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.436Please respect copyright.PENANAcccPGKBLk1
436Please respect copyright.PENANARto9OUc3GD
436Please respect copyright.PENANAC87dC1QTtc
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAInwJNyiRTh
436Please respect copyright.PENANAftUq5rPonq
Sever: “And you are?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA30kTD6m87f
436Please respect copyright.PENANA7H9QQd5JEq
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAOPsF9ghiCk
436Please respect copyright.PENANAfPgVW2ombR
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAOOObSyn4KL
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6OsCndKKNL
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA7FpoyavSYi
436Please respect copyright.PENANAfbhcNHxRDS
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAFwIXKgcGr6
436Please respect copyright.PENANAkvTpbkTNFj
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAMDIheAxOQA
436Please respect copyright.PENANAdcwKKUrKpm
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAF6tqU5ujOk
436Please respect copyright.PENANATj1B6xr7k1
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAkeabdAsV5g
436Please respect copyright.PENANA45NQCiYPBp
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAaYY7tb3rd1
436Please respect copyright.PENANAOvM1J1q0rC
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA8MG9IS9l1T
436Please respect copyright.PENANApov9aAa2qK
Sever looks me over and snickers.
436Please respect copyright.PENANACO097XKKJE
436Please respect copyright.PENANASt3ieIirno
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6exnkvZ84d
436Please respect copyright.PENANAll70HUioCg
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAghDW9P9pRV
436Please respect copyright.PENANAzdxCCXs5YA
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
436Please respect copyright.PENANAsnODRCV4Ux
436Please respect copyright.PENANAqW762eOhiX
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAMDySv6oZzH
436Please respect copyright.PENANAWLazK5yQut
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAKPsPxkfZJU
436Please respect copyright.PENANAb6MrpfNKWn
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA4P16AhzRkD
436Please respect copyright.PENANAoBuLEcxkto
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANARsI8VT7nzq
436Please respect copyright.PENANA798njuzH6B
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAESngu70R2o
436Please respect copyright.PENANAEiyhvyVEG7
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAeFI8ZRsWUi
436Please respect copyright.PENANAj8yDdhhmGX
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAK6dz25cy7s
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZmztHrF4BO
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAwPncGcFUQR
436Please respect copyright.PENANAX9HaxtEma7
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAuZEOlD6uTt
436Please respect copyright.PENANApyHTIdJXwz
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAt7c5LUhiKP
436Please respect copyright.PENANAJwAjZGk4fc
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAj7U7wAWC72
!!!436Please respect copyright.PENANAA1tI3FGLp2
436Please respect copyright.PENANAvUZJjQcz72
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANArvpEHNfpBA
436Please respect copyright.PENANA3GhQ1mdmM1
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAi6rcoJ9hmC
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZUEa78uKZH
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAwsvcQDXhkA
436Please respect copyright.PENANA55ikXNSAdP
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAeJyHoTgq0K
436Please respect copyright.PENANAMr9hKulNmo
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAiyfcm52eWa
436Please respect copyright.PENANAgSgj0uzGIe
Nao: “!”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAxkVRUFH8jJ
436Please respect copyright.PENANA7NoiA85ARQ
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
436Please respect copyright.PENANAoca8uA3n5l
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZfeVxC6UC6
!!!
