"Kyle, hurry up, you can't be late, you have your summon link ritual today!" Exclaimed a blonde woman who seemed to be knitting what seemed like a scarf.
"I won't be late Mom, I should be able to get there in time, I know I'll get a nice summon", said a young white-haired boy reaching for his jacket.
Just as he was about to head out, he met a boy about two years younger than him.
Gleaming with excitement, the boy exclaimed, "Big bro, I hope you get an Ignition beetle, they are very cool!".
"Kuzan, I'm not hoping for a measly C-rank summon you know", Kyle retorted as he flicked his short wavy hair.
"Aw come on big bro, they ARE cool you know, they can explode and all", said the younger boy with a huge smile on his face.
"Tsk". sighed Kyle as he slammed the door on his way out.
"What's his problem?" Kuzan said as he looked toward his mom.
"Well, as level-headed as your brother usually is, he must be feeling pretty anxious this time", their mother said as she continued her knitting.
'I hope everything goes well for him,' were the words that went through Kuzan's mind.
**************
The summon link ritual is done every year when children reach the age of 15, they usually converge at the "Link Hall" where their summons are transported from the World of Summons and linked to individuals respectively.
"Welcome future summoners", a deep voice echoed around the hall as the children entered the hall.
"Today will be that of remembrance as the summons you receive will play a big role in how you will develop as a summoner".
"Now, place your hands one by one on the screen in front of you", the voice continued as a machine came up from the ground.
The machine was divided into two sections that were connected which were the screen and a metal box with the front looking like the doors of an elevator.
"Now, a summon will be brought from the World of Summons based on the potency of your magic… There are five types of summons you can get, each with different ranks: C, B, A, and S class". spoke the voice, this time without an echo.
'Hmm, I'm aiming for an A-rank summon, but maybe a B-rank would suffice,' Kyle thought, clenching his fists.
It was time for the ritual, the first child proceeded to put her hand on the screen.
The machine spoke these words as the door opened, revealing a bird with fiery red eyes and feathers covered in flames. Its talons were sharper than the average bird of prey.
"Woahhh", everyone in that hall shouted in excitement because it was very new to them.
"Woohoo!" the girl exclaimed as she walked away with the bird atop her shoulder.
"Pretty nice but still a C-rank lowlife creature ", Kyle muttered while looking at the girl and her summon in a condescending manner.
Another child proceeded to put their hand on the screen.
"What's a Shadow Panther?", the boy asked with a slight shrug.
"It is a Hybrid summon that uses Nature and Shadow magic energy to blend with its surroundings". the former voice spoke, this time with an echo.
"Oh, Thanks!" said the boy already walking away with the panther cub.
After that several children came forward to acquire their summons, which were all mostly C-ranks.
One child, in particular, came out, he had red spiky hair with a mean look, peculiar shark-like teeth, wearing a white tank top with Black Jeans.
He placed his hand on the screen and the machine spoke…
"Is this some kind of Joke, this isn't even a summon", the boy questioned.
"The Cryo Scythe is a B-rank summon that does not take the form of a creature, so be grateful for what you get", the voice uttered.
"Fine, I'll take the two base abilities", the boy answered, jolting his shoulders and walking away.
Now it was Kyle's turn, he was too focused to notice everyone's eyes fixed on him, after all, he was the first son of THE "Eric Vaden" who was considered a top-class summoner and was the only human that had the ability to go into the World of Summons.
Hiding his anxiety, Kyle walked towards the machine and placed his hands on the screen.
"Whaaaaa?" The whole hall became noisy as the children chattered among themselves.
"How can his potency be that low?" one child with a chubby stature and a mole on his face said to the other.
"Hehe, he's a loser who can't even get a summon", another child said with a sneer on his face.
"Bet his dad won't be too happy about this", added a third.
At this time, Kyle's shoulder became heavy as the weight of
disappointment suddenly came upon him, his once bright eyes dulled showing his shattered expectations.
"Silence in the hall!" The voice spoke, immediately cutting off all the talk in the hall.
"Now Kyle, go immediately to Link Headquarters, you shall be told the next step to take following this development ",
Kyle slowly walked out of the Link Hall with his head down, he felt like he had been cast into a pit of despair.
"It's funny how someone who mocks another for their summon gets nothing", an unknown voice spoke just as Kyle came out of the hall.
Kyle turned his head to look and saw that it was the mean-looking red-haired boy who was given a B-rank summon.
"You must feel like puke now, your parents will loathe giving birth to you when they hear…."
"Is that all you have to say?" Kyle interrupted with a deadened look on his face.
"My name's Ethan... Ethan Southbrick", said the red-haired boy.
"I don't care... I'll be going now", Kyle quickly replied and was on his way.
"Yo, Kyle!" Ethan called back as Kyle looked back.
"It's ok to give up!" he shouted with a mocking facial expression and tone.
Kyle bothered not to reply and continued to Link Headquarters, he knew nothing could be done and was going there to fulfill all procedures.