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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAkq0cOWAU3z
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3jg3qEHfNM
338Please respect copyright.PENANAxoVnly2dFY
I instinctively put my arm in front of Alyson which earns a raised eyebrow from Sever.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAX0YcqF3EZ5
338Please respect copyright.PENANAwWkLQ05F7d
Sever: “And you are?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbBNKYgNVqW
338Please respect copyright.PENANAl6Ki2RTAp8
Nao: “Alphon, what does such a dangerous guy want from my friend.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjRZkhObGad
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvOXNVZzcJb
Sever: “You seemed more than friends.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAcvQQr8IV1U
338Please respect copyright.PENANAg5eVBCUGeW
Alyson: “Relax Alphon, I got this.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPSuJ6Fcj4Y
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJen9kiy7MX
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAetgp6h8OSJ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjIDaR7PpDo
Alyson: “What do you want with my brother?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANADc2VGS6n5c
338Please respect copyright.PENANA7t2fptG9GJ
Sever shoots me a glance but quickly returns to Alyson, meeting her glare with his own.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYD7xDtxLML
338Please respect copyright.PENANAcHriu5lvWM
Sever: “I rather we discuss this away from strangers.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkz2Fs4UJRP
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdLIBgZeUrK
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzYfUe7YHGR
338Please respect copyright.PENANASIJ0rEKTcD
Nao: “You’re the stranger here, I’ll stay.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA4k98xP4WiH
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZSu3RJDDQz
Sever looks me over and snickers.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAcrUAz8zhf7
338Please respect copyright.PENANAduAb7dmOvx
Sever: “Alright, do you know that your brother is missing?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXcQeZwUqlU
338Please respect copyright.PENANApKGMejIlMs
Alyson & Nao: “What!?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXozQyloMHn
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZs6boxFDHI
Alyson: “I saw him this morning, what do you mean missing?
338Please respect copyright.PENANA2iZeu3WjIO
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZmsglX9mn8
Sever: “As one of you might recall, my employer’s son went missing. One suspect was your brother.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAf1oFEfQexe
338Please respect copyright.PENANABjb7kqWAyd
Alyson: “Pft, Nao? He’s not strong enough to take on Anton and his boys even after a workout?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAhmsM8LSuvf
338Please respect copyright.PENANAGllB2jm5Q4
Sever: “Workouts you say? Do you know when he began and his workout regiment?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPVah64aMtg
338Please respect copyright.PENANALUBVAPPHHo
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAmhOFE7ec7K
338Please respect copyright.PENANAnfWsx8pbag
Nao: “Y-Yeah, what makes you think Nao is missing anyway?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAG7tjwoOOaR
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVulxAypmAD
Sever: “Because we’ve been tailing him and other potential suspects?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAwuKp0yhHKo
338Please respect copyright.PENANAhO56UQQH1n
Nao: “You’ve been what?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAA8ibtVa0AQ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfmLf8fSdm3
Alyson: “Nao is not the cause of whatever happened to Anton. He might get on nerves but that’s beyond his ability.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAGb30UNgJOZ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdJvSghxMOO
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzPk9tKODtp
338Please respect copyright.PENANAKImldOuIA7
Alyson: “You’re going too far now, we have no guns at home.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAAodFPmEAHW
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbHCLngRrlr
Sever: “I guess we can go to your home and ask his mother.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAMWMsIw4e3B
!!!338Please respect copyright.PENANA6XSzy0iTq9
338Please respect copyright.PENANAAgzCTLl2JM
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAnk6QoXsD19
338Please respect copyright.PENANABO8D6648Ac
Nao: “Leave. Her. Alone.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAtlT9mdQgRI
338Please respect copyright.PENANAWgdNYkS0pX
Sever: “Such a reaction from someone who hasn’t even met her before. Why so angry?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANANQpzDyNTpB
338Please respect copyright.PENANAc7srx29W6v
Nao: “I-I just don’t want people like you messing with my girlfriend’s family.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAsHYAOXHboU
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPjwVrjo4Kf
Sever: “A girlfriend you met only yesterday on the same day you suddenly arrived in town.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA0cYjoTxHTd
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYar36QeYIO
Nao: “!”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAHotDwGOeIL
338Please respect copyright.PENANAo0Uc6IRySK
I need an edge, mind reading!