436Please respect copyright.PENANApjbyTtl4rD
436Please respect copyright.PENANAQZyevBk62v
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
436Please respect copyright.PENANARoQnhk9o2O
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6xY67Ep73S
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA2CP1uDRGDl
436Please respect copyright.PENANAau67uZK9aS
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAhXiZojRoDV
436Please respect copyright.PENANAOCTPbyyiwA
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAUq89vEdc9x
436Please respect copyright.PENANAlQomwr6RF3
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANALmH5EHqR6m
436Please respect copyright.PENANAwiUAGImrwY
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAmQkIzDZvOo
436Please respect copyright.PENANA4S9kRLnZ7o
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAGIKEvpfCMG
436Please respect copyright.PENANAiZF4McfQxV
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAhBKZ6ZJXyR
436Please respect copyright.PENANAdYzRAlMbM0
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAyDiZHSmmQP
436Please respect copyright.PENANAKteJIZm7WV
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAkCTaUByfAl
436Please respect copyright.PENANAIPIO2UuWjA
Alyson: “…”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAs3yXmK73Uq
436Please respect copyright.PENANAVrHxXcwGyM
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAJBc4Oiqt3q
436Please respect copyright.PENANAPBGkbuFnx8
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAv0OX5Hgcex
436Please respect copyright.PENANAguxQ7Tvv1S
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
436Please respect copyright.PENANAHKnU1NAXQi
436Please respect copyright.PENANAswmaFkjB7w
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANARS5pyeWy4Z
436Please respect copyright.PENANAy2zCyprm73
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA3lv7nNBwJu
436Please respect copyright.PENANA2nw4O71guP
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAXQs1Fz9WRm
436Please respect copyright.PENANA4kqcj571NY
Arc: “Get stronger.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAGMm5dWpZtq
436Please respect copyright.PENANAQZvf8tmxuJ
What?
436Please respect copyright.PENANAxNsPJ250QA
436Please respect copyright.PENANARB4NcLHnBz
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAgW7hF65MXk
Death…436Please respect copyright.PENANAfisCH0txTi
436Please respect copyright.PENANAXhPqwhqjHj
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANA4WTPJnUb2t
436Please respect copyright.PENANAn0tCGzABpT
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*436Please respect copyright.PENANAapKTJ0c5Ir
436Please respect copyright.PENANArO80WIZoe6
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]436Please respect copyright.PENANAsMetIUC4ur
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
436Please respect copyright.PENANAvHv20afqQa
…What is an invader?
436Please respect copyright.PENANAvwYuujF1W0
436Please respect copyright.PENANAj6zl3cCkcx
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAh3HcoFzJMD
436Please respect copyright.PENANAwyZ8oMhqZg
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAHU3RMmSOPD
436Please respect copyright.PENANAOwafqTNwKJ
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAsXunmnHCnw
I can do that?436Please respect copyright.PENANAlGWOgokNAI
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6fA99Ju0K9
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA9kqknP3YXU
436Please respect copyright.PENANA71EibEesXv
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAdwfMW3deHC
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6lbWepeDzA
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAaNzHazNltz
436Please respect copyright.PENANAYMXEn9lm8E
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. 436Please respect copyright.PENANA1dkx6AfFd3
436Please respect copyright.PENANAnE7VIaoLlV
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
436Please respect copyright.PENANAhzpfQ0WuYq
436Please respect copyright.PENANArPOvJjgU9D
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAiRdGA1UWI5
436Please respect copyright.PENANAaw6Mo6jlcP
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANA9RVwNLza60
436Please respect copyright.PENANA8o8U4D6o5K
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAXfi2FfzI3V
436Please respect copyright.PENANA4UGiK7EjIF
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANASRYAompJPe
436Please respect copyright.PENANAR2ZOKUXlSq
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAsi0HcgMMWy
436Please respect copyright.PENANAql0nplu2X5
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANARbhTQwF7mB
436Please respect copyright.PENANAC7wZ91qsMi
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
436Please respect copyright.PENANArVkOTjHbiF
436Please respect copyright.PENANAAD4usPzF1F
“Hey, are you alright?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAuvrtWKZZqG
436Please respect copyright.PENANAiiqJDac5is
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANA8rt2kyzJOJ
436Please respect copyright.PENANABbfeuAqoAx
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAfcKQqytU0H
!436Please respect copyright.PENANAexvODE6rGR
436Please respect copyright.PENANAc3KreYEQaT
“Ow, what the hell?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAoRGxQzbGey
436Please respect copyright.PENANAGODNiebw3p
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAdK9nRxEb3M
436Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0XdPkHnu1
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAAWG1GMXICR
436Please respect copyright.PENANAazSgnroOsc
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
436Please respect copyright.PENANA0FI1jF003k
436Please respect copyright.PENANAwOgyD6KC74
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANASrd0AeB2px
436Please respect copyright.PENANAetcpT3Xddv
Wait guys, take me home!
