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.433Please respect copyright.PENANALFP0xo6Z6A
433Please respect copyright.PENANAtBqobcsetK
433Please respect copyright.PENANAlVbPdjAfGL
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
433Please respect copyright.PENANA92mD6jZPUR
433Please respect copyright.PENANANAcMmHyiRT
Sever: “And you are?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAouKnHGkSlF
433Please respect copyright.PENANA00BffxNifD
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANArh0YDgwE3h
433Please respect copyright.PENANABAI10yoa1D
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAfQ8MKYOeaM
433Please respect copyright.PENANA497mNdj5Om
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANABK51zGTtwT
433Please respect copyright.PENANA1chfCIm31Z
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAn8tmrvCW3g
433Please respect copyright.PENANA8OkEMfBXMF
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAWTYHROO09h
433Please respect copyright.PENANATDt71gRp8Q
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAwiKYnMki7U
433Please respect copyright.PENANATx0oLysBZI
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAqUPBpiiD9T
433Please respect copyright.PENANAvatv0QNIAG
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANADZAFJPgPGP
433Please respect copyright.PENANAMFfclVaIAD
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAyT1aZFFPQz
433Please respect copyright.PENANA6OkaDNQN1W
Sever looks me over and snickers.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAf31nYrLrQL
433Please respect copyright.PENANA3mEj62gGmX
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAgC5N16iGTu
433Please respect copyright.PENANAXtH3qbQOnT
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAOGmahliotj
433Please respect copyright.PENANAtcCofHMHd3
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
433Please respect copyright.PENANAwIEe9quJA8
433Please respect copyright.PENANARBp4fsP2jD
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANATlnqIVtNnD
433Please respect copyright.PENANAaYDbnc3sGH
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANATzFROUAgoO
433Please respect copyright.PENANA9XEhhVW9P0
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAd6BrRjq3m1
433Please respect copyright.PENANA3hCEa0shT7
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAHxTY2tQd2e
433Please respect copyright.PENANAejUrTWztY0
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANATHtPwNljxe
433Please respect copyright.PENANAHvCmPjcFIK
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAZycOBvdUyq
433Please respect copyright.PENANADCcAQWpwha
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAUIJpCze1JQ
433Please respect copyright.PENANAGXF2qsTvXF
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAFdxhzga9AI
433Please respect copyright.PENANA7klAHfAru2
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA4jKSNjdrFv
433Please respect copyright.PENANAruldLYhXXb
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANASCRzb4LN1J
433Please respect copyright.PENANA3v1iPJQOXR
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAcOvVDfNk0G
!!!433Please respect copyright.PENANAHxnLdzR36y
433Please respect copyright.PENANAE3nhYw08WK
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANA6a1MUxWCAT
433Please respect copyright.PENANA6rKfG6IkjG
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAfrx10Z0VxH
433Please respect copyright.PENANAaBVizYhg1X
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAivjQ7H2IF5
433Please respect copyright.PENANAyELBXrFHY6
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAMCofpsSL58
433Please respect copyright.PENANA7MEXFso1Ey
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA8RKRaHkB1y
433Please respect copyright.PENANAkG8b5ZmkLG
Nao: “!”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAETzHHfwk0d
433Please respect copyright.PENANAkQmVjDBFZs
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
433Please respect copyright.PENANAHXEWAEr2Tj
433Please respect copyright.PENANAt77KmfUWYr
!!!