…
…
Sever: (Such an intense stare. Let me guess….reading my mind?)
338Please respect copyright.PENANA8JaWUrQels
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdqhQKVS0Zn
!!!
338Please respect copyright.PENANAEqTxthoU9P
338Please respect copyright.PENANALLdtpERHzu
I let go of his tie and nearly fall back. But that was the wrong move. Sever smiles triumphantly while fixing his tie.
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6nhl4XeS56
338Please respect copyright.PENANAODB10idVf8
Sever: “I think I got enough info, thanks for your time.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA7rjo2zTQwz
338Please respect copyright.PENANAIRuPOcXPa1
Alyson: “W-Wait, will you stop suspecting Nao?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAMMp0clqdkB
338Please respect copyright.PENANATqyA81Bl5K
Sever: “…Sure, you made compelling arguments. You won’t see me again.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAH3uyvLi3mu
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkLa9olENYr
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAxPjtnA9knI
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5QpKIe8YFD
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAERjOvRxl0w
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdl2b6C2NUS
Nao: “…Me too. I’m kind of exhausted for today though.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkiFefW4w2A
338Please respect copyright.PENANARNgpyDaYbX
Alyson: “I-I get it, sorry our first date turned out like this.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXcoIcRneDv
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvAgS6R9zcI
Nao: “Don’t worry, It was fun all the way through. Let’s ignore that last part.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdtZ5r7iNkZ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAuMsnzBogqa
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAUatukWU3NX
338Please respect copyright.PENANAsXerWlLPzn
Alyson: “…”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPe6RJUE8g9
338Please respect copyright.PENANASzMNF9qHKv
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAypCjvYPosC
338Please respect copyright.PENANADYsrf0IlHz
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5IL8K42KoK
338Please respect copyright.PENANAirLVgYczQZ
Sever or his men could be anywhere and those shadows…
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3xUwPx6RVj
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZClpZLtIt8
Nao: “I want to go home…I want to see my mom.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAmcJx1ogtfe
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdVni9YS2J7
Arc: “Get yourself together.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA8seA3kKxVE
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVlqqaZSSxT
Arc, thank god. In all this madness, I forgot about you. Help me get out of this mess.
338Please respect copyright.PENANACeJxMUAABm
338Please respect copyright.PENANApmGGnJM254
Arc: “Get stronger.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAWWl1x5GkME
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjYR0ZSURWT
What?
338Please respect copyright.PENANAerLSuOlVA7
338Please respect copyright.PENANAhp7laJRudd
Arc: “The time has come, school fun is over. Embrace your role as a mage or face certain death.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkaosFVqwiM
Death…338Please respect copyright.PENANA33fW8LeSia
338Please respect copyright.PENANAP4IgtvrMk6
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZfNf82Wxkw
338Please respect copyright.PENANAmkpMebixog
I’m really in danger of losing everything. Is becoming popular and beating Alyson that important anymore?
*Ding*338Please respect copyright.PENANA887YjXkNiy
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdhBEKMb3Lv
Practice Offensive Spells (+3) ]Daily]338Please respect copyright.PENANAq63YdWgad3
Learn Meditation (+2)
Kill one Invader (+10)
338Please respect copyright.PENANABWzgHbe0Vn
…What is an invader?
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyOTZT3r8Le
338Please respect copyright.PENANANOj82ydWBC
Arc: “You’ll find out eventually, prepare yourself.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA1ClSPtyPxD
338Please respect copyright.PENANAipOVWBIIGF
…Okay, I will. But I have to get home first without being seen.
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3HLsD3CKCn
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfVkOPsYEy9
Arc: “Instead of transforming back immediately, instead transform into an animal.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANARx9vyBWgko
I can do that?338Please respect copyright.PENANA5OK3DzVG9k
338Please respect copyright.PENANAuRxwDPrKHd
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAgobMPc8CxX
338Please respect copyright.PENANAktu0J2p7ed
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANACyfv2l1NGn
338Please respect copyright.PENANAX0R6ex9a0J
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXZtUCFzC5a
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJTM78ZblNc
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. 338Please respect copyright.PENANAgb2CtygnRj
338Please respect copyright.PENANApvq0L2KzRY
1…2…3! Shape Shift!
