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.438Please respect copyright.PENANA9yMNTwJnad
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUniRnr2OmN
438Please respect copyright.PENANAIKDP4F9osL
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAAwYgDGx6XZ
438Please respect copyright.PENANArCNpHjuo7d
Sever: “And you are?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKp3px7MWVx
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmkaYkCNzRO
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlZstDcSwmv
438Please respect copyright.PENANAV82TBoK5F8
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfbbj5RCaQb
438Please respect copyright.PENANALYiEdruTyz
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAdEkR3gOROn
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzPI0KlU3Yb
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANABpyMarcoQg
438Please respect copyright.PENANA8Evg8Nv5MR
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAK9ioIUJOAg
438Please respect copyright.PENANAyEPpE0ZB1E
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMW6fSCJI8B
438Please respect copyright.PENANAcXwtuUDEXM
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAGOfVHcOjfH
438Please respect copyright.PENANAINdojuKcph
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAH2rCtqlFnt
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFpgidoxjkp
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0smKCnAhuU
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFcomjUa2AF
Sever looks me over and snickers.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAePwowOAHcA
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEkpefZxtaS
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAecz3ubwPLm
438Please respect copyright.PENANAV6cB7Pl4o3
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANACTG0U8zsC3
438Please respect copyright.PENANAk678CrToj1
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXvCr97CzTl
438Please respect copyright.PENANAvP8IPQFYNU
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA7u9FMMlJMm
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3ryFroHUdy
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAdZX3YUOBCu
438Please respect copyright.PENANAduouYePocT
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAE1bVWclkU5
438Please respect copyright.PENANA8NDgOeB8yW
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFUSEXz8e4N
438Please respect copyright.PENANA76YTY6rdzI
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAhD7r6qjdKN
438Please respect copyright.PENANANV6jJN5eE0
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjWaNWzErNz
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9Yqbh4IyUw
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkFnFoHLYcV
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQOJNnNuA8p
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxhnmRQ7HEu
438Please respect copyright.PENANANNOoDLRn2I
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKc05OlNJD4
438Please respect copyright.PENANA5BK2XFEbFn
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3fUPInC6jK
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjOWJk7rT7T
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtjjf1hrXlQ
!!!438Please respect copyright.PENANAuIjNARp1MY
438Please respect copyright.PENANAaJDs6fH87D
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAOiqrwfIr4S
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlHlqran022
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANArbU44coAWy
438Please respect copyright.PENANANsoOJCGvH4
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4CxUSaU0Uw
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbb73lHVQG2
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAG0Kh8BLgHb
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuY4M7e51rU
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAOCC193cWKh
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxdUVOUuMnf
Nao: “!”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9WzrpErx6f
438Please respect copyright.PENANAi0ZU8mOaWi
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
438Please respect copyright.PENANAP7cx3P6df9
438Please respect copyright.PENANAiWeappdzVA
!!!
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxQICpGW7jd
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPw8dXYzkHE
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPIiSvtpGzs
438Please respect copyright.PENANAcGirz2TMo9
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAniPpLBKQtE
438Please respect copyright.PENANA8Tvj5yDTWa
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAAl6G4SnvQl
438Please respect copyright.PENANA041WhwzvHz
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA1NPZdUHrcL
438Please respect copyright.PENANANjJuxOF8ik
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAIjFv60UxKI
438Please respect copyright.PENANAGYFmabRmiF
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAY65SW3QWMA
438Please respect copyright.PENANArjYEiMQb1Y
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkPf8ZsYnUg
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9cFIV3lNaA
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAADm9N3rKkA
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9QAoXVBcwv
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtLHf3xFaj7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAAxo1lTd8QH
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZPt9rRVDyU
438Please respect copyright.PENANA2nvqo5rzox
Alyson: “…”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsBd1PGiykC
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjMMOgwPOfh
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA5js56uIyh9
438Please respect copyright.PENANA1D5Jius1vk
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjfEPdB14Fw
438Please respect copyright.PENANAol3M6zkmo9
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfFGkxsxKqq
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJHvKn1ry3D
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjhZqtS6FsS
438Please respect copyright.PENANAYJiJY7wId0
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEhgE3Rnot0
438Please respect copyright.PENANAastg0rW273
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuHTkkOhFnn
438Please respect copyright.PENANA437HZXtEpC
Arc: “Get stronger.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfIQeC7G7qv
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMwgWx7pxF7
What?
