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.315Please respect copyright.PENANAJl0xTlBlIc
315Please respect copyright.PENANAjllPH9OIHp
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I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA81xT9gxPbe
315Please respect copyright.PENANA6aNq2qJolY
Sever: “And you are?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANACvM5fsaXnw
315Please respect copyright.PENANAd6Vj1pB89V
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANABd0Iz7dAl5
315Please respect copyright.PENANAHKITxZIbQr
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAOxLbcteBN3
315Please respect copyright.PENANAiuDYcguj2M
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAcOy2RYRXGh
315Please respect copyright.PENANAO7bomfM6sQ
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAlMrFmnwFyg
315Please respect copyright.PENANAFU0wE6tSPu
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAPQ5AS0ZPWm
315Please respect copyright.PENANATXodpsaGwv
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAfRdOCDj3Tm
315Please respect copyright.PENANA7cr15KGOtv
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANArOwR17Ee8r
315Please respect copyright.PENANAjULgvuovoQ
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA6Uzd3T6Ji3
315Please respect copyright.PENANAbg4pKlIrWQ
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAKIzy3OYrqk
315Please respect copyright.PENANAsC6jb5nbB4
Sever looks me over and snickers.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAN2Ph55wa9A
315Please respect copyright.PENANAGIH2t5D7hN
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAd2xlLIoRx3
315Please respect copyright.PENANA6Nt01kRK6T
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAe8EQR446A5
315Please respect copyright.PENANAWmNTQO3Edb
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
315Please respect copyright.PENANAk5sqVSxgkQ
315Please respect copyright.PENANAZtO8Z6bjyJ
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAHzjoiJP7qE
315Please respect copyright.PENANAM6A0Dl26Yt
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAA0tRO8IU6g
315Please respect copyright.PENANA9a84cDa7Ti
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA202j7mxkYH
315Please respect copyright.PENANAta65Vv4GzK
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAmRWGjbFnGX
315Please respect copyright.PENANAktojZE7oOX
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAW0HtkHyq0y
315Please respect copyright.PENANALXbzIT6S0n
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAuZcUZXaibv
315Please respect copyright.PENANAxUeAxXBch8
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAnk28yzlXjP
315Please respect copyright.PENANAFH0otd2W2c
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAYWqPyLGlak
315Please respect copyright.PENANAwfc6UaLlT1
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAuh6guBA1pE
315Please respect copyright.PENANAf6s3oo5uT8
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA0TNBzlEg0f
315Please respect copyright.PENANATInznKJPVc
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAynbEh66O32
!!!315Please respect copyright.PENANA86AM4UQUme
315Please respect copyright.PENANAAXqcWK5zaJ
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA4MzWPVVhc1
315Please respect copyright.PENANA0hgkBmOsOl
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAhXR2X3Y0yS
315Please respect copyright.PENANAMO5K6rNHEs
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAO73cdZeoHH
315Please respect copyright.PENANAs9AIL4nJXN
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAv0w5vxvs87
315Please respect copyright.PENANAorghzsdNjx
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAGblKfyClGl
315Please respect copyright.PENANADvoBXUfU59
Nao: “!”
315Please respect copyright.PENANABXL8rtoy7P
315Please respect copyright.PENANAoCz6LS3DEC
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
315Please respect copyright.PENANAHwxzkLdCUW
315Please respect copyright.PENANAKIG6iW2uOr
!!!
