Fencing at Night

"Come to my office." Max, Carl's brother, spoke at dinner in the evening. It was their first dinner together since Miku's arrival.

Miku guessed it was for her because they had previously talked about her presence at this house. However, since he didn't mention a name, she became doubtful. "Did you mean me?" she asked for sure.

"Yeah, who else? I need to find out what you can do at your level." Max answered calmly. Then he spooned a piece of lasagna into his mouth.

Miku looked around before saying, "And why should I do that?" There was nervousness in her voice. The request was sudden, and it didn't sound like a request at all.

"You'll help me figure out the tools for your level."

"You have Fynn as your companion. And I'm sure there're other companions to help you create new tools."

"Yes. But companions of your level are rare." Max looked straight at Miku. "Even if there is, it belongs to the elite who are hard to borrow."

Miku looked at Max intensely and then smiled. "That's your problem. Not me." After that, she returned to her dinner.

"Don't say that. It's all for good," said Albert, joining the chat. His face hardened, looking displeased at her refusal.

"I know. But he can't force me to do that."

"You'll benefit, anyway. You'll try the tools first."

Miku finished chewing her lasagna and said, "Yeah. But I also get the effect first if it fails."

Silence. The atmosphere turned awkward just because of a minor argument.

"How insensitive." Antares followed Albert by nagging her.

"Thanks," she replied nonchalantly. She stabbed the last piece of lasagna to eat. "I'm here for Carl, remember?"

"By guiding him into a fighter?" Albert sneered. Apparently, he was still having a hard time accepting the fact.

"Yes, Albert. We've talked about it."

"Listen. If you're that great, why not guide him into something else? Become an inventor, maybe? Or are your abilities aren't as high as your level?"

It was true. Albert was still obsessed with his desire.

Miku had just opened her mouth when there was a loud bang. It was Carl who put his fork on the table with a slight thud. He then moved from his place.

"Where are you going?" asked Kate, who saw her son walk away from the table carrying his plate and glass.

Carl continued to walk towards the sink and put his plate and glass there. "Practice," he answered simply. "Let's go, Miku," Carl continued. This time, he headed straight for the door.

Miku put the last piece in her mouth and stood up. She immediately caught up with Carl, who was halfway to the door. But then she remembered something. "He'll become an inventor, but in a different way than Max."

She took two steps and stopped again. "And one more thing. Please believe in your son. He'll do his best for this."

Next, she jogged away from the house and the people inside.

--

"So, this is what you mean by practicing?" Miku walked leisurely and leveled Carl with her hands in her pockets.

A week had passed since the visit to Astrix Academy. The two of them were getting closer as friends and training partners. To be precise, Miku trained him.

"I hate when they argue like that."

"You mean showing their skills-"Miku paused for a moment "-right?"

"You seem to know my family very well."

"I'm learning. Anyway, I'll be with them for the next years. Unless you're planning on moving."

"It's hard to find a place to live now."

"That's why I have to blend in. Even if I can't do it all the time."

"Good excuse from someone who has ruined the dinner," he quipped.

Miku lightly punched his shoulder. "Shut up, Carl." She did it jokingly, of course.

Carl laughed heartily. "How about we run around the cluster?" The suggestion was to change the topic.

Miku shook her head. "No. Running after dinner is not good for your stomach," she refused.

"Then, what?" Carl questioned her refusal. Wasn't Miku questioning their activity that didn't match why he used to get out of home?

Miku suddenly stopped. She turned to face him. "How about fencing?"

"Fencing? In the middle of the road?" He showed his surprise.

"No. We'll do it there." She pointed at the playground a few meters away.

Carl followed her finger and smiled. "Then, let's go."

They excitedly ran towards the playground. Miku immediately took out two swords commonly used for fencing.

That's the advantage of companions. They have the magic of storing and removing objects. Of course, nothing big.

"Are we going to use full equipment?" asked Carl as Miku handed him the sword.

"Why? Are you afraid that I will hurt you with this sword?" She purposely raised her sword to mock him.

"Please, go easy on me."

"Now, you're asking me to save you." She said that with a laugh as she walked towards her position.

"Sure, I won't win against your serious moves."

Miku took a stand. "This is just the beginning, Carl. I have a lot more to teach you. So try to beat me."

Carl followed her by getting ready and brandishing his sword. "I'll try my best."

And the game began. Miku deliberately gave Carl the chance to attack her first. But as she said, she wouldn't go easy on him. Even though she couldn't really fight him, either. Carl just started. Their abilities were clearly different.

Perhaps, some minor victories would be awarded to him. Of course, Miku would do it as naturally as possible.

"Yes!" Carl exclaimed as the tip of his sword hit Miku's hand. It was his first successful strike after conceding twice.

"You're getting better," she complimented. She used this fight to judge his abilities. For beginners, he was good.

"Thanks for going easy on me," he replied. He knew Miku was capable of much more than that.

Miku laughed. That meant her acting was still not perfect. She then returned to her position to prepare for the next attack.

After a wordless gesture, they started attacking each other again.

"We start learning to shoot tomorrow," Miku said while taking two steps forward. "What do you think?" She pointed her sword against her opponent's head which Carl could parry.

"Sounds great." He parried another attack that was aimed at his waist.

"And archery."

"Okay." Coinciding with that, he received a quick hit on his thigh. Unfortunately, he could not fend it off. "Damn it!"

Miku laughed with joy because she had won again. "Come on, Carl! Don't give up."

"Who said I gave up?"

And their game went on for some time.