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.155Please respect copyright.PENANAFMRKEpbTEv
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUxL0okDTpB
155Please respect copyright.PENANAytZAvlNV8y
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2mHFsqg4Pi
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7f7L7jvdT7
Sever: “And you are?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZiLZy55suU
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKxTvfGwTu5
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA8Ik9VVe0UR
155Please respect copyright.PENANAyfITlBQ7nb
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAHD8gW6PY73
155Please respect copyright.PENANA0KwR3IY7mI
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOifdjipO2A
155Please respect copyright.PENANA0EB5LNAqoq
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANApO558IDSmY
155Please respect copyright.PENANAILGedjTZfm
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAchO5Sg4ZsZ
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1TYNrEG3iV
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
155Please respect copyright.PENANALWNZjN74kJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZAP9mw12Wd
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAhmlMLf1mUW
155Please respect copyright.PENANAX4DqzJzbuf
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1HjXA6gFFc
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPLX9MxdU9t
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7AvrPHyEB4
155Please respect copyright.PENANAHM9wWpvewS
Sever looks me over and snickers.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAChzoqayEUz
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7ezHJgz2UH
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1ucwtC6Mhs
155Please respect copyright.PENANAADzmnE1DbI
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9dsMaGzPcv
155Please respect copyright.PENANADiva2IFIP6
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
155Please respect copyright.PENANAfMGJU5doeF
155Please respect copyright.PENANAccbsFEL2Ix
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAALjhS5nHu6
155Please respect copyright.PENANAFb5V9D1LUw
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMYnppp5FXy
155Please respect copyright.PENANAK6CP5jFI2K
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5ep8aZKTFa
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYdtsF3rugV
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZKS5NNhOGF
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4gDRQJfomD
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVnfL4GKZEW
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3Yh6DFXft3
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANASeEUpSO6PL
155Please respect copyright.PENANAonotbDLDGm
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZHvf9sj7tz
155Please respect copyright.PENANA09IoBXjTEg
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWVGFvAZhsG
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3EeL9SkT7P
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPqNTw4xqN7
155Please respect copyright.PENANApwkcX37OkK
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5iCIkAqgQP
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUC8KD2DqFd
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANASOj8F8025H
!!!155Please respect copyright.PENANAvrDPMqx0P0
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4UWGQfL6yL
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnSgqdatrhu
155Please respect copyright.PENANAaJDA5qp9wB
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAAvdLOPN4ts
155Please respect copyright.PENANAoZBsiO2kvE
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvQvEsZNvPd
155Please respect copyright.PENANA45O4NFKzLl
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANABnA6ejDlnv
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtxvXYXtg1U
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAoYkysCfxal
155Please respect copyright.PENANArRwoPb4Fwp
Nao: “!”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAQh64fZvucD
155Please respect copyright.PENANAzNzAYzj2U2
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwoeLwFzFtK
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwayBGJ2C4b
!!!
155Please respect copyright.PENANAhnFjrTHz3Q
155Please respect copyright.PENANArLbY7z6s7b
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
155Please respect copyright.PENANARLb0D3zhMd
155Please respect copyright.PENANAq3dDMQDreC
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANANGx5zXPqqN
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2z5eCzIunj
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAIi5qe2Zle5
155Please respect copyright.PENANACDmrzi2ifE
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwv1BZHYXPy
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVICM0QaqVO
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAE9LcP1MjYN
155Please respect copyright.PENANAuPQUHhWvva
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANASFLYVHUibz
155Please respect copyright.PENANADRGQ0m4J1G
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAyc8LOXRwvt
155Please respect copyright.PENANAAPcxHs4nzA
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAky9ygkb1O6
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9gYUZ1gVYY
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANADm5u3AghH6
155Please respect copyright.PENANA0uVJRgvmfb
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAkjQJftRJkP
155Please respect copyright.PENANAyYHJt3lnwB
Alyson: “…”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwqLzGqHjiE
155Please respect copyright.PENANAer9ZsdEIjQ
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANALZvK6ok8CO
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvLD1ReHwaU
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOSOTIBH1T6
155Please respect copyright.PENANAS6S9KopEJq
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
155Please respect copyright.PENANAU1Mk7APKCt
155Please respect copyright.PENANAC3oXgJNvDg
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAM3Z8M2SDMv
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1BiMCjkUvx
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUhrJKrehIz
155Please respect copyright.PENANA94Y98mnsQz
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAbrj1yD4eJ7
155Please respect copyright.PENANAFdfaXSl2ZC
Arc: “Get stronger.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAzh7lLcVGSE
155Please respect copyright.PENANAbj1Ejtz8C2
What?