315Please respect copyright.PENANATkZlcqGOMg
315Please respect copyright.PENANAi6Nz0Teyqr
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
315Please respect copyright.PENANACTd1WeicWT
315Please respect copyright.PENANAQe0Aco76Fm
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAJzAs2ZEqcF
315Please respect copyright.PENANAHo4mXRHCdq
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAQdRkjx1D1g
315Please respect copyright.PENANAqyzn76sZ5Q
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAB8sgDs4IKm
315Please respect copyright.PENANAlnKgA6VzSK
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAkF7rpgsKvq
315Please respect copyright.PENANAC22KjpqQ4j
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA82UOFFQGia
315Please respect copyright.PENANAjFSBXtznHy
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAN9Kx39A2F8
315Please respect copyright.PENANAx75QFJIT0k
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAs7jyjS4CjB
315Please respect copyright.PENANA3EAQCMXgmV
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANApaLtNDglyJ
315Please respect copyright.PENANARTQP7ktLIl
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAIFRhKcnFPe
315Please respect copyright.PENANAHkyibUKRXC
Alyson: “…”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAzb52pkv6zt
315Please respect copyright.PENANAM4TvQm7jTr
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAYaub1pzcwS
315Please respect copyright.PENANAo994HxwqB5
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA1Yf3L0GE4I
315Please respect copyright.PENANAm8CkwmdrVg
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
315Please respect copyright.PENANAQOyDajoqv4
315Please respect copyright.PENANAVJOIVfo3TQ
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAJm1mviSVnv
315Please respect copyright.PENANAVaHxfODLaB
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAyeZ76E8KfC
315Please respect copyright.PENANABv3XqEsYki
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA07OmB8loXe
315Please respect copyright.PENANAwbhmTel0I1
Arc: “Get stronger.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAbRAF94DCeA
315Please respect copyright.PENANAFAE4Bx2sWz
What?
315Please respect copyright.PENANAndBwMLoUIb
315Please respect copyright.PENANAKV9pjqQn8h
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAHj1hLjuPPM
Death…315Please respect copyright.PENANAQAgmxskCnS
315Please respect copyright.PENANAbDX2v9RP17
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAIgOIQbyCvR
315Please respect copyright.PENANApvmqOPPw93
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*315Please respect copyright.PENANADYvAl2zshq
315Please respect copyright.PENANAxKJSvV90FN
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]315Please respect copyright.PENANAK2uUyODOKm
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
315Please respect copyright.PENANAiv6xpOCHFb
…What is an invader?
315Please respect copyright.PENANAKn8PtT4d1r
315Please respect copyright.PENANAfQxrPq1YHY
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAqrUw1FYz2C
315Please respect copyright.PENANA7LilLRONNK
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAhEBkIljHuB
315Please respect copyright.PENANAZSe8aXuA3C
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA5JT1lH6o1i
I can do that?315Please respect copyright.PENANA1DzddojXFk
315Please respect copyright.PENANAQzUMQLV8DP
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA0P2s1iYios
315Please respect copyright.PENANATvVuHXypWK
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAHzM3ruayHa
315Please respect copyright.PENANAU8z4MoeH9O
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA3ezba2rS2k
315Please respect copyright.PENANAooE6GIK6YR
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. 315Please respect copyright.PENANAw3Cv4d9Ifm
315Please respect copyright.PENANA4lJwCnuVvh
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
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315Please respect copyright.PENANA4sYi7Oz8E1
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA5kOGsF3VIB
315Please respect copyright.PENANAw8J0gX3u7A
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAISbJffoL1Z
315Please respect copyright.PENANAue0bH9kC0S
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA8DOnqZujTA
315Please respect copyright.PENANAYT7gJzb8Jt
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAxfMPMXpys9
315Please respect copyright.PENANAcCXKoEPngf
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAfuEFqhwvAS
315Please respect copyright.PENANAjSsUIOwCQp
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAnhit1GptJn
315Please respect copyright.PENANAbtjQQhLTtu
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAWAevxh0Lck
315Please respect copyright.PENANAhYjH9Z3nD7
“Hey, are you alright?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAlVfK8ZIFFv
315Please respect copyright.PENANAtJefljt77G
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANASYzmbTtuq6
315Please respect copyright.PENANATR28RCQfOu
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAHbVKwxfo9c
!315Please respect copyright.PENANAmvlphlvwtE
315Please respect copyright.PENANA5fEzAMNYEk
“Ow, what the hell?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAwZJ1UIykj9
315Please respect copyright.PENANARgBFlCsAg4
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAdvuO6LxQbY
315Please respect copyright.PENANAOzC39elBZ8
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANApdCZjw3cB2
315Please respect copyright.PENANAOSZjRKEm8m
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAg5K13RRJuT
315Please respect copyright.PENANAzJu5wKn77g
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAiRDSrOHKbS
315Please respect copyright.PENANAunJiqBdVGQ
Wait guys, take me home!