433Please respect copyright.PENANAmdsQjFfZBQ
433Please respect copyright.PENANAoDM4md5hmj
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAf3p9KvnIec
433Please respect copyright.PENANAt4WEkzTzXa
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAnkkv0mSR69
433Please respect copyright.PENANAfinD1J0qBx
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANApMiY42g4Op
433Please respect copyright.PENANAJRV28pxae5
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAwA8uvVLudA
433Please respect copyright.PENANAILVD3RfLbP
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANA9l4oZTsmik
433Please respect copyright.PENANArCSUXxPDf1
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANABVMxqoH7Ja
433Please respect copyright.PENANAyndI1hKQNZ
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANASCAkJz7Q4U
433Please respect copyright.PENANAUdnKec19nX
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAIExmkRHSHX
433Please respect copyright.PENANAy1V3lJHCWq
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA0OmkJsqy86
433Please respect copyright.PENANASbAQx4tMVS
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANANAbboGphkd
433Please respect copyright.PENANAx5uZujCj1P
Alyson: “…”
433Please respect copyright.PENANALGeHLw9yft
433Please respect copyright.PENANA6soHAwwzxm
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAIGIWsVjh1p
433Please respect copyright.PENANAh3wezJrF0z
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAOXTnNFHRrr
433Please respect copyright.PENANACzwsGWD0Wg
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
433Please respect copyright.PENANAZJI7sMjw3m
433Please respect copyright.PENANAnp0j82gNFy
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAVrZ0Q6TRGt
433Please respect copyright.PENANAJUUjcmTZnT
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAK0jOwks4GH
433Please respect copyright.PENANAZySa7BII2k
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAQqpP8DItWV
433Please respect copyright.PENANAyiLYanlSHA
Arc: “Get stronger.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAFPKMpendXh
433Please respect copyright.PENANAd46INIYxV0
What?
433Please respect copyright.PENANAGP42TaXVjW
433Please respect copyright.PENANAEc3Oqb4mZn
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAp6yaTf9ZP4
Death…433Please respect copyright.PENANApSuIKw4db6
433Please respect copyright.PENANA0MeKS9zZ3t
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANASYX67FKjjT
433Please respect copyright.PENANAw8uVih392B
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*433Please respect copyright.PENANAwYRNEQELS8
433Please respect copyright.PENANAfzkqTI2A35
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]433Please respect copyright.PENANAqxsXMdlCnZ
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
433Please respect copyright.PENANALxguDMDolD
…What is an invader?
433Please respect copyright.PENANAvJnIEXTP9M
433Please respect copyright.PENANAoSeih2DKpe
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAaleszq7atl
433Please respect copyright.PENANA7yQEBs7UIE
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAcu4gexEoCA
433Please respect copyright.PENANAnJLwnFD8xQ
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAmbNi3xL2Ox
I can do that?433Please respect copyright.PENANAxoOdinFNNX
433Please respect copyright.PENANAsYvCp1XtQv
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAfVaTvPSQgq
433Please respect copyright.PENANAZVHW5OsL2t
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANA6n6hqqQ8K8
433Please respect copyright.PENANAwTTnN2nG8l
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAWkBHtGuKGU
433Please respect copyright.PENANAKU4mXtZWro
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. 433Please respect copyright.PENANAOV2yYnTJ3t
433Please respect copyright.PENANAO4gLWMlWut
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
433Please respect copyright.PENANAjG76JZRD74
433Please respect copyright.PENANATn79jFbbsQ
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAtLbP4W0aTK
433Please respect copyright.PENANAdQvRkCiWC4
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANABSyiBU0PUc
433Please respect copyright.PENANAIRQiv7iEpL
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAbsPqbywYTo
433Please respect copyright.PENANA0it3cpG2HV
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAKDMNsH6X6n
433Please respect copyright.PENANA0QK5wqfTPa
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANA5L7fKEKQpl
433Please respect copyright.PENANA9uwTJX2pnf
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAr6mY7fhkM6
433Please respect copyright.PENANAJjv8hMiqBr
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAuRLTqL04fX
433Please respect copyright.PENANAWZWeqrSxep
“Hey, are you alright?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAkPNgUvNjbc
433Please respect copyright.PENANAH4wIAGT9qM
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAf51my9Agmi
433Please respect copyright.PENANANSYs8zZPh6
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAHNexTCotBo
!433Please respect copyright.PENANAx6rO0upusM
433Please respect copyright.PENANAWUMJodBRFh
“Ow, what the hell?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAaoHo1kShwG
433Please respect copyright.PENANA8xnhy39Rhr
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAgiJlNPRLfG
433Please respect copyright.PENANAkajXKP7LGJ
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA2aRh4Flj1s
433Please respect copyright.PENANAhkpRYDKQLM
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAV3ouDSsqmd
433Please respect copyright.PENANAbUPAHWx2r7
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAAeExZW5IlY
433Please respect copyright.PENANAUBF9ySMUON
Wait guys, take me home!