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjfQ4RG2YaL
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmDXFpVUpDD
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANArkplDdtLTX
Death…155Please respect copyright.PENANAs5JaSBNtJB
155Please respect copyright.PENANA07MS26Tv0P
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtoIBvDXQUM
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7sDCEIhwqW
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*155Please respect copyright.PENANAE8paEbzzAd
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPJwB2bV33n
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]155Please respect copyright.PENANAm4EZx89SLS
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvirVyh8M7r
…What is an invader?
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6Jz6EDxxSh
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9OXuKPEhzE
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA0yj1efH26v
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvSHE5nMQw9
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPmZ6sszRHN
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwLnAtPDikM
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAzoacCEySxN
I can do that?155Please respect copyright.PENANALmhTdnvchQ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZOTH51jCeI
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAaSjjuqdFkU
155Please respect copyright.PENANATh45tp6NVl
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAL30qTkkhUS
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZXt7B4JZ3
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAS3xqqr4eGA
155Please respect copyright.PENANAhvc1SkH4H6
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. 155Please respect copyright.PENANAp7zXvxj9ND
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVbjOEBMAHQ
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
155Please respect copyright.PENANAzm7TitkBcf
155Please respect copyright.PENANASM3FUIjPam
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAhLrjBJgOc6
155Please respect copyright.PENANACal0NAM5np
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAt8IyzJLKm8
155Please respect copyright.PENANAGKtxE9S1DG
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAeIMghA7qrT
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMPWzzeIfsQ
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnxjL5eJmvl
155Please respect copyright.PENANAdOIqhnqWQy
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAS3JXtVJ0xz
155Please respect copyright.PENANAoxcu7SVTtN
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAokndIYJGBv
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9AFJFLuo3G
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAXx8di2Vlme
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9glw8x0qgk
“Hey, are you alright?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtwuY3PskUC
155Please respect copyright.PENANAafKb38doky
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANADhXPdoPgw7
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4ttGmro0Xc
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5SsIbSe3SL
!155Please respect copyright.PENANAuQivtRcIoT
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMdczRNKUZe
“Ow, what the hell?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgO3eVnVZY2
155Please respect copyright.PENANAkwxByoOCED
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAM5ueSvb0MX
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEoCr4pvUBw
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnc2rBjiq1l
155Please respect copyright.PENANAE3QCEyP8QN
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtneQgIKNLD
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsJVycDPUDe
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUwsZEkOlKe
155Please respect copyright.PENANAlST67H4hZX
Wait guys, take me home!
