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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAvNEqAkEn3d
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcbMaJ15xpC
340Please respect copyright.PENANAo9GX9hFUm3
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGe8pOqOuoi
340Please respect copyright.PENANAwfizsWMyGq
Sever: “And you are?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAG5r2Lmgx8c
340Please respect copyright.PENANAXfH9Xfh8Nr
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAzW9epyyCaR
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6kfoMEjwWX
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHzvl0Gf1Lq
340Please respect copyright.PENANAM5U7BNZwNJ
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA5rICo4LU8R
340Please respect copyright.PENANAp2105GMirG
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGQ1AOwc3sW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkldSzS00Wk
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAw2aqhC8J4h
340Please respect copyright.PENANAP8AcdAJJUR
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
340Please respect copyright.PENANApG39ZEFMtC
340Please respect copyright.PENANA4Zuzu5JJDf
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAUxueyFb2sO
340Please respect copyright.PENANA5aYtErfJUg
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHRyHSKAyts
340Please respect copyright.PENANADrzIM0PVJd
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAi1dVES4uac
340Please respect copyright.PENANABl9UO595s4
Sever looks me over and snickers.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAUGG0dDxZGz
340Please respect copyright.PENANACYxOSs0cME
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAb2h8TgB9S0
340Please respect copyright.PENANA8wXwlzdPhC
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2FKYpaTf6
340Please respect copyright.PENANA676ziKBxu7
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZVUHQ0rDls
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHZH5BsIqkS
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAgEsWHH07g2
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcd3aBZFVTm
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmDzRMAqYNf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAU2VPplqFT9
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmM7gOjrLkL
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqVeaPp3a0E
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAT4NknOMtbR
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1HK57jJLoO
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqix2xU03r0
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlE1WnFRkm0
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAK8SYDo5sPk
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcwnu9gkjYt
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAO9Vw52PIQ9
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaiCLnota0X
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAt2MtATRJvC
340Please respect copyright.PENANADMUppzt24D
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGMjqMk5pEb
340Please respect copyright.PENANA7ZPVSGuqbL
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcl6SdGUp5V
340Please respect copyright.PENANAiU5oeCml4D
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAU2gUP0k9E3
!!!340Please respect copyright.PENANAE2qkTa6muf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMT8lVGHkVm
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANApDZF6rO66G
340Please respect copyright.PENANAwiUH5CVhhO
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAdiTrSmKGWX
340Please respect copyright.PENANA2vN1FLuZrw
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAuF5MTYDuBE
340Please respect copyright.PENANAK8RTf05oBS
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAAX5Js6JApF
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMPDHZOeosb
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQnWkghUIRD
340Please respect copyright.PENANAfpEJUYIrWK
Nao: “!”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAwhJGx3G0Zl
340Please respect copyright.PENANA4TfvPYrL0Y
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQOf8nj24Hl
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6YbM4OTXDp
!!!
340Please respect copyright.PENANAvIEvf7OObg
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqXNZNmcyrN
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQLs5LRMpPk
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQVaCkEjS1j
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHO1cz3drrq
340Please respect copyright.PENANAiJ9G8C6ynl
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZQLvGe6tQw
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnRlrxbpr0W
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJtbupDzbo1
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZoQUJLwi29
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZkTgwFUgPE
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqSeoyYihC3
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMaSyjtOogj
340Please respect copyright.PENANAPLnu3g9r2n
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAymOAq96XSC
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsReBLCMZM8
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVoG6R5aQZj
340Please respect copyright.PENANAjiQL7LRQ4l
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6HEV6PD8IR
340Please respect copyright.PENANADVS7SeF7Ql
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYInlAut9Lw
340Please respect copyright.PENANA7VZEFSl7Rw
Alyson: “…”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnUtohmthkI
340Please respect copyright.PENANADITREXj1tQ
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAwK7uki7qcr
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0HKP0WGkLq
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAiA5L8OXPHO
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsXlrMzJtMD
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhpDVYe8yqO
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmCT6cbR9dC
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANALGovFirK2T
340Please respect copyright.PENANA3hdFe1Mq6p
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0t38nrSj0k
340Please respect copyright.PENANARa804wn0iU
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAg0vSXymicz
340Please respect copyright.PENANAg6IIPBS3wP
Arc: “Get stronger.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAIUHFznfqTI
340Please respect copyright.PENANAxPF0NK9yFh
What?