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYEjXjBRNJo
338Please respect copyright.PENANAcaL8CwkWWD
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVbJVzy2eVG
338Please respect copyright.PENANAej9aGnTGlq
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAalKLcqmEMx
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfIzo2K3D4w
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7qCWqayGC
338Please respect copyright.PENANA1UDo8ylGIO
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANApmFXnOaJU7
338Please respect copyright.PENANAoBA00uF0ed
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAX1FTvCl4Yf
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYPzgMdFyrg
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAHFIkdDGqtY
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkxNxlhSAm6
I didn’t exit from where I came so I can only hope these people are just bystanders.
338Please respect copyright.PENANABIvcEiv0mT
338Please respect copyright.PENANAGIim01DMSa
“Hey, are you alright?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVNViMZVaSO
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjdhGoHFGhs
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAA0HIgw5liW
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5C3CJjYv0L
I need to go home, I want to see my mom. Hell, even Alyson would be nice to see.
338Please respect copyright.PENANApMK6sY7nnt
!338Please respect copyright.PENANABwcSuiohkB
338Please respect copyright.PENANArLoq83to4j
“Ow, what the hell?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3AOqYZNfdY
338Please respect copyright.PENANA637rCKrle5
Damn it, did I just bump into someone.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZ446vda4Eh
338Please respect copyright.PENANAgPbfEm8tga
Velo: “Is that a dog?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAi90CWGjxq8
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6jxZlRyKyG
I look up after recognizing the voice and see my friends. I’m so happy I could cry.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAUeRUdHLlbn
338Please respect copyright.PENANAqEWb8cfk2m
Mat: “Whoa, is that dog…crying?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAs07uN1IZo6
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPcl7jmtvTp
Wait guys, take me home!
338Please respect copyright.PENANAAnFNCwZwgy
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3iZDRbE8Ii
Mat: “And now it’s barking at us.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYekEwWUvbE
338Please respect copyright.PENANAI6MaZsBVAl
Damn it, they don’t speak dog! What now?
338Please respect copyright.PENANA1Oc4SBZzz2
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvWzFG8ogAP
Tallow: “Wait look.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAduNz8Ha12k
338Please respect copyright.PENANAuce78xyxlw
Tallow points to my neck and everyone follow to see what’s there. I can’t really look down but it must be Arc.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVn3PV9u6UR
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVTsYBMe3jr
Valo: “N-Nao?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAicmE6WffJU
338Please respect copyright.PENANASRfAAvYeDF
I nod my head as hard as I can.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1d0GhHyq4
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYyC15HfWZ1
Anthony: “Did Nao turn into a dog?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdEucBCfzhS
338Please respect copyright.PENANALIFFIK9GO3
Mat: “Damn.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANARQQlN9syvL
338Please respect copyright.PENANA64nyPCj1p9
Velo: “But why?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyMQXcqQzGH
338Please respect copyright.PENANAhkpECW54Al
Anthony: “I’m sure he’ll tell us when we get him in the house. He obviously can’t turn back out here.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAKOosu7QNSN
338Please respect copyright.PENANA8xPd1Qxecy
Thankfully, Anthony got the idea and lead us all back to my house. When at the front door, Anthony knocks, and Nell answers.338Please respect copyright.PENANAdt6fmfEJat
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1kxejePxU
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyosOVV3vkn
Nell: Hello kids, what brings you here.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbs29r73dzN
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQ0kDuKivXe
Anthony: “We’re here to see Nao and show him my new dog. Can we come in?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAFLYKrs29Y6
338Please respect copyright.PENANAtOlhQy8pzn
Nell: “Nao’s not here at the moment. I actually haven’t seen him since this morning, I’m starting to get worried.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAT3ujByWPDm
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfugFTsEwxn
Anthony: “I see, do you mind if we wait in his room for him. I’m sure he’ll come back soon.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAUHPIQlwNQG
338Please respect copyright.PENANA52It2Kha5q
Nell: “I suppose, as long as you make sure the dog doesn’t ruin anything.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANADhSG6Q8gUW
338Please respect copyright.PENANANWaAfkqVUR
Anthony: “I can promise he won’t.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAp2jgbrtXgb
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyM7eaveZiH
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANACG2mqTy3SO
338Please respect copyright.PENANAiA3Sl8kRqV
Shape shift!