155Please respect copyright.PENANASOaUtx3YkT
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5E5QMKFYa4
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA20NKzSY14z
155Please respect copyright.PENANAFntmRiRSzZ
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOKi8SOZRfY
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEoGvBkS1Jb
Tallow: “Wait look.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJWwVLlqU7A
155Please respect copyright.PENANABlhVXYgz2R
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAkOB3OUu75e
155Please respect copyright.PENANArAeK33RAlK
Valo: “N-Nao?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYxAcNRwPB1
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgL2xgYj0Yq
I nod my head as hard as I can.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAqc8viDrHZI
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9b05MRcl4X
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAGH9KjxaX4C
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYJa92j5BvD
Mat: “Damn.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAazMPdf8Os3
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZC65X3Cja1
Velo: “But why?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAqnj5vQ2yjY
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5e1sHRZpTo
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnQWc0LbasC
155Please respect copyright.PENANASniIEMJvCS
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.155Please respect copyright.PENANAR10NcJIyip
155Please respect copyright.PENANAzWkYYf2bPs
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2dzcEvxEYa
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAdsjtWU9hJj
155Please respect copyright.PENANAm8FiMG8lRX
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAqxzVPRorVa
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgCfGFhmLTe
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAHTJnWvS4UY
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMlQ0mjULHY
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjSjNPVBTb9
155Please respect copyright.PENANAbSYJfD6DDB
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5iNGCdSqgW
155Please respect copyright.PENANAAYdfxXBjAA
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAGqJhINE6pY
155Please respect copyright.PENANAyHwjh0joXU
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANA0YAgBKbxWK
155Please respect copyright.PENANAThfImp9S4e
Shape shift!
155Please respect copyright.PENANAl9dxUI5dZI
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUXY9NC1fN8
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZzv2nRUejJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANADQyFbPJ6ot
Mat: “What the hell!”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwTd5wsYehz
155Please respect copyright.PENANAb3suay8I55
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6vHhe5LfmQ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxF4Uwmpsrn
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAavdrPz1bFW
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjtx3pD43OJ
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEwowU4RwmB
155Please respect copyright.PENANAhWJ3sDGPiU
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6aeFIuu0wx
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxPVuq76o9M
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVQjDeM5yBv
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVDUBCA5IvM
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAdaOyqkLUZu
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVQ2ZXMeSRk
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAHRI1TFyCgn
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsGkS3shs95
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANARAQ7dWqWKn
155Please respect copyright.PENANAXh87KcYLb1
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
155Please respect copyright.PENANARjnW8idc3J
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPWFlNwGgrk
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAlof6IRqXIZ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMRrj4jKdYG
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMu6n8fgvzB
155Please respect copyright.PENANALjJAGTgILv
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWg2M5voLqB
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJJhmaYJRox
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvrO6Wd8jIL
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6N6zfUEDYT
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAw6daxR1Gh5
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxqmaEZxEL6
Everyone: “What?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAimmzTeoPhd
155Please respect copyright.PENANADnnd2zwStw
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYvGPH4LuOt
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUuaiDJePoJ
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAA1zrakesQm
155Please respect copyright.PENANAoAUeF0h8m1
Velo: “What do we do?
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYeXUeT1g69
155Please respect copyright.PENANAETNpkIuKcy
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANABaAoIwtOjO
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9f4DLSlT4o
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANANLdiHl6nBG
155Please respect copyright.PENANAcPuH7Nmmfm
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANANIXlx1Ilfc
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1T4j8msqpn
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAaKa43v9kCJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAaShncO7rkQ
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwRR7VWpvFi
155Please respect copyright.PENANApZlWEdPKw6
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…
155Please respect copyright.PENANAaiiLkMR9Mg
155Please respect copyright.PENANAFfAJiFenve
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANApKxjcCkDlc
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmIS2gwpLch
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAB70KBi3DMe
155Please respect copyright.PENANAGsNImhh3il
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6VSB930OPp
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKvukzNz3kY
Anthony: “Why?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANALU4Sa25JdO
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7KnoU4FR8J
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAfXKNsv60N2
155Please respect copyright.PENANAveK7WzMDwN
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZkDWELMXAe
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3XcQQqb4tm
Nao: “Ummm…”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJBDEZYOFKP
155Please respect copyright.PENANAgqx5lDN4WA
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWZO1coTCmv
155Please respect copyright.PENANAC4zfmVpV7K
Air Bullet (6)155Please respect copyright.PENANAJTfpc2fHvM
155Please respect copyright.PENANAAfeIxZ9VCy
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7aLHcuXido
That doesn’t sound too bad.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPnoGWfTKDH
155Please respect copyright.PENANAw9DxnUnAJZ
Nao: “Air bullet.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAiuU2l2TE4N
155Please respect copyright.PENANAq9HaQrJlRH
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAc8jx8YEzXs
Points: 1155Please respect copyright.PENANAwbzqimQf5R
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6M8Aq3jlSQ
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmdY16MigJH
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5WUFR7eorQ
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANATSGSGnG3Ur
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPk16yFS5cZ
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAE1Q8OWKufX
155Please respect copyright.PENANAq0fz9tkcvK
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnsDFTQOkgo
155Please respect copyright.PENANAcsuRAUnw0K
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAcRlOHDfxtn
155Please respect copyright.PENANAFu0BcQEdXS
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAha4mvw9aOm
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZBZCQEHOwG
Nao: “Illusions.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWpqDyBd12q
155Please respect copyright.PENANAHi5yNImCOr
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAdvc8uoFYq9
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmX9WjdSTDc
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAT9TbfhZwnl
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOoJ3TbY3kI
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAzLy2XaOfdA
155Please respect copyright.PENANAoDM3gK2T24
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3ix7SSmFfv
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEAxDCHjSvS
We?
