He stands over us covering the moment with oppressive shadows. Seemingly oblivious to where he is, the man emits intense killing intent. Even if help were to come they would be too frozen by fear to step up.174Please respect copyright.PENANAhk5eLVGa9k
174Please respect copyright.PENANACBaT7SE9Jb
174Please respect copyright.PENANAIVAuh3W10w
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAHznSfUdNVv
174Please respect copyright.PENANAZG1K3gLPW9
Sever: “And you are?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAYIhfwF08JR
174Please respect copyright.PENANA03JEOHsaO4
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAQkogG0a0a9
174Please respect copyright.PENANAdOVENXbzFJ
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAMBUUO4Uh5i
174Please respect copyright.PENANALN9EtxTslj
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAcbFIOyT52O
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFNqwtUsDla
She moves my arm away and stands up against Sever. Usually, Alyson commands any ring she steps into against this guy, she looks as small as me.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAT6nGqh6Cxe
174Please respect copyright.PENANA6hlDTKClix
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAVtiDfyCSLv
174Please respect copyright.PENANAH6wanmH3iq
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAnTfDQpYGqr
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWGwVWXVUKb
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA1GxoITprIn
174Please respect copyright.PENANArn6EZ88qT3
It’s my turn to get up and stand up against Sever. I might be taller by a small inch but I still feel like I’m still the young kid in the situation. Despite that, I puff up my chest and enter the fray.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAD2h48emLQZ
174Please respect copyright.PENANAoCeaqvM7p1
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAJSKxPlXhPP
174Please respect copyright.PENANAwgua9Hum0y
Sever looks me over and snickers.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAxrsmMRuYHw
174Please respect copyright.PENANAUNtRF8F48n
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAAzMQgq8tM3
174Please respect copyright.PENANAMZb5H7IktJ
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANALP8aveNfoy
174Please respect copyright.PENANAHCT77k8FCh
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
174Please respect copyright.PENANA04xjS7Vg0C
174Please respect copyright.PENANAggSwJycyx9
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAZRawfLOGTw
174Please respect copyright.PENANAtj875pZRSP
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAwi1qzZ31rk
174Please respect copyright.PENANAlr6g8uwcbS
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA9dH69xDqLP
174Please respect copyright.PENANA75YzOAyvAk
Alyson: “Less than a week and I’m sure you can’t go from weak as a stick to beating guys near twice your size.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFDfNSregIb
174Please respect copyright.PENANA6S8tMKpsKT
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAYEGnTVetdu
174Please respect copyright.PENANAafuXxNDabd
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA046X1g4Tvt
174Please respect copyright.PENANATh57IsXVTy
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWEpgfHEhKy
174Please respect copyright.PENANAy6cgQB6E3f
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWLKCGzkPpy
174Please respect copyright.PENANA05LQ4Bbnix
Sever: “That is yet to be seen. There are many ways a dwarf can take revenge on his bullies. A gun of some kind perhaps.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAsqiJhs3RpO
174Please respect copyright.PENANA9Idn4Gk2fL
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAT5xEJ0aEtD
174Please respect copyright.PENANAT4i0v5LMrw
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAkRwZS2tgR0
!!!174Please respect copyright.PENANAMoUDhovMgw
174Please respect copyright.PENANAxpCUCt92TE
I grasp Sever’s necktie and look deep into his dark eyes. I want to make his skin burn through illusion but I hold back.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAy0c1utJh7u
174Please respect copyright.PENANADOdm0krzkJ
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANANnEPS0bNc6
174Please respect copyright.PENANA1VVd7MwwqK
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAD7POssJ6MA
174Please respect copyright.PENANAAU782tXlfQ
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANABDCNIr6lri
174Please respect copyright.PENANAzXpbrHGvhs
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAV6asb3hrMZ
174Please respect copyright.PENANAr5EOFnXIHv
Nao: “!”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAT5zdQrFnrJ
174Please respect copyright.PENANAtIMJmQdkjk
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
174Please respect copyright.PENANAlnsPiQJzsZ
174Please respect copyright.PENANAAjnoapij9A
!!!
