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.440Please respect copyright.PENANA0diYF8Fllk
440Please respect copyright.PENANABEQIs1JmJB
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVcIDolusXE
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAPS88PQMUob
440Please respect copyright.PENANAyKj1Ux202U
Sever: “And you are?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAGGZxXHB7m3
440Please respect copyright.PENANAJwGcIe97Vq
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAX2C48Ysxrm
440Please respect copyright.PENANATKlooEJ2X3
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA70Z9lu5HD0
440Please respect copyright.PENANAdZiv4Jo52z
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAPui73e1szd
440Please respect copyright.PENANANYtOCnNQtW
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAiHJOYXl8Xx
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQrpPL7w77V
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAdBIF0inQH7
440Please respect copyright.PENANAulb6KE0Hea
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAvyb24YVknc
440Please respect copyright.PENANAwZOPJcbNuN
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA9T4dEYSIMr
440Please respect copyright.PENANAxpsmKPkgDh
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANA2hsL4wo1Td
440Please respect copyright.PENANAcCoeAxkvAV
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAw90d2aqDm5
440Please respect copyright.PENANAaLhsm6eCCr
Sever looks me over and snickers.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAylPn4rlBqn
440Please respect copyright.PENANAbbEH4WomFZ
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAgP2qOAbWZV
440Please respect copyright.PENANANFJp2Wt2GC
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAm5FJNJz7nj
440Please respect copyright.PENANAA9xRrSdNp0
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHDonJWbY4Z
440Please respect copyright.PENANACcGhpgMwmO
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAdRvT2qo3kA
440Please respect copyright.PENANAykeul4iQA6
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAdx0RiAECDQ
440Please respect copyright.PENANAOrnLhf7XBI
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAjyZLnifSx6
440Please respect copyright.PENANAwwqOiC947Z
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAKlWJzOHc7g
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHiFRMeNBM1
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAwcpFmOOqMp
440Please respect copyright.PENANAm5eld92MJm
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANALMbqiWb67e
440Please respect copyright.PENANAtwEWjldSRR
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAA8ebpv7zXz
440Please respect copyright.PENANAigTS9mSWdH
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHorz6uAWrX
440Please respect copyright.PENANAxDbBSJdnBy
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAm5vvP9imZT
440Please respect copyright.PENANAjXGCMXVw01
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAW4Gjch1mEw
440Please respect copyright.PENANAE4a2it8yjY
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAl1X0Hp6fj0
!!!440Please respect copyright.PENANAR40gc0vhs5
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVAObqRyb0G
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAxB5WBzZfGV
440Please respect copyright.PENANATI8MfmJlYa
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAdDQJ0CphjN
440Please respect copyright.PENANAteRcp9pfqi
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAS5yJTamloh
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVhrk1jGXUA
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA4PgZCk1CcA
440Please respect copyright.PENANAhAe4QBgNLl
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQocfRUAUsT
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8Que0F0Ob9
Nao: “!”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAf5hlIq8a18
440Please respect copyright.PENANAhQ2qyPkZbZ
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
440Please respect copyright.PENANAsegADmwHPq
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHGeFk48cH9
!!!
440Please respect copyright.PENANAmOhY6c5azx
440Please respect copyright.PENANA9bUPDPcV9R
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAEmYkFWdWwk
440Please respect copyright.PENANAWluwKw944A
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHDG0fm8GYP
440Please respect copyright.PENANAGmwVDjhkCW
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA7glHe8Cqn4
440Please respect copyright.PENANAXPfyKM9nFo
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANARy8YlPyjTN
440Please respect copyright.PENANAkwP5l45orp
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAiXV8tDLuqJ
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVpLarvDgh8
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAUPt5rVuo9x
440Please respect copyright.PENANAcbSwH2mprd
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA80fx8KWxBc
440Please respect copyright.PENANAlySN7kisUJ
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAwYUGJ6Oijk
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQqh7qoxLzs
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA129wDxXESv
440Please respect copyright.PENANANciWhez4ue
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANABdnOpAgm4k
440Please respect copyright.PENANAnzLxOkZ4sc
Alyson: “…”
440Please respect copyright.PENANARCjJyyPRof
440Please respect copyright.PENANAufRO2GleiK
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANACKradyMV8x
440Please respect copyright.PENANADsrByGUFAs
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAjA2beWTQrk
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVR7XwyU8NV
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
440Please respect copyright.PENANAipLFji1uRW
440Please respect copyright.PENANAcqOfbyAV1A
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAWEHagVhZOc
440Please respect copyright.PENANAswgeW2y3Gf
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANACIVfH9e7Ck
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQIYNax4Ibk
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAMa4drrxmGz
440Please respect copyright.PENANA9AdkMH5HWe
Arc: “Get stronger.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAoBFlEjxUQd
440Please respect copyright.PENANAr9VcNn0E6P
What?
