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.437Please respect copyright.PENANAFYLQ4dfa9q
437Please respect copyright.PENANAyHv1YzzlMO
437Please respect copyright.PENANA0BFUmHX8z4
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAcmKH5pMxq8
437Please respect copyright.PENANAP4bNrhVifU
Sever: “And you are?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAYp0sbILZTq
437Please respect copyright.PENANAhOpI69gQCM
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAIpvfewOSGU
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVKT6IPRPUx
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAzNjicZxncb
437Please respect copyright.PENANAPtyN6gnU5y
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAeHt16Akxgh
437Please respect copyright.PENANATVBxWmuHik
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANADyKIFZfmcA
437Please respect copyright.PENANAWezpCXipFC
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAyPZAe9HGDs
437Please respect copyright.PENANAexyvHEkDYt
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
437Please respect copyright.PENANA26bo6mG1GM
437Please respect copyright.PENANANjHEQ5Jxbe
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA4CysLotTUZ
437Please respect copyright.PENANAhODlF5msGi
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAmvEWUNgVwx
437Please respect copyright.PENANAyEa22CcJ18
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA6Sasl2dT40
437Please respect copyright.PENANApfd81f20hZ
Sever looks me over and snickers.
437Please respect copyright.PENANASP9QUwGzjW
437Please respect copyright.PENANAZTX3YZRzV2
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAKTil1IVKHo
437Please respect copyright.PENANANwaJbpmCol
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAhhPNuWvuFV
437Please respect copyright.PENANANpEUSDVKK7
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
437Please respect copyright.PENANAc1MWglAiPb
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHxTvfgrvSI
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAT93c5yixDA
437Please respect copyright.PENANAJUvmpx4m6b
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAkOSGpD8xz8
437Please respect copyright.PENANAL9ViFVWW3W
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAqMlnAADafJ
437Please respect copyright.PENANAvlKDnwKkGL
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAoz6iZjxi67
437Please respect copyright.PENANAxkScWRXLs4
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHN8UhZlz6d
437Please respect copyright.PENANAeUDgrnu8sF
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgHveoT9y5b
437Please respect copyright.PENANAaS2g3I6hbY
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAczrdlWXHUR
437Please respect copyright.PENANAXtA8DViv4a
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAZkeJZx1CSg
437Please respect copyright.PENANAZUIGHL4xAD
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA8sZ9toUhDT
437Please respect copyright.PENANAfK31PAgM5G
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAtY0JvWplk4
437Please respect copyright.PENANAd7W593LZ5F
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAA5wtX9eRYO
!!!437Please respect copyright.PENANAnEm3Egb8DI
437Please respect copyright.PENANAkC1vAfDvV1
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAILfNO8ro3r
437Please respect copyright.PENANA4TXDjMKtXP
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANALJFUJHD2RY
437Please respect copyright.PENANAw3EvlNGrlM
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAF7DU69tcpE
437Please respect copyright.PENANAqDy2tWo8ZE
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANANgujQkPf8X
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgPCVglPOzI
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAJy4XXjsqgX
437Please respect copyright.PENANA3CutveRKju
Nao: “!”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA9XWxTu5jfM
437Please respect copyright.PENANAyBUkhzyr8v
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
437Please respect copyright.PENANAfLeQjcEsFN
437Please respect copyright.PENANAU0fDVdTmCG
!!!
437Please respect copyright.PENANAuOlLagXxRK
437Please respect copyright.PENANAD1SLXo8EKn
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAtSyN8ygKOz
437Please respect copyright.PENANA692wQQAuK6
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAlTX2JrV0OH
437Please respect copyright.PENANABC2lpI3RTC
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA4bL690z6qR
437Please respect copyright.PENANAcqBFDiDhFF
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAyN4ejApfJd
437Please respect copyright.PENANAqgcRQeDRcc
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAh2tmYeV2N4
437Please respect copyright.PENANAzES2FN9YjK
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA62JCDIROsE
437Please respect copyright.PENANAFbmR1Db2h7
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAyxss5QFCEl
437Please respect copyright.PENANA20biXIBnBV
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAXh27zMhrro
437Please respect copyright.PENANAb4D8e5q3MM
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA2FK0vlhXCZ
437Please respect copyright.PENANALjnBCPMmOr
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAlSxjDn03Bq
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEti7rRgaue
Alyson: “…”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAwQoRbEUDSv
437Please respect copyright.PENANAynxoUAwTiK
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAV5wqNujj9p
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVaLITKG7ID
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANA212KnTcLq2
437Please respect copyright.PENANAmBwXbyWa3P
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
437Please respect copyright.PENANAufizCspgE1
437Please respect copyright.PENANAht9RoWuQP6
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAP78Rks2NBQ
437Please respect copyright.PENANAU0iNJtwkKZ
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAzotG5SHi5P
437Please respect copyright.PENANAp1qmH1E5iX
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
437Please respect copyright.PENANArDDUPlwcYS
437Please respect copyright.PENANAE3QmAplrsm
Arc: “Get stronger.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAiVuGS8Zqqs
437Please respect copyright.PENANAxebrRNCfVJ
What?