174Please respect copyright.PENANAOUHTAFpemf
174Please respect copyright.PENANA66QYzuUrDu
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA7cH9cYYVpS
174Please respect copyright.PENANAcHq9NR7zNd
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAz2sejSbRdK
174Please respect copyright.PENANAw9o2dGohFT
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA1lC1JmofB3
174Please respect copyright.PENANA9LIlH2ymQF
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA16BAoDgZ75
174Please respect copyright.PENANArImbVIpMHP
He disappears into the shadows of the arena and leaves us in a darkness deeper than we thought possible. We say nothing as we took our gear off and exited the building. But when we return to the light, Alyson breaks the heavy atmosphere.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAbJmEQ66dpZ
174Please respect copyright.PENANAhkswfOcbD2
Alyson: “I want to say thanks for standing up for my family back there. I don’t usually open up to someone this quickly but, you’re a good guy Alphon. I trust you and want to keep this relationship going.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAHwl45kJino
174Please respect copyright.PENANATn7qwyPcg1
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAZoqALfxnX6
174Please respect copyright.PENANAnD90GLViyK
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA9wcr5KoGtA
174Please respect copyright.PENANAZZQTRTeLfT
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAyQMIBBykBh
174Please respect copyright.PENANA1mci6jnjOp
Alyson: “Haha, yeah.”
…
…
Nao: “I can see you don’t have the best relationship with your brother but please, try to get along. He’s family and you can’t get that back if you lose it.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAljvvUWHxMp
174Please respect copyright.PENANAkdIXoZuNjN
Alyson: “…”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAYAq2NNBqLB
174Please respect copyright.PENANAjx6cHOwohx
I leave Alyson alone at Crimson Battlefield and stalk the streets. What the hell am I supposed to do? My eyes dart to every person I pass and every shadowy corner.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA7AygsmsM2G
174Please respect copyright.PENANAhzrRsQEqqZ
My breathing becomes haggard and my head begins to pound. There’s nowhere to run to that I feel safe from eyes that haunt the back of my mind.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAzHnXcEFlK0
174Please respect copyright.PENANAvNQsIJJFoz
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
174Please respect copyright.PENANAsUw6shtc5G
174Please respect copyright.PENANAJQGUqA24GW
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFHRPA5uwvA
174Please respect copyright.PENANAxuNwr8geU8
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAdoXubiAU9B
174Please respect copyright.PENANAQBKsuMCUOi
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
174Please respect copyright.PENANApRoa95auBA
174Please respect copyright.PENANAajpKiWHxPH
Arc: “Get stronger.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAcS5RXqT42u
174Please respect copyright.PENANAqVozRCXnRi
What?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAYPDlObNSkE
174Please respect copyright.PENANA1VdhaDw53u
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAhacdSpExsa
Death…174Please respect copyright.PENANA0Ju0xdptUH
174Please respect copyright.PENANAGfHWQE7Lrh
I’m only 17 and I never had to really face that concept before all of these. But the shadows threatening to consume me, It’s really starting to hit me.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAA0Yo7Q2dZf
174Please respect copyright.PENANAmQGnT9cBGt
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*174Please respect copyright.PENANAJhGKJzGext
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0sE8XaL7jx
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]174Please respect copyright.PENANATuUnxrbqt9
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
174Please respect copyright.PENANAGEMyeZh5rP
…What is an invader?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAlxpPj9g8yE
174Please respect copyright.PENANASo3uPbSCCv
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAo2dygPB0Ok
174Please respect copyright.PENANAgp3PoaIIHW
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAKCScIc9RRh
174Please respect copyright.PENANAT1kWaNu020
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAsHkl99rdMQ
I can do that?174Please respect copyright.PENANAXgxOAN7VvS
174Please respect copyright.PENANAnhSWAKHQwQ
Arc: “Yes, but you need time to focus. It will be…very painful the first few times. Pick something not too small but something people won’t question.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA8ILnI3FZwm
174Please respect copyright.PENANACNpLzjAkR7
Yeah, maybe Sever will think Alphon is just a werewolf or something.I’ll go through the upstairs window somewhere. Need to find a good place to do this.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAGyMlRcz6EL
174Please respect copyright.PENANANs1Rg0VyWX
I search around for a bathroom or some forested area. Both have pros or cons in the situations but I’ll take either way. Eventually, I find a nice area with enough trees to cover my transformation.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAr5QeASkgnP
174Please respect copyright.PENANAMnc3Lj0VHs
I want to glance around but that will give me away. I enter into the thicket as if it was the most natural thing. When I was deep enough, I focus on a big dog. 174Please respect copyright.PENANAtFZ66UlOge
174Please respect copyright.PENANAOVZast1OjT
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
