't mention it. Now, let's get these fitted, shall we?"
Luna carefully lifted one of the bionic legs, her hands steady and precise. She tapped something on the side of the leg, and with a soft whir, the opening of the bionic leg widened, revealing a complex array of sensors and connectors.
"Alright, Mr. Heart," Luna said, her tone calm and reassuring. "This might feel a little strange at first, but don't worry. The bionic legs are designed to read your muscle movements and synchronize with them. You'll be walking in no time."
Malcolm hesitated for a moment, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nervousness. He watched as Luna gently placed the bionic leg against his thigh. The metal connectors protruded slightly, attaching themselves seamlessly to his skin. There was a faint hum as the leg synced with his nervous system.
"How does it feel?" Luna asked, her eyes filled with encouragement.
Malcolm took a deep breath, then tentatively moved his leg. To his amazement, the bionic leg responded perfectly, mimicking his movements as if it were a natural extension of his body.
"It… it works," Malcolm whispered, his voice trembling with emotion. He moved his leg again, this time with more confidence, and the bionic leg followed effortlessly.
Luna smiled, her expression filled with pride. "See? I told you it would work. Now, let's get the other one on."
She repeated the process with the second bionic leg, and within minutes, Malcolm was fully fitted. He looked down at his new legs, their sleek, silver design gleaming in the light.
"I… I don't know what to say," Malcolm said, his voice choked with emotion. "This is… incredible."
Luna placed a hand on his shoulder, her tone gentle. "You don't have to say anything, Mr. Heart. Just take it one step at a time."
Malcolm nodded, his gratitude evident. He carefully shifted his weight, testing the strength and stability of the bionic legs. With Luna's support, he slowly stood up, his legs holding him steady.
For the first time in what felt like forever, Malcolm was standing on his own two feet. He took a tentative step, then another, his confidence growing with each movement.
"I'm walking," he said, his voice filled with wonder. "I'm actually walking."
Luna watched him with a smile, her eyes shining with pride. "You're doing great, Mr. Heart. Just take it slow."
Malcolm, now fully equipped with his new bionic legs, couldn't contain his excitement. He tried all sorts of activities, testing the limits of his new mobility. He jumped, only to bump his head on the ceiling.
"Ow," he said, rubbing his head with a sheepish grin.
Luna chuckled softly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Careful there, Mr. Heart. You're still getting used to them."
Malcolm laughed, sitting down on the sofa, which promptly protruded a spring coil. He sighed, leaning back and looking at Luna with genuine gratitude.
"I can't thank you enough for this, Ms. Luna," he said, his voice filled with sincerity.
Luna waved her hand dismissively, her smile warm. "Oh, please. I'd like it if you just called me Luna."
Malcolm nodded, a small smile forming on his face. "Well, Luna, thank you for this. Really. This… is expensive."
Luna chuckled, her tone light. "This is nothing, Mr. Heart. As a player, buying this is nothing more than chump change. Higher gates can earn players millions in just one run."
Malcolm's eyes widened as he realized he had forgotten how lucrative being a player could be. In this world, players earned far more than regular citizens, and the rewards from high-level gates were astronomical.
"I recommend you register yourself as a player now," Luna said, her tone encouraging.
Malcolm sighed, his expression turning thoughtful. "I'm just anxious that the association will restrict my freedom. That's why I'm still hesitating."
Luna shook her head, her smile reassuring. "Oh no, Mr. Heart. The association won't restrict players' movements. It's only in the case of gate breaks that players are compulsory to respond. The guilds, on the other hand, have different policies and may restrict their members' movements."
Malcolm nodded, absorbing the information. "Are you a part of a guild, then, Luna?"
"No," Luna replied, her smile widening. "I'm associated with the Player Bureau Association. It gives me more freedom to operate independently."
Malcolm leaned back, his mind racing with possibilities. The idea of registering as a player was becoming more appealing, especially with the freedom Luna described.
"I'll think about it," Malcolm said, his tone determined. "For now, I'm just grateful for this."