437Please respect copyright.PENANAy6OHrpsHje
437Please respect copyright.PENANA4tfCp8z7XS
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAzpWPB7i8EJ
Death…437Please respect copyright.PENANA9wzq1cHSs6
437Please respect copyright.PENANAu2uZv1Ootu
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVb6ndboF2I
437Please respect copyright.PENANAT4J97WbVpa
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*437Please respect copyright.PENANAiLaGeA9CNV
437Please respect copyright.PENANActAGG3W8aI
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]437Please respect copyright.PENANAsGoA4nxuS4
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
437Please respect copyright.PENANASYOTBFpD14
…What is an invader?
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgk64y1ROpF
437Please respect copyright.PENANApEaBQy4iIP
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA7O7VpoyP04
437Please respect copyright.PENANAxvDuNM84hJ
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAcP4XEUQ1mC
437Please respect copyright.PENANAexINUSaot7
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA5XL5Hsaot6
I can do that?437Please respect copyright.PENANAZByf5H4xPM
437Please respect copyright.PENANAkr8slPnfPB
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA21S5ETvvGW
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVQFaCO9U4a
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANA8PyowEYzjn
437Please respect copyright.PENANApVZf8zzPPx
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAj3O5vJRWAB
437Please respect copyright.PENANASQxD7fvydp
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. 437Please respect copyright.PENANA1RAPHLyzuk
437Please respect copyright.PENANAFKj0QNhdJg
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
437Please respect copyright.PENANAkdWiOgJVFq
437Please respect copyright.PENANAb6eFmtydqU
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANARVshl6bRIp
437Please respect copyright.PENANANbBBKBoZwA
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANA0jx3OgMJ7k
437Please respect copyright.PENANAWrlgqnv4XV
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAwE9Ir5viY7
437Please respect copyright.PENANAlJabAz9jkn
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAcxGqY3vaBk
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHthDdwxFn1
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAd9DabcdPj6
437Please respect copyright.PENANAa6Yv5QL5v0
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANALIugnwkNYE
437Please respect copyright.PENANAqYjGHrkII1
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
437Please respect copyright.PENANABn1btpdFMH
437Please respect copyright.PENANASYts7iM28J
“Hey, are you alright?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAxTHGGkq1Wa
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgSaCkWWMZQ
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAGDk0l8cgFU
437Please respect copyright.PENANAnmRFF6QReH
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
437Please respect copyright.PENANArktgsdWVYr
!437Please respect copyright.PENANALT6tL1YWVo
437Please respect copyright.PENANAXsQNr5nO6C
“Ow, what the hell?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAWuh6wTq5zF
437Please respect copyright.PENANAoUxaNTw68B
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
437Please respect copyright.PENANA9hA6D6AROt
437Please respect copyright.PENANAkYXTxS7XvJ
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAsr0sQICklz
437Please respect copyright.PENANAXcZEtWo2Ny
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEAMTQTeBu0
437Please respect copyright.PENANAt9nC2GCo56
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANABcCnxuQ9qO
437Please respect copyright.PENANALbF7RUYDBp
Wait guys, take me home!