440Please respect copyright.PENANA6IhyeMrj9Q
440Please respect copyright.PENANAWjdbLBi2eQ
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA7C4ozSjP2Y
Death…440Please respect copyright.PENANAXUZoANmMkH
440Please respect copyright.PENANAN64sNUCD3L
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANArzJSHOZiGM
440Please respect copyright.PENANAp3oDIlWri8
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*440Please respect copyright.PENANAmyH67BUJA5
440Please respect copyright.PENANAAmBJni1d4G
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]440Please respect copyright.PENANAgCkohbsIio
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
440Please respect copyright.PENANAfUcd32CY9M
…What is an invader?
440Please respect copyright.PENANA5dgh6FfaTe
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQPL6w4vGWE
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAyIUq40S7Cj
440Please respect copyright.PENANA0gNgTqmKH9
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
440Please respect copyright.PENANA292rAoEmEp
440Please respect copyright.PENANA3VVY7kfn1j
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANABQNYdXhCRh
I can do that?440Please respect copyright.PENANAwaM8UeYvGm
440Please respect copyright.PENANAPJ8vMwWjn1
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAFi370jhwhn
440Please respect copyright.PENANAP2WPacN00Z
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAnPq2zPGYAS
440Please respect copyright.PENANAZEfuusjAxM
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANA819oyxMt4G
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVhf3X9fAhS
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. 440Please respect copyright.PENANAi74p9nht6p
440Please respect copyright.PENANAEpwQvlCYJV
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
440Please respect copyright.PENANACw8mkT6GK6
440Please respect copyright.PENANAGbWp1spbAD
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAdhGnxO8kYb
440Please respect copyright.PENANA7EzpY7vAbN
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAaTvkaYvSeT
440Please respect copyright.PENANABF0JK6pCMG
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8ao9DaK2Ct
440Please respect copyright.PENANAgYirhT9WRG
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAGDsBmJGomI
440Please respect copyright.PENANAhcrBHBBLle
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANADJGFmW3y5C
440Please respect copyright.PENANAPDKZJjzygQ
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAfugCSHgWI7
440Please respect copyright.PENANAYGWdUMD0Un
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAd9ZzjGjhQi
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHN4ojkwEpa
“Hey, are you alright?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAdVmoL0YGzD
440Please respect copyright.PENANAfV6tcMNL4l
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAN793QAVZ8H
440Please respect copyright.PENANAYhbSRwyR8m
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAmpSHSeXTJ3
!440Please respect copyright.PENANAzSuq0umfeJ
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8w3TfdsdNl
“Ow, what the hell?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAfOkvJDvwLl
440Please respect copyright.PENANApwkbDgAYXg
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8tDNwmthjD
440Please respect copyright.PENANAPdAez3T8N8
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANARpWJiRIMCa
440Please respect copyright.PENANA6e97QYfcRb
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAAx8YdF8n0N
440Please respect copyright.PENANAoSHNJsP3xp
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVzOrthNMsr
440Please respect copyright.PENANAJXbbNB6Djc
Wait guys, take me home!