436Please respect copyright.PENANAsvej4G7RMU
436Please respect copyright.PENANAooalhiXgVv
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAzNK4TOh7e4
436Please respect copyright.PENANARdzhVNKYF4
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
436Please respect copyright.PENANADId6eYK6YN
436Please respect copyright.PENANA3ebNTu6POP
Tallow: “Wait look.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAbD0kvMwF4f
436Please respect copyright.PENANAPf5xQmCVsr
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAk2nP6dRASe
436Please respect copyright.PENANAroxpvbQOL7
Valo: “N-Nao?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAq9c1MraIbw
436Please respect copyright.PENANAhvPljgxRfU
I nod my head as hard as I can.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAf1vOmfjvwo
436Please respect copyright.PENANAifcYCpdjcd
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAHwqZmifnYZ
436Please respect copyright.PENANAEgPUjJSIfI
Mat: “Damn.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAtAhKCDBv8W
436Please respect copyright.PENANAB7g0qxjMrS
Velo: “But why?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAhMSBhfIQQp
436Please respect copyright.PENANAyi5ZkpQJYk
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAc6whZGkAB3
436Please respect copyright.PENANAWPS8GOXAzI
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.436Please respect copyright.PENANACpKRE6BFdw
436Please respect copyright.PENANAxUWrBPfDDn
436Please respect copyright.PENANAD9DFvJZ6Uq
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAsL5PrjNEHr
436Please respect copyright.PENANAPBfHMPJP5Q
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANATcM62gpD9Y
436Please respect copyright.PENANAjBs8akZecf
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAJro6yDp7UE
436Please respect copyright.PENANALWs28uPuMp
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAYIATusob5G
436Please respect copyright.PENANAUgrykaUs22
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6OKA2Rd6xX
436Please respect copyright.PENANACZY6Nh1Qr1
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAPg6Zck3TwS
436Please respect copyright.PENANATjBfZhA1Y9
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANA7oLQjR26r1
436Please respect copyright.PENANAPJgy7lQ8am
Shape shift!
436Please respect copyright.PENANAxvm1qlj9Bl
436Please respect copyright.PENANAlNu7smbUEY
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAf5tPTUWiI9
436Please respect copyright.PENANAmaLWsYTrk1
Mat: “What the hell!”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAwjKqNmNuaD
436Please respect copyright.PENANADJfNif2Fg6
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAy1ytIWzHzI
436Please respect copyright.PENANAO5rxnl9sLR
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAAz344MIwqw
436Please respect copyright.PENANAiTxzfbeiWU
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAVW1z7WnEMx
436Please respect copyright.PENANAnTBuPWG8R3
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
436Please respect copyright.PENANApq9qraQJyO
436Please respect copyright.PENANAMRu7INbvqw
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAXEL3PdjMgs
436Please respect copyright.PENANAHH852OjyDS
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAz9pvPhZyGQ
436Please respect copyright.PENANAjsmOfalXeN
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAAJBkt1pwTl
436Please respect copyright.PENANAxd82TlQrxG
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAthKEYZPYyO
436Please respect copyright.PENANAhmPJOtgjfd
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAoEC0GjbnsW
436Please respect copyright.PENANAM6yyJcRLJg
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAA27daFqNOF
436Please respect copyright.PENANAY7O6nbyJSP
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANADo29id3bvA
436Please respect copyright.PENANAO1PDaZTBcb
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
436Please respect copyright.PENANA8a0okMGJKU
436Please respect copyright.PENANAzQOAE80Fut
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANADzQKctKuHL
436Please respect copyright.PENANAshOyYyTAVr
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAKwusHK8y4F
436Please respect copyright.PENANASc9eIS1i0t
Everyone: “What?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA4tN4P03YOg
436Please respect copyright.PENANAtMiV2DuiQc
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAswtNaprQMY
436Please respect copyright.PENANAvQGbjdWW8u
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
436Please respect copyright.PENANASaM51LJp1C
436Please respect copyright.PENANAxGX8xnBzO3
Velo: “What do we do?
