“A Retirement Application”

The physical examination unfolded over two days. After exhaustive assessments, it was confirmed that Merlin's right arm harbored a genetic mutation.

Carr had accompanied Merlin for the two days of examination and had to accept the outcome: "The mutation isn't extensive, and we don't necessarily have to go down the path the doctors are suggesting with amputation... I've done some research these past few days, and it's not like there haven't been mech pilots with genetic diseases before."

"The speed at which the mutation worsens is unpredictable, and it could also compromise the neural compatibility with the mech," Merlin said, looking at his legs. Initially, When the genetic mutation was discovered, the doctors were worried that his legs were affected by the mutation as well, but after thorough examination, no issues were found, leaving the aftereffects of neural connection surgery in mech pilots to blame.

He knew that his inability to walk wasn't due to the neural connection. Having been disabled for so many years in his past life, he had become estranged from the memory of walking. Now that he had been given a pair of healthy legs, regaining the ability to walk would still take some time.

Carr scratched his head and said, "But amputation, what about your career? You've finally come of age, and now this happens. How about we start with drug suppression?"

The primary medium for mech pilots to operate mechs is through neural sympathy, and replacing limbs with mechanical prosthetics could affect the operation of mental power in the human body, indirectly hindering mech piloting... Moreover, undergoing surgery to remove the genetic disease could greatly affect mental power and physical condition.

If Merlin were to undergo surgery for the genetic disease, not only would his right hand's mobility be affected, but his ability to pilot mechs would also be limited.

"How long can drug suppression last, and besides, I'm not in a state to pilot mechs right now," Merlin said with a calm gaze. He seriously added, "Carr, I don't want to be disabled."

Seeing that Merlin had made up his mind, Carr's eyes reddened a bit, "Then let's go for treatment. I need to check the doctor's plan, which doctor is leading? No, no, I need to find you a better doctor."

As Merlin watched him go out to find a doctor, he suddenly remembered his past life.

When he was seriously injured and discovered to have a genetic issue, Carr was bustling around just like now. But back then, because of a commercial contract facing a huge penalty for breach and subsequent medical expenses, his latter half of life was practically ruined. He didn't want to drag his friend down and ended up going to Sirius alone.

It turned out, being reborn and going through it all over again, he still had to trouble his friend.

The atmosphere in the sickroom became somewhat quiet, with the AI robot dutifully and heartily peeling an apple for Merlin. The window was left ajar, letting in the warm summer breeze.

Merlin's gaze fell outside the window, overlooking the vast landscape beyond.

In the following days, the doctors continued with follow-up examinations. To ensure the success of the surgery, Merlin needed to undergo stages of physical adjustment, and rehabilitation for his legs was also moved up in the process.

When Carr entered the rehab room, Merlin had just finished a phase of rehabilitation, sitting in the resting area, drenched in sweat, with a light computer playing something in his hands.

It was the downtime for the Solo Mech League, but the Team Mech League was in full swing.

Merlin's attention, however, wasn't on the live, fiercely contested matches of the current star domain but rather on a replay—specifically, the Dawnlight Star's top 16 clash between K&D and YS teams.

"Are you interested in K&D, or is it YS?" Carr, holding a medical tablet, casually sat next to Merlin and continued, "In the solo league, but we're virtually invisible in the team league. Not to mention within our galaxy. The Dawnlight Star has yet to produce a competitive team mech squad."

The performance of the First Star Domain's Mech League was poor, and their Dawnlight Star was even worse, lagging behind within the First Star Domain. In the solo category, a standout named Sink had emerged in recent years, but in team competitions, there was no sign of any promising teams making a splash.

Merlin didn't respond but stared at the unfamiliar IDs in the K&D team, slightly lost in thought.

"YS has been on a strong run lately, but K&D, they've fallen out of the top 8 this season. It's all because of their team management's inaction. The team is almost falling apart, and the management didn't even bother to secure a spot in the top 8, leading to a split. Recently, it seems it was handed over to the new managers, and their performance has plummeted."

"And there's been some scandal recently."

Merlin asked, "Who's the owner now?"

"It just changed hands recently, now it's Pearl Robinson," Carr said offhandedly. "But what's the use of changing owners? Last year there were management issues, the team split up, and players were taken away. Now there's hardly anyone left in K&D, and everyone's saying they might not even make the top 16 next season."

As Merlin listened to Carr's ramblings, memories of his past and present lives mingled together. Even if his genetic disease hadn't been discovered at this stage, he wasn't in a condition to compete in mech sports.

The solo league had just ended a few days ago, leaving two months of rest time.

But for Merlin, starting from the age of 20 when his genetic mutation led to his disability, he hadn't piloted a mech for a full ten years. The muscle memory from when he was 18 might still be there, but on a conscious level, there was a 10-year gap.

Without training or practice, his current level of mech piloting might not even be a third of his peak. Moreover, he hadn't walked for ten years, and at this stage, aside from treatment for his arm, he needed to catch up with all this information.

Seeing Merlin's focused gaze, Carr asked again, "You seem really interested in K&D?"

"Yeah," Merlin's gaze shifted away from the light computer, "The report?"

Carr then remembered, handing him the medical tablet, "Everything you requested is compiled here."

After a brief pause, he reiterated, "Are you certain about this?"

"Yeah."

Merlin closed the page on the light computer and instead opened a blank document. He imported the medical report from the tablet and began drafting on the blank document—a retirement application.