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQl6FOXGg31
440Please respect copyright.PENANAJ80QVFLQeU
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVG180P9ITF
440Please respect copyright.PENANAIOJdbRZwkP
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
440Please respect copyright.PENANAmE4Rb3SLjg
440Please respect copyright.PENANAFRsp4L5S3t
Tallow: “Wait look.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAdBsMSTRCjq
440Please respect copyright.PENANAfdaKRgYO6p
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
440Please respect copyright.PENANA7iHT26htek
440Please respect copyright.PENANAghNk8n5y8d
Valo: “N-Nao?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAhyKLeOnYTi
440Please respect copyright.PENANAWMOdvAYm90
I nod my head as hard as I can.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAho8RVLOxAV
440Please respect copyright.PENANAeRApUWEOfx
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAxu9XmDdkwQ
440Please respect copyright.PENANAOcrnqN3hSd
Mat: “Damn.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAMgf5bDxykx
440Please respect copyright.PENANACzTNQiqdfJ
Velo: “But why?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAiKoc6bSpoo
440Please respect copyright.PENANAP5s1jVK3mT
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAaDusHaZ95b
440Please respect copyright.PENANA21n6NuI1e2
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.440Please respect copyright.PENANAXXauMPYqM0
440Please respect copyright.PENANAD5wUpGdJvD
440Please respect copyright.PENANA02P8gFUa0W
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAqdJO8intM0
440Please respect copyright.PENANAqhNZN6F2Yf
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA5uTdibHMlY
440Please respect copyright.PENANAF5k8AirwJG
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANASXFiEatyR4
440Please respect copyright.PENANAbwhq9WDcZV
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHMHehJHVlX
440Please respect copyright.PENANAv4010G6ct4
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANApDCxseKrHp
440Please respect copyright.PENANASfJNJ1Q0YL
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAa9gQXGRYgg
440Please respect copyright.PENANA0TMRje4GFq
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAaUd4uRHiUB
440Please respect copyright.PENANAxpanr6GnKV
Shape shift!
440Please respect copyright.PENANAveczuGKgDQ
440Please respect copyright.PENANAXWhxKSNnp4
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAM1Nptptcbr
440Please respect copyright.PENANAUyayDGhqJa
Mat: “What the hell!”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHj0gDwbN4Z
440Please respect copyright.PENANAqX51odEMvQ
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
440Please respect copyright.PENANABx6JBbncFe
440Please respect copyright.PENANAujrkKHsBNe
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
440Please respect copyright.PENANArhqWseYICF
440Please respect copyright.PENANAmZVcvoYLSJ
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAWPypMzbC7U
440Please respect copyright.PENANASiyiiheWCq
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA1yuiFTEpy7
440Please respect copyright.PENANAMuTCfu2Cnp
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAomttnyFnmM
440Please respect copyright.PENANAIlbVH5HJH6
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAFlqeKFU6ph
440Please respect copyright.PENANAoKnfhERCIc
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAzCSbqlPNTb
440Please respect copyright.PENANAhvy5ubriVV
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAv6MCChUF77
440Please respect copyright.PENANA0EiMTSQmIC
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
440Please respect copyright.PENANA4XC5Yyrgd1
440Please respect copyright.PENANAoSE6qvTjFb
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8U6HDtKmzw
440Please respect copyright.PENANARnzOlUPnKE
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAyAbfCIkNp6
440Please respect copyright.PENANAaQ75R7P6mH
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
440Please respect copyright.PENANATLzNpDyu6f
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQSCbxP5J9o
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA1qydw9e78u
440Please respect copyright.PENANAMMi2cYtc6V
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAS5Aiw3YLUf
440Please respect copyright.PENANA61J3RIjS4v
Everyone: “What?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAzLDi9VAxz6
440Please respect copyright.PENANA6dIPDbLyqs
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVLfCyoBIzg
440Please respect copyright.PENANAf4trtMbeUn
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAnXtORIugei
440Please respect copyright.PENANAJR8g7IjVG2
Velo: “What do we do?
440Please respect copyright.PENANAT7SVenoyl8
440Please respect copyright.PENANAvib6HRPcsP
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAeZPRtqrNrL
440Please respect copyright.PENANAnEQA8Kq3cK
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAn2NkfOF1OB
440Please respect copyright.PENANA4LhX4BkjR4
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAM4EX6uDytF
440Please respect copyright.PENANAI1Q76RebWy
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA1XI3cOQOjr
440Please respect copyright.PENANA4zDzfQKB9K
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAN1yBjW0QU6
440Please respect copyright.PENANAbTllwYRZYr
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…
440Please respect copyright.PENANATiXmdRz3yx