155Please respect copyright.PENANAhh8eXXkNX3
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOk9n2dsRjr
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtEI22QzPZa
155Please respect copyright.PENANAHJsPWnS4bj
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANALl7gvnsOKn
155Please respect copyright.PENANAw8j4m5MdPY
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjAqHkoZM3g
155Please respect copyright.PENANAm87NCSpjzx
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYSzwV4j5HE
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZwCZ0DSlMI
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2qgSbULYu3
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5FYfRY27Mb
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWhBTOxNeTG
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnUaO1sHXAP
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA14Iw2pGjxo
155Please respect copyright.PENANAqkTMfPLqEV
Nell: “Of course.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKZazz45kIB
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5SokFiXVVV
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAUTg0KNdLDn
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOYoAHKU1o7
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAuPtRLMElqm
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJdn7m5pLiR
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAE0chqOkRvx
155Please respect copyright.PENANASIdn6XtjAD
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAIb8bf6NhEE
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKrZ85eCPwb
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANA0jwoyn3nel
155Please respect copyright.PENANAhsvrxvBrmi
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAyJHAZshE8N
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6ZcXlRSAk2
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANADGwieSP1dO
155Please respect copyright.PENANAllXZI4yZkr
Nao: “Sure thing.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6GALo2xJRZ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOIpA9oy4M6
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAdkIj4Zlo5v
155Please respect copyright.PENANAlAt1qTh804
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
155Please respect copyright.PENANAN0GcqZReeo
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxPtT4maQd9
Arc: “Do it.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYO6yGBpiBR
155Please respect copyright.PENANAyydcTuoRye
But-
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1v9wBQIG9y
155Please respect copyright.PENANAzOdEFhW9G8
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJQpbFzm8oP
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1uFdhsOccY
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANA8ya52mRS74
155Please respect copyright.PENANAo0dlYFINuX
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAdmccPP8Uxs
155Please respect copyright.PENANAMshTUKn228
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5OEsn4P8aw
155Please respect copyright.PENANAfeacWW7yfL
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtshYvSviiE
155Please respect copyright.PENANAn05VVgDo2V
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4YWB0Agogz
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPGt9UwesOC
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3pASJaVUXc
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxdlTzWasCE
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZwArvd8whW
155Please respect copyright.PENANAAWSJAGt5vY
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANADiIoQM08VF
155Please respect copyright.PENANA095cV3xqB8
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4Mmjp8IuIn
155Please respect copyright.PENANAyio7JzRNQY
Valo: “You should take a break.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1VMFehl1hb
155Please respect copyright.PENANABFwNsF0JtD
Nao: “Ummm…”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVnbIRCe0RL
155Please respect copyright.PENANAkBO7Ko0uMY
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA8C7EtmH5SB
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7WmWzdKrg3
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA0x4sSKMgf7
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2pjwqVCj7r
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAdOkofhy0LL
155Please respect copyright.PENANApzorbMoFRS
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.155Please respect copyright.PENANAYEoNpdzH69
155Please respect copyright.PENANANhZ0P4Fonf
*Ding*
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxsPyZ5HQQf