315Please respect copyright.PENANABOhkRDSwNB
315Please respect copyright.PENANAkDM2gx1Po3
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAt4I2w18diZ
315Please respect copyright.PENANAEgc15rx8Om
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
315Please respect copyright.PENANA4cOBrkOlbN
315Please respect copyright.PENANA4TbMOBa67Z
Tallow: “Wait look.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAH9GN7ran5d
315Please respect copyright.PENANAS8vO0pxHYs
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAZ3lIdWyQqT
315Please respect copyright.PENANAOSH8yz1u3a
Valo: “N-Nao?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANARZmVvEarxY
315Please respect copyright.PENANA1fpWvdK39z
I nod my head as hard as I can.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAVKlsSov5PB
315Please respect copyright.PENANAsu3E3afcxF
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAWir9lVu5pU
315Please respect copyright.PENANAfHVFuZozZM
Mat: “Damn.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAFKXFT2rTML
315Please respect copyright.PENANA9W8q6GOEgw
Velo: “But why?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAD2U67qh9cL
315Please respect copyright.PENANAOkUcGJFRlq
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAoK75CQ0CZT
315Please respect copyright.PENANAT2CAqrX9Ye
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.315Please respect copyright.PENANApSWH9w8Lyw
315Please respect copyright.PENANApSuJqbMtSd
315Please respect copyright.PENANAlhmC3ndFQd
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA4gOYCp3D0y
315Please respect copyright.PENANAjGSTKZtHYK
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA37xunPQALO
315Please respect copyright.PENANAakytdrIQHa
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAuWlQMFChrc
315Please respect copyright.PENANAUc5yso9GS1
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAKny8rLm3Jf
315Please respect copyright.PENANAf45DRW5Blo
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAUlUOek8jNB
315Please respect copyright.PENANAm7gSLTNQYU
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA55AmpJQtiT
315Please respect copyright.PENANAmAek9aRnGL
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANApayWn1mJf4
315Please respect copyright.PENANArUKgKrwGph
Shape shift!
315Please respect copyright.PENANANjq3WMlEN5
315Please respect copyright.PENANADQSHbzoFss
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANALhvyIEkJ8D
315Please respect copyright.PENANA10oewR1Lit
Mat: “What the hell!”
315Please respect copyright.PENANALrKJVMvH1r
315Please respect copyright.PENANAh0pCyItLWi
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA2lcsnLByjt
315Please respect copyright.PENANA4ECx5Okrd3
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAyerSH2mFr1
315Please respect copyright.PENANAuonLjOkS1Q
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAogNlAPiyqd
315Please respect copyright.PENANAPpSaEWmzJa
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
315Please respect copyright.PENANARFBpr6voDs
315Please respect copyright.PENANA3G7gUamt7m
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAxMnXVq5yb8
315Please respect copyright.PENANAUp8kSHAEmK
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAvL9zywJ5v5
315Please respect copyright.PENANA4rt61I0tKE
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANASaXoNpFOft
315Please respect copyright.PENANAxdq9mLODLW
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAAv27j977Oy
315Please respect copyright.PENANA0jjslcdJZc
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAtTAmivqptN
315Please respect copyright.PENANAvCs2Izkk7V
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAIr5AHi5vXC
315Please respect copyright.PENANAOsodwxP94b
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAY16wk9OeFW
315Please respect copyright.PENANAUFCIRCU4Zw
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAzqoR5yYZkd
315Please respect copyright.PENANAVieCXA2XRP
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAsmaVfXgy98
315Please respect copyright.PENANAwHK3ilp7RV
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAYz6lQKV3VC
315Please respect copyright.PENANAeDDaXAtmxk
Everyone: “What?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA7g0eIgB6hZ
315Please respect copyright.PENANAqcHEz6TnAN
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAgp08tLMVeI
315Please respect copyright.PENANAsgfJNBTkjw
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA4u93Qcy3VJ
315Please respect copyright.PENANAP6multwbLn
Velo: “What do we do?
