Dear reader. I'd like to inform you, that what I wrote is more of a story than a novel. I hope you're still gonna be able to enjoy it. Have fun reading!

I'm Shadow Twilight (14) and a first-year college student. I have long black hair, turquoise eyes and pale skin. There isn't anything I'm good at except for singing, so I practically live in the library, where I read books or manga (I'm an Otaku) in my free time. As you can see, the only other positive thing about me is, that I know alot (Because of that I skipped a few years of school). I dont have any other hobbies. I'm rather shy and don't like to talk with others. This is the reason no one knows of my talent (singing) except for my only an best friend Silica Clearwater (16, my classmate). I did try to communicate with others at first. But l don't now how to approach people and even less, how to talk to them. It's especially worse when my crush Neji (17, a class above me) is around. Because of that l do my best to stay invisible and stay out of attention. That works pretty well. That is, up to the point where people bump into me. Whenever that happens, they start to bully me and do mean things. If that's the case, all of the students from a circle around me and watch as if it was some kind of show to entertain them. What pains me the most is, that he is there too. I'm talking about Neji, the boy I have a crush on. He has short black hair and a long fringe covering his right eye. He has light brown eyes, is quite tall and has a good figure. But to be honest, I really have a bad taste in men, because he is one of the troublemakers in school. He's really good at pe (sports) and mastered multiple different martial arts. But he's not good at any other subjects, especially math and languages (don't ask me how I know that, I don't stalk him). He has less than 15 points in these subject's tests. He not only watches me getting bullied by my classmates but laughs at me with all the other people. And that's even worse than the bullying itself. I've already gone through all sorts of humiliation from nails in my shoes to ripped school books, which I found in the toilat bowl. Just yesterday I got pushed into the small fountain on our school grounds. At least there's one person who cares for me, and that's Silica. She's my clasmate and the only one who's always by my side and comforts me when I need it. And for that, I'm really grateful. She's the only one I'm able to talk normally with. She is the opposite of me, self confident and cute, while I hide my face behind my long, black hair. Sometimes I envy her because of that, but she always tells me that I have my own charm and that I shouldn't hide my beauty behind my hair. I know she trys to help me and make me smile, but I have a hard time believing her. Although I do smile when I'm with her. She's always there when I need her and I can rely on her. We often learn together and I help her with her studies. That way, it's much more fun learning. But because was always with me, she got bullied to. I don't want her to have difficulties because of me and I have been bullied for more than half a year, so I decided, it'd be my last day in school.

It's Saturday and I'm getting ready for a ,,walk". After leaving the house l slowly walk along the street while watching the cherry blossoms fall from the trees. I like the name Sakura, which means Cherry blossom. If I'd ever had a daughter, I would definitely call her that. I'm getting a bit gloomy thinking about it, since I'm never gonna be mother anyways. After a while, I arrive at my destination, a small cliff. I watch the sky and the see for a while. Then I apologize to Silica in my mind, as I close my eyes and step over the edge, falling into the blue ocean. I hear a loud splash, then there's nothing. Not the slightest sound. The peaceful atmosphere of the quiet soothes me. I open my eyes again. I hover in the midst of a deep, shimmering blue. Above me, l can see gentle sunbeams lighten up the water. It's the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. I smile. I wish for this moment to never end, but then l start to feel pressure un my lungs. As if that wasn't enough, i get caught in a stream, pulling me closer and closer to a whirlpool l notice only now. My head is starting to spinn, and in an urge for oxygen l open my mouth, breathing in the salty water. I feel dizzy, my head hurts. I see a white, bright shining spiral, the l get surroundet by a dark nothingness.

