Failure

Carl moved his feet restlessly. Needless to say, he was nervous.

No.

Not only him but also his classmate that took the test with him.

"I hope to find a companion who can help me become a brilliant doctor," said the girl sitting in a row with him, waiting in line and waiting for her turn. It reminded him of his long, hidden dream.

Become a doctor.

It started in his childhood. When he fell after climbing a tree in a park near his house, which resulted in a broken left hand. He was amazed by the doctor who managed to heal his hand to its original condition. As soon as the cast was removed, he immediately set his goal of becoming a doctor.

Unfortunately, the desire was not supported by his parents. Not that they didn't like it, they just wanted him to take another route, especially after his brother became an inventor. To them, being an inventor looked excellent. And for that reason, he was forced to enter this high school and take some lessons that would make him an inventor.

Sometimes, parents' thoughts cannot be understood.

"For me, I want to be a designer. I want to change this school uniform." said another girl next to her.

"What's wrong with our uniform?"

"Oh, come on. Sky blue is an ordinary color. It's not stunning."

"But it's good. I like it."

"Even though the color is like the color of the sky?"

"Hm-hm."

The second girl sighed long. "What do I expect from a doctor-to-be?" she said, shaking her head dramatically.

"I-"

Before the first girl could finish her words, the door opened. A group of students came out of the room with their respective companions.

"Carl Barnes, Judith Park, Jim Hudson, Anna Smith, and Katie White." The teacher called five names for the next session.

The five students, including Carl, stood up and followed to enter the room.

Going deeper, the students were amazed by the various modern equipment. This wasn't the first time they had been there. But this was the first time they had seen the entire equipment turned on.

"Stand in each circle," the teacher ordered.

They obeyed and began to take their place in each circle. Before long, the ring lighted up brighter, showing that the process had started.

"Now, on your screens, choose a summon companion." The teacher gave further orders.

After the teacher said that, suddenly, some words appeared on the screens of each student.

Summon Companion.

Indeed, that was what the teacher meant. So they focused on the words.

A second later, the ray surrounded the student's body. It was so bright and so dazzling. They had no choice but to close their eyes.

Carl didn't know how long it had been. Clearly, he only opened his eyes after feeling the ray had disappeared. But apparently, the remnants were still there. So he had to squint to recognize the unfamiliar figure in front of them.

"Now, open your eyes!"

Without prompting, Carl already did it. Only this time, he dared to open his eyes wide because the ray had disappeared.

Various expressions appeared on the faces of students. Of course. They succeeded in summoning their respective companions.

But, wait. Why did only four appear? Why didn't Carl see the one in front of him?

"Miss Sharma, I can't find my companion," Carl said after a long moment of confusion. And his words attracted the attention of his friends and companions, who were getting to know each other.

There were whispers all around him. They were talking about why this happened. Meanwhile, the teachers looked for the reasons this could occur.

After an awkward silence in the same position-standing in the circle of thoughts racing, Miss Sharma approached him. She put her hands on Carl's shoulder. "There're no errors in the equipment and processes. We don't think you're destined to have a companion."

The news was like a bomb exploded inside his mind. Of all people, why him?

Not having a companion is not impossible. Out of 100 people, there's a chance that one failed to summon a companion. Or they didn't have one at all. Only two students could not get companions in the final test in the previous batch.

Five possibilities might happen.

First is the failure of the tools humans use here to summon companions. The second is the failure of the process so that the link is not created.

Hearing Miss. Sharma's previous explanation, those two possibilities were impossible.

The third possibility, the companion has not reached the required level. Just as humans had to get level 40 to summon a companion, they, too, had to call the minimum level for a summoning link to occur.

Fourth is one of the worst possibilities. No companion is destined for the human. And fifth, no less unlucky, the companion refuses the summoning request. The relationship between the human and a companion is a contract of cooperation. Thus, they could reject or accept this summoning, whether human or companion. The risk, there may not be the same opportunity in the future.

Well, it was not really the end of the world. But, it would be the end of the career Carl dreamed of. Almost impossible to get a prestigious job if he didn't have a companion.

"I'm sorry, Carl." Miss Sharma said again, comforting her student.

Carl looked at her, then his friends, and back at his teacher. Suddenly, his lip shut tight. He could not reply to the news nor consolation. This was too sudden, as quickly as his future was torn apart.

What would he do then?

No.

More important, for now, was his parent's response. They must be disappointed because this news cut off their splendid plans for his future.

"I don't know what to say," he said lowly, finally.

Miss Sharma stroked his shoulder. "I know you're shocked by all these. We'll help you talk these over to your parents."

Carl could only reply in silence. He was really disappointed.

"Don't give up. I believe you'll find a new path."

Inwardly, he was skeptical. He wouldn't get it. His future was inevitable.

Fail.

He was a failure.