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsVP1BmyatE
340Please respect copyright.PENANANPIa3u2RZP
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAppF862JuEB
Death…340Please respect copyright.PENANA7ANDJ1lc8j
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMCigfp1EEC
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANADzxNXnYQzR
340Please respect copyright.PENANA74zF6jYlxj
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*340Please respect copyright.PENANAdhDEM9j5yo
340Please respect copyright.PENANABFkAfVT7k0
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]340Please respect copyright.PENANASgMzZFweim
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
340Please respect copyright.PENANANAwVi9U2rN
…What is an invader?
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6iwRciJ0cL
340Please respect copyright.PENANA2cG1DGlpCi
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHUiVOR1fix
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVSlv0Ns7IX
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAzzTrWtTvKl
340Please respect copyright.PENANAU3WwtxsnPP
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAbsrOTsJQ3S
I can do that?340Please respect copyright.PENANAsWswjTIefC
340Please respect copyright.PENANA8vtLkDoLAj
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA4jhVLjn7FR
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaKFhG755IW
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAiSvOoGaKle
340Please respect copyright.PENANA494vTympnW
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANARdomm4CEIN
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqSgPlPk7e7
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. 340Please respect copyright.PENANAP41aRT6zEy
340Please respect copyright.PENANAXvwE4A9QEo
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
340Please respect copyright.PENANANtcl0BJXIT
340Please respect copyright.PENANABU2r51sBpt
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANA3666VsnWPn
340Please respect copyright.PENANAPFTg06YxXZ
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQH0iYYlpgj
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQqThtFkyMP
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQk7unFkjj0
340Please respect copyright.PENANAH3x12HsZAP
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAysLCUk1XLS
340Please respect copyright.PENANAk0OwZBZLt2
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANA5u6MQLKGzj
340Please respect copyright.PENANAE7yOQkWWNP
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAOeS9Kv99AA
340Please respect copyright.PENANAR5spbzt3kz
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
340Please respect copyright.PENANArkOuvRhsbQ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAxGQ1q0M40x
“Hey, are you alright?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAN24oeenDUS
340Please respect copyright.PENANARM0BkFjTa0
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnXAkfIEL9h
340Please respect copyright.PENANALB5Gs1giMw
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAzODsc7nyPL
!340Please respect copyright.PENANAJq6gR0FzBI
340Please respect copyright.PENANAwo0ebbhiut
“Ow, what the hell?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhHBgAN1upV
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcfLbS3ugEb
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
340Please respect copyright.PENANALisgEIbpTr
340Please respect copyright.PENANA7smcYG6aAO
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAugApyH8nR5
340Please respect copyright.PENANANbGf9cQA4J
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlk1bJmiv09
340Please respect copyright.PENANAPTLWAcpHHD
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAbNi1G9zYMi
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKmrkLr22cX
Wait guys, take me home!