315Please respect copyright.PENANAxQ3KVzr3m7
315Please respect copyright.PENANAtcjtNP5Pyd
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAykD49n7wqj
315Please respect copyright.PENANAB6OiKwhf1x
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANArGIYpo6lqg
315Please respect copyright.PENANABhCv7toyZc
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA5KZQB66UZu
315Please respect copyright.PENANAlXmA9Sr9Mm
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAyuOfBBMgQ6
315Please respect copyright.PENANABwbnI5Appk
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANALOCuucCcg3
315Please respect copyright.PENANAfyRL3DdwKK
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…
315Please respect copyright.PENANAJ43mNvlvOi
315Please respect copyright.PENANAdIvhscbrjv
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA8YMteFMDeQ
315Please respect copyright.PENANAzty41eqlcu
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAvBBRtMlp6a
315Please respect copyright.PENANAWqJZqVBinR
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA8q5YZxPkEb
315Please respect copyright.PENANAa5EjoWwpcC
Anthony: “Why?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAUgpkA7qf4Z
315Please respect copyright.PENANAw4LHU1y2Bs
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANABvXqcMYT28
315Please respect copyright.PENANAL1tZDdo7IV
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAWHLhCoLc19
315Please respect copyright.PENANAytIaBk0iuO
Nao: “Ummm…”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA05qm4mxt9N
315Please respect copyright.PENANA9BGVGn92K4
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
315Please respect copyright.PENANAeaWyqfUQzS
315Please respect copyright.PENANA2Zr3mcTCDj
Air Bullet (6)315Please respect copyright.PENANALwk5KylWA4
315Please respect copyright.PENANASjyJVPqYav
315Please respect copyright.PENANAGL4gwzacax
That doesn’t sound too bad.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAkZccavF7Po
315Please respect copyright.PENANAK9rWPapZvn
Nao: “Air bullet.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAl9hCZohdE2
315Please respect copyright.PENANAuJTdWiq6To
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAr6z77IR5HT
Points: 1315Please respect copyright.PENANAjW3DukdIFf
315Please respect copyright.PENANAxVon2mkQgh
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANARjI0i31njA
315Please respect copyright.PENANAFdZGyd2DhB
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAy77AzJuiQR
315Please respect copyright.PENANAUYxf5ZL4PQ
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAb1YWWcmVAZ
315Please respect copyright.PENANAD4S843TCns
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAd3SmrN1odT
315Please respect copyright.PENANAXLxlOnPmNE
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA0qUkOQKW6b
315Please respect copyright.PENANAlZi8aEcO14
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA6PtKhgBrix
315Please respect copyright.PENANAig3By2Y4Um
Nao: “Illusions.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAXYfJ4w7zYu
315Please respect copyright.PENANA1xVFzWqRjf
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA6VMskcVj6s
315Please respect copyright.PENANAQcF2q1iCXJ
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAtrBFAfq3Nr
315Please respect copyright.PENANA5lxSgHbSnN
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA4NasuuoMAr
315Please respect copyright.PENANAY5EAxDllXj
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANABpTWKKNpy7
315Please respect copyright.PENANASOiqcCL9eL
We?
