Beginnings of the Modern Mage

Bad Recovery

This…isn’t my ceiling. I blink and feel a tinge of pain across my pain. So…this is reality. I’m probably in the nurse’s office.

I swallow and exhale a long breath. Everything that has happened flashes through my head.

Nao: “What happens now?”

Alyson: “So you’re awake.”

!

I struggle through the pain and look to my right to see Alyson by my bed.

Nao: “What are you doing here.”

Alyson: “Is that a problem?”

Nao: “No, I’m just surprised.”

Alyson: “…”

Nao: “…”

Alyson: “So, explain yourself.”

Nao: “Is it not obvious, Trevor beat me up.”

Alyson: “…I mean before all of that.”

Nao: “I did the right thing, any humane person would do it.”

Alyson: “Those eyes didn’t look human to me.”

Nao: “…”

Nao: “Maybe not, but I couldn’t sit by and let them beat up my friends like that. If I…have to become a monster-”

Alyson: “Don’t finish that. You don’t have to do that.”

I begin to retort but something is happening. Alyson’s general seriousness begins to crumble before my eyes.

Nao: “What’s with you?”

Alyson: “That’s my question!”

Nao: “!”

Alyson: “Don’t you realize that if you keep doing this you’ll get yourself killed! Stop trying to do things beyond your ability!”

Nao: “…”

Alyson: “I…don’t want to lose you too.”

Tch.

Nao: “What do you want from me!?”

Alyson: “!!”

Nao: “Should we just shut up and take our abuse? I don’t care whether it’s not within my ability, I rather try than live the rest of my life on my knees.”

Alyson: “…Nell and I won’t watch you burn up in the sun. Goodbye, Nao.”

She cleans off her tears and leaves me alone in the room. No, not alone. I’m in a room full of broken bodies. Those of my friends and those of my enemies.

Nao: “It’s too late to back out now.”

*Sigh*

Nao: “ So this is the cost of being the main character. I’ll know when this ends if the price was worth it.”

Arc?

Arc: “Yes?”

How’s my body?

Arc: “Healing well enough. Speaking of healing…”

*Ding*

Points: 6

Arc: “You did well over 10 spells today.”

Good, I need those points if I’m going to beat the King next time.

*Door open*

I look to the door and rushing to my side is the person I didn’t want to see. Not after what I almost did?

Nell: “Nao, are you okay!”

Nao: “I’m okay, mom. Sorry they had to call you from work.”

She hugs me gently, enveloping me in her warmth. Something I need but don’t deserve. And as soon as I think that the warmth leaves and is replaced with dread.

Nell: “You promised…”

Nao: “Mom I-”

Before I could say anything she flicked my forehead hard enough to push my head back some. Knowing my mom, this is as bad as a slap.

Nell: “You broke your promise and got into fights. Even Alyson seems shaken by what she saw you do.”

Nao: “But-”

Nell: “Nao, you’ve been suspended from school for a month.”

Nao: “!”

Nao: “What about those bullies?! Don’t tell me they get to go free!”

Nell: “Nao, you beat one of them so bad that they might not make it.”

Nao: “!!”

Nell: “What they did to you and your friends is unforgivable but that pales in comparison to you. You…might really be charged with murder.”

Nell: “Why didn’t you tell me…we could have done something….anything but this...”

I couldn’t say anything…she’s right. I already killed 3 people and now this….

What am I becoming?

Arc: “What’s necessary.”

W-What?

Nell: “Nao, despite everything you’ve done I forgive you for breaking that promise.”

Nao: “R-Really?”

Nell: “Yes, because I also kept something from you. Our…living situation is not the best.”

Nao: “What do you mean?”

Nell: “It means that I’m getting older and can’t be as productive as I once was. Income has been steadily declining along with work hours. I…can’t keep up and one day…we might lose the house.”

Nao: “Mom! Why didn’t you tell me? I could have helped or lessened your burden in some way. I would never have been as lazy as I was before if I knew.”

Nell: “I didn’t want to further burden you. I assume that’s the same reason why you didn’t tell me.”

Nao: “*Nod*”

Nell: “We both made mistakes Nao. If we were more truthfully with each other then maybe we could have avoided this.”

Mom bows her head and I try desperately to stop her but she insisted.

Nell: “I’m sorry for keeping this from you.”

Nao: “Mom I…”

I bow myself. As best I can in my situation.

Nao: “I’m sorry too, for everything I’ve done and kept secret.”

We both bought our heads back and accepted the other’s apology.

Nell: “No matter what happens, we’ll be truthful and rely on each other more from now on. Promise me.”

Nao: “I-”

Nell: “Promise me.”

Nao: “…Okay. I’ll tell you everything.”

Arc: “What are you doing?”

You said we need more allies and the one person who’s been an ally to me all my life is right here. I never should have kept this a secret.

Arc: “I don’t thin-”

Nao: “Mom, I have something to show you. Can you draw the curtain?”

Nell: “O-Okay.”

*Curtains close*

Once she sat down I transformed the necklace into a book with a flash of light. I used minor illusion to be on the same show I did in front of the Black Listers.

Nao: “Mom, I’m a mage.”

I told her everything and this time I mean everything. I watched her eyes start with wonder and end with horror. The one thing I wanted to keep through all have this, is torn away right in front of me. And it’s done by my own hands.

Nell: “I…need some time.”

Mom leaves through the curtain and leaves me truly alone.

Arc: “I tried to warn you. Now with your damaged mental state, you’ll be weaker going forward.”

I tuned Arc out and sunk deeper into my bed. The harsh light bare down on me, burning away any comfort left.

Time moved fast after that. After I was healed enough I was taken back home by mom. I assume the others went home in a similar way. When I got back home, it was colder. No one said a word as they went into their room.

In my own room, I just laid in bed staring at my ceiling. I was too bruised, tired, and depressed to work. Despite Arc’s protests, I refused to meditate or work out.

I just wanted to sleep it all away.

*Ring*

I turn my head to my phone on the desk. I consider ignoring it but I remember that there’s only 1 person that would call me.

I sigh and transform my head into Alphon.

Alyson: “Hey Alphon, I know this is sudden but would you like to come over?”

…Are you serious?

Nao: “S-Sure, what’s wrong?”

Alyson: “I just…need some company. A lot happened today.”

I can understand that, I suppose this can take my mind off of everything.

Nao: “Happy to help

Alyson: “Thanks, I’ll send over my address. Knock and I’ll come get you.”

Nao: “Cool, I’ll be there in 20 minutes.”

Alyson: “Thanks…it’s nice to know your voice.”

Nao: “…Same.”

I hang up and prepare myself for Alyson. Transforming, clothes, washing up, healing wounds, and mental prep.

20 minutes from now, we’ll use each other to forget our problems. I have no problem with that.