340Please respect copyright.PENANARWFfBa5QW6
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqx7Hg7nQPc
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkHYToAHHpj
340Please respect copyright.PENANAq032uevZgY
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZhWfYJdvml
340Please respect copyright.PENANAxz4gDY7SHK
Tallow: “Wait look.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAtmC06YJsnw
340Please respect copyright.PENANABYIoGGnoqe
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
340Please respect copyright.PENANA3w2QLcyRc3
340Please respect copyright.PENANAA0Z2hFmhbX
Valo: “N-Nao?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANApMj5FJcpgO
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkQeLT3VkzB
I nod my head as hard as I can.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAI6Y1gzZUxx
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqBBLisRni8
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnDETfSZ0Fc
340Please respect copyright.PENANA4BMtL7NYdW
Mat: “Damn.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6Yh1ZVRq5A
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlaTXsGOO9k
Velo: “But why?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAElBwjhVbSQ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAygDJXkqOyf
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVleciCXBPz
340Please respect copyright.PENANATfusXmZSTm
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.340Please respect copyright.PENANAWfWQ3skOKS
340Please respect copyright.PENANAPpn0HZuBx2
340Please respect copyright.PENANAtNsx39aduY
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAOVJGd6irj0
340Please respect copyright.PENANACtyEIZydEi
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqs5DRrGDMJ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsRrTF6YbrN
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAV2Xe1eDONW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcbxPknAbwz
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnHljC9Fd5N
340Please respect copyright.PENANAreI0Med2ad
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAohQxJ5PP4F
340Please respect copyright.PENANAC8btMVzX3c
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAgIqgGlS1ho
340Please respect copyright.PENANADKIROlnEav
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAwFQP9hTzZY
340Please respect copyright.PENANAXsWWdzLxfF
Shape shift!
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWpSMnK2boY
340Please respect copyright.PENANArb8yLeez2u
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAIBLiyVcffA
340Please respect copyright.PENANAjMzbdGctSD
Mat: “What the hell!”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAvAh0CG1BxD
340Please respect copyright.PENANAUtERyKRmBC
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAXwF9SHwNqH
340Please respect copyright.PENANALl6GDvaANU
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAAIf9zlv2N2
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZsIKVENh9a
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVRu0FKQQa8
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmw2SwXCXty
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAfneBcDBktk
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6EUreCL98z
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWQX88mwLIL
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKu6ntQ2oG9
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlB4Ie91vW4
340Please respect copyright.PENANAEVKatkJEIQ
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYYJifqZON2
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkftmf3xp5T
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6TaHU0EQSY
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaTsF93jNYN
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQiXhNeB8N1
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKRpGMtZFSo
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0VWNI1O9u
340Please respect copyright.PENANA3Ea7ezcdp5
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnmW450jhBz
340Please respect copyright.PENANA2ScsTboSgq
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAgmvjQ4Lzq0
340Please respect copyright.PENANAuoPw1BqDJK
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAISEci5F6wj
340Please respect copyright.PENANAXvKQK38lGf
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAjR7bpHGLeJ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnjz8MVtxrG
Everyone: “What?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAueqrYmnza8
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVrH7Opgxnq
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1bIOpGNHXo
340Please respect copyright.PENANA9SBMyab74z
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAX1CfNOJkm7
340Please respect copyright.PENANAD8KrwsAX3N
Velo: “What do we do?
340Please respect copyright.PENANAB6IKMiwQXg
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJBGkihbfoT
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKlm7mYRAhe
340Please respect copyright.PENANAXEW5YHNv9p
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAD2xkTt9bSA
340Please respect copyright.PENANAomfr8J8sF6
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAb0QefEawGI
340Please respect copyright.PENANAjru0AKSSpe
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAM5htxetwDf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAeVroJkAw9f
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA28D2sDpYR7
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1arl2cSHuG
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…
340Please respect copyright.PENANALFyYp4Oq8L
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkR4O2xXUJ2
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAt5sksiVuS9
340Please respect copyright.PENANAf0qIeMAXTz
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAPOjlPzgWgh
340Please respect copyright.PENANAw8Th0h6fh9
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQ6V3xAn1Cq
340Please respect copyright.PENANALvPOmvJGJ1
Anthony: “Why?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJHYU0NmxqU
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0SmbLpsCNh
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANApsFVy1e1iK
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWdGWDfGVkS
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA495kndoQmF
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKhgvjiZFYV
Nao: “Ummm…”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA36eVbz4tsU
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaoKkaZLy9r
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVfLPqjnmnv
340Please respect copyright.PENANApNiy3n55fz
Air Bullet (6)340Please respect copyright.PENANAe33horiwuh
340Please respect copyright.PENANAPc7tZry20D
340Please respect copyright.PENANA8TrAuewwL0
That doesn’t sound too bad.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAh0PwuUxB5K
340Please respect copyright.PENANAafQmlrCqWN
Nao: “Air bullet.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJM7JPjI16r
340Please respect copyright.PENANApvirQmSWyp
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmAqBSPFMx1
Points: 1340Please respect copyright.PENANAmxWpLpVZ7w
340Please respect copyright.PENANAY8WhsR6OpW
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANALgJJ4gORev
340Please respect copyright.PENANAIdONJYyAaw
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAuuV2lRYFb8
340Please respect copyright.PENANA8m8boqlMos
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAr1c8NktA1e
340Please respect copyright.PENANAvaiPCi85yy
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANASYT8zATxvy
340Please respect copyright.PENANAfmOXQeIiSQ
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnST8IfGTkV
340Please respect copyright.PENANApx1ZyBJH3x
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKigdY2d0Kf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAfCXqPn6Tpz
Nao: “Illusions.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAI8hc66JkWa
340Please respect copyright.PENANAha1DjFFVVZ
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0qRmHnm9DT
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhbhtR9Vr40
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAAgLIQZzEkP
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKTVGDUqZzM
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAmHqOS0NOav
340Please respect copyright.PENANA3BfUHwDmVL
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMOA2UxeTma
340Please respect copyright.PENANAoyPTKHjSxr
We?