Points: 3155Please respect copyright.PENANApUIbFYr03N
155Please respect copyright.PENANAbwWEFZ81SC
And that’s 10 spells a day!155Please respect copyright.PENANAAWpZqxODnU
155Please respect copyright.PENANAB7Ehz92hE8
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3VodGzfEz3
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2nocYvfoi4
155Please respect copyright.PENANAIMnPJabxDA
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6rFdROSBo7
155Please respect copyright.PENANALbQaUzIZdv
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAiy0zZwCGL3
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWjzlQNVtpi
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAiZleMPU39H
155Please respect copyright.PENANAP1lgDw4saN
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmEmAI6KjPR
155Please respect copyright.PENANAuovKeNZrZD
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.155Please respect copyright.PENANAKzICt7Kj2P
155Please respect copyright.PENANAGgzTj8cUF0
155Please respect copyright.PENANAggKSXi6TGE
Arc: “You know what to do.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9qZdZstmvf
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1N65xqmf3a
Nao: “…I know.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAK9JxNOFrRG
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9HJbhousS6
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]155Please respect copyright.PENANAay3Tzw2KTP
155Please respect copyright.PENANADD9FoukAI3
*Ding*
155Please respect copyright.PENANAlA1ybbmwo1
Points: 6155Please respect copyright.PENANA7T2XNecnTC
155Please respect copyright.PENANAlDkOX7Ji7R
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
155Please respect copyright.PENANA21GhLUyp4B
155Please respect copyright.PENANAwHyVy0UIRA
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjbtgmmEQov
155Please respect copyright.PENANARA0X9yoEJO
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAiPRcvOOzIM
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3US9jfvO2q
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAXw0bEjmshG
155Please respect copyright.PENANARZbnwriyJW
Alyson: “Yeah?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA8qtMH90oWc
155Please respect copyright.PENANAF7JGc8LQ3f
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAXM9P2FhJXV
155Please respect copyright.PENANAEYtl5z7lFT
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA67yGNvg8CS
155Please respect copyright.PENANAQuAeWt4HXt
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVDc5JG643a
155Please respect copyright.PENANASIhbtZh8T2
And she closes the door in my face…
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmXh8A9jyCF
155Please respect copyright.PENANACxxBDMgACz
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA93IVtUAyv3
155Please respect copyright.PENANAm5iRU3IdVK
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvBbs9CVwzQ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAl1ngFtIBvZ
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANABoBR7jXjY4
155Please respect copyright.PENANAaRiEwvpPGK
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAQ790ExchKV
155Please respect copyright.PENANAbX86x8wLVx
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAH4NR3SHCte
155Please respect copyright.PENANA4oIhG3tH84
Arc: “No.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2MjlejMa36
Learn Meditation (+2)155Please respect copyright.PENANAQLoWZJAXVd
155Please respect copyright.PENANAHKvJaLgDYF
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA2cQsUIZB0T
Points: 3155Please respect copyright.PENANAtLwCDPzwT5
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnvgyXJ9Zhz
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOvTJDuiZpn
155Please respect copyright.PENANAI00fDSdn9C
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjcqgyo5FU3
155Please respect copyright.PENANAQDu51oeVia
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7gfCjFNfQE
155Please respect copyright.PENANAoe6Fsz45GJ
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA6SxHZEaGmG
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKJRibIkybC
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAh49pmgZ48s
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPKQTkvnFky
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAZSxBK9OIeb
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjHSSaMjJGp
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAQrdqovnvs5
155Please respect copyright.PENANAGIY6FiFKr9
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAjV48ozUMOh
155Please respect copyright.PENANASaCmhyM43Y