433Please respect copyright.PENANAdfETQ8H7sX
433Please respect copyright.PENANA1DY22HSgE6
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAAieqvV19pk
433Please respect copyright.PENANAs3OdpoLebk
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
433Please respect copyright.PENANACHfvqFWGTc
433Please respect copyright.PENANALzC2Z8RpC6
Tallow: “Wait look.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAQVXjnLBUs6
433Please respect copyright.PENANATvf29ndyJZ
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAwm3a7qlvJg
433Please respect copyright.PENANAJXmAO9zH9R
Valo: “N-Nao?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANApYVLt9yrzF
433Please respect copyright.PENANA8Kr5VNg88n
I nod my head as hard as I can.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAXBaMdEq5hD
433Please respect copyright.PENANAmBRMGqURKI
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAjG0wRDKqBE
433Please respect copyright.PENANAfN6oVsPB4E
Mat: “Damn.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANADpYNpVUOsF
433Please respect copyright.PENANAWP4tp6X0U5
Velo: “But why?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAyvI7FYyOZv
433Please respect copyright.PENANA3XUXt4Svgj
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA9Xwbosuphm
433Please respect copyright.PENANA2Pb2dhq0ek
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.433Please respect copyright.PENANAERNvL8wtHN
433Please respect copyright.PENANASb2NeZ43cr
433Please respect copyright.PENANAceGf3W6cxU
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANASHvn2m2cZ4
433Please respect copyright.PENANA61tC64F4zy
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAEGLTriyUK4
433Please respect copyright.PENANACfUmPqBdM6
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA0rZOf8fHtB
433Please respect copyright.PENANAcgqZJF3IIR
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA64gFWqNbYP
433Please respect copyright.PENANAXigIrVfDfV
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAPZyYi5Ajtv
433Please respect copyright.PENANAmSwyV2is5n
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANADuMGV1MX2p
433Please respect copyright.PENANAnHBpXMkq1z
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANA1JimXTxruO
433Please respect copyright.PENANAbPacPJdkEB
Shape shift!
433Please respect copyright.PENANAVMfvylkpiN
433Please respect copyright.PENANAE309Js6LOy
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAYEu6uX1oE4
433Please respect copyright.PENANAPDKZo9K5VO
Mat: “What the hell!”
433Please respect copyright.PENANARh5g6boCvH
433Please respect copyright.PENANAPGxCbS5h0c
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
433Please respect copyright.PENANACetcGz9UNy
433Please respect copyright.PENANACGhGMMfAHs
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
433Please respect copyright.PENANARoYsSXXpMG
433Please respect copyright.PENANAzveFTxPHhL
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAwL26Qsc6h0
433Please respect copyright.PENANACnCBKm5NR7
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAdnzmK3pDWd
433Please respect copyright.PENANAO4b5goHBYu
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
433Please respect copyright.PENANASKcHtJNPLB
433Please respect copyright.PENANATodFU0OHIz
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAVgOg7eMBnC
433Please respect copyright.PENANAknUyJjpvSP
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAlfhPXG4RxS
433Please respect copyright.PENANAaLj3Wbf2fB
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANASqmPNHfBnN
433Please respect copyright.PENANAd8vEzsGkS1
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAvy2cTfTYhs
433Please respect copyright.PENANAlDVEwzuAz0
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAa6tpM2hoWS
433Please respect copyright.PENANAzAhwzavSQf
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAz5omlVD6w7
433Please respect copyright.PENANAaeQdFj5vBe
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
433Please respect copyright.PENANABADPnzFZTc
433Please respect copyright.PENANAMi8ldqeR4m
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAoK4Gh9yija
433Please respect copyright.PENANAUivTKjvta8
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAFGHv7pUpOO
433Please respect copyright.PENANAVQqUWJm6gW
Everyone: “What?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAY0HvRRugvy
433Please respect copyright.PENANAoth2psLrin
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAwPYF7P0UEI
433Please respect copyright.PENANAPDMybh7vaw
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAW14qnqVvE5
433Please respect copyright.PENANAnDcbeHWVle
Velo: “What do we do?