436Please respect copyright.PENANAakqREiDbWN
436Please respect copyright.PENANA2eir02ecJu
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAa6J0HRBlwL
436Please respect copyright.PENANAszcOQVctAk
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZLS74J3vMb
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6HOQaFsJgx
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAjgIJI5ui9Y
436Please respect copyright.PENANAi5I2zVQv4j
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAGzZ9j784Eb
436Please respect copyright.PENANAJ02MWs6cpe
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAEF9XwaMkOb
436Please respect copyright.PENANACEUINapJ0z
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…
436Please respect copyright.PENANAReqK778nrk
436Please respect copyright.PENANAI6koj2mmZT
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZgQQXkGhaE
436Please respect copyright.PENANAFUXJqFdaU7
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAsBlj39HlVR
436Please respect copyright.PENANA3sIC8vc3CR
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAJiAAqJMHjC
436Please respect copyright.PENANAF0peKATnHR
Anthony: “Why?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANANmdqMvG8gH
436Please respect copyright.PENANAnA2rFlIRgX
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAnmsX0NghKS
436Please respect copyright.PENANAoHD62x8E67
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAUZD0UxomQn
436Please respect copyright.PENANA8PoFvKnicx
Nao: “Ummm…”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAUsATO00jXY
436Please respect copyright.PENANAYGyCt46Nh0
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
436Please respect copyright.PENANAUhUWyaYEYb
436Please respect copyright.PENANAndunvp5PVQ
Air Bullet (6)436Please respect copyright.PENANAX6bSld1ScX
436Please respect copyright.PENANAauVCJgBekM
436Please respect copyright.PENANAcwqYy9l6w1
That doesn’t sound too bad.
436Please respect copyright.PENANASX5DgF9lZu
436Please respect copyright.PENANAqEv20bNrQO
Nao: “Air bullet.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA72g96uQ82W
436Please respect copyright.PENANAANHtiC62qi
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA7vWXX4NXi7
Points: 1436Please respect copyright.PENANAkAyvNduAan
436Please respect copyright.PENANAd2W76kzhBs
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAYjoAf5VPm1
436Please respect copyright.PENANArRDlxMWdaB
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZVaJujEFmo
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6KBA2SeRP0
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAP3fOqhLVwW
436Please respect copyright.PENANAtCzBLUtB0a
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAu1H77SGQkE
436Please respect copyright.PENANAbHEuXkYcoL
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANATtdWNR2Icz
436Please respect copyright.PENANA0osIDBQe0t
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAlsDbSEN8TQ
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6AAjP5X2yX
Nao: “Illusions.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAr2u3MUDNTT
436Please respect copyright.PENANAvmBd4YnhK6
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAG3UA2zDL0k
436Please respect copyright.PENANA0Myd0e1iwv
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAN3Wt5Qjpi8
436Please respect copyright.PENANAsYCMq3nDFs
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
436Please respect copyright.PENANA93rCbU9pJn
436Please respect copyright.PENANAXLgEPmzHGY
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAFqoo2Jgi9Z
436Please respect copyright.PENANAT1HmlhgXfT
We?