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdrKDPOJYkK
338Please respect copyright.PENANACk45Gt8JQx
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANA9V2BdwIJKh
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQyqEQt59jB
Mat: “What the hell!”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAaHoTeJfy6S
338Please respect copyright.PENANAEbgZpMOt9i
Anthony: “Quickly, help him! Don’t let him scream!”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAsdVEW8VFIp
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVyVU2BS134
Everyone holds me down while Anthony keeps the towel in my mouth.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAHdFb4rCji0
338Please respect copyright.PENANAhT8prlzBgp
Tallow: “Ouch, his skin burning hot. I don’t know how long I can keep touching this.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyXf50rBzVb
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbx376anJTo
Anthony: “Hold for a bit longer!”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVjnTnmSL5t
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZw3PHIP8sl
They tried their best and eventually, the work paid off. Through blood, sweat, and tears, I saw the world through human eyes again.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAHTVR23yILl
338Please respect copyright.PENANA2ylHfR0a9f
Unfortunately, everyone got an eye full of my dignity. Most of them immediately looked away save for Velo who took a bit longer.
338Please respect copyright.PENANANXoaFAFXPN
338Please respect copyright.PENANAwJ4pfDGY1q
Nao: “S-Sorry for this…everyone. Thank you…so much.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAlpvWLnHcjL
338Please respect copyright.PENANAqptnUA8KGB
Mat: “Yeah, just put on some clothes.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXB5zGsin51
338Please respect copyright.PENANArbWeXubkA6
Mat takes a random shirt from my room and throws it at me. I equip it along with the pants Anthony throws me.
338Please respect copyright.PENANA53jRwXdnmt
338Please respect copyright.PENANArv0HYMsK4t
Anthony: “What happened? What forced you to transform into a dog despite the pain.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbbrWzJ4rpz
338Please respect copyright.PENANAomsxJUnroI
Nao: “Sit down for this one, it’s a lot to take in.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA1PRaWcnMlW
338Please respect copyright.PENANAhg8HRVB18L
I told them everything I learned except the fact I…made Anton disappear.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAej91DIMKy4
338Please respect copyright.PENANAaO0M9EWrzv
Mat: “Wow man, that’s rough.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAddRdYkHPPI
338Please respect copyright.PENANAIM7NHttMYL
Anthony: “That’s not the worse of it, I’m pretty sure we’re the other suspects.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAU9J9nWXcFP
338Please respect copyright.PENANAC4mqozWORh
Everyone: “What?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA23VKT9NA3s
338Please respect copyright.PENANAprYXAI4YuS
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANACrMenooXqy
338Please respect copyright.PENANAnSpGELhntC
Mat: “Man, what the hell!”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA8c1ME3MoOA
338Please respect copyright.PENANAFJMdPK9EFB
Velo: “What do we do?
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6wL1pYeYmN
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPb4XY5kF1W
Tallow: “But we have nothing to do with Anton’s disappearance.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA7PxtZL2wJT
338Please respect copyright.PENANAecFyaz6erf
Anthony: “…It’s always like this. The outcasts are the ones that always get blamed for the problems of the nobility.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6jms0UgV1m
338Please respect copyright.PENANAapsj1959Wg
Anthony: “But things will change. Nao, I’m ready for my weapon.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVHWFiuHNUP
338Please respect copyright.PENANA0HpqqRFwQp
Nao: “You mean magic item right?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANANUeXFlTWWc
338Please respect copyright.PENANAeQrAeGnMn9
Anthony: “Yeah, give me magic missile.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQVYVB4Lwyb
338Please respect copyright.PENANAII7bUlX9RP
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…
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVIXVgm2zYL
338Please respect copyright.PENANAblDXMbA5DF
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbr5Gm4xJYf
338Please respect copyright.PENANA70G5eln2So
That feeling is reinforced when Anthony takes a toy shotgun out of his bag.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAm1I4IRhO8R
338Please respect copyright.PENANAE6BooleWqm
Nao: “…A-Arc says you can’t get that one.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3Fi7z1ehg3
338Please respect copyright.PENANA1iqwk5GFFI
Anthony: “Why?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAIYgDEb1ZGy
338Please respect copyright.PENANA0AfqoUweeb
Nao: “B-Because it wouldn’t well with that weapon.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAP4yjJJZCdU
338Please respect copyright.PENANArmAcVDGEva
Anthony: “I see, what a shame. Any other offensive spells I can get for this?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAIXqZ5eN1vQ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzcBTFFwdDT
Nao: “Ummm…”
338Please respect copyright.PENANArtkpWHFib1
338Please respect copyright.PENANAd20eneNnmY
