My heart thundered in my chest as the recruiter regarded us. As one of the assembled candidates I knew the others wanted to be admitted into the academy has much as I did. Summoner Alfred stood directly before us. His hooded gray eyes appraising our newly summoned monsters.

"What a fine assembly of creatures," he said. "That each of you had enough magic to activate a monster card is a good sign."

I brimmed with pride. My Toad Knight stood at rigid attention awaiting his next orders. While he wasn't the most impressive of creatures, I had faith in him. Father had brought this monster summoning card from his travels in the Western Isles. I still recall being overjoyed when I first opened his gift. Owning my own summoning card was a dream come true. My parents had brought a number of magical tutors to me. Who taught me how to focus my mental energies in order to activate the card and bring it to life. Now, after all the struggle and effort I finally had my chance!

"Let's see what you can do with these creatures," Alfred said. "I'll summon my own monster and then command each cadet to attack it."

"Master," I gasped. "You want us to battle you?"

"Don't worry," the old summoner grinned. "This is mearly a test."

"I'm ready!" Karl held out his arm on which was rested his summoned Dragonling. He was too confident for my taste. I knew the recruiter must have some kind of trick up his sleeve.

"Shall we begin?" The wisened summoner reached into his pouch and produced a single card. He tossed it upwards and them gestured dramatically with his staff. A beam of energy erupted from his staff and struck the still floating card. A small globe of energy emerged from the card and hovered near the ground. It shimmered and took shape, forming a tiny creature no more than six inches high.

"What's that?" The violet eyed girl standing next to me said in surprise.

"Only a minor monster," Summoner Alfred said. "She's called Moon Fairy, and should be an adequate opponent for beginners."

"I got this aced," Karl boasted. The pudgy faced kid pointed at Moon Fairy. Then he shouted, "Dragonling attack!"

The tiny Dragon spread its wings and took to the air. I barreled directly towards the seemingly helpless fairy. Then Dragonling opened its mouth and unleashed a burst of flame. The resulting fireball sped towards Moon Fairy. My jaw dropped in horror as I watched hot flame engulf the tiny sprite. Then the flames dissipated, revealing Moon Fairy unharmed.

"What the –," Karl was incredulous. "How did she survive that fire blast?"

Summoner Alfred didn't say a word he only smiled. Then he gestured with his staff. Moon Fairy responded immediately and fluttered her wings. The tiny creature rose swiftly and torpedoed towards the attacking Dragonling. Then she pointed with her delicate wand and a silvery beam of energy shot out. The white light wrapped around the Dragonling until it had completely trapped the fire breathing monster. Moon Fairy gestured again and the silvery strands tightened around Dragonling. The now helpless creature fell to the ground with a thud.

"Let's see how well you others do" the old Summoner tapped his staff on the ground. In response Karl's Dragonling vanished in a burst of light.

"Bushwog attack!" The violet eyed girl screamed.

In response her leafy companion leaped into battle. As it held out its wooden arms, long leafy vines sprang forth. The creeping vines snaked their way along the ground until they reached Moon Fairy. The omnious vines reached upwards and snatched the flying sprite. Wrapping themselves around the fairy's tiny form. However, Moon fairy seemed unfazed. A devilish grin crossed the little pixies face and she winked. Suddenly a bright burst of light erupted from her and the creeping vines which entrapped her dissolved into nothingness. Then she spun midair and pointed her silver wand at Bushwog. Another beam of magical light shot forth and struck the ground in front of the leafy monster.

The ground trembled and the Bushwog was knocked on its back. Moon Fairy pointed with her wand again and another beam of light struck Bushwog. The leafy green monster yelped and then disappeared in a shower of bright sparkles.

"She easily defeated my Bushwog," the violet eyed girl shook her head in disbelief.

"Rock Troll attack!" The tall lanky boy next to me pointed to his monster.

The stone-skinned creature dug it's fingers into the ground and pulled a massive chunk of earth free. The ball of dirt now in its hands magically transformed into a huge boulder. The little troll hurled the giant rock towards the flying monster. Moon Fairy dodged the incoming missile expertly. She twirled in the air and dove towards the little stone monster. Rock Troll didn't back down. He ripped another chunk from the earth and solidified it. Then he hurled the stone missile at his dive-bombing opponent. Moon Fairy dodged the incoming attack with very little effort. Then in a surprising move, she flew directly at Rock Troll. Moon Fairy managed to knock the tough little beast off it's feet. She spun back in the air and pointed her fairy wand at her foe. Another bright beam of light burst forth and struck Rock Troll in the chest. The summoned creature dissolved in a shower of tiny pebbles.

"No way," Jun seemed surprised that his monster had been so easily defeated.

"Well I guess it's my turn," my throat was dry. My Toad Knight was going up against a truly devious little monster. I didn't know what was going to happen, but I'd come too far to give up now.

"Toad Knight attack!" I pointed at the flying fairy and my monster leapt into battle. Moon Fairy aimed her wand and shot multiple bolts of light towards my attacking Toad Knight. The little frog was surprisingly agile, dodging each incoming attack. Then he leaped into the air slashed with his rusted sword. His weapon struck the flying sprite, but she seemed impervious to his blows. Moon Fairy flew higher and then readied her wand for another attack. A bright bolt of light beamed towards Toad Knight. But to my surprise my little monster managed to dodge the incoming barrage.