340Please respect copyright.PENANAPrnrRmS8Ld
340Please respect copyright.PENANANEgolSOajl
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAp0IAoMWi1r
340Please respect copyright.PENANAb71nGF9wRk
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAO4VjYv4b2z
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMqRE0h6ajC
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAY0C6zWWIep
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWyopNxEoED
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0JGoZAuA7D
340Please respect copyright.PENANAB8kzh8dnj8
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAikzQRYFoJg
340Please respect copyright.PENANAfLMxPyF6nh
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAgmvWDFZm18
340Please respect copyright.PENANAcClXQxlvYE
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAoCGTBRENB0
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlwmgnMEDer
Nell: “Of course.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHr1s5UVp7k
340Please respect copyright.PENANAX38OBMBUJq
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAewwfOcxLuG
340Please respect copyright.PENANANNrthnBhtO
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkQmF3FyQ3X
340Please respect copyright.PENANAw2AXhY51n0
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlW26FV8puJ
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0YkNdmt6Fc
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAixFvb9BUaj
340Please respect copyright.PENANAtx6A0puC9F
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAdsra7zHzGZ
340Please respect copyright.PENANArMjlrHjuLW
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGX85UHoXNu
340Please respect copyright.PENANAegBzsxCu7z
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqldxRxPIXn
340Please respect copyright.PENANADFNVoPdUMx
Nao: “Sure thing.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVfF903LAUD
340Please respect copyright.PENANAEs6u6MclTZ
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAzwjRwxxA67
340Please respect copyright.PENANAPhOCxHdbcz
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
340Please respect copyright.PENANAXc9Koa4q54
340Please respect copyright.PENANAZkHG5QT7DQ
Arc: “Do it.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1vKQFAeVEw
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKbDxqlgjHZ
But-
340Please respect copyright.PENANA3KBAGg87yW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAitqkEEZSAv
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA4BGiDEk2nP
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqZ87wJo9rt
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAP9uCjn8dbs
340Please respect copyright.PENANAo31SO5LfR1
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAD7ufQMEAnu
340Please respect copyright.PENANAywHxT7gUUm
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANABcCFuJkMT3
340Please respect copyright.PENANA4uQ8EwaSfC
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsj2newFrjU
340Please respect copyright.PENANATvHaLopxjT
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlACDw0NOIC
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkVDO6qLhUy
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
340Please respect copyright.PENANAws3jYIbVFB
340Please respect copyright.PENANA7HMCsZNMQz
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAi4MaFmB4a2
340Please respect copyright.PENANAAwIoFmLt6n
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAc8WoGVH4J5
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWWA6NiQ29p
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANANEbH4kgOZo
340Please respect copyright.PENANAdTJLqpjti0
Valo: “You should take a break.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA9RoI9RjbUB
340Please respect copyright.PENANAbgfdUXHRK6
Nao: “Ummm…”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWJHGaVf2cm
340Please respect copyright.PENANA2j2v8WDtpe
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANANjo2rV0tFp
340Please respect copyright.PENANAvdGKh8WTGF
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlDjiZzbpRI
340Please respect copyright.PENANAP3CC85aEL0
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAohAbcszIK9
340Please respect copyright.PENANAVC2gS2DOWa
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAYRpYYAFt8t
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6ye6tTRE9E
*Ding*
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYOV1pbmZW8
Points: 3340Please respect copyright.PENANAoh1Jnb62q2
340Please respect copyright.PENANACcEed8RRiX