438Please respect copyright.PENANAaTzQplLJHB
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjY9Y9sZX49
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANADOSEKB003Y
Death…438Please respect copyright.PENANAASwiSKURXV
438Please respect copyright.PENANAqG6uKsRVUA
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQZpdRTdZwN
438Please respect copyright.PENANA2cr7DBaUR5
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*438Please respect copyright.PENANAfwsh94iMgX
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEUQsseYomr
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]438Please respect copyright.PENANANSKYxGgIwJ
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
438Please respect copyright.PENANAC0L6RoL8aw
…What is an invader?
438Please respect copyright.PENANAWLtQVKgr85
438Please respect copyright.PENANAvj1NQj94L0
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMFiRbP6fss
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVu6RGRq8OD
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAoqf9eBLA9v
438Please respect copyright.PENANA5o4cPCeAsw
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANApbFEv8Vmff
I can do that?438Please respect copyright.PENANAgdGVeXqfIv
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQSZCoKiXdx
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFNuG4sdxbS
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbnLRKCrsbM
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA1f2ItNdUl8
438Please respect copyright.PENANANARecC5I21
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANABPaN00Togv
438Please respect copyright.PENANALkJCO5H1et
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. 438Please respect copyright.PENANA46sC01CMr9
438Please respect copyright.PENANAExeuEQZipd
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
438Please respect copyright.PENANAoSNmqbQBAI
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4ufRIRNcfS
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA7oWBK4K0fj
438Please respect copyright.PENANAaJH3OwirXp
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFBsoMh4yOA
438Please respect copyright.PENANABCxZpsYcyv
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANANlixqj1I3H
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9WH1x1NKGA
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVyiwRdDb1c
438Please respect copyright.PENANAdUvxVsn4SR
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAaWEypomOPc
438Please respect copyright.PENANAqQiKITQ7Fz
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAho9LPThxxC
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEry1dSMWw8
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsOExmQj6od
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4unEhFw45F
“Hey, are you alright?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJD5t8YEerZ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAN3icqNj4tU
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAya8na0FxYF
438Please respect copyright.PENANAgSF0mJJiHq
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA5aaRwQ6R9b
!438Please respect copyright.PENANAm3MvgPLYDJ
438Please respect copyright.PENANARtFh5mdhL7
“Ow, what the hell?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKOFvzqP8Pq
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjYCwlcwZjG
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsxnJDKB3E5
438Please respect copyright.PENANA420CGjgFj8
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAeda3pwAfaH
438Please respect copyright.PENANAYxVabp2lFw
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxQrI2xEYP6
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXvR3xXkwhu
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtpvFTZyJ0m
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQ9dDGijd8M
Wait guys, take me home!
