"What was that?" Carl asked as they walked home side by side. With Miku, of course. Also, that question was for her.
"What?" Miku asked back. She didn't understand the question, even though she had an idea what he meant.
"My level went up by five."
It differed from what she thought. However, it was connected as a result. "I think my magic resonated with you." She had thought about it, which was the only conclusion she came to. After the duel, his level suddenly rose by five. It surprised her, as well as did Julian and Vega. Others didn't seem to notice that because they only focused on the duel.
"Also, about my sword?" His voice sounded doubtful. He felt like her answer had answered all the questions on his mind. But he also thought there was another possibility.
Yes, that was what she really meant. It all started with his sword suddenly becoming transparent. It wasn't as clear as hers, yet it was already showing a change. That meant his level increased as his limit to using magic increased.
"I think so," she answered quietly. She felt guilty for Carl because he had almost lost control before. "I'm high leveled, so it gives access to my magic rushing into your sword."
"But, professor Raphael said I can only use it according to my level."
"Yeah, only if your companion has a level not much different than yours," she rebutted quickly. "It must be different if our levels differ that much."
The proof?
The duel. Miku suddenly felt her magic rushing into his sword. It caused her to stop in the middle of the fight to turn her attention to him. And what she found was that he almost lost control.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know it would be hard for you," Miku whispered. She thought she could keep him under control as long as they were together. In fact, it was not as easy as it seemed.
"Why said sorry? You're innocent."
"But you almost lost control."
Carl took a deep breath. "Yeah, I almost lost it. All I could think about was magic. And maybe that was why I lost control." He confirmed. "That was because of my lack of ability to control magic, not yours. After all, we can't choose a partner. If it were possible, I would definitely choose a companion to make me a doctor instead of a fighter." He ended it with a joke.
Miku laughed at that. "You know you still can study medicine."
"Are you sure? I see your boredom in every theory class."
Her laughter grew louder. She had to admit that what Carl said was true. "I think medicine is still acceptable to me. Remember, I come from a healing village."
"Oh!" Carl responded as if he had forgotten about that fact. "Then, let's change to medicine."
Miku lightly punched his arm. "I promise to make you suffer."
"More than this?"
"Of course."
They filled the way home with small talk. It relaxed the previously tense atmosphere.
"Promise me you won't tell Mom," Carl said as they reached the front of the two-story house. His house. "I don't want to worry her."
Miku looked at him, then turned to the house. It lighted up, showing someone was inside. "Sure."
Then, they walked into the house.
"I'm home, mom," Carl said as he closed the door. He announced his arrival because he knew his mother was at home.
"Here, Carl. In the kitchen."
Carl and Miku stepped into the kitchen. They found the mother taking the lasagna out of the oven to bring to the table.
"You're home in time. It's just finished," Kate said as she set the food on the table. She then turned around and was surprised to see him. "What happened to you?" she asked worriedly. Her gaze fell on the tear in his shirt.
"Oh, this. It's from practice this afternoon." He grabbed the torn part, trying to cover it up.
However, Kate brushed it off. She wanted to see what happened to him.
"I'm fine, mom. Miku has healed me."
"It's a wide tear, Carl."
"Look." He opened the tear to show what was behind it. "There's no cut. And it's just a scratch."
Yes, a sword duel was impossible without a wound. Luckily, it was only a scratch, so the teacher and Miku could quickly heal it.
A sigh of relief escaped her lips. The most important thing for a mother was that her son was alright. "You have to be careful."
His hand moved to hold her arm. "Mom, I'm learning to be a fighter. There's no way I wouldn't get hurt." Her mother had been calm all this time because Miku had healed all his wounds after training. So, it was as if without a trace.
"Still, you have to promise me you'll be careful."
Carl showed a smile to calm her down. "I promise, mom."
Kate seemed calm to hear that. She then turned to look at Miku behind him. "And you too, Miku. You must also be careful and keep your promise to protect him." She allowed him to become a fighter because Miku promised to be his best companion and protect him.
Miku nodded. "I promise."
"He's grown, Kate. He sure knows how to take care of himself." Suddenly Stary came with a roast chicken in her hands. It smelled delicious. It made his stomach growl.
Stary chuckled at that. "You must be hungry. Go get a plate," she ordered.
Carl complied. He walked into the kitchen, picking up a plate and fork while Miku took a drink.
"Also, bring some orange juice," Stary said to them again.
"Yeah, time flew by fast. Now, he's eighteen. A big boy." Kate chimed in at Stary's words. Her eyes were still on her son.
"And he has a companion," Stary added. "I see Miku is great accompanying him. There's no companion as good as her for Carl."
Kate turned and smiled at her. "You're right. There's nothing wrong with getting hurt in class. I was probably overthinking it. You know neither my family nor Albert have been fighters before."
"You're his mother, so it's normal to be worried."
"Thanks, Stary. You're my best friend."
"Sure. Who else will be your best friend besides your companion?" she joked.
They laughed together. It took away all the worries that had arisen.
After that, they took seats there, followed by Carl and Miku. And dinner began. Just the four of them because Albert and Antares were out of town on work. Meanwhile, Max and Fynn rent an apartment near his laboratory. They were workaholics. They purposely stayed close, so they didn't have to travel long to work.