My head's spinning and my whole body hurts. Am I dead? I take a deep breath. It's warm and there's a pleasent sweat smell in the air. It reminds me of springtime. My eyes feel heavy as I try to open them. The bright, blue sky and a few clouds are the first thing I see. In pain I slowly sit up and look around. I'm leaning on a flourishing Cherry tree on a colorful Hill filled with dozens of different types of flowers. They're hyacinths, my mum's favorites. I smile when I think of my garden which almost only exists of them. My mum took care of it once. But she passed away 3 years ago and I had to take care of myself from then on. I didn't want to tell anyone about this cause I didn't want to leave my precious home. At first I had problems, but with time I got the hang of it. Now that I think about it, that might be the main reason why I matured faster and earlier than the other school kids I know. Because of that almost all or the people think I'm already seventeen. Since I had to earn money, I took a part time job in a library (that was where Silica and I learned from time to time and my second home). Honestly, it has its good sides, since this is the reason I got to read (and learn) this much. I also selled the expensive stuff my father left behind when he abandoned my back the still pregnant mum. She treasured them. But since I don't know my father I don't have a problem exchanging it for money. While thinking about . Although I find it strange that the flowers are still flourishing. It doesn't make sense, so I'll leave it for now. And behind me, kilometers away, I can see a city. Well, at least there is civilisation here. I shiver as a small brease comes up. I look at my clothes. There still wet. I look behind me again. Maybe I should go to the city to by new ones? I search for my bag where the money is, but I can't find it. Strange. I always have it with me wherever I go. Just then remember that I jumped of the cliff. I laugh. Of course I don't have my bag with me since I tried to commit suicide. But in that case I should be dead, right? Or did somebody save me? I look around again. There aren't either humans nor an ocean as far as the eye can see. Seems I'm still alive, even if I don't have any explanations of how and why im here. Guess I have to keep wearing those then. I pick up a flower, lay down again so that my clothes dry in the sun and watch the blue birds with three tales soaring through the sky. Blue birds? With three tales!? I sit up apruptly and stare at these strange animals in stunned silence. I've never seen or read of them before. There beautiful and remind me of the phoenix. Who said that poenixes have to be golden? Just then, one of them screeches out with a melodic voice, takes a turn and flies in my direction! As it gets bigger and bigger I jump up and run away as fast as I can. These birds are monstrous! I've never been good with pe, so it doesn't surprise me that the bird is faster than me. It's skreeches get louder and louder. The it flies past me and lands. I scream, take an aprupt turn and slip. In panic I get up and try to run away in the opposite direction, but a second bird blocks it. Now, all the other birds, who have been following the two birds in front form a circle around me and land. There's now way for me to escape. The last bit of my strength dissapears as I give up and fall over into the flowers. I'm done for. I'm gonna get eaten by these strange blue monster-birds and die. Doesn't matter since I want to die anyway, right? As I think that, it gets dark around me and I get swallowed by the nothingness once again.

The first thing I hear are voices. The seem to be concerned. Honestly, I don't wanna open my eyes. I'm tired and I don't care if I'm alive, dead or if I got eaten by monster-birds. The only thing I want is to take a break, and relax. Now I wish that I would lay in my bed at home with no worries whatsoever. But of course that isn't possible. ,, stop pretending, little girl. I know your awake. '' I sigh as I unwillingly sit up. I look at the man who spoke. It's a rather muscular man in he's 30 (i think).He has long, blue black hair and seems to be their leader. To his left there are three other people. Two girls and a boy (out clouding the muscle-man). the first girl looked rather shy. She has long, blond hair. She seems to be under 20. The second female warrior has shoulder long, wine red and wavy hair. She seems to bee the rather cool tipe with much self-confidence. She even seems to be a bit arrogant. Then there's the big and thin one. He looks quite different from the people I'm used to. Short, blue hair (natural colour, seems to be normal here) and glasses. Judging from his looks he is the smartest one of them. I'm not sure though since you shouldent jugde a book by its cover. I look at the joung blondie and try to ask her who they were and where I am, but the only thing coming out of my mouth is: ,, Erm... Who a-are... Where am... This? '' emberrased I hide my face behind my hair. I expected that they would laugh, but surprisingly their expressions don't change. Instead, they introduce themselves to me. The Muscular one is, just as I guessed, their leader. His name is Akiyama(32), meaning mountain (personally, I think it suits him). The shy girls name is Masumi (increasing beauty or true purity,17) . She is the supporter in the Partie. Then there's Akane (brilliant red, 19). I guess she is named after her beautiful hair. Anyways, she is an Assassin. She hides in the shadows and is good at spying or sneak attacks. She uses a Shinobi's weapons (eg. Kunai). Then, lastly there is Kisho ( One who knows his own mind,26). As his name indikates, he the partie's strategist. They're hunters, people who hunt the wild monsters and protect others from them. Honestly, I like them. They seem to be simpathic and nice. It's the first time I've ever felt so comfortable around other people than Silica. I think I should introduce myself as well. As I do that, I'm surprised to