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.198Please respect copyright.PENANAgIe6gJuEWm
198Please respect copyright.PENANAMZQqVUfNvR
198Please respect copyright.PENANAS9MjM2TjDO
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAYtrhDUihOt
198Please respect copyright.PENANAHgaxFVRfpv
Sever: “And you are?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAS6aOlpO9BU
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqxqRX2SClx
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAjKxmoUHMRM
198Please respect copyright.PENANAYAFAGDWp8w
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAdyVpXURvmr
198Please respect copyright.PENANAVoJqLXEpPh
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAM1kvet7slZ
198Please respect copyright.PENANAyfcoki3NLo
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAX1kogIAO93
198Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3KsdjArrN
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAu7dwMirL6P
198Please respect copyright.PENANASMMxEQLm3Z
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAZMsGKHqqmD
198Please respect copyright.PENANAGVfJl6JWpS
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANATgeovX6sHn
198Please respect copyright.PENANA2oT9M8PIk1
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANATRlXfOWRfc
198Please respect copyright.PENANA4oRMOLjuob
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA7Wbhf0cZuP
198Please respect copyright.PENANAT7Ao5YTgwc
Sever looks me over and snickers.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAkblhJSWiqL
198Please respect copyright.PENANAnaD7e5zc1W
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAuGIoGuBvjr
198Please respect copyright.PENANArhhJQrgpjZ
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAvT7Emi2Vpp
198Please respect copyright.PENANA0GL1G9XyFo
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
198Please respect copyright.PENANAlwpI9Na5Sn
198Please respect copyright.PENANAjNgH5PlYBK
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAJDGVqULgUG
198Please respect copyright.PENANAg70oezfVaC
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmm8It3qpw4
198Please respect copyright.PENANAteAy1TTyOF
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAkpFMkS976s
198Please respect copyright.PENANATltt4UpWuN
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAf28kS7BV34
198Please respect copyright.PENANAOo1zXAS8Ye
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANApnS44xLuDN
198Please respect copyright.PENANAWBh0Mzntj0
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANADeOCJnKfS2
198Please respect copyright.PENANARyZf2HBBJH
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAVFrKvJavuo
198Please respect copyright.PENANAOHAba4YoDn
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAJg5U5NW8Yb
198Please respect copyright.PENANASOtHWUXL2z
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAUxJQmLrdap
198Please respect copyright.PENANAFTWMcEFVVH
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAktBBtGb11R
198Please respect copyright.PENANAwU5c4GcdWL
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAxjwO75r8mI
!!!198Please respect copyright.PENANA4MP9U4PRKJ
198Please respect copyright.PENANAlGFFAKv4ns
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAll2C78QoEd
198Please respect copyright.PENANAKoTrRHfv0k
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANArPviqaUQlL
198Please respect copyright.PENANAyCoyDxf4to
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAlWPsYunXAA
198Please respect copyright.PENANA2FhTBuSys2
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAAjNddgP2zQ
198Please respect copyright.PENANA6fOTofuQ95
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAyoDCRhgVpd
198Please respect copyright.PENANA1l8MW9dsx6
Nao: “!”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAwrWARB4YvD
198Please respect copyright.PENANAhD2Af4GcDP
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
198Please respect copyright.PENANAILkba27Inv
198Please respect copyright.PENANAl4rVwAqeQ7
!!!