438Please respect copyright.PENANAhCq9rgeCW3
438Please respect copyright.PENANAHI52PfrKFr
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6gqcjCfHoZ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAAXlIA5Iwsy
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
438Please respect copyright.PENANAdr8CYWsJad
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFMn3iX5RBH
Tallow: “Wait look.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQqdrobyWBf
438Please respect copyright.PENANAy7yswqv3Mq
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA90ZgXCf6bN
438Please respect copyright.PENANApfs1N4SOIf
Valo: “N-Nao?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAySbD51PHfu
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkOhnAhYbV6
I nod my head as hard as I can.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAeMf36YHWrN
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6AqFCuaDvI
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfoOOsi9jd9
438Please respect copyright.PENANAigjL1ofBGQ
Mat: “Damn.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANALf7u9TqFXq
438Please respect copyright.PENANANYNdq5QiNL
Velo: “But why?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuaowTe06bS
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVoETA5Lrmg
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAou3dyW3sBG
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlryeYPsQbm
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.438Please respect copyright.PENANAW7t4oLjEA9
438Please respect copyright.PENANAu0rgaAVMFI
438Please respect copyright.PENANAYlNcump1nv
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAWiQj4ugx8c
438Please respect copyright.PENANADgxKANA44V
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3aMSoOBTDj
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9yTFU9qWMu
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANARK044eAIxH
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZxtOfywuR5
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJGi3oB1uBG
438Please respect copyright.PENANApxpIs9oBnt
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAs4b0K70mmR
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlzydA0NLjw
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANALQfxwRb6QD
438Please respect copyright.PENANAU6xSpfUUQZ
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAW2mpxAC03i
438Please respect copyright.PENANAx7EQ17dzAV
Shape shift!
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0joh1sKAiS
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVb3TADagFd
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4XaUyiOJEJ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUkjUkAXd8S
Mat: “What the hell!”
438Please respect copyright.PENANApuC9QMNYUF
438Please respect copyright.PENANAGgvuE8ZI4w
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA01hxcZCFKd
438Please respect copyright.PENANA7WcMBW8xkh
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0PgFrbDBZl
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlIQHhOtMpO
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbR9XmKTBaS
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxfx7JGz63F
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUMFqR6WIb3
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZTpbIxDNDG
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9oddjbNOoz
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUBiyEkg36B
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA45z4BVMxRe
438Please respect copyright.PENANANzsbc5xCL3
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAWhZyhrIQEP
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVVlT4CdYBI
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANARoTqkGDMWl
438Please respect copyright.PENANAWjh9b0SfZY
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
438Please respect copyright.PENANABNEdhllZa0
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxQ7xQ4bF6O
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPYc5RF0Vmi
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsk9SRcfl8w
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAf3T1j6Qsgm
438Please respect copyright.PENANApnTXM55xA4
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQgw1w1KtMR
438Please respect copyright.PENANAhJhdpNluR5
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6I6je3tlJR
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVM3lgFENQ2
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA5TGFXcjdCJ
438Please respect copyright.PENANA2jQty2yaOe
Everyone: “What?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAn5NufX7gLv
438Please respect copyright.PENANAgVoew0AD5Y
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANANCqXCsci7E
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3kEPPt4uF9
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbkKzcXXqst
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmdfYSFfMFi
Velo: “What do we do?
438Please respect copyright.PENANAS7JvAvrtvz
438Please respect copyright.PENANAk86ltgyjRs
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAj7GOWsxEXI
438Please respect copyright.PENANACr7mNKf2OX
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANApvU1UhH2uP
438Please respect copyright.PENANANm6EY62PVG
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANADefogFXbOz
438Please respect copyright.PENANAiQ9jSkI2er
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkeDDJukAax
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEYoyRFg625
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAldyqnOKCQI
438Please respect copyright.PENANAAwJvCjuLNr
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…
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtfwBHb2F72
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkBCtJkjAHk
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEhcDLdY2AI
438Please respect copyright.PENANA046fepELBW
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfQrAtqEJwi
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbDLOT0FnVi
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMY8yFjVQTB
438Please respect copyright.PENANAexYURpOnsa
Anthony: “Why?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzXg84QQ4vu
438Please respect copyright.PENANAAqq23JKO8U
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAiHJC6kRw4A
438Please respect copyright.PENANA8Rz1Ydiirx
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA5OeWUh4I4Z
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPO0hQRwMOD
Nao: “Ummm…”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAos9CL8Iloo
438Please respect copyright.PENANA30epblP76G
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0JIevxFvQS
438Please respect copyright.PENANAWMmCVFkq7o
Air Bullet (6)438Please respect copyright.PENANAmsi7WzknfN
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkKYE3WCVXO
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3IHuNytBKU
That doesn’t sound too bad.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQby2e0rOHb
438Please respect copyright.PENANA18XQUtflVx
Nao: “Air bullet.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAdmpWy8nWa4
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJkj2PTcOGF
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmzYVoXiRza
Points: 1438Please respect copyright.PENANArzzZA0TJtq
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKJbbNFAJT0
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPPXxzs54Zj
438Please respect copyright.PENANAO1K0gZaO7K
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAWyUXCk2jpN
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtikxyCbdGM
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUeg8kqHCdi
438Please respect copyright.PENANAWtH7OAfeu2
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZZRj1feIdc
438Please respect copyright.PENANAA3IlsYrAzB
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAl4h5PzFQCd
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXycBCycku8
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsgQsHw9U7Z
438Please respect copyright.PENANAamZP3iwgil
Nao: “Illusions.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA88UDbFIBQQ
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6OWADhGkfL
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAvO538uGdAu
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxsIZPomTeE
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFKI5xGbPYW
438Please respect copyright.PENANAcqBmYE4Mih
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAovcgeUfWKt
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtHno12geeS
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAYWXGQKBgdk
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZsdb5jH10A
We?