Probably not if magic missile is that letha-
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQXpOcyxEdP
338Please respect copyright.PENANAtNu9tHG5oF
Air Bullet (6)338Please respect copyright.PENANAcVUDgDjAuY
338Please respect copyright.PENANAT56hyFkpnu
338Please respect copyright.PENANAaL514v4Rmb
That doesn’t sound too bad.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAR7YZBIdQj2
338Please respect copyright.PENANAlDHmyFXqgk
Nao: “Air bullet.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkQbGx4yv20
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPJRUTAxcAP
Anthony: “Sound great, get it for me.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAKZwRHIDQ23
Points: 1338Please respect copyright.PENANAUrkfW5lyzT
338Please respect copyright.PENANAltd31ZArB9
Nao: “I’ll infuse it but after I make sure mom knows I’m home.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANALj8PPOsBqX
338Please respect copyright.PENANA8SEZfW8pjf
Tallow: “How do you plan on doing that?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANASEfK17QXLL
338Please respect copyright.PENANALrWy4YzGzp
Nao: “One of you distract her while I go to the front door.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAo9UVP8avlJ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAydJ1nrXha8
Mat: “Distract her with what?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjW5UNjX7ML
338Please respect copyright.PENANAB91yCDAure
Nao: “Tell her the toilet is backed up or something.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXRiE27FBSW
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVQ24gFVfBJ
Anthony: “And the dog? How will we walk out of here without it?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6MpZcww8Od
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5axY460C0V
Nao: “Illusions.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAj6ZzgtMuNZ
338Please respect copyright.PENANA18UubrvwtX
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAixazmQXJ9A
338Please respect copyright.PENANABbETQKgrDL
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAGRLquvsXW8
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQ4OKI4RE9R
Almost immediately, Nell came running from upstairs to greet me with a hug.
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5r8B7e1qhS
338Please respect copyright.PENANA0WVRLr71ax
Nell: “Nao, where were you?! We were so worried.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAk5CZ3BnHyM
338Please respect copyright.PENANAm74d0UHU8i
We?
338Please respect copyright.PENANA9IQsXnF29c
338Please respect copyright.PENANAng4pjtxqgc
I look upstairs to see Alyson looking down at me with some concern.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYLXCTqXpia
338Please respect copyright.PENANARgdBeRqQr7
Nell: “Alyson came home and told me some man said you were missing.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANArlB3d9luQO
338Please respect copyright.PENANAKTjF4IXnVt
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyqkf200qEw
338Please respect copyright.PENANAo6CORmaRXR
Nell: “Please, don’t do that again. If you do this again I’m going to ground you.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbHo221ryyU
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2dB6xqiP6
Nao: “No don’t do that. I’ll be good.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAn9yOuPXJ8Q
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYi6kUARgtR
Nell: “You better be. Now, go back to your room. Your friends are waiting for you.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANASxeG7o1IvF
338Please respect copyright.PENANA054JcTmbua
Nao: “Thanks, see you for dinner mom.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6MAhZNO3oR
338Please respect copyright.PENANANz5JQWTr5s
Nell: “Of course.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvOjsfOSs1Y
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6Rmbv1tKtA
Mom lets me go from the bear hug, allowing me to go back to the group. But first, I’m stopped by Alyson.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfUCainiEWG
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfVJx6shtQ0
Alyson: “…You’re not a kid anymore, don’t stay out late.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdQhpbSKTKu
338Please respect copyright.PENANA9EaboRlegw
Nao: “Don’t worry, I won’t. How was your date?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAx65a31VqJf
338Please respect copyright.PENANArQkievnlz3
Alyson: “….You don’t need to know that.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAsrpKZvbgcE
338Please respect copyright.PENANAb0lc88lrb0
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAA3lNvb6dmV
338Please respect copyright.PENANAtzzXzXO7ZW
I go back to my room where my friends are waiting. When I got inside they were already playing some of my video games.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAnX9TpPXB4L
338Please respect copyright.PENANACwq7YPpwOB
Anthony: “You’re back, can you infuse air bullet into my weapon.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANABZJkcodKg6
338Please respect copyright.PENANAX6Oa1dh2h3
Nao: “Sure thing.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAa2T7mSjD3R
338Please respect copyright.PENANABhXzBazXkJ
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAfTTSi6KCXd
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3GT7LextfN
Should I even allow Anthony to have an offensive spell? What happens if this is just as bad as magic missile?