198Please respect copyright.PENANApdNHSZ9bOd
198Please respect copyright.PENANA0D2haXHSZn
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAXwVFLM1nSL
198Please respect copyright.PENANAK8ZLcyDNjI
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAoIMthEoE49
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqDMcHPhKU9
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAV3QSbnAMYE
198Please respect copyright.PENANAPs8uArfFWm
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANATpdBUcvwiV
198Please respect copyright.PENANAWQoidXNZkz
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAt3lAvBSzdR
198Please respect copyright.PENANAKmqnaE4oTg
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA797KzyxxRT
198Please respect copyright.PENANAu8EbhK6oPN
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAKIYRvznapu
198Please respect copyright.PENANASzhfItA1EH
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAxVj7ZL2NVb
198Please respect copyright.PENANAiuLHYVkRfU
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAshRZIJiHNq
198Please respect copyright.PENANALJh1mFaea9
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqxLbtIT8wF
198Please respect copyright.PENANAxpsJ4mHnha
Alyson: “…”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAws9EUWNVa8
198Please respect copyright.PENANAj0MJKG9i4z
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAYbaFPwXHPt
198Please respect copyright.PENANAIeyBPJIL8B
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAucZ6EAojWQ
198Please respect copyright.PENANAknsn24VPVY
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
198Please respect copyright.PENANAMIBbuzbK17
198Please respect copyright.PENANA91aUjA3tw1
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA9Bn0g1wJbe
198Please respect copyright.PENANAuacBiQrlaF
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAvKYmdGphdT
198Please respect copyright.PENANAwMfpOmexuH
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAEE4mdTwism
198Please respect copyright.PENANAcAdxa2FbXt
Arc: “Get stronger.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANABB1Yl8QD9l
198Please respect copyright.PENANAIj35xZm6IK
What?
198Please respect copyright.PENANAHFALjRhAfV
198Please respect copyright.PENANAx2fPTZGyh1
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA49l9LqOnLn
Death…198Please respect copyright.PENANAcTyegzAjUo
198Please respect copyright.PENANApmeD0kcvgn
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAnAIFEBprL4
198Please respect copyright.PENANAXcKMolCEA1
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*198Please respect copyright.PENANAhXoXJkVBuD
198Please respect copyright.PENANAJ3Yc8NP1fs
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]198Please respect copyright.PENANAseRvFFKUE8
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
198Please respect copyright.PENANA7GMnmSMI4Z
…What is an invader?
198Please respect copyright.PENANApvSRQ1I4D5
198Please respect copyright.PENANAdwFaGrQWba
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAL4yZtx44V5
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqXRFdDloY0
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAd6otqkYbOM
198Please respect copyright.PENANAkV2WKP8bft
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAF1GNc4avyw
I can do that?198Please respect copyright.PENANA7NKFs5mQFW
198Please respect copyright.PENANARbG1LfzX1o
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAkcrps4VTun
198Please respect copyright.PENANAbvZAhlxmMQ
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAy9MMemOXH9
198Please respect copyright.PENANAARt6kPl6qF
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAZahQSeqKqz
198Please respect copyright.PENANAwJnRk0LbcB
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. 198Please respect copyright.PENANAtCty8rXTY7
198Please respect copyright.PENANA4XhwfOywE4
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
198Please respect copyright.PENANAl38CvhFmt6
198Please respect copyright.PENANAwkrZG89iht
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAsvmQs3iUEY
198Please respect copyright.PENANA7BUKBWmQBq
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAvlyo3v2RYM
198Please respect copyright.PENANAiZ3rv6WM2o
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAPjgqwxRJFN
198Please respect copyright.PENANAX8zhN6rV3F
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAdl4qenHVQS
198Please respect copyright.PENANAWQ2WbK7nPQ
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAAAtYAhDw46
198Please respect copyright.PENANAHbd4a5QcxY
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAUsRyYnlDLR
198Please respect copyright.PENANAzp2bLECXPZ
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAOkxxj5w8nB
198Please respect copyright.PENANAGeEbDFAgI5
“Hey, are you alright?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAtVe2u8tv2M
198Please respect copyright.PENANAacO6NCUTaZ
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAaEPfGhEpOk
198Please respect copyright.PENANA5D8NtrVBkA
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAod9cjSqUOw
!198Please respect copyright.PENANAIlxepzVcrH
198Please respect copyright.PENANAuXQEy2wKQ0
“Ow, what the hell?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAxEaacJfQFc
198Please respect copyright.PENANApwWkNRJgp3
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAvZnh7nkbIs
198Please respect copyright.PENANALzS1kseLHM
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAWnSJNLWSvF
198Please respect copyright.PENANAgMplQbOO7D
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
198Please respect copyright.PENANA3L58L5EUx8
198Please respect copyright.PENANAuf0WUMHzPA
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqbx2WzgDRi
198Please respect copyright.PENANALDHNFVjoM6
Wait guys, take me home!