315Please respect copyright.PENANAPRNt7hNFB1
315Please respect copyright.PENANAXOmIUPhgFo
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAXf4Bq74tU6
315Please respect copyright.PENANA5sUGZmMyyV
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAdbZEMIJGf7
315Please respect copyright.PENANAd6hAZqLkwv
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAW5T1OEXKl7
315Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3MkqSd432
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAcCaxQvb6VV
315Please respect copyright.PENANAyupIEMX2o1
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANATnC6wKafRm
315Please respect copyright.PENANAI3ZK4GLHRE
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAPEeh0WfRAs
315Please respect copyright.PENANApPxsKGMsCq
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAIEMsbPxuw2
315Please respect copyright.PENANAqQbSdwp6wa
Nell: “Of course.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAvny18jEavc
315Please respect copyright.PENANA6LChnRUErl
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
315Please respect copyright.PENANASjI6zJJXjp
315Please respect copyright.PENANA51Jf4b2cwt
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAGyxHsdRyVo
315Please respect copyright.PENANAdIf13rrZLT
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAlbWsqEK9KK
315Please respect copyright.PENANAyxCI8StdX7
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAuwBJkFkC3p
315Please respect copyright.PENANAKCFZWNseu8
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANArcJoiOfx8d
315Please respect copyright.PENANApyRUt0SgcV
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAFpsFE2Sln3
315Please respect copyright.PENANA1JiPzkMfmi
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAeyvIioq38u
315Please respect copyright.PENANAVP8OIOYu95
Nao: “Sure thing.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAQH8USRVBfl
315Please respect copyright.PENANAvJ3Lbk7I6c
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAGkGzZKOm4r
315Please respect copyright.PENANAGcONMZdMPv
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
315Please respect copyright.PENANAy57umfNpsW
315Please respect copyright.PENANAy7z7FFh7Lg
Arc: “Do it.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAytn1eNALdS
315Please respect copyright.PENANAhOguGSDA0r
But-
315Please respect copyright.PENANAXNx5oNXNLJ
315Please respect copyright.PENANAgFFz4gJgY1
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA4pJVcVj2i7
315Please respect copyright.PENANAppbmIIcVma
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANANuocP4CZ1m
315Please respect copyright.PENANADvb3f7lRnV
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAnu0rZc0Mp6
315Please respect copyright.PENANAquYmzfZxYM
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA7bQYBBaotx
315Please respect copyright.PENANABfha4vSEuE
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANATJ0GmR1zzE
315Please respect copyright.PENANAO0fJgwbSLd
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAtOYrBY2z5M
315Please respect copyright.PENANArY2uq9tJ2c
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
315Please respect copyright.PENANAyyYq4s2AUZ
315Please respect copyright.PENANAERHm11E3IM
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAIxZTC7g8Tu
315Please respect copyright.PENANASxJ6NxUY7N
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANABxXM2ppC4e
315Please respect copyright.PENANATSsdhv1BaU
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA0hBix87Dx0
315Please respect copyright.PENANAkGnzqG4U43
Valo: “You should take a break.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA9WpXl77tt5
315Please respect copyright.PENANA6SHGQeDJYn
Nao: “Ummm…”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAhSVfZQmErX
315Please respect copyright.PENANAl9EeU9HQiL
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAz9iTbgMh44
315Please respect copyright.PENANA1USLT3lnH0
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAUHSqodMkD2
315Please respect copyright.PENANAXTw1WPiEDw
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAwOKVuGMCyb
315Please respect copyright.PENANAhGFerPO30z
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.315Please respect copyright.PENANAGMP4dYYL4T
315Please respect copyright.PENANAIyVSDuvfQP
*Ding*
315Please respect copyright.PENANAOX5G1oQ4ad
Points: 3315Please respect copyright.PENANAz2wAuB9t2z
315Please respect copyright.PENANAZQ24Em9oEO
And that’s 10 spells a day!315Please respect copyright.PENANAQZFgJB9e9Y
315Please respect copyright.PENANAuWWSRh1BGN
315Please respect copyright.PENANADIzjmlbLPf
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAw9KiCkmMeN
315Please respect copyright.PENANAYfFPtYr5pg
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAF0zmZZUVzf
315Please respect copyright.PENANAOzAStp2XAK
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANARqeeZq7fyG
315Please respect copyright.PENANAb9a7SlZcd3
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAcXXq8Et9WY
315Please respect copyright.PENANAZa1nENwkdP
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAsKpDqx1ASO
315Please respect copyright.PENANAW1D6HgAsYY
