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.456Please respect copyright.PENANAuzOkZi3TzV
456Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1MFbX0umE
456Please respect copyright.PENANAEXpHHIl3wP
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAZIfJpDZAJT
456Please respect copyright.PENANAziNdwv8WFa
Sever: “And you are?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAPlIr8qLH5u
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKTrsy0J0IM
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAvoaDwisb76
456Please respect copyright.PENANADgjAXrgYmT
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAPYr5Mfs1Lm
456Please respect copyright.PENANAai3T4gqBUK
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANABUszSKC05A
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVmdpIL3Wp7
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAppEzAcYDwE
456Please respect copyright.PENANA0XsgMwNbpI
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAa6fD0CplnL
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5J9vpYH2gM
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAST1uSLdxbe
456Please respect copyright.PENANAPE2QoNazXF
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAjRCCCDUyml
456Please respect copyright.PENANAiqTCJy9v75
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA6VQWhrSyn4
456Please respect copyright.PENANAAxhMjKj2d9
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANADSgSAB2nAv
456Please respect copyright.PENANAOVlfADbvPm
Sever looks me over and snickers.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAS7Rn8AvD4B
456Please respect copyright.PENANAySHRqeqUO5
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA3zMDzydztE
456Please respect copyright.PENANA1zlVrTRkYw
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAqkc7OvDpay
456Please respect copyright.PENANApFZedvJ9B7
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
456Please respect copyright.PENANAzdojsDssUF
456Please respect copyright.PENANAIaGtDVxXer
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAxelyO5kvtl
456Please respect copyright.PENANAE8dkAfRVGz
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANASMpYgYYWmG
456Please respect copyright.PENANAPe0UDVmURY
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANApsaSelRM63
456Please respect copyright.PENANAIvtixYz0ca
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANArXYa1rg4mf
456Please respect copyright.PENANA4mzduHe3FS
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAp9571BkC8o
456Please respect copyright.PENANAATN6dRipq1
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAyJzaUQPtTQ
456Please respect copyright.PENANAd0rvqQ1YfG
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAmJs8KqU6nw
456Please respect copyright.PENANApxbS3hPetY
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAqklUofL0om
456Please respect copyright.PENANAcEDBBLoOtj
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAyJJKcGhUCM
456Please respect copyright.PENANAgsvKHqAAxt
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAMMD5b3kzV1
456Please respect copyright.PENANACs8Hwi0FpB
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA7MSfhZyjw5
!!!456Please respect copyright.PENANAQYxqeMDWXx
456Please respect copyright.PENANAnD7nfVOD4F
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANApbgGrHAUeJ
456Please respect copyright.PENANA8Od6gLgNuR
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAiPkgatqJ97
456Please respect copyright.PENANAlC1Z06ejX5
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAcT7sfM6WRq
456Please respect copyright.PENANATWmlsz84le
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAlIrTaeT73e
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5PAs3ZnANJ
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAbfcGr6SNse
456Please respect copyright.PENANAGgFcewipGi
Nao: “!”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAUcPDjPXYrK
456Please respect copyright.PENANAL8GhbpT4jt
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
456Please respect copyright.PENANAhHerLJvNuj
456Please respect copyright.PENANAuvumJyd6r0
!!!
456Please respect copyright.PENANAgGsvCsFui6
456Please respect copyright.PENANAAfwzRb5kZ0
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAg0OxC0Y3VL
456Please respect copyright.PENANA2Fak0azWdC
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA4C1qSaw2rD
456Please respect copyright.PENANA7Gx7ZczHXh
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAQExBKhu3en
456Please respect copyright.PENANAADqueDh1Re
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAZNkW09RZWE
456Please respect copyright.PENANAWD3zSreQ4k
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAnZzPC0vsSA
456Please respect copyright.PENANA2a76sxQjyl
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANASvS2aJa3w1
456Please respect copyright.PENANAWrQDZMDiP7
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAmHcTl8n7D8
456Please respect copyright.PENANAa0RouY9smo
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA9FD9TXcqM1
456Please respect copyright.PENANAF5M3IWUA4l
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAuVfrAHWMUB
456Please respect copyright.PENANA2FGHVUhj1u
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAiCSe4amBJ8
456Please respect copyright.PENANA6w52RDpNpy
Alyson: “…”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA2gDSk7tYDZ
456Please respect copyright.PENANABXpMoehIuv
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAR7084LDT1K
456Please respect copyright.PENANAd0Ela7mMS1
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAEqpK96myYT
456Please respect copyright.PENANA7IaUX1VPlS
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
456Please respect copyright.PENANA3OGH85BtuJ
456Please respect copyright.PENANA1fER7On2QC
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAFPCh0lMx3c
456Please respect copyright.PENANAGyTQk9N9Oo
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAjUXreST5Dd
456Please respect copyright.PENANAakRJd2keFQ
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
456Please respect copyright.PENANATbtv33HVeS
456Please respect copyright.PENANAwrVUcwoINb
Arc: “Get stronger.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANACWmy2ohQuj
456Please respect copyright.PENANAJeW5bhLXqm
What?