198Please respect copyright.PENANAVzadJr83tL
198Please respect copyright.PENANA6tGtgGt17d
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAelXgGDNUlP
198Please respect copyright.PENANAAKlEvQBPkf
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
198Please respect copyright.PENANASHmjzD4Un4
198Please respect copyright.PENANA3i3Z9PSxUe
Tallow: “Wait look.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAZND6A9eu0u
198Please respect copyright.PENANALnHf6UUYGP
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAUOCDvQPqwO
198Please respect copyright.PENANA2NzTVS8zNA
Valo: “N-Nao?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANANb4YU2UcTI
198Please respect copyright.PENANAbLMvcr5ZDb
I nod my head as hard as I can.
198Please respect copyright.PENANA7DSBsvWXqk
198Please respect copyright.PENANAGinIG4PnHu
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAHgrJZOL7O5
198Please respect copyright.PENANAfzzGUplsiN
Mat: “Damn.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAuWTEIlgVW8
198Please respect copyright.PENANAwhO1q2y9cF
Velo: “But why?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAxsmLfctXFL
198Please respect copyright.PENANARnbN54ju5S
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAoBcRahEtDk
198Please respect copyright.PENANAS8RwulGGdk
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.198Please respect copyright.PENANAhvFSyFnfvI
198Please respect copyright.PENANAbCMakMnBDj
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmCa78phptQ
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAAbz1xF6RCN
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmn6Uo0Ggr6
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANACDoL6VIK5i
198Please respect copyright.PENANAodSC1qDRnm
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAtKnlFvgHdF
198Please respect copyright.PENANAvHylo7oQAt
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAGcGe7fKm2H
198Please respect copyright.PENANAkTIG2PW0xW
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAFd2dsWthEh
198Please respect copyright.PENANAB5bz8K028t
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAFVQKmGUP4b
198Please respect copyright.PENANAUQKqXP79ut
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAn1VhuoWPiU
198Please respect copyright.PENANA1rQjLeA7JV
Shape shift!
198Please respect copyright.PENANANnkljUelxp
198Please respect copyright.PENANApl9h3Loz80
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANA7uGhuKb362
198Please respect copyright.PENANAJP8hj27Abt
Mat: “What the hell!”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAVDlu591273
198Please respect copyright.PENANAFahtHibR9q
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAhwX2Vgyuq6
198Please respect copyright.PENANAscLD6lVAi4
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAvd1yifuaBZ
198Please respect copyright.PENANAEFtdOCEoAP
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANATFYuckPDii
198Please respect copyright.PENANAKxtW71lsSz
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
198Please respect copyright.PENANANq3kylx6Zr
198Please respect copyright.PENANAwSbuTGxjm6
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAUoBYwAgvwD
198Please respect copyright.PENANAYvSN8OjiHn
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAj0uS3sk2gc
198Please respect copyright.PENANAibLj5ZJEQJ
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAaYdW2qKIYs
198Please respect copyright.PENANAcC9YHe2Apy
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAnRGMmwKU4i
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmk4NVLanfY
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAAxFkdti8gP
198Please respect copyright.PENANAbu4YE00Ryg
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAWgWwnJxdyK
198Please respect copyright.PENANA3PoqYMOMUU
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAGx3HnZf3jl
198Please respect copyright.PENANAO1omAiqdWf
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
198Please respect copyright.PENANA1XT1Wj8fJe
198Please respect copyright.PENANAKbEKQUvKLK
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAnDAt9rMBi8
198Please respect copyright.PENANAEVtP1zdbg8
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANApDSl2SenFX
198Please respect copyright.PENANASJsYYt7TIk
Everyone: “What?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmPhxFofcyp
198Please respect copyright.PENANAySwmRN82C1
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAsIjX05fKcr
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqpK6wX2Y1U
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAsiE3LfkLRj
198Please respect copyright.PENANAaNmIxZjtUR
Velo: “What do we do?