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"Go Renjie go," my sister called out from the crowd.

Encouraged by Mai's cheers, I called out to my summoned monster. "Toad Knight launch shield attack."

Without missing a beat, my amphibious monster held up his shield and hopped upwards towards the fairy. Like a small green missile he barreled towards the silver winged monster. To my surprise he struck her! Hitting her hard with his worn shield.

Moon Fairy hurtled backward. The sheer force of the impact knocking her from the air. She hit the ground with a resounding thud. My Toad Knight landed on it's feet, shield still raised in defense.

Interesting," Summoner Alfred arched an eyebrow.

"You can do it Renjie!" My sister pumped her fist into the air. She really did have my back.

Summoner Alfred lifted his staff and pointed it towards his fallen fairy. An intense beam of light radiated outwards. I realized that he was healing Moon Fairy. The newly invigorated monster quickly rose to her feet. Then she aimed her silvery wand at my Toad Knight. This time an extremely bright ball of energy erupted the wand. The deadly light sphere torpedoed towards my monster. Toad Knight kept his shield raised high, but the energy was much too intense. The white hot globe completely enveloped him. I watched in dismay as my little champion vanished into nothingness.

"A very admirable showing from all of you," Summoner Alfred stroked his beard. "Each of your monsters has been returned to it's card. Now it is up to me to decide which of you will be admitted to the Academy."

My heart leapt up into my throat. I'd never been so nervous. All of my hopes for the future rested on this one moment. Since my rebirth on this world, I've only ever wanted one thing— to be a Summoner! Now that the final moment had arrived, I was sick with with worry. What if I didn't make it? No! I shook my head in defiance. I'd come too far to give up now!

"You've all performed admirably," the old summoner stood before us leaning on his staff. "So I'm pleased to announce that each of you has gained admittance!"

I couldn't believe my ears. I'd never before heard of the Academy accepting so many students from one village at once. This had to be a mistake.

"You have a week to ready yourselves," the Summoner Alfred continued. "Letters will be sent to each of your families, informing them what necessities you'll need." Then he bowed ceremoniously. "Congratulations on your admission to the summoner's Academy. We are pleased to have you."

I couldn't believe it! Had it really been that easy? This rushed admissions ran counter to everything I'd ever heard about the Academy. It was almost like the recruiter was relieved to find any suitable candidates at all. Yet, despite my concerns I was thrilled to have been accepted.

"Renjie you did it!" Mai ran from the crowd and wrapped her arms around me. "I'm so proud of you little brother!"

"I can't believe it," I told her. I hugged my sister back. And then my thoughts drifted back to our family. Now the difficult task of telling mother and father the news was before me. I wasn't sure how they take the news. But no matter what, this was the path I'd set for myself since being reborn on Vale. here was no way I would pass up on it now.

"Congratulations," the tall lanky boy named Jun held out his hand.

"You to," I took his hand and shook it vigorously. "So looks like were all going to the Academy together."

Jun stroked his chin. "I can't recall I've ever heard of an instance where so many candidates were accepted at once."

"Me neither," Kylie, the violet eyed girl, chimed in. "It's almost like he was desperate for recruits."

"You scrubs better not hold me back," Karl shoved his monster card into his leather pouch. "Because it's obvious I was better than all of you."

"Don't get too cocky," Kylie shot back. "We haven't made it through Academy training yet."

"I've heard they're tough on new recruits," Jun folded his arms across his chest. "So we all better be ready."

"I've heard the same thing," I nodded in response. "The Academy flunks over half its incoming class each term."

"That's what I mean," Kylie interrupted. "they usually only choose one top student from a single village. But in our case they picked us all."

"I think I might know why," Mai nodded somberly. "There's a shortage of magic!"

"What are you talking about," I looked at my sister in surprise.

"Well I've heard other merchants talking," she continued. "And they said there are entire villages where not a single magic-user can be found."

"I've heard something similar," Jun agreed with her. "My father said there's fewer magic-users born every year."

That's right," Mai continued. "And the various magic schools are in heavy competition for students. Not to mention the precious few capable of activating a monster card!"

"It does make sense," I replied. "In any case, I think we should all make a pact to stick together."

"That's right," Jun said. "We're all from the same village so lets stay tight at the Academy."

"Speak for yourself," Karl turned his back and walked away. "I'm not going to be associated with you losers."

"Wow charming," Kiley shook her head in disapproval. "What a jerk."

"He's always been that way," I told her. "So we'll just forget about him. I pledge to stick with you guys no matter what. "

We all shook hands and gathered our things. Mao put a reassuring arm around my shoulder as he walked from the village square. The stone path towards our families home, seemed even longer than before. A flood of emotions went through me. For one, I was excited to be joining the seminars Academy. It was a rare honor that very few ever attained. On the other hand, Mai's news about the magic shortage worried me. What if magic really was disappearing from Vale? Then that meant the various magical schools would produced less cadets. Which in turn would result in weakened defenses, leaving our borders vulnerable to invaders. While the entire situation filled me with unease my excitement still high. I made it! I was going to be a summoner.