174Please respect copyright.PENANAQzxi5dYtZE
174Please respect copyright.PENANAIuo2DkSTSj
Instantly, I could feel my bones break and rearrange themselves. I almost blew my lungs to pieces with my scream but I muffled it by biting my hand.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAf3lb9Q49QV
174Please respect copyright.PENANAW7egKRbkNE
I bit down so hard that blood starts to feel my mouth. Anything to keep quiet. My body begins to shrink and shift into a dog. A muzzle, my ears, fur, and new legs. And unlike last time, my clothes don’t shrink with me.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAsK8lDH466z
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFxU1CzJrYw
I has to be almost over, it has to be! I close my eyes and pray for this to the end as my body heats up from the transformation.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0WuCGQvR4c
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0bDY2C1bcF
To my surprise, my hand slipped out of my mouth. I couldn’t bite down anymore when I started to get on all fours. This released a torrent of tortured screams but thankfully, it sounds like a dog instead of a human.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAQPToMlVdji
174Please respect copyright.PENANAlJSXk1ftiJ
After what seemed like ages of being ripped apart, it was over. My body cooled down and could finally open my eyes. The world looked…different and my body…felt foreign.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAASrVDxFe4V
174Please respect copyright.PENANAhqQ9ijn5iC
I pushed myself up on all four paws and started to walk. My balance was terrible and I fell a few times but I kept pushing forward. I finally got out of the thicket and was greeted by a few curious looks.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0RF0YT1xjk
174Please respect copyright.PENANANUyKCS4RIi
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAB2LigS22tX
174Please respect copyright.PENANAvWCUoEzMqu
“Hey, are you alright?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA4e5mwyb6Hq
174Please respect copyright.PENANALq5BqRKUEm
One of them tries to pet me but I’m not into that. I force myself to learn how to run fast as I take off toward my house. I can tell this will confuse those people and anyone I might come across along the way but I don’t care.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA9FJaL08dST
174Please respect copyright.PENANApDPYr3gu7V
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAN9EI8lCAQl
!174Please respect copyright.PENANAv7PUCffGnG
174Please respect copyright.PENANAOPRWTs4qd7
“Ow, what the hell?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAR2p5y38H6T
174Please respect copyright.PENANAoLjBqV3l84
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAiLCQTZkSfA
174Please respect copyright.PENANAAODCCiQ5Px
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAB7qoDrm7yU
174Please respect copyright.PENANALQ5Lq0Gd5k
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAI8yYkOHDOZ
174Please respect copyright.PENANAwEqMVLpG9t
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANABGfMvpeUqV
174Please respect copyright.PENANADAcLfcmpz2
Wait guys, take me home!
174Please respect copyright.PENANAn0Gv8KmGy9
174Please respect copyright.PENANAU2X0KE2Vmt
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAc6fgyanF56
174Please respect copyright.PENANAteQx6K52P1
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAx5RyUsGvg8
174Please respect copyright.PENANAInGVjaaE7z
Tallow: “Wait look.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA3lPoNTloOB
174Please respect copyright.PENANABXbKbmPF8e
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAmwDnVJ95Hg
174Please respect copyright.PENANAsJVdkZqTI1
Valo: “N-Nao?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAhlumIu9CWW
174Please respect copyright.PENANAOl7GvhKw3S
I nod my head as hard as I can.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAoqQZvS2Azz
174Please respect copyright.PENANAA1muwUgWoh
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAnyBWmgRAQb
174Please respect copyright.PENANAU4aiKe1P3U
Mat: “Damn.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANALaiDnFGm2O
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPpMnkPeefk
Velo: “But why?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANARYjNPALcdp
174Please respect copyright.PENANA4tmxkyVWXF
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAsk3C5KHNrg
174Please respect copyright.PENANAcllTOzsObZ
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.174Please respect copyright.PENANA9OWSuQwYX9
174Please respect copyright.PENANALGwLQHowyr
174Please respect copyright.PENANAaxBWiipdVL
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAg3EGP1X4t9
174Please respect copyright.PENANAgnmHMitYMo
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWrCxL8Qouy
174Please respect copyright.PENANA2jlJd3XPNx
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAQ21KPNeMeX
174Please respect copyright.PENANAEvYTEfIZ0p
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAgLtM89k8Ey
174Please respect copyright.PENANAnxUx6TPKkQ
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAYxbAZqQibD
174Please respect copyright.PENANAJZZnQ4RV74
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA6UHyA6Ip9G
174Please respect copyright.PENANAVN2YbSJlP7
Everything smoothly from there all the way to my room. Once inside I run around to find a towel or something to bite down on. I find one and look at Anthony, hoping he understands what to do.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAW6qZ0v9Xdu
174Please respect copyright.PENANAQJCmUYkg01
Shape shift!