438Please respect copyright.PENANAV7blKb6DxM
438Please respect copyright.PENANActOWvLGWcW
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6j3aIlF2GY
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUUfhxN2gd8
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA27yl1X7Wo4
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPZ8j1ex9II
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlnaoErktIP
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6nDwIBzepp
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA69gXtitDwr
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkvM7YK6apm
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZEELpI2GSQ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAucFw9H1USP
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAc8shR3thUd
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4dAVrfHU2t
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjEjwi4GEUk
438Please respect copyright.PENANAYdde0igRwn
Nell: “Of course.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAiFdo9WLFjL
438Please respect copyright.PENANAg749ZG4wqD
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEcH78jGmMz
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJR7C2RgPri
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjlWfnIxgB6
438Please respect copyright.PENANAqvsCU6QCh2
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAGOlGhJKPzl
438Please respect copyright.PENANALhB5m4F36g
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAL3US5M1MBn
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXUIIJGLLBu
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANARzEAxzoTI7
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3TU9Mnzh7i
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
438Please respect copyright.PENANABwSDQaxDZv
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4XNH3AE2V7
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANArtRCdVH1gh
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0uG8n3T9ay
Nao: “Sure thing.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAOmTZ2kgQ6c
438Please respect copyright.PENANAO7Phg0Hut1
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANACvJ60SEX9w
438Please respect copyright.PENANAC863o6HAoZ
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
438Please respect copyright.PENANATr2IEC6lm2
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6B0myZXWUW
Arc: “Do it.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAvI7HejCjyv
438Please respect copyright.PENANAwNZJdb74QD
But-
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsTrbv7IiM3
438Please respect copyright.PENANA2WqKJV2jpj
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAcDr2ECqceR
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6QjAUB9IlH
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXYuueTErWB
438Please respect copyright.PENANATDJySprohQ
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAy1ftgp8wUB
438Please respect copyright.PENANAOA46VO6M5c
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAve7nieqt0O
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtksFTYmdyE
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA233JsmK1Lu
438Please respect copyright.PENANABO50ouIrW8
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzUPQopqE1b
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFkJMLzdWf1
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmTdXjKRtth
438Please respect copyright.PENANARWkVrqTT1d
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANArG6XUQ7aP6
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEK2wx5kSGb
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAnxH6oViFmn
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfCbHpzDiQa
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFcnOnaPgFQ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJebc7pNu5h
Valo: “You should take a break.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA1m3ilW9hfS
438Please respect copyright.PENANATwseOwdpvA
Nao: “Ummm…”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAR9qC6bmN4E
438Please respect copyright.PENANAdYvY1oJb3y
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAnsqTqvNzo2
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkwu3cJ5X4q
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAC1WQ5BCrKK
438Please respect copyright.PENANAGm9gvyhEDr
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA1b2bXpmZDi
438Please respect copyright.PENANApbBeKtSgWu
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.438Please respect copyright.PENANAsBNQhfylfy
438Please respect copyright.PENANASLosfEbV9K
*Ding*
