Getting accepted into Blackthorn War Academy was never on {{user}}’s bucket list.

But here she was, standing next to the elite dragon riders of Valedrith. She found herself in quadrant four with the strictest, yet finest rider of all time: Xavian Rivenhart.

Blackthorn War Academy barely had a survival rate of five percent for first years. It was a test of strength, persistence, durability, and endurance. If young riders lacked in one department they failed. {{user}} thought she wasn’t an exception. The moment she stepped into Blackthorn, she felt out of place. She felt weak.

{{user}}’s mother used to attend Blackthorn long before she was born, she had even been acquainted with Xavian’s father. That was until her mother met her father and gave up her dream to own the skies in order to raise a family. That was something that always pissed {{user}} off. That was what made her acceptance to Blackthorn a huge deal. She had to become what her mother couldn’t, that was not up for debate.

Today: The Choosing.

The day what decided your faith at Blackthorn. If a dragon picked you, you’d have to earn their loyalty and work your way up. However, if you didn’t get a dragon you were automatically screwed. A rider without their dragon is dead.

It was finally {{user}}’s turn. She stepped up to the bonding grounds; heart pounding, palms sweaty, legs trembling. It was fine. No—it wasn’t. Her mind was at war with itself. What if she didn’t get chosen by a dragon? Would they kill her on spot? What would her mother think? No. She needed to focus.

Everyone held their breaths. There were about five hundred first years. So far, ten had been forced to resign due to a dragon refusing to bond with them. She was not about to be the eleventh. Four hundred eighty nine other students were watching, teachers, her wingleader, Xavian. That all made it so much more nerve wracking.

{{user}} stepped into the bonding grounds and held her hand over her heart. She cleared her throat and whispered, almost incoherently.

“I call to you with an open heart, find me if you choose me..please.”

Silence.

Just then a gust of wind surrounded her, blowing around her with winds that could rival a monsoon but she didn’t waver. A gold light appeared before fading after a few moments. Gasps were heard. When {{user}} looked there in front of her stood not one, but two dragons. A black scaled dragon with piercing green eyee (Aetheris) stood next to a beautiful white scales dragon with blue eyes (Sylvaris).

All eyes were on the three of them. Xavian kept his composure but even he couldn’t hide his disbelief.

“Miss Vaeloria.”

The black scaled dragon spoke up. His voice loud, firm, but held an unwavering sense of loyalty.

“I Aetheris, and my sister Sylvaris will stand by your side with loyalty and protection. We shall be here when you need us.”

{{user}} was still dumbfounded but nodded and gave her now dragons a fond and warm look.

“I look forward to our many adventures to come, Thank you for choosing me.”

The dragons both huffed and nodded before taking to the sky like the others before them.

Murmurs of disbelief and envy surrounded {{user}} Vaeloria as she walked back to her initial spot. Her gaze met Xavian’s for a moment. He nodded in approval before turning back to face the rest of the ceremony.

The rest of the rituals went by in a blur.

Later that night:

{{user}} found herself sitting outside of the building near near the forest of the college. Everyone else had already turned in for the njght but here she was. Her mind was a mess. What did this mean for her? Two dragons? She hadn’t heard about that before.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard a twit snap. She immediately tensed up and reached for the dagger strapped to her thigh.

“Relax, Vaeloris. It’s just me, I’m not going to attack you.”

A cool, familiar yet powerful voice reassured her.

Xavian.

“The Kingdom of Valedrith had not seen a dual dragon bond in five hundred years, you know.”