174Please respect copyright.PENANA6NA3uOtgWz
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFuuEPFzxO8
Immediately the pain returns as I bite down hard on the towel. Hot Steam escapes my body as the fur melts off my skin and my bones reshape.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAdKmbBKoC52
174Please respect copyright.PENANAwFACFm2vc1
Mat: “What the hell!”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA5usC3XTy4s
174Please respect copyright.PENANARnzXSdAvew
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA1XU1Fnwft5
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPjAlajn5Qm
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA2s5l22P1Fb
174Please respect copyright.PENANA8GFv7Pb3G5
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWEHHtVUGcw
174Please respect copyright.PENANAXmuqK74tvK
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAlV0cXOSaGT
174Please respect copyright.PENANAgvoRqgj5ma
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAe79D5NZDTd
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0LIlswO9dW
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
174Please respect copyright.PENANARfLT57UwIY
174Please respect copyright.PENANAZqdsdG40sX
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAEV1jyy4ZXL
174Please respect copyright.PENANApidGV4xOpH
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAyraZyHGqXv
174Please respect copyright.PENANAmpkPtIXZL4
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFSv0r5X3rX
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0PlRDQJkMs
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAc0baMzrXuF
174Please respect copyright.PENANApMejXViklZ
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAGivWZR05QW
174Please respect copyright.PENANAIlCMZlCTP6
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAiUo5WIgRHP
174Please respect copyright.PENANAUzlEQbtfGw
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAyXFcplEUG8
174Please respect copyright.PENANA2GNVxDpuWp
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAzMROoEo1UP
174Please respect copyright.PENANAdV8owpCKsO
Everyone: “What?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAiCOdBogdav
174Please respect copyright.PENANA85FH990cYf
Anthony: “Of course, we’re easy scapegoats and were bullied just like Nao. Anton may have bullied Nao the most but we felt his wrath too. I’m sure they suspect.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANArA56FCysHL
174Please respect copyright.PENANAgyt2CrZTa6
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAb8J7YcCDJR
174Please respect copyright.PENANAaLawCSVgp9
Velo: “What do we do?