436Please respect copyright.PENANAdGf8xIBzJL
436Please respect copyright.PENANASd9nVWcYkE
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAoYhptPkB99
436Please respect copyright.PENANAIeW0dOg0J2
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAkm6UwPgv41
436Please respect copyright.PENANAU2ddvQc4AT
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAfNdr0wQDxe
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZao46QFOyO
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAOhbi9PL80J
436Please respect copyright.PENANAQpSUlbbWeU
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA88hNjver9t
436Please respect copyright.PENANA5BPWzVQwWQ
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAGPmezo05cR
436Please respect copyright.PENANAy9dyhMHfHc
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAYlpR3dZARF
436Please respect copyright.PENANAiToZ4tlZvp
Nell: “Of course.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAkVW8LHlbWg
436Please respect copyright.PENANAG6pfaP57xR
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAmEnr1O2TgT
436Please respect copyright.PENANASHdCKk88Lt
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZBFpIivxTv
436Please respect copyright.PENANAfEAXdVX5YC
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANATqvxFLDu76
436Please respect copyright.PENANAluCjUUgDbl
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAVesJtOuYrD
436Please respect copyright.PENANAqmWMlaLOM6
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANA92bWrHR9FD
436Please respect copyright.PENANALP0V0ADiO1
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAKuqGLFeTOl
436Please respect copyright.PENANAmpoUR9L98x
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAj5DI8QDZkC
436Please respect copyright.PENANAGq6uKCFFMl
Nao: “Sure thing.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANALYA4z1vPJy
436Please respect copyright.PENANAg8iJf0mf4F
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAPOhaWb8c3N
436Please respect copyright.PENANASAiM93WPT7
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
436Please respect copyright.PENANAsXM1do5A4V
436Please respect copyright.PENANA82tHj60jls
Arc: “Do it.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA9V5UcmH4CK
436Please respect copyright.PENANAtSFPvq9iQn
But-
436Please respect copyright.PENANA3z4vPe3cYo
436Please respect copyright.PENANATh308AU4iH
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANALX4vdKM2Ir
436Please respect copyright.PENANAS7AzMkzkVo
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAK9lk3Fl00K
436Please respect copyright.PENANATJE27cgv8O
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZ57AXlfZ5E
436Please respect copyright.PENANAWC8JNrkZaF
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAy3Y2zmZ4W3
436Please respect copyright.PENANANHdF5UQEHH
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAzgRSl3j8ZB
436Please respect copyright.PENANAr2fnNb28ky
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANABv9ezLOmqk
436Please respect copyright.PENANA7XWDRgHRCP
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
436Please respect copyright.PENANAeByy3Sv8hW
436Please respect copyright.PENANAfmw6LYXscv
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAe3TRCtoPFC
436Please respect copyright.PENANAwrexzKKqt1
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA3DwaYiqWLI
436Please respect copyright.PENANAiRySuek67W
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANASDG2g11uWS
436Please respect copyright.PENANACMzG9iuTnf
Valo: “You should take a break.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANATbCY9ikiMq
436Please respect copyright.PENANAnHTXhZqVeB
Nao: “Ummm…”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAUMD8GqfjW7
436Please respect copyright.PENANAgrpNgKvb3M
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAS8mV4fRJlx
436Please respect copyright.PENANAikqkrxQrZm
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANACRoXaIYXPb
436Please respect copyright.PENANADj2DMSb06t
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAULRL05IR3k
436Please respect copyright.PENANAPleTKOB8lt
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.436Please respect copyright.PENANAACN1OA4O7i
436Please respect copyright.PENANAYQoR2arC7v
*Ding*
436Please respect copyright.PENANAfjRwmuLB5T
Points: 3436Please respect copyright.PENANA0E3lff27Gq
436Please respect copyright.PENANAjk3iVwYNvM
And that’s 10 spells a day!436Please respect copyright.PENANAuqbMtFZGQS
436Please respect copyright.PENANAYUOsfHfmu6
436Please respect copyright.PENANAV0FT9Xkw27
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAHMnKTPE9AI
436Please respect copyright.PENANAW9RBM8p1g3
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAReaYhllK4g
436Please respect copyright.PENANAyhEnLVXAV5
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAzUuRuchaiY
436Please respect copyright.PENANAj2My3DQrVK
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
436Please respect copyright.PENANA3cfQofHh4y
436Please respect copyright.PENANAnDZffI3kdJ
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAgJDJwZWXI2
436Please respect copyright.PENANAuZjUF0JbBb