338Please respect copyright.PENANActkh35T0R5
338Please respect copyright.PENANAZrGMxfjhOT
Arc: “Do it.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAgr32LbwAps
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkDdMevsaOK
But-
338Please respect copyright.PENANASInvbwWPCM
338Please respect copyright.PENANASJWALYzm1b
Arc: “Your friends need to be able to defend themselves. Air bullet is a perfect choice for that task.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAi85XiewCv8
338Please respect copyright.PENANAicujFVSIoa
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANArourSpujvM
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5HkGdAhTG
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzkngN1uaxD
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJACfwW9N3g
Arc: “This came out very well. Anthony can probably get off 4 shots before it breaks.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANACcyVL44AVk
338Please respect copyright.PENANAoSLXyjl5EK
Nao: “Arc says you’ll have 4 shots.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAxdfki9emCA
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQyzkuZR3y5
Anthony: “Great, I love it.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAST79B3CF2T
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzfTM16YtQs
He takes the shotgun and places it back in his bag
338Please respect copyright.PENANAuZRzMOtpaq
338Please respect copyright.PENANAYuSPwoM2bt
Tallow: “This took longer than usual, are you okay?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAhvWS1M6zkL
338Please respect copyright.PENANA9M6ERlwuRg
Nao: “I guess I’ve been through a lot today.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA2q6pIMeMqA
338Please respect copyright.PENANAnoR4c0Q5Qh
Arc: “You still have daily tasks to complete.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA13hyVEoRkC
338Please respect copyright.PENANAr2qdqa4GvJ
Valo: “You should take a break.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAWsVcgwJCqc
338Please respect copyright.PENANAWCMcDQjFRR
Nao: “Ummm…”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdu30ZLCAUf
338Please respect copyright.PENANAIFu0kwMdL8
Anthony: “Valo is right, don’t wear yourself out.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA93tUCHUvrC
338Please respect copyright.PENANAE6AyYIuZtB
Nao: “…Okay, I’ll take a break today. Be careful on your way home.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAlzh6tWPY6t
338Please respect copyright.PENANAeTTrQD2D1c
Anthony: “Yeah, see you tomorrow at the library. Remember to cast the illusion of the dog.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAz2my81RFBS
338Please respect copyright.PENANArai0oytcsk
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAtCr6VTi9Iu
338Please respect copyright.PENANAtofl0QLRNA
*Ding*
338Please respect copyright.PENANATtnXNahyV4
Points: 3338Please respect copyright.PENANAsbGHnvuC0m
338Please respect copyright.PENANASXU2QTAjsl
And that’s 10 spells a day!338Please respect copyright.PENANAJ2DmRUA76B
338Please respect copyright.PENANAoEqa6XAt13
338Please respect copyright.PENANAM2HVckEd6a
I say goodbye to my friends and went back to my room.