198Please respect copyright.PENANA7iEdOndsJN
198Please respect copyright.PENANA15I69MQtFJ
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmfYTnuIHxq
198Please respect copyright.PENANA4T16fca1xs
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAl0ba4FPgfC
198Please respect copyright.PENANAcYXDRjdL3s
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANARJoJQXMFDS
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmkG9gAGY2z
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA12Kh1GsAqP
198Please respect copyright.PENANAayOWncDAXB
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAS5qkODjV9Z
198Please respect copyright.PENANAYPHwmYe3ay
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…
198Please respect copyright.PENANACmQQpzFtj9
198Please respect copyright.PENANAgJhKze86Ib
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANARFcpv8gZ18
198Please respect copyright.PENANAGRHmwaS9Mc
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
198Please respect copyright.PENANA3Ov5Di9gZH
198Please respect copyright.PENANABGMQQWOZ1Y
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA0n5b8Zv2lk
198Please respect copyright.PENANAQsYFviq98d
Anthony: “Why?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAgerLy9F89k
198Please respect copyright.PENANAF3olDKiwFH
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA5AxQ0clpj7
198Please respect copyright.PENANAi0VN4SOE7L
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA3Qo1DCnjAP
198Please respect copyright.PENANA8HEEpRsDf9
Nao: “Ummm…”
198Please respect copyright.PENANASv8H2v7pOt
198Please respect copyright.PENANAYObN5QdMw2
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqBSwtjE7RL
198Please respect copyright.PENANAgENzBageN8
Air Bullet (6)198Please respect copyright.PENANAhCsHZOk6Au
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmSPglmjFGW
198Please respect copyright.PENANAnfudpeAksU
That doesn’t sound too bad.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAIT9Y6v8Ng8
198Please respect copyright.PENANAdUzqglsoM8
Nao: “Air bullet.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAbADut25zA2
198Please respect copyright.PENANAxhB7weikf5
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAWpCGjN3low
Points: 1198Please respect copyright.PENANAzYFejx7ZMb
198Please respect copyright.PENANAgsngQ0Ly51
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA3pvjlXE2NL
198Please respect copyright.PENANAp0EEnp5h1S
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANACR7qpjizoi
198Please respect copyright.PENANAlQ0VEtM4qX
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAU45AF8GSZy
198Please respect copyright.PENANAlgawCDN5JY
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAufc3BjBSCb
198Please respect copyright.PENANAzQ83xcPSbF
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANArIbdvqvvj3
198Please respect copyright.PENANACXShpoZYpp
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAMHtMEQNlJz
198Please respect copyright.PENANA5XpLj9bdEm
Nao: “Illusions.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANApdzhyaSnRc
198Please respect copyright.PENANAUGe6RhxrYf
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANA9fIkFrEM2k
198Please respect copyright.PENANA4vlym7jNrK
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAin4pp6sQqY
198Please respect copyright.PENANAiODt63etxc
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAq6ZUyCU4c8
198Please respect copyright.PENANAzXDZ0kD6W8
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAkmMzzXamTu
198Please respect copyright.PENANAptvOnnuY2D
We?
