Prologue: You need two for a dance

The sun was merciless in its assault on the skin in the plains of the Jurassic Frontier, hanging there high up like a foreboding, glistering guillotine. The field was drenched in sunlight letting people view an ocean of light, mossy green with isles of darker shades of fern popping up here and there, with giant palm trees arching over the scene lending some strained souls the gentle, cool embrace of the shadows.

That was not the case for Yuuto, the only shadow he braced for was not a friendly one. A winged, salmon orange lizard twice as big as a grown man towered and casted a dark mantle over him with its deep blue wings spread out, before it slammed down its yellow, oversized hammer beak on the ground where Yuuto's feet were placed seconds ago.

He had rolled forwards escaping the earth crushing impact landing him between the legs of the lizard underneath the belly. He steadied his curved blade in his left and readied his round iron shield in his right hand. Seconds later he unleashed a fury of sword swings ending it with a horizontal round slash by spinning his entire body.

"Huyah, eat this, Roundforce!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

A bright flash of lightning circled around Yuuto clashing against the large-eared wyvern, which fell to side caused by the force of Yuuto's blade. Unrelenting he stepped up the pace of his swings wailing mercilessly on the hide of the reptile. Yuuto was ready to finish it, but the wyvern picked itself up swiping him with its long whip like tail and sending him off a dozens of steps flying.

"Ouch!" he gasped as he rolled through the dirt before he got hold of himself again and raised himself up.

The wyvern was literally fuming with flames. Little puffs of smoke and ember were flaring up out of its large open beak. Erupting with fury, it stomped on the ground with its three clawed feet and flapping its wings widely and hysterically.

"It seems you're also ready to finish this little dance," remarked Yuuto in silence as he loudly gulped a small glass bottle of Mega-Potion in seconds down his dry throat.

With a loud satisfying "ah~" he wiped his lips, flexed his arm muscles and threw the empty vessel to the side, which shattered on the ground with clear clinking noise.

Few seconds later Yuuto felt the potions curative effects flowing through his body. His tired muscles and battle-weary bones were instantly rejuvenated and made his skin crawl like he just jumped into the ice cold waters of some cool down pools in Pokke.

The wyvern now calm, but no less fiery, dug its claw deep into the ground before launching itself as a giant, orange, scaly battering ram towards Yuuto with fireballs spitted out left and right.

He, knowing that was a desperation move, got cocky. Instead of evading the rush by rolling to the side or defending against it by planting his feet and standing his ground to brace for the impact, he dashed forwards sprinting with his full speed.

Yuuto wanted to land one heavy, skull crushing downward slash on his reptilian rival's big, beaked head finishing it off as fast and flashy as possible.

In the moments he reached the perfect range for the decisive strike and he tensed his muscles to leap forwards, his view was flooded by blinding turquoise light. Though confused, he ignored it and just let his years of fighting and hunting experience take over his body to lead him to his earned victory.

-X-

The Tristain Academy of Magic was one, if not the most distinguished institution for educating young mages from all around Halkeginia.

Although it was hardly as exciting as it sounds. The first year mostly consisted of theoretical studies about the underlying mechanics of Brimiric Magic.

Classification of spells and their distinguishing characteristics, which were put to tests in written exams, were drilled into these young heads as it was of utmost importance to a mage to identify and analyse a spell even in the midst of battle.

But practical training and applications were not neglected. Throughout the year the young students had weekly incantation practices. Just like a knight let their body memorise the moves and swings of sword and shield, so did a mage discipline their mind and wand be ready to command magic.

All of this culminated into the Ceremony of the Springtime Familiar Summoning of the second year, a more than thousand year old tradition that was meant to be the next step to the mastery of magic by making a mystical creature submit itself to the wants and needs of their new young masters and therefore prove the strength of their willpower.

And just like every other year, a new batch of eager young students was assembled in the Vestri Courtyard awaiting the permission to call out to their novel personal servant.

The person with this authority was present Professor Jean Colbert, a large man in his forties wearing a dark blue robe with white hems reaching down to his feet. His hair had receded to make space for the lack of hair in form of a dome glistening in the sunlight.

A feature, which did not belittle the respect of his students for wisdom and kindness reflected in his blue eyes behind his plain round glasses.

"I welcome you all and congratulate you all to your second year at the Magic Academy of Tristain," he greeted all attending students with stretched arms, one empty and the other gripping a torch-like staff.

"As tradition commands, you promising mages shall be tested in the sacred ritual of the Springtime Summoning ceremony. Your duty is to call forth a familiar, a partner that will accompany you on the rest of your life as a mage. It will be your servant, your guardian and more importantly your friend!"

"But enough of speeches," he declared.

"I will instruct you on the summoning procedure. Do not worry. I ensure you it is neither elaborated nor strenuous. In fact it is very simple. You just have to recite an incantation in your words," he laid out smiling with a nodding head.

"But do not be full of reckless haste, choose your words wisely. Present yourself with sincerity, severity and solemnity. Pay respect in regard to your imminent partner but more importantly to yourself. Do not pretend, just believe in yourself!" he concluded his instructions with an honest advice.

"Now, who is going to make the first step?"

Soon magical creatures heard but not seen to many students appeared among the gathering increasing in number with each unique oration proudly vocalised.

Writer's comment:

Yuuto is Saito but as a Monster Hunter. This distinction convinced me to use a different name. So I fused Saito with Yuuji, the other anime protagonist with a red/pink-haired love interest with blazing temperament.

The move pool of the hunters will be derived from MHX or MHGen.

If there are any mistakes in my English, I apologize. I am not a native speaker.

Please, if you have a complaint or comments of criticism do me a favour and utter them.

This is my first piece of creative writing. As an amateur author any guidance is welcomed.