338Please respect copyright.PENANArElrswKEjs
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5PTMD84DIZ
Arc: “Are you really going to take a break after everything?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAAlusp0d4iu
338Please respect copyright.PENANAaHRxMa46Os
Nao: “Of course not, I just need a small break. I’m going to use the rest of today to get stronger.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQtBTcwEaQW
338Please respect copyright.PENANALCTzdfQE90
I look at the bite mark on my hand and wince.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVJoPtSUn6Y
338Please respect copyright.PENANA4fMw2HpMQo
Nao: “Good thing mom didn’t see this. She might have prevented from to school. I better get a bandage.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAsM2XWZdEVF
338Please respect copyright.PENANAKmawVWGQQl
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.338Please respect copyright.PENANAOhasJw8vCY
338Please respect copyright.PENANA22N6Ncq6iK
338Please respect copyright.PENANAWe52JhiYi5
Arc: “You know what to do.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA685WVXNDAD
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXzlMr7RLm9
Nao: “…I know.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANADu2vazbaAK
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5cGExuJtr3
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]338Please respect copyright.PENANAiN9PeXia5J
338Please respect copyright.PENANAHFu0CAvjxu
*Ding*
338Please respect copyright.PENANArUOvH3bhag
Points: 6338Please respect copyright.PENANAILbgMypu3A
338Please respect copyright.PENANAHvPvB1036t
I clean the sweat off my body and notice how I look.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAEOOATZlCny
338Please respect copyright.PENANAPaSSiSCBM2
Nao: “I’m pretty ripped. Never thought I would look this good.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA7IcvOY4HPb
338Please respect copyright.PENANAaPF9JNpYfO
I smile as the thought to show Alyson comes to mind but shake it away. I gotta focus, I don’t need it.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXCS2Aemrqc
338Please respect copyright.PENANAiMQOSXaJVT
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAL6NUFiDgCW
338Please respect copyright.PENANAIDb5zXlMVs
Alyson: “Yeah?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdnX7LfCQEH
338Please respect copyright.PENANATrrpvCmtNd
Nao: “I got something to show you.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAv2JNZn66uF
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXH9KilBkz6
Alyson: “Whoa, don’t take you pa-”
…
…
Nao: “Aren’t I huh…ripped?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvaLnSibNcw
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyCKWbqTOfy
Alyson: “…I’ve seen…better. Try not to hurt yourself trying to do stuff beyond your capability.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ph1spz8Xa
338Please respect copyright.PENANAFgarTTKwo5
And she closes the door in my face…
338Please respect copyright.PENANAxRX6SaBUQC
338Please respect copyright.PENANAOWLXVHrhca
Nao: “I don’t even know why I bother.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvZIGuqH8dZ
338Please respect copyright.PENANA418Fu5ugnO
Bet she’d like to see Alphon’s abs. I pull my shirt down and go back into my room.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAWo1UTWtfs7
338Please respect copyright.PENANAmJP7d8ACGJ
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAm4CMxihgTY
338Please respect copyright.PENANAWl8LENDjFo
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAuxF47XdnOQ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQ47XoNQvKE
Nao: “Wait, does that mean I’m done for today?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANASrujk2FeBL
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyfO1irabRf
Arc: “No.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbEW4hKZwV2
Learn Meditation (+2)338Please respect copyright.PENANAyvgRNsy22A
338Please respect copyright.PENANAUy5SdrcF2h
Nao: “Oh, got it.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJDc3U5KxFZ
Points: 3338Please respect copyright.PENANAGECfnon4F8
338Please respect copyright.PENANA7i3gljtSLj
Nao: “I already used air bullet in the infusion without being fully integrated. Will this give me a headache too?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA6EQv2A5lL2
338Please respect copyright.PENANAn7yciEedEl
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANArA1roM9ALq
338Please respect copyright.PENANAzwsgcXU9L2
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAkM0avOmvnS
338Please respect copyright.PENANAx4XVe32BGj
Nao: “So should I wait until tomorrow?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA4ANBxZAWlm
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3ZEsO6yRIt
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANApOA4htzFGI
338Please respect copyright.PENANAGor5g8ThMk
Arc: “Think of it like a restriction lifting off of me.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAxEsx9VY4yQ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAL2hGLIYcNZ
Nao: “Okaaaay….”
338Please respect copyright.PENANARnYOSfXzWw
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvp4rAPGkWB
Nao: “Does that mean I could have done mediation at anytime?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA5wAJ2YGVpM
338Please respect copyright.PENANAjWxAdXVWL7
Arc: “Yes, but without me, it would take much longer to see results.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAOf8coQKcpM
338Please respect copyright.PENANAFIJEh84LMu
Nao: “I see, so is it like how it is in movies?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAcUbPxjP7BJ
338Please respect copyright.PENANArdsO5uQ4r5
Arc: “Somewhat, get in possession.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJcvGOsClqF
338Please respect copyright.PENANAcitDRZiDBk
I get on the bed and get into the classic mediation position.
