I Started By Summoning a Small Fire Dragon

The Announcement Hall was crowded with hundreds of students milling about. The buzz of conversation filled the large room, a mixture of nervousness and anticipation that I could feel in my bones.

Today was the day of the class placement announcements. After yesterday's exam results and the several follow-up tests we had already taken, the academy would finally announce which classes each student would be placed in.

Sol sat quietly on my shoulder, but I could feel the tension through our bond. The conversation with Professor Orvek after yesterday's class still loomed large in my mind.

"Sol is no ordinary familiar, Nova," Professor Orvek's words still rang in my ears. "I can't quite explain what I saw, but there was something... ancient about him. Something that may have surpassed our understanding of familiars."

When I asked further, he simply shook his head and said that he needed to learn more before he could give a definite answer.

"Nervous?" Neris asked, standing next to me. Luna curled up in his arms, looking much calmer than the other familiars.

"A little," I answered honestly. "Are you?"

"Very," she admitted with a faint smile. "My father would be very disappointed if I didn't get into the elite class."

Ah, right. I forgot that Neris came from a noble family. The pressure she felt must be different from mine.

In front of us, Kaelion stood with a straight posture, Aurelius perched gracefully on his shoulder.

He looked very confident, as if he already knew for sure which class he would be in. And considering his exam score of 950, his confidence was probably justified.

"Attention everyone!"

The booming voice silenced the entire hall. Dean Aldric walked to the podium with his dark purple robes fluttering dramatically. The black raven on his shoulder - Nyx, if I remember correctly - stared at us all with sharp red eyes.

"Welcome to the day that will define your journey in the Royal Academy," Dean Aldric said with authority. "The class placement system in this academy is based on several factors: familiar strength, growth potential, resonance ability, and most importantly - ability to adapt to academic pressure."

He paused, his sharp eyes scanning the room.

"There are four grade levels in this academy. Platinum Class - for students with exceptional abilities and the potential to become elite Summoners of the kingdom. Gold Class - for students with above average abilities and bright prospects. Silver Class - for students with standard but solid abilities. And Bronze Class - for students who still need intensive guidance."

My heart began to beat faster. Four grades. And considering the incident with the exploding crystals, I wasn't sure which grade I would be placed in.

"Platinum Class will have access to a special library, training with elite instructors, and priority in academy missions. Gold Class has access to advanced facilities and specialized training. Silver Class has a standard curriculum with additional support. And Bronze Class..."

He paused for a moment, his expression hardening.

"Bronze Class will undergo an intensive remedial program. You will be placed in a separate building, with a stricter schedule, and stricter supervision."

Disappointed murmurs began to rise from several students. It was clear that no one wanted to be in Bronze Class.

"However," Dean Aldric continued, raising his hand to quiet the crowd, "the placements are not final. Every semester, there is a re-evaluation. Students who show significant improvement can move up a class, and vice versa."

At least there was still hope for a class transfer.

"Now, for the announcement. I will call by class, starting with Platinum."

The tension in the room rose sharply. Everyone held their breath.

"Platinum Class. Kaelion Draconis."

Applause filled the hall. Kaelion stepped forward with his head held high, a satisfied smile etched on his face. Aurelius flapped his wings proudly.

Of course he was in Platinum.

Several other names were called for the Platinum Class. All of them were students with noble backgrounds and impressive familiars.

"Gold Class."

Names began to be called. I heard a few familiar names - students whose familiars had shown impressive abilities during the exam.

"Neris Lunaria."

Neris let out a sigh of relief and smiled widely. "I'm in Gold!" she whispered happily to me before stepping forward.

I smiled at her, though I was starting to worry. If Neris with a score of 680 got into Gold, with the crystal exploding incident yesterday, I might...

"Silver Class."

The list of names for Silver was quite long. Most of them were students with average but stable abilities.

My name wasn't called.

My heart began to beat faster. There was only one class left.

"And finally, the Bronze Class."

The atmosphere in the hall became silent. No one wanted to be in this position.

"Marcus Ironhold."