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0FeSfnQst9
174Please respect copyright.PENANAuPkXc0cTQs
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAs6NYxiRGk4
174Please respect copyright.PENANASEZQT5Dp5i
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAZzerz7gEIL
174Please respect copyright.PENANAzAyFKj671v
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAekQDUrpMfG
174Please respect copyright.PENANAkTLySbvtTY
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFHc8kvVULe
174Please respect copyright.PENANAW2yMn6e7vC
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAmKnrR9q69o
174Please respect copyright.PENANANq9SpnzgD8
I freeze when I remember what I did with that spell. It’s powerful enough to blast a hole through a person’s chest. To think that’s the weakest offensive spell…
174Please respect copyright.PENANAbRZYVryemb
174Please respect copyright.PENANAdjELIqHKBc
I can’t give that to Anthony but if I don’t…I’ll have to explain why. I…can’t do that! They’ll leave me for sure if they find out I’m a killer.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAM1BGPa2ZBR
174Please respect copyright.PENANA2ML9Z0YvBL
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAu93THV5XBj
174Please respect copyright.PENANAURz1T0Qptc
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0ziABWsthx
174Please respect copyright.PENANA5tDVDOtx5Z
Anthony: “Why?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAEeftSSueDB
174Please respect copyright.PENANAapznXSy7sD
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAd1Qg5gTyOU
174Please respect copyright.PENANAS5PBWdN8zk
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAtzPOK6HJ2c
174Please respect copyright.PENANAv0Myg8kG2m
Nao: “Ummm…”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAo6P22KTxH2
174Please respect copyright.PENANAsxzRXLmbve
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
174Please respect copyright.PENANAeGHRCnLkq8
174Please respect copyright.PENANAgexl1XK2EG
Air Bullet (6)174Please respect copyright.PENANAT5vJHRxnML
174Please respect copyright.PENANAHIFtitiQ13
174Please respect copyright.PENANAD2fNHTNag6
That doesn’t sound too bad.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAj16t5TSyVw
174Please respect copyright.PENANARlRyA6oboz
Nao: “Air bullet.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAsHFSSafFX3
174Please respect copyright.PENANAffHKdSzEBO
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAU4hQ89NTxb
Points: 1174Please respect copyright.PENANAHpBbS7TQ97
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0LLcgJfjtC
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA4eZKCuadqG
174Please respect copyright.PENANATHdS2oegFs
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANANANRbJgoWd
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFfCZKTkR0Q
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAjv1c14eKCu
174Please respect copyright.PENANABjZ2Ioj3ux
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAr7ywUyfiQg
174Please respect copyright.PENANAkMkFT82P2S
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA3hEAWIwUJb
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFpCUFXnyTW
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA9Cn2jIYBd9
174Please respect copyright.PENANAgDkntOUJIJ
Nao: “Illusions.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA3TB9udnJfh
174Please respect copyright.PENANAL4NkABMaU3
The plan was set and executed. Valo went out and told mom to check the bathroom. Anthony kept an eye on the situation through the cracked door.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAVFfg4xmyLe
174Please respect copyright.PENANAs41ZHz12q4
Eventually, he moved his hands signaling me to go. I go as fast and quietly as I can to the front door. I open it and close it loud enough to catch mom’s attention.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAZnz2RBH4zr
174Please respect copyright.PENANAxAARV9bClY
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWXDLB0b4LB
174Please respect copyright.PENANAY5My8dIhP4
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAj9PUgWHPZ8
174Please respect copyright.PENANAo0HPDlyEnQ
We?
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPqEmM7u8n8
174Please respect copyright.PENANALeZmMuJcuc
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAqjeB7mD1xk
174Please respect copyright.PENANApE0GmQ63Ze
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAjtLmXbtQLX
174Please respect copyright.PENANAkRw2SQI0Hr
Nao: “I was fine, just taking a nice stroll around town after going to the book store. Sorry for not paying attention to the time.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANANQp8HN3J21
174Please respect copyright.PENANAgf1SDZ27WG
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPkFS4vdELF
174Please respect copyright.PENANAL5bVtJsY0e
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAQeB4wEshZR
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0PuM0dJNpA
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAIWDKtDJ6KC
174Please respect copyright.PENANAdrfBTc48eA
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAQhS5fEieh5
174Please respect copyright.PENANAlUq9joOk5E
Nell: “Of course.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAuajAj84Tf3
174Please respect copyright.PENANALTLzu3mH6c
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAY9k7d30n2o
174Please respect copyright.PENANAypiKEvWvrO
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAyGrrbOBANZ
174Please respect copyright.PENANAGModf38DHo
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAdS8WpzocJ2
174Please respect copyright.PENANAV8BN0fc5w8
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAgiDcL4WtGM
174Please respect copyright.PENANAhKq8vWS5Hk
