“The Hiraeth Division is in need of young casters. Not everyone will make the draft. But I encourage you to do your best. It is an honor to serve.”

Ripples of nervousness and excitement spread through my classmates. I looked around and saw people not just for this school (name pending) but other towns and cities. As young as 14 and as old as mid twenties.

They got us into groups where they had tents set up. Each had a Hiraeth officer. I waited my turn.

“Next  group.”

Me and the others  followed the officer into the tent.  

“Do you know what a witch is?”

“I’m not a witch, officer.” Before I could hold my tongue  He glared at me but continued. 

“It’s standard procedure we  need to make sure you have the correct definition. Anyone who possesses taboo magic that’s very lethal or capable of manipulating people.”

I felt a spike of anxiety. I shook my head.  I’m not a witch. I just embarrassed myself in front of these people.  

We were led into a tent with nothing in  it. 

“The test will begin. First category: offense.” inside the tent transformed into a city. Wooden puppets 10 feet tall jerkily ran toward us.”  I slashed it with magic and I wrapped it around the practice sword.  The puppet fell. I turned and they surrounded me from all sides. I panicked as a burst of shadow burst from me destroying the horde of puppets.  Some other kids were struggling. One kid  used too much mana and passed out. A half elven girl around 14 with gate magic ability to make gates in space to bridge places together kept teleporting furiously to avoid them.

  A tall human young man no more than two years older with long blue hair tied back, the color of a swallow's wings, with contrasting brown eyes. A cold annoyed expression on his face. He took the puppets down with ease using a variety of magic types. A  small boy, with skin the color of milk chocolate, pink hair covering one eye the other gold and orange like fire. . Two spirits, Fire and light fighting by his side.  He seemed to be wielding both spiritual magics. How did he make contracts with two different spirits?   And be able to handle that much spiritual magic?

A harsh blow  hit me on the side of my head sending me flying.  Seconds later a cityscape fell away. As a chime sounded. I saw the blue  haired  man  neaten his clothes and retie his hair to be perfectly neat. 

“Next defense.”

Puppets appeared instead  of buildings that could be used to hide behind;  it was an open grassy field under a night sky.  A horde instantly appeared around me.  They should wind spells at me. I dodged and slipped into the shadows to avoid the spells.  The gate caster was doing similar.  She looked ready to faint. She faltered and got her hair singed from fire spells. 

Just as they were closing in, the chime sounded again. 

 For the healing category. My magic killed the puppet. For magic that affected the mind I failed miserably. Illusions as well. For support magic I maimed the puppet destroying part of its arm.   The final category came.

“And finally, transportation.”

A large gorge appeared. It was bright and sunny. I can’t use my magic without shade.  I waited it out while the gate magic girl and few others made it across

Please… don’t let me pass the draft… I don’t want to be forced to be a jäger!