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.436Please respect copyright.PENANAPxcgkxspdA
436Please respect copyright.PENANAXfXk8fsOiZ
436Please respect copyright.PENANAtUQZEyVI0J
Arc: “You know what to do.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAaQOgoIAlKg
436Please respect copyright.PENANAcxFWBsHNXT
Nao: “…I know.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAskNAuOPGB8
436Please respect copyright.PENANAQObtao2tXP
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]436Please respect copyright.PENANAjIO2mNdCpa
436Please respect copyright.PENANA4bfi9gnWbR
*Ding*
436Please respect copyright.PENANAhIiPLphncm
Points: 6436Please respect copyright.PENANAu6Mv0Ztm5b
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZUH3BkxzFP
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
436Please respect copyright.PENANA3iYLKMzEjL
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZibgadzjZF
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ih4jcWsT6
436Please respect copyright.PENANAodA0rD5yVL
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAwU8ze1GuAg
436Please respect copyright.PENANAAT5LjojO2K
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAr55NDoWETW
436Please respect copyright.PENANAkmZSFIWhWB
Alyson: “Yeah?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAaYuhF6fjZf
436Please respect copyright.PENANA9MVWSY9I8f
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA0Bbg8D00yn
436Please respect copyright.PENANAWzrL3oncxl
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAUsWsv2d64C
436Please respect copyright.PENANAUrCiDJOJVN
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAjWGLzZazr4
436Please respect copyright.PENANAQ8lUXXzApN
And she closes the door in my face…
436Please respect copyright.PENANAbLpAO4Ihrb
436Please respect copyright.PENANAs3rFtNHjjv
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAO5haB3BVWi
436Please respect copyright.PENANAWCyKKOlGqq
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAs4550SjoDW
436Please respect copyright.PENANAkiyxlNjyTn
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAdxXVnXj7QQ
436Please respect copyright.PENANA1SXvKioqQF
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANADdUOFLr4Pr
436Please respect copyright.PENANArrPSFoB3Gw
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA5ZQW1y5G6g
436Please respect copyright.PENANAM1ypq61nek
Arc: “No.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAy3g6cgtuCS
Learn Meditation (+2)436Please respect copyright.PENANAXtK2reGz8J
436Please respect copyright.PENANApcbXFsjSFM
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAcH0hlTMs76
Points: 3436Please respect copyright.PENANAUShDZvNwuq
436Please respect copyright.PENANAaSVNc6NEsD
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAyqjkMkaTCg
436Please respect copyright.PENANAa5KqmsRhd2
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAMXVLAAVhl5
436Please respect copyright.PENANADG5jhTjzSc
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANALPGCcT8Lmx
436Please respect copyright.PENANA8oQGzUgt8U
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA1bsUSKvuMF
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZOOP8iEbvj
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAmvC7QEztyf
436Please respect copyright.PENANAU3FXLevqI8
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANApXqEaJohMh
436Please respect copyright.PENANAoNmEGh6KN2
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA3yuG7ijig7
436Please respect copyright.PENANASe3R5Wepts
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAIJso6wC7fP
436Please respect copyright.PENANAnnOfndehZD
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA04m4TTb8br
436Please respect copyright.PENANADI0M8bHBj0
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAKX2vp9b6bf
436Please respect copyright.PENANA0tsFycujGU
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAEuIB8yBP1I
436Please respect copyright.PENANAzL3pFwHH6b
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAd0kRbO4BVV
436Please respect copyright.PENANAhxotBVHWIg
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAqIoNR4OH3o
436Please respect copyright.PENANAPJEI87k988
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA0c7kWf3Dyd
436Please respect copyright.PENANAGQDMzRxFjT
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAQuMdC6ohbF
436Please respect copyright.PENANAPcKVxh1p6v
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAF5hG5mVMFI
436Please respect copyright.PENANAkGEqumHA5s
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ip2zw20ES
436Please respect copyright.PENANAoadBLFbimz
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAorS59BxlSx
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6eRFrnRVHX
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAdXM2an8ayd
436Please respect copyright.PENANAE8knUQ9I9c
Nao: “I want the best.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA6AdnShM02m
436Please respect copyright.PENANAjrnqX0KLPZ
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANA1kW6874apg
436Please respect copyright.PENANA3d0AoOT6ZJ
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAoNFJPztMxT
436Please respect copyright.PENANA8NAXTJ05PY
Nao: “Can I know why?”