And that’s 10 spells a day!340Please respect copyright.PENANA30stkwyvfi
340Please respect copyright.PENANAyaHwlhz292
340Please respect copyright.PENANAuJ2ipypSzn
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQxIGXYOKHW
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnPBRRwv1Hs
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWyIeQ28LHu
340Please respect copyright.PENANAc7ALA0bu80
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKGr1lXvIgK
340Please respect copyright.PENANAj2Ou3Kv1MJ
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAjoDeeD5YAt
340Please respect copyright.PENANAll2XZqMdIO
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAysJIF3qvxC
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0U2UxogBzC
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.340Please respect copyright.PENANAUBA0OcqUWu
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkfBQB6ZsgU
340Please respect copyright.PENANAozqMwlFKN2
Arc: “You know what to do.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANANX7ZkISTKI
340Please respect copyright.PENANAG0ToPJAjqw
Nao: “…I know.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANArcIalKU2UV
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1l0WOwHHNN
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]340Please respect copyright.PENANALMfV1wGPj0
340Please respect copyright.PENANAPfTTDN8hVe
*Ding*
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJX8OBm6KMU
Points: 6340Please respect copyright.PENANAoQqmg4MRJU
340Please respect copyright.PENANA0QJkpVtC5T
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6YqvxmW0zZ
340Please respect copyright.PENANALhjky05MPy
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAUFMZkad0ZE
340Please respect copyright.PENANAtMH3vxN6IM
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAvkNpkNfWCf
340Please respect copyright.PENANAeGIDbEoGvA
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANANv7xR1NrVr
340Please respect copyright.PENANAqoBPJe6t1C
Alyson: “Yeah?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaMfxqrD3oX
340Please respect copyright.PENANAomley1wYYd
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAt2lNdqNEQA
340Please respect copyright.PENANADin5icGnDv
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANArkiozpawDB
340Please respect copyright.PENANAPj1o4yZERa
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAP3m5T2vrEs
340Please respect copyright.PENANA2r2cogrXjX
And she closes the door in my face…
340Please respect copyright.PENANAl7cq8kuSfH
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJomrP3klMI
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAscRyWKj1Cs
340Please respect copyright.PENANAe3yfnwFsRo
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAjvdNJfDGwn
340Please respect copyright.PENANAWxSEesclpG
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAwrDxg8JyMc
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGLSmkp0MiN
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAknRQsJLokY
340Please respect copyright.PENANACzsunjSD4L
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA36fHGv3KYB
340Please respect copyright.PENANAOITzCF4vw4
Arc: “No.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1X2kODl1xB
Learn Meditation (+2)340Please respect copyright.PENANAWAICivCQbR
340Please respect copyright.PENANAN2to4gxi7M
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAITn1ZbQehm
Points: 3340Please respect copyright.PENANATln8TQ6uES
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1Qk52BQlkh
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA7ebUfVq2Y7
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJNxxh1YuIL
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAk1JivVMgu2
340Please respect copyright.PENANAFDfegadnI9
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA9uwBf8S4p7
340Please respect copyright.PENANAJljPl8X21A
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAvSgcdilSSo
340Please respect copyright.PENANAp88DlczKda
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6hFEd3E96R
340Please respect copyright.PENANALYwf7zuYBu
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA1wVCmNoTqw
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnuE2MU1JGR
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAFhyLkqyTlt
340Please respect copyright.PENANA68N2qLQPXV
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1Kj5mUU5T
340Please respect copyright.PENANARg7hZOAmzX
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAP6VjZkBOSm
340Please respect copyright.PENANAIBEIq4witi
