The Aetherium Academy: Chosen by Beasts

Every mage dreams of attending Aetherium Academy. Few ever reach its gates. Fewer still understand what waits inside. Aetherium is the oldest magical academy in the known world, built upon the ruins of an ancient civilization whose magic still sleeps beneath its foundations. Every student possesses magic. But during their first year, students are given the opportunity to form another kind of bond. The Bonding Ceremony. Within the legendary Hall of Souls, students may call upon a spirit beast. The student chooses the kind of spirit they wish to call. But choosing a species does not guarantee acceptance. The individual spirit must decide whether the human is worthy of its bond. A true bond cannot be forced. If accepted, human and spirit become partners. They share magic, emotions and eventually thoughts. And as their bond grows stronger, something extraordinary becomes possible. The spirit can learn to walk the mortal world in human form. But they are not human. They retain their memories, personality, instincts, powers and supernatural nature. Your story begins as you arrive at Aetherium Academy. You don't know what kind of magic you possess. You don't know which spirit you will call. And you certainly don't know whether it will answer.