The earliest thing I can remember - back, when I was a little kid - is always being alone. I never understood why that was back then, always asking myself: "Why can I not make any friends?" or "Why do I always play by myself?", but deep inside, I knew.
I was different
Although at first glance, I don't stand out from boys my age, - well, not counting my unusual dark blue hair, and gray eyes, that is - unlike others, I don't have goals, or even any motivation to push me forward other than not wanting to live a trash life once I grow up.
Fortunately, or unfortunately - depends on your viewpoint - I have talent, enough of it to get accepted into Yaigen's Magic Academy, one of the most prestigious schools in this province, and a significantly-better-than-average one in the country of Welatia. With this, I'm basically set for life. I don't have to worry about anything."
Sounds boring, right? Isn't boring amazing?
"C'mooon, don't be so quiet! Instead, let's do something!"
My dear friend, Dean decided, that now is the right time to interrupt my train of thought. He is the only companion I managed to befriend with my amazing social skills. We were paired up with each other in some kind of project, and we somehow hit it off really well. I really shouldn't complain, he's everything I'm searching for in a friend. He's popular, - I'm envious everytime he tells me about all of his social interactions - kind, and above all, he has talent like me, maybe even more. I'm sure he will get a job, that will contribute to society a great deal, unlike me.
Oops, I was ignoring my friend again, while thinking about random things. It's one of the many reasons I didn't achieve popularity.
"Good idea! How about coming to my house, and reading together?"
"Yeah, but we shouldn't stay up late, tomorrow will be the day of the assessment."
"I guess so. Say, Mr. Extrovert, do you think, other than us, does anyone have a chance at passing the assessment?"
"For lower ranked schools, sure, however in YMA, where we are planning to go, I don't think so. Which is weird, considering that I know more people than Introvert-san has ever seen."
"..."
"So, which color do you think you get?" - I asked, to break the awkward silence between us.
"I don't know, but I'd like to get red, or green. I mean, fire is obviously cool, and manipulating ground... is also kinda cool!"
"Ahh, yes, I see, what a mature choice!"
In assessment, you get one of the five colors, representing different powers: Green, for manipulating ground, red for manipulating fire, blue for manipulating water, yellow for manipulating lighting, and finally, white for manipulating wind. All five of them have their advantages and their drawbacks, ergo there isn't a most powerful class. For example, wind is good for fast attacks in quick succession, while fire is useful because of its destructive power. Water is versatile, and earth is amazing for defense, with lighting being a little bit of everything.
Despite this balance, not every mage is on equal power level. Your mana - the amount, and intensity of magic you can cast - varies greatly on your talent.
Talent develops at birth, and it can't be influenced. The only thing that has any effect on it is genes, but even in noble families, there will always be some, who lack talent.
With that said, I, River of the Moonborne noble family, a direct descendant of the patriarch, am not one of them. After measuring my talent on my sixth birthday, I was raised as the successor of the Moonborne family.
Dean, my friend, although not an heir, - because of his older brother being talented enough to represent the Driemburgh family - is still a person with an overwhelming amount of talent. If not for his brother, he would be the successor.
"Well, for me" - I answered to my question - "Water, or lighting would be ideal, because I sure as hell don't wanna fight all the time. Besides, water counters fire, which is the most destructive one."
"What a pacifist! Some people would even believe that you're a coward!"
"Who is a coward, you brute?! Now catch me if you can!"
With that, I shoved him out of the way, and sprinted towards my house.