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAKSh4cB3asl
340Please respect copyright.PENANAn2QZiyYcm5
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAD5wGfg8Xif
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsY7UV7ky2L
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
340Please respect copyright.PENANARJrId3wBX0
340Please respect copyright.PENANA09GmZXtpRF
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAr7XZdwOExv
340Please respect copyright.PENANAFJADZbm1FY
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANANJJ0txHDtu
340Please respect copyright.PENANATYsTjaJJf5
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAkxLjdOhTty
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaO58WoZGT5
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAlCP6pFtVm3
340Please respect copyright.PENANAtFymWKuTdC
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANARofN4cQqa7
340Please respect copyright.PENANAgbggfi5eWb
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA4CWbc1xl1j
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6RJsB1gyvo
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYmCBsfFeSO
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaR3q9DZmEG
Nao: “I want the best.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANARRDYQnWisZ
340Please respect copyright.PENANAUAb2JLrERs
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAI1nScXXUmQ
340Please respect copyright.PENANA07f5RPaMay
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAIca8JJbbXP
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHHA6kQbm7v
Nao: “Can I know why?”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA5saFpoR2DP
340Please respect copyright.PENANAFYbySWxXVr
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhbiHb2ANYE
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHTOGv3Cjby
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAC0Kz4WXNZC
340Please respect copyright.PENANAR6QwtNBlZ2
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsFDbpbMsVl
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHigHkx1Y19
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANA9UB8zJ53vY
340Please respect copyright.PENANALMnoB36kzL
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAbor8kxiOsn
340Please respect copyright.PENANA6nx6cJ2IqO
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.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAnhRRLWqLBC
340Please respect copyright.PENANAGzmRaUvtnW
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANA3RavUM8FaY
340Please respect copyright.PENANAHrGjx1Cz9d
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAhyk8WgSD2c
340Please respect copyright.PENANA3xB5oL2aUH
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
340Please respect copyright.PENANAjuwRaCqzvY
340Please respect copyright.PENANAjyDlo6j4Jh
[9:00pm]
340Please respect copyright.PENANAgzmklkGcfM
340Please respect copyright.PENANAsqJK1B4r20
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAu8lApZYhU1
340Please respect copyright.PENANANlcBKpT0ry
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.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAYCG3MKRZs8
340Please respect copyright.PENANALI8ROkd6Si
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
340Please respect copyright.PENANAaJBkiNlxsi
340Please respect copyright.PENANAMZkkHjG0R9
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
340Please respect copyright.PENANAzjQnD0qN8L
340Please respect copyright.PENANAITNm2cYn7S
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5340Please respect copyright.PENANAelWUt1fUKc
Endurance: 11.5340Please respect copyright.PENANAt8R4cTDmHN
Intelligence: 15.5340Please respect copyright.PENANAFTaRhLD6X2
Charisma: 18340Please respect copyright.PENANAysF1tZ0rg3
Agility: 12.5340Please respect copyright.PENANAa4tVccfbHf
Magic: 18340Please respect copyright.PENANAmqqIl01P4Y
340Please respect copyright.PENANAtR4jb8ZpTq
Spells:340Please respect copyright.PENANAxp3qe6aCHJ
Scan340Please respect copyright.PENANA7QPN82mxQx
Minor Illusion [Active]340Please respect copyright.PENANAvxSYjnULvz
Magic Missile340Please respect copyright.PENANA1KWthsZcFR
Control Water340Please respect copyright.PENANA9uUXQZjsAH
Acid Blast 340Please respect copyright.PENANAlRQKjV3SKB
Shape Shift [Active]340Please respect copyright.PENANATiXcZ7sPAf
Mind Reading [Active]340Please respect copyright.PENANAbeuBMNvSPZ
Paralysis340Please respect copyright.PENANAT5VDbgjR43
Basic Healing340Please respect copyright.PENANAWbZf8BhmuI
Air Bullet 340Please respect copyright.PENANAofHJfD4y8b