456Please respect copyright.PENANA9TIoZdQXwe
456Please respect copyright.PENANAjNEPxDTx8X
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAJ41p0NkY0G
Death…456Please respect copyright.PENANA01Eu5sVept
456Please respect copyright.PENANACGaATVwwNS
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAhby8Z8nFzS
456Please respect copyright.PENANAJuTDNh7bOU
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*456Please respect copyright.PENANAOmUBaor61P
456Please respect copyright.PENANAAoFksk1WrM
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]456Please respect copyright.PENANAf0vRmRu3vz
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
456Please respect copyright.PENANALb5oaL3nLr
…What is an invader?
456Please respect copyright.PENANAIZADGfCPIW
456Please respect copyright.PENANA9ws5kcaZuH
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA3bZQE96AU4
456Please respect copyright.PENANAwnX1zEmgQW
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5K7K21twqd
456Please respect copyright.PENANAQOr5LrV6Hw
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANADtWb7ZrAjx
I can do that?456Please respect copyright.PENANAWtJyKYmnZS
456Please respect copyright.PENANAgeukYtT4sR
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAJMvBAxzyGM
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVohuuTjUeo
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAlcNRz4MWZu
456Please respect copyright.PENANAdjQEgzwqoX
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAQx5f5rodbC
456Please respect copyright.PENANA3r3DEGzPBo
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. 456Please respect copyright.PENANA874QbIiYvc
456Please respect copyright.PENANAg0J2eLC83a
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
456Please respect copyright.PENANAAIlWGetKYO
456Please respect copyright.PENANAMkDwT1MXbd
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAMomGMKWkiD
456Please respect copyright.PENANAaxIfRQENGn
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAbUG1CHRhFL
456Please respect copyright.PENANAS0WNf2KCRX
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAsGW0f6IC1X
456Please respect copyright.PENANA9lSDSQsvGL
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA2st5ESvLsN
456Please respect copyright.PENANAQKaJ9x6104
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKpntqZ0NMO
456Please respect copyright.PENANAfgRSNV5P6K
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAK8tPmckCDJ
456Please respect copyright.PENANAOqF4ga3tzy
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA0hHTlhxeYW
456Please respect copyright.PENANAy04za5Rm0L
“Hey, are you alright?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAEZzBk8htrG
456Please respect copyright.PENANAla9FkHX6yg
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAIp48HFwzal
456Please respect copyright.PENANAccNvb0PqXw
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAjVqqxXZ2XW
!456Please respect copyright.PENANAirm3giuZJK
456Please respect copyright.PENANAODMhOZOYmK
“Ow, what the hell?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAZTyxdZzxfW
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVRZlAR1Z0K
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAYH9lvCx9LM
456Please respect copyright.PENANAH8LkBZBo4t
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAgXpTjSX6N2
456Please respect copyright.PENANAOt9wLSO1By
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAgEyCl32XyB
456Please respect copyright.PENANAiN2m0SKcPI
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAh3cWOw3YFO
456Please respect copyright.PENANAaCdoo4kI3M
Wait guys, take me home!
456Please respect copyright.PENANARKpfcb5Mt7
456Please respect copyright.PENANA8qhhQ1XG15
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAH6tgj4ImYW
456Please respect copyright.PENANACc5cd3FuxI
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
456Please respect copyright.PENANAWOyCiDgdYs
456Please respect copyright.PENANAMtfpA0IvVf
Tallow: “Wait look.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAGszddLtIQc
456Please respect copyright.PENANA4CXNK10Q0M
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
456Please respect copyright.PENANArrmHmw5xDN
456Please respect copyright.PENANA3iZAaHOc44
Valo: “N-Nao?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAyRtsJyDjY5
456Please respect copyright.PENANACoZ927ZDUa
I nod my head as hard as I can.