433Please respect copyright.PENANAHDDFwmzfBt
433Please respect copyright.PENANA8kkilrcCDE
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA3pQmzXXkep
433Please respect copyright.PENANAtNb1MdbJJP
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA0OVv4pvaPO
433Please respect copyright.PENANAt9ZiqMfml9
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAUz4o2usf7b
433Please respect copyright.PENANAy07cczoTwl
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAGhJ92xvoy6
433Please respect copyright.PENANAJJPFe0TDsc
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAYODmRL2haf
433Please respect copyright.PENANA2fFSYfLnCi
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…
433Please respect copyright.PENANAPJDJVwQ50F
433Please respect copyright.PENANAzj0wnH69On
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAogDy9vLciw
433Please respect copyright.PENANAUKhjSzan16
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAZFBz58ECjD
433Please respect copyright.PENANALp7di7DfCm
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAfCfuqBDqUH
433Please respect copyright.PENANAU0tI9OCLFx
Anthony: “Why?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA3YhTtAcDH6
433Please respect copyright.PENANAwrskAxtYbh
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAxPQIzfRvYu
433Please respect copyright.PENANA0PMl3FfPuQ
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAp2KroVfhec
433Please respect copyright.PENANAmd5iy66mML
Nao: “Ummm…”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAOR30HbKdPD
433Please respect copyright.PENANADsWLbkQxau
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
433Please respect copyright.PENANAxj6GMSPTbw
433Please respect copyright.PENANA8tjrKB5ezt
Air Bullet (6)433Please respect copyright.PENANAgTVdR87ujv
433Please respect copyright.PENANAMdhDcUYAxH
433Please respect copyright.PENANAMZX9LivGb2
That doesn’t sound too bad.
433Please respect copyright.PENANA37PJlAyuPx
433Please respect copyright.PENANAt9zrTKQDfZ
Nao: “Air bullet.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAilCAaArd5t
433Please respect copyright.PENANASbExMTzPs0
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAaqmimkf2GV
Points: 1433Please respect copyright.PENANA1H1OiHWpLO
433Please respect copyright.PENANA8uTl6w00d3
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANALgQlRksnQn
433Please respect copyright.PENANADVdqGsNyR2
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA7hh5m3yjQi
433Please respect copyright.PENANAroAdIfWbQB
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAzGMP5A8keN
433Please respect copyright.PENANAxdNWmyvAcu
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAd0M0L5qb0u
433Please respect copyright.PENANAtgYiEpUIHp
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANApYUPTBO0l9
433Please respect copyright.PENANAI9pneoZD9E
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAyNFJuAwByc
433Please respect copyright.PENANAKiohGt47kY
Nao: “Illusions.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAKOqFQ1wH0K
433Please respect copyright.PENANA47oWLtJeLh
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAOhcM4Q0fcx
433Please respect copyright.PENANAPeyHsFLClw
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAIuV9K1Gk80
433Please respect copyright.PENANARKMvJxAJdf
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAv4XUHlWkf1
433Please respect copyright.PENANA5Gu001MnTD
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAsC8tDTRLyE
433Please respect copyright.PENANA5Y5GTpORcw
We?