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsMjxCrZ5C4
Points: 3438Please respect copyright.PENANA2xvWsTXPM4
438Please respect copyright.PENANAYKQkPUXi51
And that’s 10 spells a day!438Please respect copyright.PENANAYS2h0sCcwc
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKH6f1JLmx5
438Please respect copyright.PENANAguYanAw56x
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAco7wJq1V0u
438Please respect copyright.PENANAznFOJ0kGri
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAIHLaKTBf20
438Please respect copyright.PENANA6E33eLZdaK
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQbxWHvJ0Dy
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVVGp4DnRGs
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA7pNWwr8g9b
438Please respect copyright.PENANApeWi5x1g3M
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuhTIPGq3qU
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQqTF9IxVDj
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.438Please respect copyright.PENANAtuGy3ZflSv
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZnj51J5AId
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPWKYa8pVOf
Arc: “You know what to do.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMXemItZ6zc
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEp8xkLn7nG
Nao: “…I know.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAQkr7HKJ4Vj
438Please respect copyright.PENANADd2ls8EbT5
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]438Please respect copyright.PENANAe9p3QAqJyS
438Please respect copyright.PENANAjbWxAtOuii
*Ding*
438Please respect copyright.PENANARyDl6rVTUD
Points: 6438Please respect copyright.PENANAK5bHzSGgiF
438Please respect copyright.PENANAneiVl6apgG
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAqHmCqBVjZG
438Please respect copyright.PENANAY2rIh416sc
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMaaOac5MIC
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVwO4cAkfdD
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuMnNQgemsq
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3gFozl7QD8
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbRv1vS1wUO
438Please respect copyright.PENANA9hzX4GjUlS
Alyson: “Yeah?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuQEcZWWJBq
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlgrMcCcHr0
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAe2hEESc4xQ
438Please respect copyright.PENANALztVpelZ7c
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMVb2KedihQ
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEzRfWk1n8g
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAeu3Ybvyust
438Please respect copyright.PENANAhKEQ3Ky836
And she closes the door in my face…
438Please respect copyright.PENANAm9IuhYnJ0I
438Please respect copyright.PENANAt2Bq8NsEop
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJMmfBpUMXW
438Please respect copyright.PENANAvKPgnBisn2
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA5SGKigLodq
438Please respect copyright.PENANArnBcwzuiOp
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAlDhfwlv9qv
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMR8JHkXP8U
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAIRfPFDy63w
438Please respect copyright.PENANAEUoq7kjfsi
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPb5URrsVBL
438Please respect copyright.PENANAwY6qiPrmus
Arc: “No.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAaxsZhP5u0j
Learn Meditation (+2)438Please respect copyright.PENANAeX4V2Ui17g
438Please respect copyright.PENANAunyqVUAdPn
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAtIJvUPONk3
Points: 3438Please respect copyright.PENANA169i27a2dE
438Please respect copyright.PENANAiqmCDSWgW7
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAAPSPefYulW
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKt9MrMTW2D
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANATo7SEr55YX
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZoEspVqZgZ
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbnlUrcunjd
438Please respect copyright.PENANA7EDOnRDC75
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAeG76oi6ThA
438Please respect copyright.PENANAv6Iu2Lttrv
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAriEM6cnzYS
438Please respect copyright.PENANAcjaAa4N59J
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANA8jGp1iL4Vb
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZRlcdCGRp7
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzHhq8GZ7jA
438Please respect copyright.PENANAiQSBLoZg7t
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANANIZgTyLCCf
438Please respect copyright.PENANAfhl2qlzvGP
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAhhWdggzMFH
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzJLsYGuVrX
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAbbMg6JEols
438Please respect copyright.PENANApIUIgrsH3F
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAdqghyE2sKm
438Please respect copyright.PENANACXzAqaIlxE
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzCkyPAa69W
438Please respect copyright.PENANAKcQbB6PYmx
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAhViVV6WPS0
438Please respect copyright.PENANALH8q9wKSJG
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAdmcCtOZuRv
438Please respect copyright.PENANA8Ka1RTHDkP
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAJdEsqCq9Yt
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXjodUqs05u
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAvyIwaTfWlI
438Please respect copyright.PENANAaxd4SOmDlw
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAaVHckHpJGa
438Please respect copyright.PENANA3COC3ag2wH
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANArHBQQgln43
438Please respect copyright.PENANAkU9KFTi8tF
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAHoTANA5Eeb
438Please respect copyright.PENANA27BEEV03tU
Nao: “I want the best.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzXiDfIFqn7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzpJaMaXG7H
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAXccL2X0hfy
438Please respect copyright.PENANAUiYmWDUE0G
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAO9eMmsXRrW
438Please respect copyright.PENANAMcP7Ujg9Af
Nao: “Can I know why?”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAuQRTIKzngG
438Please respect copyright.PENANAoK1EyTB8go
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAqVNKpRexRe
438Please respect copyright.PENANAoj6Wbu7cYO
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAyS0u2nqR4M
438Please respect copyright.PENANABejyJH0Uqt
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANATg1F5cdBe7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVmdH5FLXoD
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAzD6W5sdz8k
438Please respect copyright.PENANARrpbJ2o1gY
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA2jacsFiEDN
438Please respect copyright.PENANAwLcu1nf2k0
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.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAONbXQlw0XF
438Please respect copyright.PENANAsnVAouklnj
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZGxjADNa0w
438Please respect copyright.PENANAgetSGOJ1mi
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAFUmxoXxe7a
438Please respect copyright.PENANAvnh7fxgudY
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
438Please respect copyright.PENANAPjFaOygPJf
438Please respect copyright.PENANAvPjIvwwGT1
[9:00pm]
438Please respect copyright.PENANAVI30uQwrDS
438Please respect copyright.PENANA4JXANKxkgK
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAgpAi3CvTeu
438Please respect copyright.PENANAxJLQr1N6Bi
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.
438Please respect copyright.PENANAq0UL5lEVhF
438Please respect copyright.PENANAYxYj9Ryevk
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
438Please respect copyright.PENANA0arJgNXFDq
438Please respect copyright.PENANAynsqdFY3mv
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
438Please respect copyright.PENANAYkkFBTTTP7
438Please respect copyright.PENANAmjMHoEfn3s
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5438Please respect copyright.PENANAw4yfvEixGq
Endurance: 11.5438Please respect copyright.PENANAb0lpof6iKE
Intelligence: 15.5438Please respect copyright.PENANAsNGkvEYEJx
Charisma: 18438Please respect copyright.PENANA9bhW5DmHPI
Agility: 12.5438Please respect copyright.PENANA7O1yDA2RYC
Magic: 18438Please respect copyright.PENANAd56ysn8bFg
438Please respect copyright.PENANAZolMov5CfL
Spells:438Please respect copyright.PENANAwhyd6pB7yo
Scan438Please respect copyright.PENANAK0uSipZsxN
Minor Illusion [Active]438Please respect copyright.PENANAMhN0TiCGSm
Magic Missile438Please respect copyright.PENANAkr27l6HHTG
Control Water438Please respect copyright.PENANAosKsPKj4RX
Acid Blast 438Please respect copyright.PENANAqr4B6pHVna
Shape Shift [Active]438Please respect copyright.PENANARtAd94vS7O
Mind Reading [Active]438Please respect copyright.PENANAo7RM33Ed9g
Paralysis438Please respect copyright.PENANAoiM6UJ4G27
Basic Healing438Please respect copyright.PENANACckbupdoKo
Air Bullet 438Please respect copyright.PENANAdZJXuVVTYJ