338Please respect copyright.PENANANKY38bR4K0
338Please respect copyright.PENANA31RESBQuuT
Arc: “Close your eyes, focus, and feel the mana inside of you.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA0y2wA85mqV
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbLO5TAGv3U
Nao: “What about outside, that’s usually a thing in some of the books I read?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAiHGLrzyJ9S
338Please respect copyright.PENANAymI5H8kzKz
Arc: “This world doesn’t have enough to matter at the moment.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbbVWejQHB6
338Please respect copyright.PENANAt0nQMY1ADh
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAGjuBMYwIeh
338Please respect copyright.PENANAbpEndsxRsF
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA13FMxblkg5
338Please respect copyright.PENANAEX3QkEJLtR
Nao: “Do I get to pick?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAC5uXzNE0uO
338Please respect copyright.PENANAFfiAnO2c1l
Arc: “You’re one of the few that can. For normal mages, it depends on their home universe and teachers.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANALHPZ29Mj9z
338Please respect copyright.PENANAAh1YVsdrnP
Nao: “I want the best.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAvpgLA1KOnd
338Please respect copyright.PENANArDWCIm1RSL
Arc: “That depends on what your body needs and from what I can tell…”
…
…
Nao: “Arc?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAd9PWmpBHcJ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAaCkTh5smdE
Arc: “…A crystal seems like the best fit.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA3gaGZcq0U0
338Please respect copyright.PENANAuCRZwkWP2a
Nao: “Can I know why?”
338Please respect copyright.PENANArCSKlCp0MM
338Please respect copyright.PENANAXVjZLpdLzW
Arc: “Really good at burst power and can form quickly.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANA142sTZCI8p
338Please respect copyright.PENANAdbRQvcOZhT
Nao: “Sounds good, the faster the better.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAEwsBIM9D4s
338Please respect copyright.PENANAw0Zdhb2uQ7
Arc: “Good, now focus on the mana inside and let it collect around your abdomen like snow.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAW8Jfy3dkvn
338Please respect copyright.PENANAUsRHsVDfDJ
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAwN8ecI1c6k
338Please respect copyright.PENANA19rbGYLgIm
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJyE6DujYkm
338Please respect copyright.PENANASaPmxK3zXB
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.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAmq2CoyyPsb
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVSVy3J8Ta5
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAy9QUokBU3P
338Please respect copyright.PENANAM3ljxfXi2v
Arc: “A good first attempt. Take a rest and do it again until the day ends.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANASCugitwDoI
338Please respect copyright.PENANAo6ag3Pi0Qd
Nao: “*Pant*….*Pant*….Okay.”
338Please respect copyright.PENANAJlrLCwDIab
338Please respect copyright.PENANAFIFOcGUOYI
[9:00pm]
338Please respect copyright.PENANAVdFgUEXtPs
338Please respect copyright.PENANAQGL9EkcJaA
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAz0eHBWtRJt
338Please respect copyright.PENANAft9FGvefNI
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.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAprhY2YRlwM
338Please respect copyright.PENANA2RM3pAIXha
Alphon shouldn’t be the only one to be tall. A 3-inch increase won’t be noticed.
338Please respect copyright.PENANAg6GooWxG50
338Please respect copyright.PENANA1MOwfSyQDH
Shapeshift! Next stop, 5’7!
338Please respect copyright.PENANAezXZsrVB5j
338Please respect copyright.PENANAMc31ZKTmKm
Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:
Strength: 17.5338Please respect copyright.PENANAHVSMOlV1du
Endurance: 11.5338Please respect copyright.PENANARpo1pC3PQn
Intelligence: 15.5338Please respect copyright.PENANAZD2q3FFAph
Charisma: 18338Please respect copyright.PENANAqL2Ht32PTH
Agility: 12.5338Please respect copyright.PENANAX3Jv5cbJ8A
Magic: 18338Please respect copyright.PENANAQNTnKUsYFZ
338Please respect copyright.PENANAyhnYzB1R8I
Spells:338Please respect copyright.PENANAgrZq7UENWW
Scan338Please respect copyright.PENANAcq4btlSXTz
Minor Illusion [Active]338Please respect copyright.PENANAmVBTWOIM2Q
Magic Missile338Please respect copyright.PENANAoDqh7M6zoY
Control Water338Please respect copyright.PENANAoJQopMuU2Z
Acid Blast 338Please respect copyright.PENANAemyBsygqEa
Shape Shift [Active]338Please respect copyright.PENANAGyXE7Id6Gq
Mind Reading [Active]338Please respect copyright.PENANALNDgLooAY7
Paralysis338Please respect copyright.PENANAadfihCObj6
Basic Healing338Please respect copyright.PENANAQixTFbplEN
Air Bullet 338Please respect copyright.PENANAtrGL78G3Sa