198Please respect copyright.PENANAEwVfwWKA9Q
198Please respect copyright.PENANArQIGooKUsi
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAGjlPbK9yHS
198Please respect copyright.PENANAM6pyUcWgbc
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA0WZ62Exx2g
198Please respect copyright.PENANAlpAxf2wnJu
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANABpEtWmLqMV
198Please respect copyright.PENANAG8fo3iLSZD
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA9CY9sgzti2
198Please respect copyright.PENANASCYK75UfPD
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANApufbJEFBt0
198Please respect copyright.PENANAzOVOHZ7CCx
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAV8TQBqHeTB
198Please respect copyright.PENANABiAVwQbBtv
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA1Vc9175vLa
198Please respect copyright.PENANACybYQlwJb8
Nell: “Of course.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAAWcA6ybJrb
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqfuJIguwGu
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAvWhJVtsmcB
198Please respect copyright.PENANAlU7Nupj49Z
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAS5Jd8fj4hH
198Please respect copyright.PENANAAb0l1HDtz5
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA6m7m3GPGmL
198Please respect copyright.PENANAXgPZdVZv3W
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAkcrbfaNpCV
198Please respect copyright.PENANACUZ8l7tej4
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAbkJ7NiZ0eE
198Please respect copyright.PENANAsyP8mP4Hn2
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAynH75H4hbf
198Please respect copyright.PENANAvm3OkihqSL
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqV8O5ZiTsg
198Please respect copyright.PENANAocIIccLOkT
Nao: “Sure thing.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANARoedxUF46y
198Please respect copyright.PENANArvQAJct3YA
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAuXbPi4j2ug
198Please respect copyright.PENANAHJmuWH8b9m
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
198Please respect copyright.PENANALVOLLJO0Y0
198Please respect copyright.PENANA3RhgpCW31I
Arc: “Do it.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmFJDNIhX5f
198Please respect copyright.PENANADz7R8Nxu6b
But-
198Please respect copyright.PENANABOrZi4y8KR
198Please respect copyright.PENANAzPgIiVzN4P
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAtnpJs8YgNW
198Please respect copyright.PENANAKACj5H6863
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAomakn2q8tY
198Please respect copyright.PENANA6K8e17ViK7
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAR0pfQyRJXM
198Please respect copyright.PENANAkABdg3UrLn
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA00Lr95K7Hi
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqEE74cb4QP
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAtwAnMqZzuw
198Please respect copyright.PENANA5WoxsgsfOb
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA626zFsmhlE
198Please respect copyright.PENANALBp3VqqDJv
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
198Please respect copyright.PENANAGpqe8AybCQ
198Please respect copyright.PENANAVnNnZC22No
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmv11JcAhfp
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqdS3uceMWO
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAi8GBApuFLW
198Please respect copyright.PENANAIXIUcO6GMv
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAggS2K9EFzy
198Please respect copyright.PENANAcDgzhkcwuP
Valo: “You should take a break.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAZkj05NXqC9
198Please respect copyright.PENANA3e5ompAGcl
Nao: “Ummm…”
198Please respect copyright.PENANANzVYKRd5RN
198Please respect copyright.PENANAaBm7SmWQGt
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA5LYLdHOWr9
198Please respect copyright.PENANAYOEBFlfczc
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA34g8PipUJS
198Please respect copyright.PENANAVQVJiBpYN4
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAoX9VUwXVta
198Please respect copyright.PENANA4LO61dwEUe
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.198Please respect copyright.PENANAPkwjXhMqzC
198Please respect copyright.PENANAPMYUwcBLM3
*Ding*
198Please respect copyright.PENANAEvYs7cIgdj
Points: 3198Please respect copyright.PENANAFN6LvHJNLw
198Please respect copyright.PENANAEiTcW2Sd5H