A burly young man with a small earthen bear familiar stepped forward with his head bowed.

"Lydia Thornfield."

A brown-haired girl with a small bird familiar who looked sickly.

"Elena Riverstone."

"Thomas Ashford."

One by one the names were called. Everyone looked embarrassed and disappointed.

"And lastly..."

Dean Aldric looked directly at me.

"Nova from the Green Forest Village."

The world seemed to stop spinning. Whispers immediately filled the hall:

"Of course he's in Bronze..."

"His familiar isn't normal..."

"Poor thing..."

I walked forward with trembling legs. The soles on my shoulders didn't move, but I could feel him shock too. In the distance, I saw Neris looking at me with a worried face.

Kaelion smiled smugly, as if he had expected this to happen.

"Congratulations to all students," Dean Aldric said after all the announcements were over. "You will receive your class schedules and further information from your homeroom teachers. Bronze students, follow me to a separate building."

We - five Bronze students - followed Dean Aldric out of the hall. I could feel the stares of hundreds of other students, a mixture of pity and relief that they were not in our position.

The building for the Bronze Class was located at the far end of campus, separate from the main building. It was smaller and older looking, with peeling paint and dim windows.

"This will be your 'home' for the semester," Dean Aldric said as he opened the door to the building. "Your classrooms are on the second floor. Dormitories are on the third floor. A small library is on the first floor."

We entered the building, which felt cold and damp. There were no fancy ornaments like in the main building, just plain walls and creaking wooden floors.

"Your homeroom teacher is Professor Gideon. He will explain the curriculum and special rules for the Bronze Class."

An old man with messy white hair and a dull brown robe walked down the stairs. On his shoulder was a small white mouse that looked as tired as its master.

"Ah, new Bronze students," Professor Gideon said in a hoarse voice. "Welcome to our... special class."

The way he said the word 'special' sounded sarcastic.

"You will undergo an intensive program for the first six months. Classes from morning to evening, additional assignments, and weekly evaluations. No time to relax."

Marcus, the young man with the bear familiar, raised his hand. "Professor, can we still move up a class?"

"Theoretically, yes," Professor Gideon replied in a tone that was not very convincing. "But in practice... well, we'll see."

The atmosphere grew even more gloomy. Lydia looked close to tears.

"Alright," Professor Gideon continued, "let me show you your classroom."

We went up to the second floor. The classroom was much smaller than the one this morning, with only five desks and an old blackboard in front.

"This is your classroom. It's simple but functional," Professor Gideon said, pointing to the desks.

"You can choose your seats."

I chose a desk in the back corner, as usual. Sol hopped off my shoulder and sat down quietly.

"Oh yeah," Professor Gideon said, turning around, "there's one more thing you need to know about the Bronze Class."

We all stared at him intently.

"You will be looked down upon by students from other classes. They will belittle you, mock you, and think you are not worthy of being in this academy."

A tense silence filled the room.

"Are they right?" Professor Gideon continued, looking at each of us one by one. "Are you really not worthy?"

Before anyone could answer, footsteps could be heard coming from the stairs. A group of students were coming up to the second floor - students I recognized from the announcement earlier.

At the forefront was a tall blond boy with a golden eagle familiar. He entered our classroom with a disdainful smile.

"So this is the place," he said, looking around the room with disgust. "The Bronze class. Where the weakest gather."

His friends chuckled. I recognized some of them - Gold students whose familiars had performed well during the exam.

"We just wanted to see what your 'home' was like," the blond boy continued, glancing at me.

"Especially the country boy whose familiar blew up the crystal."

Sol on my desk began to fidget. I could feel the anger through our bond.

"Calm down, Sol," I whispered softly.

"Lowest level?" one of the Gold students standing behind me said, his voice full of scorn.

"Country rats."

The words cut like knives. Not just because they hurt, but because there was a truth in them that I couldn't deny.

I was just a country boy. My familiar was strange and incomprehensible. And now I was in the lowest class of the kingdom's most prestigious academy.

Maybe they were right.

Maybe I didn't deserve to be here.