456Please respect copyright.PENANATgs96QO2Tn
456Please respect copyright.PENANAbg1IG5cbOv
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAf6pDLCAjvO
456Please respect copyright.PENANAqJfdGEkoZZ
Mat: “Damn.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAgNURTVScKL
456Please respect copyright.PENANAPsK6cVosvO
Velo: “But why?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAoCWbcalAdG
456Please respect copyright.PENANA6FvkoYoJX3
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAsbfDGQAhT4
456Please respect copyright.PENANAZMkZY3O1ph
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.456Please respect copyright.PENANAye5zhXSwsh
456Please respect copyright.PENANAz2BYxhnjd7
456Please respect copyright.PENANAvjkfmj29S2
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAU1slQgrQcR
456Please respect copyright.PENANAzzfnnZNVtP
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAfmT5yeKLDs
456Please respect copyright.PENANAUSJU3Un5UM
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAoJendsgTNt
456Please respect copyright.PENANAo4rhspoxOB
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA0JOyb08Dfv
456Please respect copyright.PENANACkbsrD86lR
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA14AN7iImEi
456Please respect copyright.PENANASozxmDgHxx
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAv3j9vR8YMp
456Please respect copyright.PENANAo3Dz4Hlamk
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAbaUrBoKl4v
456Please respect copyright.PENANAD4Kvyp00uo
Shape shift!
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKxmcAEeGmN
456Please respect copyright.PENANABqpP6AU6Ij
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAop39FmuDsI
456Please respect copyright.PENANAjS1wS2I5hs
Mat: “What the hell!”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA7T0tlNJSwM
456Please respect copyright.PENANAQEM2xXXB8c
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA9D7lruvEJh
456Please respect copyright.PENANAsU1ZPBOnTa
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA8Xl7lx17W6
456Please respect copyright.PENANAJo3SyAGckj
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANALHc8xrcJFT
456Please respect copyright.PENANAC3F4Shb3L5
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAdA9QyKqvXv
456Please respect copyright.PENANAFiA1jOB6NV
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA3IyGSGoLEf
456Please respect copyright.PENANAUHD5DdevVX
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
456Please respect copyright.PENANACU31R3SWp0
456Please respect copyright.PENANAmaPZPdxtNg
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAShSb0UdVOO
456Please respect copyright.PENANAQc5eBiDizW
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA6xVbITuFI2
456Please respect copyright.PENANAnsU3sKYOlj
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAWo4uHielqF
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5cvVjn971p
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAfylDndOaIa
456Please respect copyright.PENANAUtEy59IiUG
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANABZKgybqNN5
456Please respect copyright.PENANAi8QYK03H72
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAJyx0sA4VBl
456Please respect copyright.PENANAgCZjdfpaHK
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAJnQOflqzuD
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKrD6E1UKyf
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAAb9wbgd8fY
456Please respect copyright.PENANAXJUQYQ8YbB
Everyone: “What?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAk6u5W6FQWh
456Please respect copyright.PENANA4Pxy04kLW2
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA6B3ZNYjcCo
456Please respect copyright.PENANAbyWIq8JpGU
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAbWKJbZhzFW
456Please respect copyright.PENANAIzebF5KJDY
Velo: “What do we do?