433Please respect copyright.PENANAP0HjuJKi4j
433Please respect copyright.PENANA6LKBXqx7Hl
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAX0HC40qymL
433Please respect copyright.PENANAOQoMocq5Fe
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA21b33kJjHg
433Please respect copyright.PENANANk2GlmCLk7
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAj6BIx8MjE4
433Please respect copyright.PENANAFRabtbjGQj
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANARsbG9nKOjf
433Please respect copyright.PENANA1gsGSOm6sg
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAgJHUYBJ3pL
433Please respect copyright.PENANAo3yVj3HHR5
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANARvaqkBVMtl
433Please respect copyright.PENANAE1wgpUy9uT
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAFB4TjxORxx
433Please respect copyright.PENANAWADFFMUrp2
Nell: “Of course.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAP5hFXlqrfn
433Please respect copyright.PENANApQ3tDCEeNP
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAFzmoh2T61y
433Please respect copyright.PENANATMCrS2EDsS
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAaFPsUtjG9i
433Please respect copyright.PENANALEhO5NhC1b
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAPxs9NBpEd3
433Please respect copyright.PENANA2CYSGWaOxs
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAvS75yaQHAt
433Please respect copyright.PENANA3eYNGTjTbN
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAbNLxXD8flx
433Please respect copyright.PENANAwUDUqB6rfp
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAZYe7GyVCyi
433Please respect copyright.PENANAc7pUzVZQxR
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAYnDDthCgH9
433Please respect copyright.PENANAMnJjGxrhSl
Nao: “Sure thing.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAIJIvUYPu3C
433Please respect copyright.PENANAWVrxfTr9jb
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAJRcMFDNXgK
433Please respect copyright.PENANAD8eONIVL09
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
433Please respect copyright.PENANAgL0U3p3MH0
433Please respect copyright.PENANA3D3yCLbjcD
Arc: “Do it.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAxx30K5Ihuq
433Please respect copyright.PENANAmU9CP4VMIX
But-
433Please respect copyright.PENANApXiQCnD0ZE
433Please respect copyright.PENANAJDmEUSKZNK
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAXEFbxXWhlW
433Please respect copyright.PENANAX9nvvryuQz
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAT4nzsNEM3U
433Please respect copyright.PENANA2o7gxIyMnV
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANArHN9EyOTlL
433Please respect copyright.PENANArToYZCOUn0
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAG5A548EbRF
433Please respect copyright.PENANAgJdevh59JH
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA4ISHdQezSr
433Please respect copyright.PENANALQACKqHVvQ
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAVUo3e4NVgN
433Please respect copyright.PENANA2GQbvyEHW2
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
433Please respect copyright.PENANA28cDE4CSxG
433Please respect copyright.PENANAqEP8Ad9PoP
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAWLF5ZNfuta
433Please respect copyright.PENANA7I1W97iFj2
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAhSzjDxJBsz
433Please respect copyright.PENANAEQA9U7ILAG
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAqqVEmyR4jU
433Please respect copyright.PENANAQaYjlytdJw
Valo: “You should take a break.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAOZROlkrnWT
433Please respect copyright.PENANAzFFcIcrAN0
Nao: “Ummm…”
433Please respect copyright.PENANATjClVaNITL
433Please respect copyright.PENANAtAZPIMxsxA
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAs6ZSq0Vnoa
433Please respect copyright.PENANA9nZ90xCPZf
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANArpMx0JptlH
433Please respect copyright.PENANAAcroLnZGOJ
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAYRRynENFDE
433Please respect copyright.PENANAIflHegghyq
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.433Please respect copyright.PENANAAwMhVL4svU
433Please respect copyright.PENANAPQBCiXd8Kl
*Ding*
433Please respect copyright.PENANADorwxedG3r
Points: 3433Please respect copyright.PENANApSNJ7aFaEl
433Please respect copyright.PENANAyWKuLEkQ5J