And that’s 10 spells a day!198Please respect copyright.PENANAZnmksWYf9u
198Please respect copyright.PENANAirJDZFRXAr
198Please respect copyright.PENANA7VED7tFVil
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
198Please respect copyright.PENANA4C77t5pbO8
198Please respect copyright.PENANAqgCZ5rRkzY
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAGI9L02A6eX
198Please respect copyright.PENANAJXcp38JvSF
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAKn9PFUlDeK
198Please respect copyright.PENANAiwOH45Coqt
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAows0YoNHar
198Please respect copyright.PENANAL1UpcTo3uG
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANATAFZQTotqw
198Please respect copyright.PENANAjNNaDAP7pa
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.198Please respect copyright.PENANAzD7rRPmSo4
198Please respect copyright.PENANA15hb3kYmRP
198Please respect copyright.PENANA52Tex4Z4QX
Arc: “You know what to do.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAFlgpLzeAEi
198Please respect copyright.PENANAi4dZGwb7Yw
Nao: “…I know.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA7D6fzuveDM
198Please respect copyright.PENANAfLMogM8md7
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]198Please respect copyright.PENANA6zvPGezUk2
198Please respect copyright.PENANAeysll5MR2t
*Ding*
198Please respect copyright.PENANA4od3jRzVDg
Points: 6198Please respect copyright.PENANADe6AVzRIRs
198Please respect copyright.PENANAHe2Uo0dc7w
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
198Please respect copyright.PENANABJheVQJvqA
198Please respect copyright.PENANAUV6Ikbj42o
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAYqhgOIY1yK
198Please respect copyright.PENANAvMHe4OsrMm
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
198Please respect copyright.PENANANfT9UjiQsT
198Please respect copyright.PENANACCbYz1Xzdg
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANArgrx1mTxVK
198Please respect copyright.PENANAIaxe9q5rZt
Alyson: “Yeah?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAAioq3e9DEp
198Please respect copyright.PENANAPkjE5JvWa8
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAvu40BdVd6U
198Please respect copyright.PENANAr6RjQ01wYJ
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAzI247nI63z
198Please respect copyright.PENANAPB1qdDZ2yu
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAziICFGNPoT
198Please respect copyright.PENANAdNPzu9mjJ1
And she closes the door in my face…
198Please respect copyright.PENANAaKbeB08IjB
198Please respect copyright.PENANAuLX7gDFu76
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANANS616Olr5C
198Please respect copyright.PENANAXqZDjffiWK
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
198Please respect copyright.PENANApfE065gXyg
198Please respect copyright.PENANA2vB3yMPFeC
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAnTXlobRViM
198Please respect copyright.PENANAR9yBGQGQFN
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA1sNKnXILUI
198Please respect copyright.PENANAhdtDZTLKk9
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANABwYWAx0vti
198Please respect copyright.PENANAZN226wJNNk
Arc: “No.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANABEdLwBzNgW
Learn Meditation (+2)198Please respect copyright.PENANAZrwUzVnMPw
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmA5H56yaw9
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANARGdI3lzlah
Points: 3198Please respect copyright.PENANAwtSG9t0xcE
198Please respect copyright.PENANAAfh92mvqCd
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAWpqLKH0A1Q
198Please respect copyright.PENANAhEM5xz6hjI
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA1TFBDyXNeb
198Please respect copyright.PENANA9Ya1s7Lb8n
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAwK5FJqIbBr
198Please respect copyright.PENANAu65syux7u1
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANARxnMQCkoUB
198Please respect copyright.PENANA0fJTIzmhkJ
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAzdB1UzkFxl
198Please respect copyright.PENANAeZrIZd5MXZ
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAIzokYMqJYu
198Please respect copyright.PENANAo7uptF8uH6
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAmni5aWV7w9
198Please respect copyright.PENANAAHnqYdZrVT
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAbdhBpJVQVp
198Please respect copyright.PENANA1lgEUzTI4s
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAoGo2awcWzj