456Please respect copyright.PENANA00w9U62zSI
456Please respect copyright.PENANA0N0voqeu2B
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA2AI68gNUpQ
456Please respect copyright.PENANALx3hjde7CP
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAgxtJ6Scheg
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVLCVQ00R4B
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAHCa2XPnEl9
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5jKzH6j06Q
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAEkHdnFaJUa
456Please respect copyright.PENANA74T7SS64xo
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA9fCU5enczc
456Please respect copyright.PENANAYJ9X05pFsI
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…
456Please respect copyright.PENANAaMHngeCGPu
456Please respect copyright.PENANAdWxKrwrj0t
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAe3YspDTrYz
456Please respect copyright.PENANA4Gs0yD3szX
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAEnsrLy9qJn
456Please respect copyright.PENANAgAj5ZCluhS
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAXFFjsMn9WA
456Please respect copyright.PENANAoLSev4vJhf
Anthony: “Why?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAzhfF6N4gp6
456Please respect copyright.PENANALxqm7YGMyn
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5GqIj7wdmY
456Please respect copyright.PENANAPXcXRVqGjP
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAftsaDetbqA
456Please respect copyright.PENANAe2Qws8ZEk6
Nao: “Ummm…”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAFrVQK3i6qQ
456Please respect copyright.PENANAOn4UZjmK6U
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
456Please respect copyright.PENANARC7QSDjp6Q
456Please respect copyright.PENANARwODpq8vdQ
Air Bullet (6)456Please respect copyright.PENANALxlswcKJHJ
456Please respect copyright.PENANAbN3sse7AGv
456Please respect copyright.PENANAmY5W5j15qN
That doesn’t sound too bad.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAc31XkGNFq5
456Please respect copyright.PENANAT7sPioL3ey
Nao: “Air bullet.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA81qzMpVbJp
456Please respect copyright.PENANAx8nOB6ZdEU
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAhewyBC7hmz
Points: 1456Please respect copyright.PENANAXhMJX5jmH8
456Please respect copyright.PENANA20G81spNat
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANApOPEQG0lX8
456Please respect copyright.PENANAv8CEh02Hob
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAmH6u62MnLo
456Please respect copyright.PENANAAGw6l8x0lu
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANACu32PFasdf
456Please respect copyright.PENANANvMBNFjHlJ
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAtu8lCq1tXj
456Please respect copyright.PENANAxEE39mIuFT
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAHfpbEjomyd
456Please respect copyright.PENANAhElMHvSxYJ
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVLLYiwrK7f
456Please respect copyright.PENANADJehjIUZul
Nao: “Illusions.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAOyrBWBG8xc
456Please respect copyright.PENANAxQvZIiBPtD
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAlICaqYc1wM
456Please respect copyright.PENANAEbS47cIEAu
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5v3GSZRmU2
456Please respect copyright.PENANAFqhAfw0cb1
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAQfcLibkniv
456Please respect copyright.PENANAovlwG9fQGR
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAZIpJBSJmPD
456Please respect copyright.PENANAIMm7kW8PC4
We?
456Please respect copyright.PENANAGdt8qgafaF
456Please respect copyright.PENANAjcARtUcUCb
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAvBCUrcZMtx
456Please respect copyright.PENANAlGjwJFxwuy
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAX2oGdO4U4Q
456Please respect copyright.PENANAfE87ehkzqy
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA2vOsSR0aCT
456Please respect copyright.PENANA8KqilWfS6f
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAt5vkwy80vF
456Please respect copyright.PENANA4eFqBFp0GG
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAZ47sH4xWQA
456Please respect copyright.PENANAh6D5MR5OIk
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANASzGjiWcV9b
456Please respect copyright.PENANAYFwp7GgLf4
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5D1wvOT76b
456Please respect copyright.PENANAtMMSL9uo3c
Nell: “Of course.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANACNbnsszuZx
456Please respect copyright.PENANAC2NuY0LMz6
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
456Please respect copyright.PENANApJhK6jcl11
456Please respect copyright.PENANAiiS0of91br
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAA95UIOWAxW
456Please respect copyright.PENANA8yvKLA6nNe
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA43xzKoW9Lj
456Please respect copyright.PENANAn8STVxINhN
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAjskxLMdAvl
456Please respect copyright.PENANAthG26pVnmO
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA8ouLdW487j
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKKEAEDn1kN
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAr1Qzpux2Ka
456Please respect copyright.PENANA92d3YiDGbi
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA3JelRMLtYR
456Please respect copyright.PENANANkjcGjWvfe
Nao: “Sure thing.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5LCVP78RXz
456Please respect copyright.PENANATYNTTwfQI8
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAnZgXVqcK2R
456Please respect copyright.PENANAc1YK7sCkvU
