Strong Desire

Miku was sitting on the sofa while the other three were in front of her.

"So, your name is Miku?" Kate started the conversation after a long silence.

Miku looked at Antares and Stary standing near the stairs before returning her gaze to Kate. "Yes, I'm Miku," she affirmed.

"And what did you say? Companion of Carl?" Kate confirmed the information she had heard earlier. Someone appeared at her door and suddenly said so. Who was not surprised?

Miku nodded firmly. "Yes, Mrs. Barnes. I'm his companion." Her confidence was so strong.

"Impossible!" Albert suddenly shouted. "You're a high level. There's no way for a high level to be a low-level human's companion."

Carl felt pinched at hearing that. His father looked down on him indirectly, even though it was true. However, he remained silent.

Miku glanced at Carl. "Yeah. Theoretically, it's not possible. But I'm here for him."

Usually, humans and companions must be at least level 40 to enter a cooperation contract.

"Why now? Why not yesterday during the summoning?"

Miku was silent, but her gaze did not leave Carl. "I have things to do."

"More important than the summoning?" This time, Antares asked.

"Yes. It's much more important than that," Miku answered, looking straight at him.

"I heard nothing about it."

Life on Calledar, a companion planet, is not much different from Earth. Eating, drinking, socializing, working, training, leveling up, and more. The difference is that their level will be stuck at 40. To raise it, they had to cooperate with humans.

Because of that, summoning was essential to them.

His face darkened. "Because it didn't happen in your previous life."

During working together, humans and companions would coexist on Earth. They would automatically return to Calledar once the contract expired. It could be the termination of the contract between them or one of them dying.

Stary sensed the tension, so she cleared her throat loudly to interrupt. "Well, whatever happened to you, welcome to this family." It was followed by a smile.

"Thanks, Stary," Miku replied by showing a smile. She then turned to look at Carl. "Now, may we move on to the next topic? It's about his future." Her tone was serious, though a smile was still on her face.

--

Carl had expected him to be noticed. News of his failure must have spread throughout the school. He could even see students whispering near to him.

Indeed, being different was not good.

"Don't worry, Carl. Now, you have me," Miku said next to him.

Yes, they were walking to school together. Carl had to attend a consultation session regarding yesterday's summoning result. They would discuss the continuation of his life before making a home visit on the weekend.

"I don't know whether to be happy or sad, even though you are by my side."

That was right. Carl was already in the limelight because of his failure. And he was sure that he would again attract attention with the news of his companion suddenly appearing. There was nothing fun about it all.

"Smile, Carl. Remember, your mom said a smile makes everything better." Miku said it when someone approached them.

"Hi, Carl," he greeted as soon as he got in front of Carl. "I heard the news and am very sorry for you." He put on a regretful face.

But, wait. Why should he do that? It wasn't his fault.

Carl gave a forced smile. "Thanks. But, I'm okay."

"Don't be so sad. Life must go on."

Yes, Carl knew that, and he didn't need him to tell him. After all, he already said he was okay, didn't he?

"Anyway, who's this?"

Miku knew he was talking about her, so she took the initiative to answer him. "Hi, I'm Miku. Carl's companion."

"Co-Companion? Didn't you fail yesterday?"

"It just happened," Carl replied. "We have to go. We have a consultation session to attend to." He meant we, of course, him and Miku. Actually, he didn't want to take her with him. But, it concerned the continuation of his study. So, he had no other choice.

Carl and Miku walked past the student. However, he didn't take his eyes off and continued to stare at them in confusion.

"I've never believed it. A smile won't change anything," Carl said after a while. It was a continuation of his conversation with Miku.

"But it will change your perspective."

--

"Excuse me? Fighter?"

Miku nodded firmly. "Yes, Carl will be a fighter." Then she was silent for a moment. "No. He has to be a fighter."

"But you said your father wanted you to be an inventor?" Miss Sharma took turns looking at Carl and Miku in confusion. "And the lessons you've been taking for that too," she added.

"Dreams don't always come true, do they? He dreamt of becoming a doctor but had to give up before starting."

"I know. But now, learning to be a fighter is a little late. His physique is poorly trained."

"Yes, that's right," Miku admitted. "But it's never too late to start new things. I'll be his protector until he's strong."

"Protector? Are we at war?" Miss Sharma sneered. Miku's words must have sounded too exaggerating to her.

But, Miku was not offended. Instead, she smiled at her. "We don't know the future," she said meaningfully.

The atmosphere was awkward for a while.

Then Miss Sharma cleared her throat and changed the topic. "Where are you going, then?"

Carl opened his mouth, about to say something, but Miku preceded him. "Astrix Academy."

Miss Sharma's eyes widened in disbelief. "Are you serious? Astrix Academy?"

"Yes."

"Don't be joking. None of our alumni are in that school," Miss Sharma snorted in annoyance.

Astrix Academy is the same as a university but smaller due to limited majors. It also embraces freedom, in contrast to the prestigious A-level schools full of rules, including this school. Because of that, it was at level C.

"Why? It's a great school." Miku responded calmly.

"He should enter a university of the same level. I'll recommend several A-level universities or colleges for him." Miss Sharma got up from the seat and walked over to the table.

"No. He must enter Astrix Academy no matter what." Sharp, Miku said, as sharp as her gaze at the teacher.