437Please respect copyright.PENANA1VCAgv3Wwc
437Please respect copyright.PENANAA352Ejbaxz
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHpVdFVuDOR
437Please respect copyright.PENANAIv6MFeAKUJ
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
437Please respect copyright.PENANAYoFPGQ9WlY
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHvI2ANpLOz
Tallow: “Wait look.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAi5Zu1mDXnq
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEPGtnIt6H1
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAYSnxqYKFLq
437Please respect copyright.PENANAwf3SkGKPQJ
Valo: “N-Nao?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAZ91llHs1Q1
437Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1xEFpMlIU
I nod my head as hard as I can.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAUZ7r98LUCo
437Please respect copyright.PENANAPraWFqary7
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANATCORMZ1AAb
437Please respect copyright.PENANAfoOSDgHIif
Mat: “Damn.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANATvqiQnPVts
437Please respect copyright.PENANAvPcr3VfhWi
Velo: “But why?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAMAPzWajmrm
437Please respect copyright.PENANAAFHpH7nFPN
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAhIMgmaztAJ
437Please respect copyright.PENANAhkRdm895ha
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.437Please respect copyright.PENANAxpTdLctTLd
437Please respect copyright.PENANAT2Ajl8XOQa
437Please respect copyright.PENANAWWhOQtL9yo
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA4fNvdHVGK4
437Please respect copyright.PENANAz5w2LLe9hj
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAkaOF57wuX6
437Please respect copyright.PENANAWpcSzx03f2
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAiFUhYTetfw
437Please respect copyright.PENANAYZtVHPpjsH
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgdbTDSm6bT
437Please respect copyright.PENANAWxXpxRGujP
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAsfkxZU6kgv
437Please respect copyright.PENANAK5COUMTDV5
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAdAIj6nO3dI
437Please respect copyright.PENANA3nXjIlWW2c
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAPxtlykYVxe
437Please respect copyright.PENANADoMlp9UIZs
Shape shift!
437Please respect copyright.PENANAMoZhjYHPFp
437Please respect copyright.PENANABkRARLGrWF
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAXuxIn6QIoI
437Please respect copyright.PENANAQ18X1k3X3y
Mat: “What the hell!”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAv177bjsWgn
437Please respect copyright.PENANAlGbGMr2GLL
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAyDjzT9Eo45
437Please respect copyright.PENANA1hzW6Lvf7O
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAXjz8oNY2rw
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgp1qnbMQZ7
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAGRVHAmErlw
437Please respect copyright.PENANA2yVkeODxK2
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAF6BI4qo1ca
437Please respect copyright.PENANA5dD0do6a2h
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAMOvWVQqIgB
437Please respect copyright.PENANAmGnKVWjESP
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAB0QKWEkVOr
437Please respect copyright.PENANA7cvP9WUm76
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2yN3yPKP0
437Please respect copyright.PENANAhJb9ZjtMjb
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANATQmpKIMXuk
437Please respect copyright.PENANAmwOgYCvseJ
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAIiDuTOEkRK
437Please respect copyright.PENANA2PIZaOrzij
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAFiPJ4MPNoF
437Please respect copyright.PENANAR5F3t45NKb
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAjqZzQjvkaw
437Please respect copyright.PENANACduRfNPkhp
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAGeuN0A8nOc
437Please respect copyright.PENANAw4gqhEkEfL
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEu6vevqeuf
437Please respect copyright.PENANAbaHNq1uDdc
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAT2UbIJKACg
437Please respect copyright.PENANACVhsgena7Q
Everyone: “What?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA6pGv3lvP83
437Please respect copyright.PENANAowQLxbCu62
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAuq7yMnXwBm
437Please respect copyright.PENANAUG0iWKocKp
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
437Please respect copyright.PENANApJbcwjex9M
437Please respect copyright.PENANAiAUBB8yorq
Velo: “What do we do?