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKgOMGj8LcB
456Please respect copyright.PENANAogIUBhBJ1k
Arc: “Do it.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAB4NgmXQMyw
456Please respect copyright.PENANAx1dUtvuHO6
But-
456Please respect copyright.PENANAWsNBzsYQu4
456Please respect copyright.PENANAE0OhkX3CG7
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAonHVmOhnuU
456Please respect copyright.PENANARksbxWcK6s
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAhfZBPWdnOg
456Please respect copyright.PENANAeDgms2mh9U
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAe7i2uXBWI0
456Please respect copyright.PENANAqwiqo2aqSm
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAOUWn0x6eMo
456Please respect copyright.PENANAXMjmZNOE8n
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAaSTIdusuBI
456Please respect copyright.PENANAsdrh8UKPEZ
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAXiqc7ENzHh
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVbkIxE9vV3
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
456Please respect copyright.PENANANQDilOZGh5
456Please respect copyright.PENANASSJXAaqHqN
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAZXxZMQ7B55
456Please respect copyright.PENANAxuaiNkFxlX
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAHewetY1afl
456Please respect copyright.PENANAjw7UOe0Q66
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAGnSikh8nlQ
456Please respect copyright.PENANAcirLmBZvvJ
Valo: “You should take a break.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAWOhfucTMdU
456Please respect copyright.PENANAGAYx99ywb0
Nao: “Ummm…”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAdaAG1SAaen
456Please respect copyright.PENANA7Jpx8Dfmb3
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAwY4QCzWRhB
456Please respect copyright.PENANAesMKnM6AE5
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANApMPM6rrAfX
456Please respect copyright.PENANA6LwnhpU3so
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAnYZIMmDUf0
456Please respect copyright.PENANAUMJlLlhasF
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.456Please respect copyright.PENANA21m50pFfkA
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKVSrdYXL2B
*Ding*
456Please respect copyright.PENANAUhsBx6gYZg
Points: 3456Please respect copyright.PENANAGSHmVFcnYk
456Please respect copyright.PENANAdUDfkq6rEJ
And that’s 10 spells a day!456Please respect copyright.PENANAPrScdpzfDl
456Please respect copyright.PENANAdScbcs5k9n
456Please respect copyright.PENANAFViuody3iS
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAT6pPr4qcfy
456Please respect copyright.PENANAnVvAnL43H3
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAX79Xc8MBdG
456Please respect copyright.PENANAhjxao5eaQB
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVpinvudKLt
456Please respect copyright.PENANAubi6CocMlu
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA01sTTH2pg4
456Please respect copyright.PENANAo39WehbYGJ
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ou5sYEuuT
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKDPGf54u2I
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.456Please respect copyright.PENANA5YR47WYLFh
456Please respect copyright.PENANAXzM3FmlQWa
456Please respect copyright.PENANALHTBdTmHf4
Arc: “You know what to do.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAyQBdifwVB4
456Please respect copyright.PENANAIWJiU3RIG0
Nao: “…I know.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5W4zoVqMRS
456Please respect copyright.PENANAu5XQoDVFio
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]456Please respect copyright.PENANAXSF9Nv5N9c
456Please respect copyright.PENANAchOygbWWWq
*Ding*
456Please respect copyright.PENANACsBOafapna
Points: 6456Please respect copyright.PENANAV8DqQg4BLE
456Please respect copyright.PENANAXPqgG0xrRm
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
456Please respect copyright.PENANATveoW8B4zg
456Please respect copyright.PENANAOY6COSruxv
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAHoYvckQD6g
456Please respect copyright.PENANACdKI3FNiYt
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
456Please respect copyright.PENANANSUy6qD2L4
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKEDPD0oyTM
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAK85vgG4HY5
456Please respect copyright.PENANA9fxkQJR1PT
Alyson: “Yeah?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAlgCvq4VZ52
456Please respect copyright.PENANABCCMOcz0sI
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAsWprVPFJGU
456Please respect copyright.PENANAbSKnxwGs32
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAFqiZpONbZk
456Please respect copyright.PENANAx3LY15oEni
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANASTALhi7F5z
456Please respect copyright.PENANAZkJ4nPVP2N
And she closes the door in my face…
456Please respect copyright.PENANATCP2OEgI5k
456Please respect copyright.PENANAaV7pWL4eSm
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5Y68tjBpSC
456Please respect copyright.PENANABYX8auB8ZR
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA6vg82k3Cau
456Please respect copyright.PENANALeite3PXVO
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAiNj8B9hPBJ
456Please respect copyright.PENANAPBc97iFvT5
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAvybLRGR8tm
456Please respect copyright.PENANAcfg2lwgoBl
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAzR8GYFIoe8
456Please respect copyright.PENANAXVoFfYoZsZ
Arc: “No.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAShTnmqp28O
Learn Meditation (+2)456Please respect copyright.PENANAEeBGxxP7eR