436Please respect copyright.PENANASNAxcKaQnE
436Please respect copyright.PENANAsfSKGQIukt
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANACYXz5uJ9su
436Please respect copyright.PENANAZMaNPtmmmO
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAdUXJvMwvho
436Please respect copyright.PENANABAvisFi76O
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAOHpk2Yq6Qb
436Please respect copyright.PENANAfxdXVJLIGw
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAMPH8eD1Re6
436Please respect copyright.PENANAdQnxcTdT5X
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAbHlR3aucov
436Please respect copyright.PENANAS9UWZePevI
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.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAogEsbCyDLy
436Please respect copyright.PENANABYf4bIUPH5
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAyEfSFtupnD
436Please respect copyright.PENANA65DQOoJvrY
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAst0Bf2Puth
436Please respect copyright.PENANAQUlbskoQDD
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
436Please respect copyright.PENANAijT3DBQEPK
436Please respect copyright.PENANAoIsTvFXIll
[9:00pm]
436Please respect copyright.PENANAUjHN7acP0G
436Please respect copyright.PENANADVfoufxek9
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAMDjio8UDJ2
436Please respect copyright.PENANAk1xELbNzRn
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.
436Please respect copyright.PENANAIUXKgvu1jp
436Please respect copyright.PENANAzVIGelSuuo
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
436Please respect copyright.PENANANNhaeQW5CH
436Please respect copyright.PENANAMP7hhNTrMa
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
436Please respect copyright.PENANAem9pE1OLla
436Please respect copyright.PENANAE9eA5Bhuif
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5436Please respect copyright.PENANAq7tCnfAJDm
Endurance: 11.5436Please respect copyright.PENANAHBF26GZReT
Intelligence: 15.5436Please respect copyright.PENANAOEQblOLRlV
Charisma: 18436Please respect copyright.PENANAuVH5Mjn7Fc
Agility: 12.5436Please respect copyright.PENANAYmJ6jN9aoO
Magic: 18436Please respect copyright.PENANACSu9vrU0wv
436Please respect copyright.PENANALZfrB1Olib
Spells:436Please respect copyright.PENANA6pIWvVmnYV
Scan436Please respect copyright.PENANA9a3fWeDIu5
Minor Illusion [Active]436Please respect copyright.PENANAMhgMoYwkFT
Magic Missile436Please respect copyright.PENANAvOYHlaeALY
Control Water436Please respect copyright.PENANAVjQtG38vbq
Acid Blast 436Please respect copyright.PENANAPAsmScisDY
Shape Shift [Active]436Please respect copyright.PENANAB10OE57Clw
Mind Reading [Active]436Please respect copyright.PENANApItoN5qA9S
Paralysis436Please respect copyright.PENANA3jOvSe6E04
Basic Healing436Please respect copyright.PENANAkeng5w4s1d
Air Bullet 436Please respect copyright.PENANAxau8uanstE