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.315Please respect copyright.PENANArwkAQo0GPI
315Please respect copyright.PENANAWPHa9dcmu0
315Please respect copyright.PENANAN6sM5cXCHo
Arc: “You know what to do.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAetkTtel54k
315Please respect copyright.PENANAZv2I6fQT2k
Nao: “…I know.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAFUyWCPVRn5
315Please respect copyright.PENANARvDQZ6PCBM
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]315Please respect copyright.PENANAloelwVjLvc
315Please respect copyright.PENANAoKIPAQZeQQ
*Ding*
315Please respect copyright.PENANAgChuteCFrR
Points: 6315Please respect copyright.PENANAJogaPbF9YI
315Please respect copyright.PENANAY0ytaHKuQy
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA7WroKvM5DE
315Please respect copyright.PENANA3flhsmw00H
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAInbyQE3BY4
315Please respect copyright.PENANAjC1s9x5Idj
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAojrdifIhvm
315Please respect copyright.PENANACIZ4BMTNAE
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAKTdj9jHyA4
315Please respect copyright.PENANAmw5j8pKyNA
Alyson: “Yeah?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAiKDooiIqHS
315Please respect copyright.PENANAsZ6xw67ink
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA8EPx8egEVx
315Please respect copyright.PENANAws1h5fAcNr
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA5SR9sHCCVh
315Please respect copyright.PENANAgbU9jJc13c
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAD1IDIurh9U
315Please respect copyright.PENANAFHJqPZAile
And she closes the door in my face…
315Please respect copyright.PENANAxJFWWGR05C
315Please respect copyright.PENANAzACE4TLYt4
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAf5qO08BOuC
315Please respect copyright.PENANAoaHLYQkvYW
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAYKfBzfnovJ
315Please respect copyright.PENANAmezYAg86vV
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANACBT1lNY8FA
315Please respect copyright.PENANAQnQcREZt9y
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAeRD7Jf8jVF
315Please respect copyright.PENANAui5tlxtt3t
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAUW5oGZfNqW
315Please respect copyright.PENANASbey3xGWD4
Arc: “No.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAjgrdADUOAV
Learn Meditation (+2)315Please respect copyright.PENANAwnv810SlYg
315Please respect copyright.PENANATxLmEJuZAU
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA0C6NSaxfGL
Points: 3315Please respect copyright.PENANAm0jIaro9hQ
315Please respect copyright.PENANAH2Knxrht8F
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAecogZ3Rin5
315Please respect copyright.PENANAgHcedsU267
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAL0mPUfs30L
315Please respect copyright.PENANAWEb4NUj60B
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAyi3hAI9q4o
315Please respect copyright.PENANAqjfWNq0a5b
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA0RIJ1uBWEQ
315Please respect copyright.PENANAZrDNwULUgf
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAYJhO0QWp42
315Please respect copyright.PENANAXmOUInrUFG
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAA8qY01SSL5
315Please respect copyright.PENANAyqhHuyhsZ2
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAJhS16AJYgq
315Please respect copyright.PENANAZcYOYaanyi
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAvYwDcry19m
315Please respect copyright.PENANAjC5t38Mywh
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAD5eCnqByQ6
315Please respect copyright.PENANACOHkZnsCjW
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANALpn10lvOM3
315Please respect copyright.PENANAmOzXYrYh5h
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANApCMoR6simy
315Please respect copyright.PENANAtGCGpynnNf
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAvipdh4LIZq
315Please respect copyright.PENANA813OccZ6Fo
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAVB9820OoFm
315Please respect copyright.PENANAy93woVfKmy
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAWI1VWtyPEs
315Please respect copyright.PENANAtSvYn9B3xW
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA2F3WWPdlzz
315Please respect copyright.PENANAqRMsFqZZ5M
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANATRTWuQKcW5
315Please respect copyright.PENANAmgnAc279zJ
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAzbqVUjQs7u
315Please respect copyright.PENANAMhLc7b621V
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAx2IFW0D1Vr
315Please respect copyright.PENANA64n21d8NUo
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANA80CkY2xClU
315Please respect copyright.PENANAjEmB8qdMyR
Nao: “I want the best.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAhmVIvAjYg7
315Please respect copyright.PENANAC9yIRl2QPe
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAvcAxcFgyeJ
315Please respect copyright.PENANA2YckuvZOYv
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANALGFLDxO6IG
315Please respect copyright.PENANAeZkZ2c1JYo
Nao: “Can I know why?”