And that’s 10 spells a day!433Please respect copyright.PENANAmNWDihiQWM
433Please respect copyright.PENANAKEA2uAAUxG
433Please respect copyright.PENANAYEZ5n5SWyU
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAguqU34tqfF
433Please respect copyright.PENANAenLGXTV3PN
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAlX6GC0Xs2e
433Please respect copyright.PENANAEyuhlIWu29
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAjiMYzvHzY6
433Please respect copyright.PENANAkNaB2qpk1a
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAWLv8f0I0Bo
433Please respect copyright.PENANAsvXN2gyIi0
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANApkKNPhuhJ0
433Please respect copyright.PENANAQu3Okrr7tP
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.433Please respect copyright.PENANARnnU8xqMr5
433Please respect copyright.PENANAM4Y8Kaot1F
433Please respect copyright.PENANAQsEI7tuHzW
Arc: “You know what to do.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANALyF7cfflkO
433Please respect copyright.PENANA7tOOzVNQTK
Nao: “…I know.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA7R2Gh4WLlP
433Please respect copyright.PENANACn1sCDhOOZ
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]433Please respect copyright.PENANAZbMbL5vBcZ
433Please respect copyright.PENANAcMbEKIuyRO
*Ding*
433Please respect copyright.PENANAedx9C7iXB5
Points: 6433Please respect copyright.PENANA081isNs8z0
433Please respect copyright.PENANAnLvo6qPl7H
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
433Please respect copyright.PENANARijYArNFQN
433Please respect copyright.PENANAwzcjkxkbfx
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANABp56Fif0qF
433Please respect copyright.PENANAwNsjjH3TCF
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAnA0psa8YTO
433Please respect copyright.PENANAA2dGGY5RDM
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANA0yUkyagAVN
433Please respect copyright.PENANARCHVovz3uE
Alyson: “Yeah?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAG1HDSOzEBw
433Please respect copyright.PENANALCt5O3lO0i
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAy7dXPf1Maq
433Please respect copyright.PENANA23SEFT9uYu
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAme3voF8apM
433Please respect copyright.PENANAkzOYc9oay6
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA69W7Qve8bL
433Please respect copyright.PENANAN83rQph2c8
And she closes the door in my face…
433Please respect copyright.PENANAl6wdxUr1rC
433Please respect copyright.PENANAs6JTho9Tt1
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAeCLFATmv43
433Please respect copyright.PENANAyRXONJLcwM
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
433Please respect copyright.PENANA4sMRVQ6O5Q
433Please respect copyright.PENANAUyM3mB4Lto
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA4lIC64InDw
433Please respect copyright.PENANAV9bv1O7hH9
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAPrsGrbDRcX
433Please respect copyright.PENANA5fh4FwbIou
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAx1JfQIr3YQ
433Please respect copyright.PENANAiTmJ6xexTp
Arc: “No.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAfvaGhWhYW4
Learn Meditation (+2)433Please respect copyright.PENANATrENotFL6o
433Please respect copyright.PENANAOnCI7pnOwQ
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAK2onr9o19i
Points: 3433Please respect copyright.PENANAFKEZx9iubg
433Please respect copyright.PENANAGNLHaYjD1a
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAntZOieprvU
433Please respect copyright.PENANAQytRidyGFA
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAWFL7WJyv6H
433Please respect copyright.PENANAETiabpRN2V
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAUU8HfLfCdv
433Please respect copyright.PENANABUINW4ALeo
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAAq77iWSiCs
433Please respect copyright.PENANAilM8ndrboP
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAynY1xOGc7B
433Please respect copyright.PENANAIgZypN84L3
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAJ0k5J2Jl9C
433Please respect copyright.PENANAytSOccJfSF
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAVBQk9CuDgQ
433Please respect copyright.PENANA4ZyQKyhdoU
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA8DMQYcKJS6
433Please respect copyright.PENANArEOq3FMyXh
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAVyHvaffSW0
433Please respect copyright.PENANAdXystx648O