She leaves back into her room with a slight blush. I can’t help but smile at knowing that I’m the one that caused that.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAcEvlZZgfPB
174Please respect copyright.PENANARJxxdFWLrl
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAzy15Dx2Sqb
174Please respect copyright.PENANABPthu2IR7d
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAGVzYmWqJDb
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFTbENG2Pht
Nao: “Sure thing.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA4iVqo0otbg
174Please respect copyright.PENANALWh7Tl4JGE
I take the toy shotgun and start infusion. My mind wasn’t really in it though. Alyson, invaders, Sever, and what I’ve done. So many things race through my mind that destroys any focus I have.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFWvr3Dt8lG
174Please respect copyright.PENANAlvxkAMgpUP
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
174Please respect copyright.PENANACWEA5GD8yb
174Please respect copyright.PENANAg4c8oaply9
Arc: “Do it.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAJwfFvsrwap
174Please respect copyright.PENANA2LN8or7RP0
But-
174Please respect copyright.PENANAA1RHypWlzD
174Please respect copyright.PENANAhgdfZmN4Gw
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAo0sYVzX6U8
174Please respect copyright.PENANAJAySMTbePO
My mind drifts to those voids in reality and Sever hunting my friends. I can barely protect myself, let alone my friends. Maybe Arc is right.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAJuF2SND197
174Please respect copyright.PENANAfjH3FAXVCf
I redouble my efforts and focus on creating Anthony’s weapon. After about an hour of attention, the shotgun glows bright enough to feel the room.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAN1LuK7rVAl
174Please respect copyright.PENANAewAfTcPpSo
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWsjvPblYrP
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPh2ihnAGVm
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANATQlpPXVZPI
174Please respect copyright.PENANAufBnksrA9s
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAbxO7x7vKaH
174Please respect copyright.PENANAZUDD9pNGYb
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
174Please respect copyright.PENANAGnqbGNgGFK
174Please respect copyright.PENANAU98wSPiCqI
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA6hAjaFV8eI
174Please respect copyright.PENANANJkpKADqpF
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAMsqRfDtwIE
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0RcCP5P4FQ
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPGB0GqSlDX
174Please respect copyright.PENANAdgdSYWCmzG
Valo: “You should take a break.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAqFOPA3Fs71
174Please respect copyright.PENANAENL3xTaUo9
Nao: “Ummm…”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAj1nKifgLyr
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPBN0ucVMch
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANABvoewDlt2y
174Please respect copyright.PENANAXr3ufPyltZ
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAUPb5vuNNKP
174Please respect copyright.PENANAnt123wMysj
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAcWgMu5t941
174Please respect copyright.PENANAew5ILsHsPZ
I nod and followed the group out the door. Mom was still in the living room so I made an illusion of the dog appearing next to us. It didn’t have a lot of detail and didn’t have feet but it’s good enough.174Please respect copyright.PENANAXK139GoxwZ
174Please respect copyright.PENANAbe1YYnqyXc
*Ding*
174Please respect copyright.PENANABtGuQDyZUz
Points: 3174Please respect copyright.PENANAvFLruV8hiV
174Please respect copyright.PENANAkjDt4rzM4u
And that’s 10 spells a day!174Please respect copyright.PENANAw5eyuSjI4S
174Please respect copyright.PENANALwfIKE7X11
174Please respect copyright.PENANA6kbtmEjeEf
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAKLgNnbNboq
174Please respect copyright.PENANARLnJiL40xi
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAIA6YZRwZ7E
174Please respect copyright.PENANAY0dyF3Jupb
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANACg6LnPnSAR
174Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7QUUiyaS2
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAR5Tu6mXapx
174Please respect copyright.PENANAqNS4B4PaVu
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAZSRSWJvGlv
174Please respect copyright.PENANADbKI63LOov
I go to the bathroom bandage my hand and slip back into bed. I tried to take a nap but my headache and worries prevent me from falling asleep.174Please respect copyright.PENANAJv4E8gSoiN
174Please respect copyright.PENANAKAgLr7x9G2
174Please respect copyright.PENANA2bA0Yoe12A
Arc: “You know what to do.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAk4sqflmLeX
174Please respect copyright.PENANAEwlMxxUECj
Nao: “…I know.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWxxcAVj7ub
174Please respect copyright.PENANA1HdQ4jyLCi
I look at the clock and it lingers around 3pm. I have plenty of time, to rest later. I push myself off the bed and get ready to work out.
[4pm]174Please respect copyright.PENANA1GEqBGk73T
174Please respect copyright.PENANAKN6vKbQkxu
*Ding*
174Please respect copyright.PENANAGXBXpwFcIz
Points: 6174Please respect copyright.PENANAXO0SGuTMv3
174Please respect copyright.PENANAg5a3S3qthO
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAfhd51g7IRF
174Please respect copyright.PENANAU4bXWnOu1D
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAHeLBGHd5pJ
174Please respect copyright.PENANAJciI9djhZs
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
174Please respect copyright.PENANANjZOAu9D6S
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPLPUZubLoj
Thinking that, I go to the bathroom mirror to make sure there’s no remaining hair from my hair.