440Please respect copyright.PENANA2z3U4I5S9H
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANA6FQDF2wikf
440Please respect copyright.PENANApVflCcCEfW
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAYfwAXArxBS
440Please respect copyright.PENANA5a9c4n4jsY
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAJ9W2UfS43T
440Please respect copyright.PENANA24Sf12zi6z
Anthony: “Why?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAs43yjkBtga
440Please respect copyright.PENANAhLm3W9b7dd
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAS8zD7Dh4tz
440Please respect copyright.PENANAv8OUbMPH8V
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAK5rRIh014k
440Please respect copyright.PENANACk1R1Vib2N
Nao: “Ummm…”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA83dCNHekzH
440Please respect copyright.PENANAW1iciOnRaY
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
440Please respect copyright.PENANANLQ3jdxMiN
440Please respect copyright.PENANA4WL8NXncVl
Air Bullet (6)440Please respect copyright.PENANAaRsO0eX0bn
440Please respect copyright.PENANAhDf9fcgRwV
440Please respect copyright.PENANA10rLaLAIrK
That doesn’t sound too bad.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAwqpCFVx6Qo
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8gragGhT1J
Nao: “Air bullet.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA9EFFB0Vn7y
440Please respect copyright.PENANA4BbYmLWUU3
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAaTW9cGSCpd
Points: 1440Please respect copyright.PENANAGmJfB0eJPv
440Please respect copyright.PENANAwc5PkW7YtT
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANADWFlSMOlAR
440Please respect copyright.PENANAGWdV9MVe20
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8UVW3llaFK
440Please respect copyright.PENANAYPqkQ0adAN
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANANUHcnWazpQ
440Please respect copyright.PENANAB4kTAXSVy6
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANABj8sE8VzhH
440Please respect copyright.PENANAKdwth8fa06
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA1cthMl3V47
440Please respect copyright.PENANAczs5Uda9TK
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAFrF4o83u1Z
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVjHf2jq6w8
Nao: “Illusions.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAKWm65zj6sD
440Please respect copyright.PENANAgWGrEOIYJT
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAF36xbKknU9
440Please respect copyright.PENANACjQmjRIT5Q
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAbXXi36g9Zm
440Please respect copyright.PENANAy8oKZMNCrN
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAmEnyTohWAx
440Please respect copyright.PENANAtRALROMhX0
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA6zmBKLdar9
440Please respect copyright.PENANAzQfcE1TGQv
We?
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQmlS1yeaQj
440Please respect copyright.PENANAm1SriA7qvo
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAa02tf2CwVP
440Please respect copyright.PENANAB8T4qZYT9F
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAtcZ3Go6bWy
440Please respect copyright.PENANAiKGMlJUmxZ
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAy4VOifQjHj
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8eBJNYLXav
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAmyYGcaBiN3
440Please respect copyright.PENANA2385KqIXl9
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANANArRSopE4X
440Please respect copyright.PENANAgCQ1BtmGyT
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAIeDFDXn5H3
440Please respect copyright.PENANA6TOKvztmUH
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAcI7peKqQ0M
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8slb6ytBkt
Nell: “Of course.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAuGug2vez0k
440Please respect copyright.PENANAh5nJLtHGAt
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAR6PDX0JCBX
440Please respect copyright.PENANAbClN3YC9t7
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAppuBiRrKkh
440Please respect copyright.PENANAj9a6tIU1Wd
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAqD9pVc0gc4
440Please respect copyright.PENANAa3SVriyNII
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA0Wnq7edP9R
440Please respect copyright.PENANASzXt8BiDdc
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANATTSGaTWixs
440Please respect copyright.PENANAs2WksURE9E
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAdFfHhYHKpt
440Please respect copyright.PENANAnEwCmljJKT
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8n7vy0L2YW
440Please respect copyright.PENANAvisbnmQWWw
Nao: “Sure thing.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAixgt01NFlD
440Please respect copyright.PENANAPm2MPKG8JI
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHqbKMSYDfc
440Please respect copyright.PENANAFYa0ZSX0sF
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
440Please respect copyright.PENANArG29ZuqkgN
440Please respect copyright.PENANAmAbt345CGQ
Arc: “Do it.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHiMl8xHthI
440Please respect copyright.PENANAsqDnesteoT
But-
440Please respect copyright.PENANAETNbuSxrwp
440Please respect copyright.PENANA0Cv942hx0X
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQG4Ksw53ah
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHFYpcXtEOn
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANACAIgHvMuuE