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAxL5V3f4rb1
433Please respect copyright.PENANAaCbPL61jxb
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAMoetu6TEAk
433Please respect copyright.PENANARdMgAUlcjG
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAFDQetn1scG
433Please respect copyright.PENANAIGPGr6tfRY
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAERpeyKtVYl
433Please respect copyright.PENANAZypxpLw0qK
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA4DemzRutvU
433Please respect copyright.PENANAMk92PxM4NU
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANASpOAcBKd4S
433Please respect copyright.PENANA3RfqYeuAjm
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAYI4TtNnCxH
433Please respect copyright.PENANAHSzPOGKDWC
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAvaaOgHNGNw
433Please respect copyright.PENANAvrgr4AWDFW
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA9FdTPIlux9
433Please respect copyright.PENANADjDiAkY027
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAldqBlUbZWu
433Please respect copyright.PENANArzXQqX5Xln
Nao: “I want the best.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANA0SP4rTuNDo
433Please respect copyright.PENANAnHkQFJ6yJp
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAsJ3s7FPMVe
433Please respect copyright.PENANAYJHxa6kGYq
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAudqnoKlXPb
433Please respect copyright.PENANAIB6tKfvVmO
Nao: “Can I know why?”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAG7dKvshgHD
433Please respect copyright.PENANAVJSFsT9ARw
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAFRogpw36vC
433Please respect copyright.PENANAgXBwHtO8Xf
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAOqpEtp6tUz
433Please respect copyright.PENANAHA98DDhMNg
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAy482YZoTYA
433Please respect copyright.PENANAcSraJEl8GE
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAWzeGey5F4l
433Please respect copyright.PENANAnBAU8k0vtP
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANA6V7zg7iATn
433Please respect copyright.PENANA39eq9svM6j
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.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAXMxu4NGAWW
433Please respect copyright.PENANAzlglRgdHT3
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANA2kS4ZZlWfs
433Please respect copyright.PENANAt8dUjie58p
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAg6tjttkrXd
433Please respect copyright.PENANAJxVO2r6jJG
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
433Please respect copyright.PENANAhPsEdBU1DK
433Please respect copyright.PENANAf5IwOthKDH
[9:00pm]
433Please respect copyright.PENANAClD9eDUldO
433Please respect copyright.PENANA0Dp5EJtLqG
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAjjNIJX2ltj
433Please respect copyright.PENANAH3LgfZIUsq
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.
433Please respect copyright.PENANABl1ZDTUGLw
433Please respect copyright.PENANArverstERws
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
433Please respect copyright.PENANAMNkiJinWKV
433Please respect copyright.PENANA5fzNicdZsl
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
433Please respect copyright.PENANA3vHF4FCgHv
433Please respect copyright.PENANAGQv3NAhJbO
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5433Please respect copyright.PENANA9bVzOltpQd
Endurance: 11.5433Please respect copyright.PENANA6wfsdYL4nO
Intelligence: 15.5433Please respect copyright.PENANA3WnODuFSdZ
Charisma: 18433Please respect copyright.PENANAnbNHxNCHLW
Agility: 12.5433Please respect copyright.PENANAqXKi0YFQGf
Magic: 18433Please respect copyright.PENANAHKyfgDnwxE
433Please respect copyright.PENANAtDxCgPEegB
Spells:433Please respect copyright.PENANAi6gwIOmfYX
Scan433Please respect copyright.PENANAZk4g1QF3aY
Minor Illusion [Active]433Please respect copyright.PENANApsfHjuQbTz
Magic Missile433Please respect copyright.PENANAozpUjRxgVT
Control Water433Please respect copyright.PENANAPxa7zEUZW8
Acid Blast 433Please respect copyright.PENANAilpX9XvQZL
Shape Shift [Active]433Please respect copyright.PENANAPyNiackswT
Mind Reading [Active]433Please respect copyright.PENANAAWDiOO4IwZ
Paralysis433Please respect copyright.PENANA7OW0pGiI0z
Basic Healing433Please respect copyright.PENANAkPPz1o1L7G
Air Bullet 433Please respect copyright.PENANAlRZrX3RhVl