…
…
Well, it won’t take long. I deserve some recognition for my efforts. I put my shirt back on and knock on Alyson’s door. She actually opens it up pretty fast.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAIDSL0ExDxG
174Please respect copyright.PENANAorp5abBCc9
Alyson: “Yeah?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAXylgAXCtkc
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWhSpsDQcIV
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAkjUtVM26Rs
174Please respect copyright.PENANAUDiSIFY9Tc
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0eQED25twm
174Please respect copyright.PENANAYrKLBQED5E
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAziPLr0XKv3
174Please respect copyright.PENANAmay1xv1Arw
And she closes the door in my face…
174Please respect copyright.PENANAadGpWnRtEd
174Please respect copyright.PENANAg8INHsbSwZ
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAXdJvZNbIhJ
174Please respect copyright.PENANA1TgImdqYYZ
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAIhy3jfRw0w
174Please respect copyright.PENANA9DcA85ZHdM
Nao: “Okay, how do I practice offensive spells? I can’t really do it here and I won’t be able to leave the house today.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAjYh8bQo1fg
174Please respect copyright.PENANAygf92idjOt
Arc: “I have a function dedicated to battle simulations but I don’t know if you’re ready even for level 0. Find a place to practice, it doesn’t have to be today.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAsBrHYmZbMp
174Please respect copyright.PENANAhYahyukoLq
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAev7xF87lHu
174Please respect copyright.PENANAqpGmSjb6qw
Arc: “No.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAggzc6tITb0
Learn Meditation (+2)174Please respect copyright.PENANAnft6GlFDZF
174Please respect copyright.PENANAVEMaVXNvne
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAzWGe5V6GCr
Points: 3174Please respect copyright.PENANAzYK5MKAwFS
174Please respect copyright.PENANAd7jSDhal7E
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAoPvXmXx4GV
174Please respect copyright.PENANAxxZSWJxrgn
Arc: “Be glad it was just a headache. If you actually tried to use that spell the backlash would be comparable to when you killed those bullies.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWmr16xJg1Z
174Please respect copyright.PENANAh4BqQI6QSN
Nao: “…I rather you did not bring that up. So infusion doesn’t give such a bad backlash. Good to know, I thought I was just getting used to the pain.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAVh3xpmfgu0
174Please respect copyright.PENANAfU2Q9bGUr5
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAuGerecUww6
174Please respect copyright.PENANAOOyrOePbcB
Arc: “No, mediation is a bit special. It’s not really a spell but a training technique. Your body can already handle the effects, learning the skill was more for me. I’m now allowed to handle more of the mana inside you.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAkSPyUpTUnd
174Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ydt0XojS2
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAEMZDpj7QfU
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFGMIppRpHK
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAUKeiutGkOp
174Please respect copyright.PENANARydfnCtbAB
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAg1MGoAD11d
174Please respect copyright.PENANAjIek6bni9L
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANApUEprr2N1l
174Please respect copyright.PENANAWZ56ubrODd
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAubXPdYl4e4
174Please respect copyright.PENANAMxrShELBIe
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANADV0enuQFOq
174Please respect copyright.PENANAGPNgxFIyP4
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAJhaOzDqbE3
174Please respect copyright.PENANAFrx7tzhPHq
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAgEF8F1L4L8
174Please respect copyright.PENANAnWnekhVMjM
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAm35zCL1OZF
174Please respect copyright.PENANAiG8xaKwo8O
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAnC7ImK192L
174Please respect copyright.PENANA7c6Qo09P3V
Got it, I focus to feel the magical energies throughout my body like blood. I read it about this a few days ago but this is the first time I’ve really felt it. Even my breath feels different somehow.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAeLEy3GKsR5
174Please respect copyright.PENANAJwQzQGercm