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAvZYUj9Lnr1
155Please respect copyright.PENANAW92Qwrrikw
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsrYvrX1GQn
155Please respect copyright.PENANAabJgAutLOv
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAOwLnVIc8td
155Please respect copyright.PENANAml6wY63rTC
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAy4PUJD6KC2
155Please respect copyright.PENANASCxAJFGXgc
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAmbu8fwbZYg
155Please respect copyright.PENANATHk3IUY6Ff
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsvboOLmX1v
155Please respect copyright.PENANADhoNpmsgaZ
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANATWdCCdnvK8
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPRW5QrHz7z
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAntQ1EC49AD
155Please respect copyright.PENANAxq3jsOnRZ4
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJ8QwyfDDSq
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7aZPX3Mvvf
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANApxknkjbxyO
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9Z8uzrLCIX
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAbJQJphxOKy
155Please respect copyright.PENANAWjglUbfBYd
Nao: “I want the best.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA004H82Y1hN
155Please respect copyright.PENANA8cjFsHwUFO
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA3E2wevR9Lm
155Please respect copyright.PENANAVfqFWuMgl5
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA7yfBBBGHEd
155Please respect copyright.PENANAh2CDh8LIEI
Nao: “Can I know why?”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAM1Fgipj6m5
155Please respect copyright.PENANAeK9YtZcJMT
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAYFwySSuRAi
155Please respect copyright.PENANAS2cbwTHqZ7
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9hwLD1hjwJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAJvke2oX3GB
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAdgODWG5tDW
155Please respect copyright.PENANAiU0kCJntlK
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAhdHBqfEQcI
155Please respect copyright.PENANA5dCbEHBEe2
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAodDBvWKX46
155Please respect copyright.PENANADD2zo36ixw
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.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1HeH8HxaaJ
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnURi6kdNH1
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAtuFWue8vPH
155Please respect copyright.PENANAe2DGRZMDil
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAO8vqed0FXZ
155Please respect copyright.PENANA1psgWoD6Me
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
155Please respect copyright.PENANAb8cxukOeav
155Please respect copyright.PENANAKfIBTpLUar
[9:00pm]
155Please respect copyright.PENANARUm8hV0BUL
155Please respect copyright.PENANAIhQRT2mJpL
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANADc70qe2WoM
155Please respect copyright.PENANAq20O2NfUug
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.
155Please respect copyright.PENANAnq58c8Chv7
155Please respect copyright.PENANAO8Yy9BOTtX
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
155Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ku9j1Qcgv
155Please respect copyright.PENANAguZIn4M1Mf
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
155Please respect copyright.PENANAsrdiWWG1AD
155Please respect copyright.PENANAeqO4c7ghGv
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5155Please respect copyright.PENANAUT0CVv04Gb
Endurance: 11.5155Please respect copyright.PENANA9fiEQCiNDQ
Intelligence: 15.5155Please respect copyright.PENANA5N8Ld1pUMt
Charisma: 18155Please respect copyright.PENANAYzTKPQAMSQ
Agility: 12.5155Please respect copyright.PENANAlVGA2rTp0d
Magic: 18155Please respect copyright.PENANAZjKgfFrA2G
155Please respect copyright.PENANAPxRCO4P1g8
Spells:155Please respect copyright.PENANAzK8PNE1Suy
Scan155Please respect copyright.PENANAGas6AHFY8o
Minor Illusion [Active]155Please respect copyright.PENANAGtTG8U7DaU
Magic Missile155Please respect copyright.PENANA8M3svJSF9E
Control Water155Please respect copyright.PENANAymf1qH2hkj
Acid Blast 155Please respect copyright.PENANARWFYWPOPzT
Shape Shift [Active]155Please respect copyright.PENANAN5BmJvrk4K
Mind Reading [Active]155Please respect copyright.PENANAx3b7wXfCQT
Paralysis155Please respect copyright.PENANAvnAsDucPT1
Basic Healing155Please respect copyright.PENANA1zKr1dR60y
Air Bullet 155Please respect copyright.PENANAapGcYXOMjr