456Please respect copyright.PENANAsvAN9G5eA4
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA34JbNRqRwZ
Points: 3456Please respect copyright.PENANA0yB0jYhgFZ
456Please respect copyright.PENANAozPdJEzZIh
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKQXedNDw4X
456Please respect copyright.PENANAD9aMtFhyX5
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAjNvUu4JKME
456Please respect copyright.PENANAyow9SIRt6u
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAHIkWc08nwk
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVenIpiexCH
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA2FPerSLk1g
456Please respect copyright.PENANAzHGdnL3Ov1
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAhhQYZGlFuP
456Please respect copyright.PENANAAjgb6nvKAh
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVGBU5Oel2S
456Please respect copyright.PENANA8LwC03ufk2
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAn27140EFYR
456Please respect copyright.PENANArUkuVfOS3N
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKIpXGUjbEI
456Please respect copyright.PENANAR5RUUuScxt
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAA8cbfgzxZu
456Please respect copyright.PENANA2bSqnKcdjC
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA0VfAU5DalK
456Please respect copyright.PENANAOJp3yWLiI4
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA7TIqXAL487
456Please respect copyright.PENANAfoTV5C6wGP
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA76m50fu5Um
456Please respect copyright.PENANAQdG4iV2IVp
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVaoVv3K7SX
456Please respect copyright.PENANANybHev1Qbk
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAD8CLYZeGnp
456Please respect copyright.PENANAnbEF6faqBU
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAPyURj48Rzm
456Please respect copyright.PENANA1u12n55rol
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA5NCi1UY8il
456Please respect copyright.PENANAen7a01OPyU
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAo5iOUnD7cL
456Please respect copyright.PENANA8wL7YtR7lW
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA9ldBDTmcoU
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKpwUT7kGPR
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAmxmnCBvcRY
456Please respect copyright.PENANAOqii8jW5lF
Nao: “I want the best.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAYEPjkdOwoI
456Please respect copyright.PENANAkJc0Y4IYlh
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAuTAvwlhBmE
456Please respect copyright.PENANAzMETpgFYDX
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA0xc9QlMIza
456Please respect copyright.PENANAw9vPge6eH1
Nao: “Can I know why?”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAWMBytoqWeb
456Please respect copyright.PENANAZagHVWstMn
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAfucr7sZNH4
456Please respect copyright.PENANAZNsyCvGlai
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAO6fSQKlydz
456Please respect copyright.PENANAS9NsvgRBP4
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA7S7IU4gG4K
456Please respect copyright.PENANAe89Ol0XWJx
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAeqsDD8PHZ6
456Please respect copyright.PENANAHZrYdcM5g9
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAkoNauF4Kng
456Please respect copyright.PENANAvBTq5SpvxR
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.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAsoWKXybOVo
456Please respect copyright.PENANAHH9E2I9Zrp
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAU5ZznYqTYe
456Please respect copyright.PENANA8cHFH9I7fT
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANA4t6JO5UWzC
456Please respect copyright.PENANArOxMf7s9zJ
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
456Please respect copyright.PENANAhtySqii7ji
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVICIhDXxIx
[9:00pm]
456Please respect copyright.PENANAOJl6X1JSCn
456Please respect copyright.PENANAo0wV9Q4ZTJ
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAKPkO02YE4n
456Please respect copyright.PENANASvjq6MjAt8
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.
456Please respect copyright.PENANA8FT9bdkxpF
456Please respect copyright.PENANAcwuYqCFroG
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
456Please respect copyright.PENANAeNu4RVrpdb
456Please respect copyright.PENANAWVut0YYFva
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
456Please respect copyright.PENANATFJz73Ue19
456Please respect copyright.PENANAVutsCrFcZ6
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5456Please respect copyright.PENANAy61jAKNjqE
Endurance: 11.5456Please respect copyright.PENANAXNPGJHd1BS
Intelligence: 15.5456Please respect copyright.PENANADkoESJ8IjR
Charisma: 18456Please respect copyright.PENANACguIuT2DuX
Agility: 12.5456Please respect copyright.PENANA5tDm85woM3
Magic: 18456Please respect copyright.PENANA6nqqIzjHLk
456Please respect copyright.PENANA0Z3OPGHCHo
Spells:456Please respect copyright.PENANADA38oqrhJx
Scan456Please respect copyright.PENANAAUpnGjzUcv
Minor Illusion [Active]456Please respect copyright.PENANA2fK4qtEfGw
Magic Missile456Please respect copyright.PENANAlwSdvdDbc6
Control Water456Please respect copyright.PENANA9n9DLYSndD
Acid Blast 456Please respect copyright.PENANA6PwXA2k63T
Shape Shift [Active]456Please respect copyright.PENANAVOppemdr1Q
Mind Reading [Active]456Please respect copyright.PENANA7iTvRJoap8
Paralysis456Please respect copyright.PENANAl92TNKo25H
Basic Healing456Please respect copyright.PENANAbel0ooSoVo
Air Bullet 456Please respect copyright.PENANAiXCGMKqWzT