437Please respect copyright.PENANAPAOwqijRYc
437Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZH3jAHslV
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHL4OI0t77f
437Please respect copyright.PENANAAPdLIfWsIU
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA6kxzcEEpUI
437Please respect copyright.PENANAWSAQEs8ruF
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAPsLtLD3H3T
437Please respect copyright.PENANAbXQpzzKJqe
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEk8mvUmzck
437Please respect copyright.PENANAdFBr86cvKj
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAZSOZo29qv2
437Please respect copyright.PENANAURfFWabUCn
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…
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHqYEiX1oZZ
437Please respect copyright.PENANAhbPcu1ze0h
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANA4HpMNWWHYb
437Please respect copyright.PENANAx343ph4eYI
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAj7fehwfXrf
437Please respect copyright.PENANAwqYaOucgA4
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAiSuwYiJAMF
437Please respect copyright.PENANAuDtRrbr9Po
Anthony: “Why?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAr0Rt3HNdcG
437Please respect copyright.PENANAQXvxUqS7Da
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA1zq6jS8niE
437Please respect copyright.PENANAR5ucBcV5z8
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANADYF8cDJHtN
437Please respect copyright.PENANAdIhZfj0ZVO
Nao: “Ummm…”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAL2GPuWtEOA
437Please respect copyright.PENANAsCTSx2Sh6e
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
437Please respect copyright.PENANAnQEC1lBO4j
437Please respect copyright.PENANAFaKuh6q4fm
Air Bullet (6)437Please respect copyright.PENANAWJ5xERkkw5
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHtuFtOukpl
437Please respect copyright.PENANAlCGJ9qJnr2
That doesn’t sound too bad.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAJOpS9COWev
437Please respect copyright.PENANAseNNnPWNPL
Nao: “Air bullet.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAtTlsw3h8nF
437Please respect copyright.PENANAiZTFemoHWz
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANApCrDnw4Tg9
Points: 1437Please respect copyright.PENANA7lNSq7TJjo
437Please respect copyright.PENANARoqFdcIu1f
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAj9OTHBrqX8
437Please respect copyright.PENANAc3QEFrGdAX
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAobxGino5QP
437Please respect copyright.PENANAmkvIZk1HlG
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAaMNaArJV4m
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHB1sy146i2
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA1Kn3elsY5J
437Please respect copyright.PENANANskilEloqW
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANALSaAU3OmxF
437Please respect copyright.PENANAWkHOh2Innt
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANASBS0kPkT62
437Please respect copyright.PENANAy9awUkarCp
Nao: “Illusions.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEeDwhjOOJe
437Please respect copyright.PENANAiJiOmxfgQb
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEcIQVGxTMI
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVLDZuYvG5X
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVJeMTb09Wk
437Please respect copyright.PENANAfDPx71llZ9
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAkkAwPuhKRE
437Please respect copyright.PENANAzSfmsQAR0p
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVRMVkqq0cp
437Please respect copyright.PENANApQNLpiADVj
We?
437Please respect copyright.PENANAvaXWbUC7qH
437Please respect copyright.PENANAzNtEdFXuC2
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAAOaHzwy5k2
437Please respect copyright.PENANAtcBXfUFtyd
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAPnEXQC5wgm
437Please respect copyright.PENANAfMxoh5qMz3
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAz0nv5NZIZB
437Please respect copyright.PENANAsYyLhBuINk
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgNQzWGaxoM
437Please respect copyright.PENANAPgYndqUPge
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAwT4OwpiMXz
437Please respect copyright.PENANA1tqInBhdy2
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAeHl0kSZiI8
437Please respect copyright.PENANAsNrva3d8ub
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANABOeI5WcatH
437Please respect copyright.PENANAa8Ff9V0BAN
Nell: “Of course.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAAynV2XVB3V
437Please respect copyright.PENANAT3txZE89rn
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEu3zPrmt7M
437Please respect copyright.PENANAO6DGgLlEsU
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA0pZ5jrFAXf
437Please respect copyright.PENANAxdXyOGlyPU
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAoiFV89QoL9
437Please respect copyright.PENANAIYRrBinfyF
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHebe4UJ9Qo
437Please respect copyright.PENANAYByD7x3plO
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAiZtdFV4rtr
437Please respect copyright.PENANAxNAvBn0dnV
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
437Please respect copyright.PENANADNe9bO2ofd
437Please respect copyright.PENANAhhDfLKAxiF
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEDwbDwqjNz
437Please respect copyright.PENANA68k4UD5udb
Nao: “Sure thing.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgT1xLEdhz6
437Please respect copyright.PENANAPaStsJeykb
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAMA0BDkQuWn
437Please respect copyright.PENANA1S94BqsrXQ