Arc: “Now it’s time to create your mana energy center. It can come in many styles. A heart, core, spiral, circles, full-body, etc.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAQl04CNILCA
174Please respect copyright.PENANAXdLyUT6rbT
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAsSuSZkLpMx
174Please respect copyright.PENANA8CKz1BUhZ8
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0Jd7wv2Z0N
174Please respect copyright.PENANAyz8yveJUHg
Nao: “I want the best.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAVRMeKPWtlD
174Please respect copyright.PENANACMO2VoTiYD
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANARINik05Ums
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0ugNfJ6SOD
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA7RufV3El5Y
174Please respect copyright.PENANAUTySYxwjUp
Nao: “Can I know why?”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAacuOzari4r
174Please respect copyright.PENANA0NIVFRR0lt
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAjugCVXr88F
174Please respect copyright.PENANAkDJH99Cl0U
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAHPUXdagckr
174Please respect copyright.PENANABbBu9K7kBl
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAXaHCwJ7OBc
174Please respect copyright.PENANAPJbO6nvGVy
Arc: “Nice, now imagine heating the mana and expanding it. Good, cool it down and shrink it. Repeat the process as long as you can.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA1drYxHMxgM
174Please respect copyright.PENANAB5cbN8EDNw
I do as I’m told and at first it was easy but eventually the strain starts setting in. Despite sitting still, my body starts sweating as if I’m exercising. Then I began the heating and cooling of the mana.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA4J3smasRMx
174Please respect copyright.PENANALdrD075GRQ
Arc: “Don’t hesitate to breathe in and out. This is as much of an exercise for your body as it is for your mana.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA3A07nrWWpH
174Please respect copyright.PENANAIKGrqtAdAx
Yeah, I can feel that. A squeeze in my abs and stomach tightening every minute. I keep this for as long as possible before tapping out due to exhaustion.
174Please respect copyright.PENANA2kVpqUg1O1
174Please respect copyright.PENANA7nqLJTpm97
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANA69AIrrmv5b
174Please respect copyright.PENANAr1e6xwtiyd
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
174Please respect copyright.PENANAT8hZdlmfno
174Please respect copyright.PENANA7QeNXZsSrS
[9:00pm]
174Please respect copyright.PENANA9EY84OnkjM
174Please respect copyright.PENANAjxHYGbU1iO
Even dinner couldn’t help restore my physical energy. I never knew mediation could take it out of me so much but I can feel it working. I feel that tiny bit stronger and my control over mana has improved.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAmAU0tGzY63
174Please respect copyright.PENANAGi3HyGg2Dd
Buuuut, I’m done for the day. I can barely move from my bed. So I close my eyes ready to get my well-earned sleep.
…
…
You know what, I haven’t increased my size in a while. I’m working so hard, I deserve a height to match my improving body.
174Please respect copyright.PENANADQolnET8ER
174Please respect copyright.PENANAyheEsfR91Q
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
174Please respect copyright.PENANAkOVkRSZdnw
174Please respect copyright.PENANAqsc3Q7Eigd
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
174Please respect copyright.PENANALqvzdrj1Ff
174Please respect copyright.PENANAkf9ys9vA7w
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5174Please respect copyright.PENANAeAGRT5ZS9P
Endurance: 11.5174Please respect copyright.PENANAhwwDZDVrfk
Intelligence: 15.5174Please respect copyright.PENANAELnNEgwy1M
Charisma: 18174Please respect copyright.PENANAn5hW4dpW64
Agility: 12.5174Please respect copyright.PENANAtq00LCq4RQ
Magic: 18174Please respect copyright.PENANAadqaR077mR
174Please respect copyright.PENANAymWkaZljJB
Spells:174Please respect copyright.PENANApbkuQwvvhs
Scan174Please respect copyright.PENANAPvk5RWGOee
Minor Illusion [Active]174Please respect copyright.PENANA7owZQSiQLL
Magic Missile174Please respect copyright.PENANAMEES90uI27
Control Water174Please respect copyright.PENANALuq7E2cDsL
Acid Blast 174Please respect copyright.PENANAwF5feyOwmi
Shape Shift [Active]174Please respect copyright.PENANA2qxVL5i3Dy
Mind Reading [Active]174Please respect copyright.PENANA3pkMu60AEv
Paralysis174Please respect copyright.PENANAhID97YfgDr
Basic Healing174Please respect copyright.PENANA7v4y5V9QVY
Air Bullet 174Please respect copyright.PENANA4CqzveGXP4