440Please respect copyright.PENANA7oWSorjNBD
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAqj4wajdQeF
440Please respect copyright.PENANAcmAbyTsS8I
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA19EVFqfEd9
440Please respect copyright.PENANAo2OzbufblV
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA70HLWTxHg7
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8TiPWgwH6J
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA2QK0ovDR46
440Please respect copyright.PENANAmXE3pXkJsD
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
440Please respect copyright.PENANA4YKzWg1FdX
440Please respect copyright.PENANAUFQnpZxzku
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAZAnHcOGtMA
440Please respect copyright.PENANANA8QNxU0xp
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAUHRP81GfLX
440Please respect copyright.PENANApxCjagcK0P
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA86ewRdj4Rk
440Please respect copyright.PENANA3OkpXf12tX
Valo: “You should take a break.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAg2tuZI0BMT
440Please respect copyright.PENANADaS1ZzdL4f
Nao: “Ummm…”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA2KDj6BpWby
440Please respect copyright.PENANAUpNtWTLuPY
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAIS1xKWWHzX
440Please respect copyright.PENANA5xgDU9TktJ
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAmoPK7LWQ5Y
440Please respect copyright.PENANADHHOxEft9l
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAeo7CrxqvCM
440Please respect copyright.PENANA3m9G03ndzU
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.440Please respect copyright.PENANAu0anXWzI8O
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVwDuWet5Hs
*Ding*
440Please respect copyright.PENANA7j7hfSBTxS
Points: 3440Please respect copyright.PENANAJgrZvzToUs
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQrvNuvaVe1
And that’s 10 spells a day!440Please respect copyright.PENANAKWKQIIhfjJ
440Please respect copyright.PENANAzbbBkFYEOh
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQUO1zuSOqy
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHoLUXTOrqV
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHSLUHL86Rl
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAXHv6OfS2p0
440Please respect copyright.PENANA9hqVIzGVuj
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAwqT4ZQqcZf
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHdebveMiih
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
440Please respect copyright.PENANArA5LINY5Gu
440Please respect copyright.PENANAShWaX5mh01
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA3bMCXFGKxR
440Please respect copyright.PENANATdH2js81Tn
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.440Please respect copyright.PENANACsXFCwmqps
440Please respect copyright.PENANAmObCgY4IKb
440Please respect copyright.PENANA0E6gnjrbAI
Arc: “You know what to do.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAu1LxxsFWab
440Please respect copyright.PENANA180kg26dj7
Nao: “…I know.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA4n4XGB3s2A
440Please respect copyright.PENANA0RAXUlj5Xm
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]440Please respect copyright.PENANAi95qWiPumS
440Please respect copyright.PENANA48wSgvOjNB
*Ding*
440Please respect copyright.PENANAK90UtTXWiy
Points: 6440Please respect copyright.PENANAmIRD0XRuWA
440Please respect copyright.PENANAzU302BkphH
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
440Please respect copyright.PENANA5EShMhprbu
440Please respect copyright.PENANAL5KNSGNuEv
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAL7Hkz6xugk
440Please respect copyright.PENANAemoB7J8uy8
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
440Please respect copyright.PENANARqxZ74o1oO
440Please respect copyright.PENANAABqLw7bO84
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAKfZZAdnVN2
440Please respect copyright.PENANAN0Y1sTgOAY
Alyson: “Yeah?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAg58ElFPZ5Y
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQkrdE0oZ4W
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAjRmPqgrMIj
440Please respect copyright.PENANA7KyP0hsRzh
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANArFkvn9B9cJ
440Please respect copyright.PENANAA9riycz2j2
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANATHhWB4oFuh
440Please respect copyright.PENANAIfmT3jlSwA
And she closes the door in my face…
440Please respect copyright.PENANAf2rj54LVGd
440Please respect copyright.PENANArkd6VhHli1
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAJnoEjcJEJF
440Please respect copyright.PENANAt5VpbQsIX1
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAZclyFnlXH7
440Please respect copyright.PENANAcATiDiobXm
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAAOQoCpTfL7
440Please respect copyright.PENANArM84zrt2qq
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANACeO7TPODtt
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQUwmFqLMEi
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAAvt5fEsU4Q
440Please respect copyright.PENANA7JxraWnCJW
Arc: “No.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANADckjcAO3uk
Learn Meditation (+2)440Please respect copyright.PENANAR7BtbnChc0
440Please respect copyright.PENANAtQ1KJptOuv
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANACKZgSoM1Zv
Points: 3440Please respect copyright.PENANA0WnjZa03vX
