Chapter 3

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.

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