"Merging person and dragon is a fundamental magic. A perfect unity between two creatures. When the dragon eggs fell to the world, we received both our greatest friends and our greatest weapons." -Lord Fellhime, Commander of the 11th Legion of Erostland
***
One by one the dragons landed on the platform. Each one had a beauty and majesty that couldn't be rivaled. There was a large red dragon with a bright ruby crystal at the end of its tail. There was a slender green dragon with two horns that were covered in what Hotshot suspected was venom. The best dragon, in his opinion, was the one that was black with a row of spikes on its head. He saw a spark of electricity shoot between the spikes.
Hotshot was so mesmerized by the dragons he hadn't even noticed that the instructor had begun speaking. the woman standing next to him nudged him to pay attention.
"The dragons before you are now old enough to merge with Pilots." The instructor gestured at each of the dragons with both hands.
"There are only twelve." Saber asked.
"One for each of us." Said another student.
"What if there had been more students that had passed the entry exam?" Asked the student with curly black hair who was next to Hotshot.
"We only pass up to the number of dragons ready to merge each exam. Sometimes it's more, sometimes it's less. We have had exams where only one new student was accepted." The instructor put one of his hands on his chest and his other hand on the dragon he emerged out of earlier. "I am Loudmouth. This is Garverian. We have been flying together for fourteen years, on this very platform is where we met."
All the students looked at each other and then at the dragons. Hotshot stared at the dragon that he wanted. This could be their beginning. He imagined himself as the black dragon, flying in the sky. Swooping down just to touch the ocean. The wind rushing past him. Today was the day that his dream would become reality.
"You will choose which dragon will be your partner. Now, we believe that merit should be rewarded at the Academy." Loudmouth paused for a moment. "Each of you has been given a score based on the entry exam. The person who did the best and thus has the best score, will choose their dragon first."
"Our entry exam?" Hotshot stepped forward. "How do we know what score we have?"
"They are on your uniforms." Loudmouth pointed at one of the students. It was only then that Hotshot noticed the numbers stitched under the crest of the uniforms. The student next to Hotshot had a "six."
"Wait, I don't have my uniform. When do I go?" Hotshot asked.
"Oh yeah, I had noticed that." Loudmouth pointed at one of the academy towers in the distance. "Your uniform would have been brought to your dorm room by now. I guess you will have to figure out what your score is."
Hotshot scanned the uniforms of the other students. "Six, four, eleven, five. I'm not seeing the missing number."
"Twelve is the missing number. Which means you finished last." Said a student standing across from Hotshot.
"Hey! That can't be right!" He turned toward Loudmouth.
"There is no changing where you were placed. We will go in order. Starting now."
Each of the students stood in a semi circle. Loudmouth was between them and the dragons. The dragons paced. Looking at the students with fierce eyes.
"Number one, you are first to choose." Loudmouth gestured towards the dragons as Saber stood forward. Hotshot couldn't handle having to wait. There were so many great dragons to choose from. The three biggest ones were the black dragon with spikes, the red dragon with the ruby tail, and a gold dragon with fin like wings. These would be the obvious choices.
"You." Saber approached a white dragon that had curled up on the edge of the platform. The dragon wasn't the biggest one, not even close, but it was giant compared to this young woman.
The beast stood up. It's claws kicked up dust as it stepped towards Saber. It was only then that Hotshot noticed that the dragon's tail looked sharp like a blade.
"The White Sword-Tail, pretty good fit for someone with the call sign of Saber." Loudmouth gave her a smile before turning to the other students. "Who's next?"
The next student had short blue hair. He chose the black dragon that Hotshot wanted. One by one, each student chose their dragons. After several students had gone, Hotshot had a realization.
"If I'm last then that means I'll only get whichever one is left." Hotshot picked another dragon in his head but that one was chosen. Then he had his eye on the blue slender dragon with glowing arrows along its neck. Then that dragon was chosen by the tenth student.
There were only two dragons left. A red dragon that looked like it had a bad temper, and a yellow dragon that was the smallest one there.
"Please pick the yellow one." Hotshot whispered.
The student walked up to the red dragon and placed his hand on it. "This guy is my choice." The student smiled at the grimacing dragon.
"Well, only one left." Hotshot looked towards the last dragon. It had hid itself in the back behind the others. It was the smallest dragon there. Gently it stood up and flapped its wings at Hotshot. Each wing had a patch of feathers that started at the tips and went down the edges.
Loudmouth approached Hotshot. "This is a Yellow Feather-Wing dragon. I believe they told me it's name was Pepper."
Hotshot stared at it. Pepper was shy and timid. It avoided his gaze. How could this happen? Was this really his dragon. He felt his dream shatter.
"So how do we merge with them?" The student at the red dragon began to push it with both of his hands until the dragon snapped at him. The student yelled and this apparently startled the dragon as it got up and flapped it's wings.
Unfortunately Hotshot was standing too close and the dragon's wings knocked him away. Before he knew what had happened, he was falling off the platform. His dream was going to end. After all the work he had done, he would die for nothing.
"I'm sorry father." Hotshot shut his eyes. It was over.
A ferocious roar almost ruptured Hotshot's ears. He saw two dragons flying down towards him. One was Loudmouth's. The other was Pepper.
Pepper snatched Hotshot out of the air like it was nothing. After a few moments they were already back on the platform.
Everyone gathered around Hotshot. He had almost blacked out from the fall.
"You alright?" Loudmouth pushed the students aside.
"I'm alive." Hotshot stood up and looked at Pepper. "Thanks to you." The dragon gave a soft chirp.