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
437Please respect copyright.PENANAlDrn65gQJq
437Please respect copyright.PENANAFfhADq28Gv
Arc: “Do it.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAAozLaL9Sl7
437Please respect copyright.PENANAPuYkPr2BTv
But-
437Please respect copyright.PENANAzSfBntX1Fb
437Please respect copyright.PENANA6pPvSMG9pC
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAnGi7NAFHRO
437Please respect copyright.PENANAUzgtr7QMKt
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANArvblpAOBBw
437Please respect copyright.PENANAG0FuEiFnXR
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAl3JIfE1ZA4
437Please respect copyright.PENANA61QzNrQ5Dw
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAlDkm7kGB8U
437Please respect copyright.PENANAKr84kqoPd7
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAqd90pVRGgg
437Please respect copyright.PENANA0IzfLFMfmV
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAsn4dTZ4etx
437Please respect copyright.PENANA24Ie2zhZ2b
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
437Please respect copyright.PENANAU9GmqygnFs
437Please respect copyright.PENANAURpIQiID5H
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgv5xnZ4eR9
437Please respect copyright.PENANAQWPJHyKtc3
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAB3T4zQRvD0
437Please respect copyright.PENANAzbj62oZppp
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAJCSUf1NuYD
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgJ3NmEBmjx
Valo: “You should take a break.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAk1x8YtjU1E
437Please respect copyright.PENANAsuWWsEOsaR
Nao: “Ummm…”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAe6ZTOpuQ5B
437Please respect copyright.PENANApUa1FFThJN
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA043htVj05b
437Please respect copyright.PENANAB505zBNIt5
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAJQXBsUYQCc
437Please respect copyright.PENANA0lXslHp9Bm
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHznBKZfanD
437Please respect copyright.PENANA2q3Vskf8uM
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.437Please respect copyright.PENANA1w2A4Lh0Lf
437Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ds62xU0sf
*Ding*
437Please respect copyright.PENANAAQuxGRIyYU
Points: 3437Please respect copyright.PENANADmMSk7ARDx
437Please respect copyright.PENANA9ZfF2DI9Xi
And that’s 10 spells a day!437Please respect copyright.PENANAvlkvDfk3eW
437Please respect copyright.PENANAbvnNDLG4hq
437Please respect copyright.PENANAeQvDVsIwaK
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAeEPjnRDlaU
437Please respect copyright.PENANAzabPMJxi6q
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAZdNLfuJpMh
437Please respect copyright.PENANA1UfIv0Chu8
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAIUijP1BBX7
437Please respect copyright.PENANAAhwgN9mSzF
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAsTO5NjHJ2k
437Please respect copyright.PENANAXrE59aI5HM
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA2vXnOKtrR8
437Please respect copyright.PENANAemoABYPt86
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.437Please respect copyright.PENANAAhK86Qvwwg
437Please respect copyright.PENANAMxLjm6Ic8A
437Please respect copyright.PENANAfqFOUWAub2
Arc: “You know what to do.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAdK67b9QjlC
437Please respect copyright.PENANAcn7qS3Dy2M
Nao: “…I know.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAqt76DJRekA
437Please respect copyright.PENANAtf0WXmLDLG
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]437Please respect copyright.PENANAmAHanoQ3PF
437Please respect copyright.PENANAi492wZZiEo
*Ding*
437Please respect copyright.PENANAy2dfCoYwfO
Points: 6437Please respect copyright.PENANA3yOleM2SIp
437Please respect copyright.PENANAU0M8XBXcUP
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAzRvYNyVeC1
437Please respect copyright.PENANAkAK1Z51Y7V
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAE6hs2IWV0x
437Please respect copyright.PENANADjt95iZ46O
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAaWKtvAmh5w
437Please respect copyright.PENANA5rK11HBGkH
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAO9byNrSL86
437Please respect copyright.PENANAqeNQEu1MLm
Alyson: “Yeah?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAXAC5qGx0Bw
437Please respect copyright.PENANA5vlvGyTgg7
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA4k4TCMqU83
437Please respect copyright.PENANAvfgUQ39exI
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAkFAGFjPllC
437Please respect copyright.PENANAaGd1OehTo8
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANArMKNv4jVvn
437Please respect copyright.PENANAFl2VcIWQ0O
And she closes the door in my face…
437Please respect copyright.PENANAso1ZJjiFN1
437Please respect copyright.PENANAeQJIwoPuQB
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEvt46EWJfU
437Please respect copyright.PENANAjbpler4gCm
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAoSaH2KchFQ
437Please respect copyright.PENANAZOVH1jFS4v
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAJDuBBHMBLi
437Please respect copyright.PENANAydTboQ2T0p
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAseBMSvXTxE
437Please respect copyright.PENANAGxhlUR9YlF
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAwQEz73NWNE
437Please respect copyright.PENANA8QikrLVurX
Arc: “No.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANArddk1zecjh
Learn Meditation (+2)437Please respect copyright.PENANAMlERz0usRz
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVQWrqgWyYJ
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAlhyvT0ODit
Points: 3437Please respect copyright.PENANAz101DjA4LV
437Please respect copyright.PENANAyzgirz5iMP
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAe4cUl03625
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEDENCFzmq2
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgqvtTJFDfL
437Please respect copyright.PENANAgQJnbYPRGj
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAQQkxUosmky
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVEt6h7ebqM
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAu0ZGA5LAoG
437Please respect copyright.PENANAcF6l0eS7o5
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAZz40SJz3LS
437Please respect copyright.PENANAjyCMLMFfFI
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAEfAtQspZU8
437Please respect copyright.PENANAffw4gc7PZg
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAly4Dj8H6xT
437Please respect copyright.PENANAAWdxTH4hZS
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAYZIpGI6JPI
437Please respect copyright.PENANAi1DG8lgx8Y
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAb2Il0xXPyr
437Please respect copyright.PENANAPpJuclmZA4
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA020LHbCnqO
437Please respect copyright.PENANACZr8TiR16Y
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAvwgul9LQQl
437Please respect copyright.PENANAsCyHRyySdJ
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAkFRaCdhRZd
437Please respect copyright.PENANA6rIsmZUfVa
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAETgdaFgHPv
437Please respect copyright.PENANAUjINBlGtaL
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAsd7Nu6YuyX
437Please respect copyright.PENANAiJBmB2MS3K
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAfzmdwnCKBz
437Please respect copyright.PENANAWmCBqKfbyA
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANABnsNJkPGsf
437Please respect copyright.PENANAk9LmROxxnG
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAnVAfwHlGxk
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVB8fioHOkB
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4QOyXdQ1D
437Please respect copyright.PENANAk3xAluEGeU
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAkwBjU8vD4q
437Please respect copyright.PENANAh8xUsVr6BE
Nao: “I want the best.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA1AMem91XzN
437Please respect copyright.PENANADPg55Df7Of
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAvjCe1SIBZ0
437Please respect copyright.PENANASS2dahLmVs
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANADXXx1oukVb
437Please respect copyright.PENANAsq0paEvt0Q
Nao: “Can I know why?”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAfuysvf57S9
437Please respect copyright.PENANAV1Tsg13Wsb
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAH34BnLOP7a
437Please respect copyright.PENANA5B0VexxiXJ
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANADK46tnTp6s
437Please respect copyright.PENANA0ShXqJ47NG
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA6IJqrO3xjd
437Please respect copyright.PENANAaf0lve9gtu
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANA1BvqfzlCud
437Please respect copyright.PENANAAWSl2xMOoR
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAt5wmyrvs3Z
437Please respect copyright.PENANAjvECwRE6rN
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.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANADwOGH1ilXn
437Please respect copyright.PENANAyX341DZSKc
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANA7wCyMPxw6U
437Please respect copyright.PENANAWWKQv0350Z
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAGzznslVtAr
437Please respect copyright.PENANAaJOFXtmRtN
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
437Please respect copyright.PENANAqZrNMai5ge
437Please respect copyright.PENANA6L26xP11Dq
[9:00pm]
437Please respect copyright.PENANABiXtY5UKHo
437Please respect copyright.PENANA0G1wzG5LPt
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAHRakbz2XJg
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVwleJYZ1iY
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.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAKWWaUrB4mz
437Please respect copyright.PENANAhnHlXoFD7d
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
437Please respect copyright.PENANAVvAvKf9sTx
437Please respect copyright.PENANAdICFLnnp4E
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
437Please respect copyright.PENANAzREBxNXVe9
437Please respect copyright.PENANAlSqQK2TDyY
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5437Please respect copyright.PENANAvl2Fybva5d
Endurance: 11.5437Please respect copyright.PENANA3SWg1uS1sr
Intelligence: 15.5437Please respect copyright.PENANAtKFfoEzKMl
Charisma: 18437Please respect copyright.PENANAsjLmU9nr1s
Agility: 12.5437Please respect copyright.PENANAhVkSZBw8hX
Magic: 18437Please respect copyright.PENANACyPXqQF9Bt
437Please respect copyright.PENANA7vruifYWyw
Spells:437Please respect copyright.PENANA7OvW2XMOHA
Scan437Please respect copyright.PENANAEW2QkNxGqq
Minor Illusion [Active]437Please respect copyright.PENANAwAW2qvuv81
Magic Missile437Please respect copyright.PENANAuV9hczvC5Q
Control Water437Please respect copyright.PENANAyo3RqQ2Vkd
Acid Blast 437Please respect copyright.PENANA32sz4nymkS
Shape Shift [Active]437Please respect copyright.PENANAEWlr2gu5ed
Mind Reading [Active]437Please respect copyright.PENANA7vTw4mRpl2
Paralysis437Please respect copyright.PENANATYYqiKwEqF
Basic Healing437Please respect copyright.PENANAJ48lxKUsrS
Air Bullet 437Please respect copyright.PENANAJe8lYX6Cq3