realize that I have no problem talking to them. I smile and ask ,, I don't know how I got here, where I am and what I need to do to get back home, so I would really appreciate if you could tell me more about this place ''. ,,There's no need for you to be polite. You can talk to us casually. '' Akijama laughs. I smile. ,, Then don't mind if I do''. He gets serious again. ,, Anyway, back to the topic. This city is called ,, Kaze Kara No Hogo,,. It is known as the City with the strongest defences. It's one of the six Elemental citys, representing the Wind. The colour of the Windelement is green. Let me tell you the basics of the other five elemental cities as well. There's ,,Kage No Machi,, ,( City of the shadows) the City with the dark element, who specializes in necromancy and monster- or demonsummening, which is why many people think of them as evil. It's elemental clouour is purple. They're biggest enemy is the city of light, ,, Hareyakana Yorokobi,, , who is responsible for the happiness and entertainment of the people, just as it's name says (shining Happiness). All professional and famous bards came from there, since they use the magic of music. It's colour is white. Then there's the city of Nature's Harmony, ,, Shizen no chowa,,. They have the Element of earth (yellow) . Their strength is the Arts of architecture. The city who represents the fire, ,,Hono no tori,, ( phoenix, lit. Flame bird) is good at forging and wide range attacks. Logically, they're colour is red. And lastly, the blue city of water, ,Heiwana Minamoto,, translated the peaceful (water)spring, which knows the secret of taming (for example monsters). There are smaller city's with minor elements like thunder, sand or mist. Each of them has it's own secret and strength.'' Magic! It seems I landet in a World where magic exists! ,, Could you please tell me everything about magic?'' I ask escitedly. Akiyama laughs as he looks at my expression. ,, Of course! Let's start with the basics. First, there are the six main elements fire, water, earth, wind, darkness and light. After those come the all elements. Let's take ice as an example. It is made out of the two elements water and darkness. It isn't as strong as any of the main elements. Of course you can train it, but your at a disadvantage, since you start out weaker and have to do some catching-up first. Also, it's progress rate is slower than those of the main elements. You are born with an aptitude. If, for example, your aptitude is towards fire, it's easyer for you to learn this element. Of course you can learn the other ones as well, but it's gonna be much more difficult, especially for the converse element, which is the water in this case. If you wanna find out what aptitude you have, you can go to an hunter organization or buy an elemental gem. There are different levels of strength. You start as a one star magic user. After the fifth star you become a one star magic Master. And lastly, there's the celestial mage. They are also divided into the five star levels. So there are fifteen levels in total. I think that's all you have to know now. '' Kisho shakes his head. ,,No, you forgot the weakness ratio.'' He turns to me. ,,Water is weak to wind, wind is weak to earth, earth is weak to fire and fire is weak to water. Light and darkness are special, since the light drives away the darkness but the darkness can consume light as well. In that case, whoever is at a higher level wins. '' Akiyama glares at Kisho. ,,I would've remembered! '' He claims annoyed. I smile. ,,You seem to come along well, don't you''. Kisho nodds. ,,Yeah, we do ''. Thinking about them being good friends makes me sad. I'm starting to miss Silica. Then, suddenly, something occurs to me. ,,My element! ''. ,, What? '' Akane asks confused. ,,I wanna know what my aptitude is! '' Masumi smiles and says:,,Of course! Since you didn't know of magic before you can't know your aptitude! Here, I have an elemental gem with me. Wanna try it out? ''. She shows me a white, spericial gem. ,,Can I? '' I ask with excitement. ,,Of course. This is why I asked you in the first place '', she says. ,,You only have to place your hand on it.''. I do as she says. There's nothing at first, but then the gem starts glowing in all colors. It's just like a rainbow. I look at the others. They stare at me as if I was something the had never seen before.,,What is it?'' I look at them insecurely. Akane is the first one who snapes out of it. ,, äShadow, this is insane! You have an aptitude towards all of them!'' Stunned, I look at her. ,,What!? ''. But that would mean that I could learn every element I want without problems! ,,So, what element do you choose? '', Kisho askes. I was right! It feels like I'm going to explode any second now. I'm feeling so happy! I try calming down as I think of a best element for me. Light? It has healing abilities. No. It would be better if I could avoid being hurt in the first place. Maybe I should choose wind, since its barriers are pretty strong. But its attack rate is low, so I'd rather not choose that. How about fi- wait, no way I'm gonna choose that! I don't like fire. In fact, that's how my mother died, so it brings back bad memories. Water would be good. It's strength is taming. That's it! Darkness! I bet I could hide within the shadows that way. Also, it has summoning abilities. ,,I choose the dark element. '' Akane smiles at me. ,, Good choice, girlie. I work with that as well. I could teach you. ''.,, Yeah, thank you. That would be great! Akiyama looks at me dissapointedly. ,,R'you shire? The earth element is really good too. '' I smile at him and say: ,,I still have room for more elements!''.,, Really!? '', he's eyes light up. ,,In that case I am going to teach you water magic.",Kisho says. ,, Uhm, in that case, I hope you wouldn't mind if I teach you light magic then." Masumi whispers. ,,No, of course not! Actually I would be honored if you would!", I reply. Looks like I'm gonna learn four main elements at ones, I guess.