440Please respect copyright.PENANAppHc4NisE9
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA5BMV3ATazm
440Please respect copyright.PENANANQTG3Aumrq
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAFcjeYMnJJh
440Please respect copyright.PENANAPHAsgxul66
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAQfqCi2SvV2
440Please respect copyright.PENANAw1QIpWhS6x
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAGhFw0nuh2z
440Please respect copyright.PENANAItoRkPXrnb
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAaBM9HP22Ff
440Please respect copyright.PENANARJVMcEgb7o
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAGnEZSMKMt1
440Please respect copyright.PENANAHdD86MurKC
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA4pncuLV1QP
440Please respect copyright.PENANAIqdwyKb1cI
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANABV0zAjtVXK
440Please respect copyright.PENANAfxGHjVLu6D
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANANydW66VdDS
440Please respect copyright.PENANADuvXuWA8KY
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAtFgG3wnwKH
440Please respect copyright.PENANAkYUMwJkeYJ
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA7f6srjwOEZ
440Please respect copyright.PENANAkPB9IsUS58
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAxGq0dY7YnE
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVlnb86roXq
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAOo7J0diSLf
440Please respect copyright.PENANAGcdrWKKzcm
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAuJX5OxruN7
440Please respect copyright.PENANAfkqIDyExWB
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAn7h5INvIlJ
440Please respect copyright.PENANAcvGKJbDCDs
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAI2T0SYmwDN
440Please respect copyright.PENANAVTsPxsuTIY
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAKC36op8M08
440Please respect copyright.PENANAM1kg9WdefJ
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAcHWIC50vBV
440Please respect copyright.PENANA94oSiEzokQ
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA4CJzQzUXLA
440Please respect copyright.PENANAs4z1yQWFQP
Nao: “I want the best.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAwdMNpG961D
440Please respect copyright.PENANACTyq4f9nZ8
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAld9dHv391M
440Please respect copyright.PENANAOruueiyn2E
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA3RCRCSu8X3
440Please respect copyright.PENANAdy9cvIH5ed
Nao: “Can I know why?”
440Please respect copyright.PENANANHIARTBwpG
440Please respect copyright.PENANAH19mbNAlZv
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANALaXRTwRRBy
440Please respect copyright.PENANAnGA3jvl36G
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAYob98DzLNj
440Please respect copyright.PENANA2tzfvJBQpJ
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAogdYiHFRVl
440Please respect copyright.PENANAy64MPmEQNf
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAtANsxbk4Xc
440Please respect copyright.PENANAcpVlRmCQQy
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAbWdWoaHCyC
440Please respect copyright.PENANA9DI4m2SOFF
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.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANA8OaKuL3PsQ
440Please respect copyright.PENANA9lwbVb9K09
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAT2gjtWnmQ1
440Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8tTuflo9J
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAXa6vOBeTf1
440Please respect copyright.PENANAJxjWzq3O4S
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
440Please respect copyright.PENANAibRMMHDwPf
440Please respect copyright.PENANAFbqOti7h1P
[9:00pm]
440Please respect copyright.PENANA3W0BzENXme
440Please respect copyright.PENANACmUrDHSogo
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZvfQUG1kL
440Please respect copyright.PENANAJXXrCghP9j
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.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAy8zMOesTSd
440Please respect copyright.PENANAZF95c5TRui
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
440Please respect copyright.PENANAuAceT901vn
440Please respect copyright.PENANAoP1hrTOXGQ
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
440Please respect copyright.PENANAf5qGk11cl3
440Please respect copyright.PENANAEamcALXz8u
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5440Please respect copyright.PENANA0ZuMNr1Anp
Endurance: 11.5440Please respect copyright.PENANAwJtHDI8Vz6
Intelligence: 15.5440Please respect copyright.PENANAhuVItomdeX
Charisma: 18440Please respect copyright.PENANAjP3RknCJNc
Agility: 12.5440Please respect copyright.PENANAaCt1FfEMqf
Magic: 18440Please respect copyright.PENANA2j8Fxt9roL
440Please respect copyright.PENANAy4nc6HXBpQ
Spells:440Please respect copyright.PENANAndVKXW5zAE
Scan440Please respect copyright.PENANAj4aWfJfc55
Minor Illusion [Active]440Please respect copyright.PENANAnxOqlPVzge
Magic Missile440Please respect copyright.PENANA4UWG0HgdPn
Control Water440Please respect copyright.PENANANgc0sS2IUW
Acid Blast 440Please respect copyright.PENANA238aKXY26t
Shape Shift [Active]440Please respect copyright.PENANAIIGdkaqbwZ
Mind Reading [Active]440Please respect copyright.PENANAfJ0In7iG5e
Paralysis440Please respect copyright.PENANAD9ivBKJPSj
Basic Healing440Please respect copyright.PENANAWMlHBS9RvX
Air Bullet 440Please respect copyright.PENANAED416ZS14a