198Please respect copyright.PENANAUv6wYBXPGk
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAs90c0hRc3Y
198Please respect copyright.PENANA4Kn9mGPYgj
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAjzpK7Lti5J
198Please respect copyright.PENANA7E8L6eiP0B
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAfywY0L1wej
198Please respect copyright.PENANAja4mzstwDL
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAKfHPOl8NZP
198Please respect copyright.PENANALCgm9TsoqK
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAaSWSbWoIue
198Please respect copyright.PENANAXdbG8Uojn0
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANADdquhfSa82
198Please respect copyright.PENANARhZo2jAWVz
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAB2lREgbqe7
198Please respect copyright.PENANAnNab2IRmh3
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAujJgWVjUc3
198Please respect copyright.PENANA9y01brgefV
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANA7t9U28Npx0
198Please respect copyright.PENANAx9m4jiJnkZ
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAUHRDmrGChx
198Please respect copyright.PENANAEXErY34Tio
Nao: “I want the best.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAgfIn7IsskA
198Please respect copyright.PENANAkvDloOf1Y7
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAXtxy6A1RC5
198Please respect copyright.PENANALLMwsMzvxI
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAz9cTYCNjdJ
198Please respect copyright.PENANAOa4xcAOPDw
Nao: “Can I know why?”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAsl82PZU4o6
198Please respect copyright.PENANAVDzUKwamZ6
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAX3J7QIY0Ca
198Please respect copyright.PENANAbxogpO7EtQ
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAAq7IfFxUrT
198Please respect copyright.PENANAyDvbcbqnGt
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANALmyy0dTiVm
198Please respect copyright.PENANAlHmhaql8BO
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANATkY2lqQ3JG
198Please respect copyright.PENANA8RvEK7GCHs
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAOiCsyuxRQX
198Please respect copyright.PENANAHB9HMM43BI
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.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAB5dybCLDjE
198Please respect copyright.PENANALeh6Ez2KKd
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAtD7TdR2e52
198Please respect copyright.PENANAhu2nvqrCvf
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAO2DCOUbFmy
198Please respect copyright.PENANArwc70VF5yG
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
198Please respect copyright.PENANAkOPzcH7B1H
198Please respect copyright.PENANAUnZB2r0I39
[9:00pm]
198Please respect copyright.PENANAfsNyXF1TbJ
198Please respect copyright.PENANAsxlbDNspaV
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAPR3lwjIvEW
198Please respect copyright.PENANA6IG09OBKpO
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.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAidT6DHQBTv
198Please respect copyright.PENANA9hiWoKZf2e
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
198Please respect copyright.PENANAZRcPvsiGkB
198Please respect copyright.PENANArKdr6Owsc6
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
198Please respect copyright.PENANAvaNjUJiyxm
198Please respect copyright.PENANAUDoyEqCMsH
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5198Please respect copyright.PENANAazS5uHopg4
Endurance: 11.5198Please respect copyright.PENANAo46JUl2vdc
Intelligence: 15.5198Please respect copyright.PENANASulDjuHyYr
Charisma: 18198Please respect copyright.PENANAPwqdbiDHUS
Agility: 12.5198Please respect copyright.PENANAK5njlwYbqy
Magic: 18198Please respect copyright.PENANAhrvt1clcGN
198Please respect copyright.PENANAGUNtIAXaAK
Spells:198Please respect copyright.PENANAKznDqIzO4I
Scan198Please respect copyright.PENANAj4AikGHQmD
Minor Illusion [Active]198Please respect copyright.PENANAlLKBkbfoND
Magic Missile198Please respect copyright.PENANAluLpGqRz20
Control Water198Please respect copyright.PENANALWymkTMulT
Acid Blast 198Please respect copyright.PENANArSBeAYRIA3
Shape Shift [Active]198Please respect copyright.PENANA0wmbc91Gah
Mind Reading [Active]198Please respect copyright.PENANA91VwvSrxqL
Paralysis198Please respect copyright.PENANABHxjwFDIVN
Basic Healing198Please respect copyright.PENANABhewiXeyAD
Air Bullet 198Please respect copyright.PENANAZbEKRu9jfQ