Luna smiled, her eyes filled with encouragement. "Take your time, Mr. Heart. But remember, the world of players is full of opportunities. And with your talent, I know you'll do great things."
Luna glanced around the room, her eyes lingering on the Stickman Platoon and Legion, who were still busy cleaning up the aftermath of their earlier "training exercise."
"Especially these guys," she said, her tone curious. "I assume they're your summons, no?"
Malcolm nodded, a small smile forming on his face. "Yeah, they are."
Luna's eyes sparkled with interest. "Then I would assume your talent is that of a summoner?"
Malcolm hesitated for a moment, then shrugged sheepishly. "Well, kind of. It's a bit more complicated than that, but yeah, summoning is a big part of it."
Luna smiled, her expression filled with admiration. "That's incredible, Mr. Heart. Summoners are rare, and from what I've seen, your creations are something special."
Malcolm felt a surge of pride at her words, but before he could respond, Luna glanced at her watch and sighed.
"I'm afraid it's time for me to go, Mr. Heart," she said, her tone regretful. "But if you decide to sign up as a player, call me. I'll be glad to guide you."
Malcolm nodded, his gratitude evident. "Yeah, I guess I'll be calling you soon. I'll just have to get used to this first," he said, gesturing to his new bionic legs.
Luna smiled warmly. "Take your time. There's no rush. Just remember, the world of players is waiting for you."
She stood up, brushing off her light armor and adjusting her rapier. "Well, I'll be leaving now, Mr. Heart. Take care, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything."
Malcolm nodded, his smile genuine. "Thank you, Luna. For everything."
Luna gave him one last smile before heading toward the door. As she stepped out, she turned and waved. "See you soon, Mr. Heart!"
As the door closed behind Luna, Veyl appeared in the corner of the room, its pages fluttering with a mix of curiosity and concern.
"Can we trust her with your secrets, My Lord?" Veyl asked, its tone thoughtful.
Malcolm leaned back in his chair, his expression contemplative. "I guess we can. Registering as a player requires you to demonstrate your awakened talent. There's no point in hiding it if people can find out about it anyway. I'll just have to downplay my abilities. Besides, having a lot of trump cards can go a long way."
Veyl's pages fluttered as if nodding in agreement. "A wise strategy, My Lord. It's always better to keep some surprises up your sleeve."
Malcolm glanced at the Stickman forces, who were still busy cleaning up the room. "For now, I just need to get used to these," he said, gesturing to his bionic legs. "And level up so I can summon more. It's better to have additional backup if these guys fail to take down the enemy."
He paused, his tone turning serious. "Though they're enough to take down a B-Rank, I doubt they can really handle an A-Rank. Besides, I think Luna wasn't serious during their little encounter. She probably held back."
Veyl floated closer, its aura glowing faintly. "You're right, My Lord. An A-Rank player like Ms. Luna would have far more tricks up her sleeve. It's best not to underestimate the challenges ahead."
Malcolm nodded, his determination unwavering. "Exactly. That's why I need to get stronger. I need to level up, expand my summons, and prepare for whatever comes next."
He stood up, testing his new bionic legs once more. The smooth, fluid movements filled him with confidence. "Let's start small. I'll register as a player, take on some low-level gates, and build my strength from there."
Veyl's pages fluttered with approval. "A sound plan, My Lord. And remember, I'm here to guide you every step of the way."
Malcolm smiled, feeling a sense of purpose. "Thanks, Veyl. I couldn't do this without you."
As he looked around the room, his eyes fell on the Stickman forces, who were now standing at attention, awaiting his orders.
"Alright, everyone," Malcolm said, his voice firm. "Let's get to work. We've got a lot to prepare for."
The Stickman Legion and Platoon saluted in unison, their loyalty unwavering. Malcolm felt a surge of pride, knowing that he had a team he could rely on.
For the first time in a long while, he felt ready to face the challenges ahead—with his creations by his side and a clear goal in mind.