315Please respect copyright.PENANApaJjXY6UQs
315Please respect copyright.PENANAe0lg2HziSF
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAGoYegKL9F6
315Please respect copyright.PENANAwH5NR7wf2b
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAbi5PIiNKuh
315Please respect copyright.PENANABH5p8oEeI0
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAD0fi66137x
315Please respect copyright.PENANAVLGn9Dxrwi
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAFaHHkMOibt
315Please respect copyright.PENANAJVk9lC8JTM
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAmRGac6oM3a
315Please respect copyright.PENANAWwRgmquGkZ
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.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAnV8M9RHteu
315Please respect copyright.PENANAfBNGxcLny2
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA1LdXC8idXN
315Please respect copyright.PENANAK5xc9ZDJNa
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANAnVoGlBmL7o
315Please respect copyright.PENANAUNHXxWgFul
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
315Please respect copyright.PENANASGxzkHNZ8a
315Please respect copyright.PENANAhj50Ar46yv
[9:00pm]
315Please respect copyright.PENANA5bcStSxpyP
315Please respect copyright.PENANAHhVU5SAs5S
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAbDAokz1CI9
315Please respect copyright.PENANAAQLmfNmhcs
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.
315Please respect copyright.PENANA4vkAsBCsQ0
315Please respect copyright.PENANAQbnxgqoh2G
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
315Please respect copyright.PENANAp7rX8cPTwd
315Please respect copyright.PENANAaThC8RAVWG
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
315Please respect copyright.PENANAebJVJ1Jlps
315Please respect copyright.PENANARfmL0Xj3RK
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5315Please respect copyright.PENANArxeMMwQjs7
Endurance: 11.5315Please respect copyright.PENANAUtaqLvTsGJ
Intelligence: 15.5315Please respect copyright.PENANAQt5qoENRQ6
Charisma: 18315Please respect copyright.PENANAsDxv4Biq5O
Agility: 12.5315Please respect copyright.PENANAEUTpSXLftl
Magic: 18315Please respect copyright.PENANAGsSkZ5fWKW
315Please respect copyright.PENANA1qDn46Akd7
Spells:315Please respect copyright.PENANAwGKrcj6YhF
Scan315Please respect copyright.PENANA6rQarHPaOV
Minor Illusion [Active]315Please respect copyright.PENANA87zmRo8ji0
Magic Missile315Please respect copyright.PENANARdhQMiZGZM
Control Water315Please respect copyright.PENANAnNU54c2K23
Acid Blast 315Please respect copyright.PENANABIGgiTlUen
Shape Shift [Active]315Please respect copyright.PENANAWL0y87QAee
Mind Reading [Active]315Please respect copyright.PENANAxtdFnhHpKi
Paralysis315Please respect copyright.PENANAyuok9Za1OW
Basic Healing315Please respect copyright.PENANAL334y7nOZh
Air Bullet 315Please respect copyright.PENANAgbbLq8lTmF