Beginnings of the Modern Mage

Chapter 16A: Fading (Anthony's PV)

It’s been 2 days since Nao left school but he left a noticeable impact. Trevor, has been training for the rematch, bullies are a bit scared to approach us, and most importantly…

Mat: “Man, Alyson has been out of it these days. Her test scores have taken a nose dive.”

Anthony: “Nao is still helping us even while suspended.”

Velo: “Yeah, he even infused a shield spell onto this ring I got from a cereal box.”

Tallow: “But she’s still among the top 20 students in the school both athletically and academically.”

Anthony: “It’s enough, soon someone is going to challenge her place as queen.”

Mat: “And when Nao comes back, he’ll take the position of King. After what you told us he was fighting evenly with him. I’m sure after a month of training, he’ll be way stronger.”

Anthony: “…We’ll see.”

I still remember when we went to see Nao yesterday. The focus, the new power, and improved body…he’s even taller now…

Anthony: “Hey guys, do you want to try exercising.”

Everyone: “No way.”

Mat: “Look at me, I’m not going to exercise.”

Tallow: “Building muscle won’t help me in my goals so…”

Velo: “Besides, we won’t be as fast as Nao. Why even try?”

…

They’re right, we don’t have Arc or a game system. Anything we try won’t change us as much.

…

…

Mat: “Hum, can I have my stun gun back?”

Anthony: “No.”

Mat: “Come on, I said I was sorry already. I was scared, it was an honest mistake!”

Anthony: “I don’t care. That mistake almost cost us our lives.”

Mat: “…I’m sorry.”

Velo: “Don’t worry Mat, we can ask Nao for another one.”

Mat: “I….guess. Yeah, I’ll think an even better spell than paralysis.”

When are you going to fend for yourselves…

Anthony: “We can’t rely on Nao for everything.”

Mat: “Why not? He’s our friend and if I was cool like him I’d want someone to rely on me.”

Anthony: “I guess but what if…”

…

Mat: “If?”

Anthony: “Never mind, let’s go back to class.”

I get our bags and leave the library while trying to stay hidden from bullies. They might be scared of Nao but they’re not scared of us. It only takes one person and-

Trevor: “Hey guys.”

Everyone: “!!”

Mat: “The k-king?”

Everyone in the hallway stops and watches as Trevor walks up to us. Their intense gaze falls upon us like a wave and breaks our fragile cover.

Trevor: “So, have you guys seen Nao recently? I couldn’t get an answer out of Alyson so how about you?”

Anthony: “He-”

Mat: “Wait, let me say it.”

Mat steps in front of us and puffs up his chest. What the hell is he doing. This won’t make up for what he did. Talking to Trevor is terrifying but not that bad.

Mat: “Y-Yeah, we went to his house yesterday.”

Trevor: “Great, I hope he’s getting ready for our next fight. I just can’t stop thinking about it. I still have the badge on my face to remember him”

Creepy.

Mat: “He is and when he does…he’ll….h-he’ll win.”

…

…

Trevor: “Haha, you know wouldn’t mind that. I’ve never lost a fight so it should be an interesting experience.”

Trevor: “I’m happy to hear he’s preparing for me. That’s all I needed to know, you can go.”

We collectively sighed and inched past Trevor. Everyone’s gaze still followed our every move but I don’t care. We just dodged a bull-

Trevor: “And the other hand.”

We instantly stopped and felt the air cool sharply. We look around to Trevor with his head turned toward us.

Trevor: “If Nao was that strong, maybe one of you can give me a warm-up? Do one of you…want to fight?”

Instantly, we begin to shiver uncontrollably. I can see it in his eyes, we’re nothing but cattle and prey to him. He towers over our lives and casts a shadow over any possibility of escaping.

But what makes me shiver isn’t fear. No, it’s hatred for those around us. I quickly look around to see people running away, giggling, or watching us with some sick anticipation. Is this…entertainment to you fucking creatures!

Trevor: “Come on don’t be scared, I’m sure you can take at least one hit. Even Nao can then-”

Alyson: “That’s enough Trevor.”

For a moment those parasites look elsewhere, to the queen. They start mumbling like flies around shit. And we’re just in the middle of this clown show, waiting to get out.

Trevor: “Alyson, why are you here. Don’t tell me, did you reconsider my dating offer.”

Alyson: “Of course not. I just don’t want you to waste time on the bottom feeders. Nao is clearly a special case, they won’t pose a challenge to you.”

Trevor: “Are you sure you just don’t your brother’s friends getting hurt.”

Alyson: “They’re on the black list so I don’t care but people are looking forward to your fight with Nao.”

Are you fucking serious, this is not a TV show!

Alyson: “I’m sure you want the best turnout so don’t spoil the audience with subpar entertainment.”

Trevor: “…Hahaha, I get it. Sure, I didn’t think they would be a good warm-up. I was just playing with them a bit.”

Trevor: “Sorry for spoiling everyone before the promised day. See you guys then.”

…Trevor ruffles our hair like an evil older brother and leaves. Everyone’s eyes return back to their phones and other digital noise. The queen leaves too after a while.

As if nothing happened, we return to the background where we belong. The show must go on. We were just a commercial in their “exciting” lives.

Anthony: “Let’s go.”

They didn’t say anything more. Our position was clear as day, more so than ever before.

The school day ends without anything else happening. The only place left for us is Nao’s room. The only place where we can escape our fate.

I open the door to see an even taller and muscular Nao training his body. It’s got to the point where he’s starting to tower over us too. 2 inches from being just like the bullies…

Nao: “Hey guys, how’s it going.”

Velo: “Wow Nao, y-you look good.”

Nao: “Hehe, thanks. Alyson thought so too.”

Mat: “Really? Damn, lucky.”

Anthony: “She actually told you that.”

Nao: “Well no, she blushed when she saw me come out of the bathroom after a shower.”

Anthony: “You might have mistaken it. Remember, don’t catch feelings.”

Nao: “Y-Yeah, my mistake. Of course, he wouldn’t care.”

Anthony: “It’s fine, you can’t trust those snakes. Anyway, how comes your training? Think you can beat Trevor?”

Nao: “I’m getting there. A month might be overkill though.”

Mat: “Better that than losing. That guy even came up to us and asked about you.”

Nao: “Are you guys okay?”

Anthony: “Yeah, but I don’t know how long that will last. Now that the King has talked to us, the other bullies find the courage to mess with us.”

Nao: “Damn it, I’m…sorry for getting suspended.”

Anthony: “No, we’re sorry for not protecting ourselves better.”

Mat: “…”

Anthony: “Besides, suspension is worth it if it means we can deal with those bullies like you did.”

Nao: “…Yeah, I guess.”

Anthony: “Once Alyson is dethroned and you beat the King we can finally go to the next stage.”

Nao: “Next stage?”

Anthony: “Yeah, removing the bullies from school completely.”

Nao: “…I don’t know, is it necessary anymore?”

Everyone: “What?!”

Nao: “After what you’ve told me school seems to be going well. And Alyson…she’s been through enough. I know the king talked to you but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be bullied after…what I did.”

What…the hell? Don’t look ashamed of what you did!

Nao: “Can’t we just let this go?”

Mat: “…I mean-”

Anthony: “No!”

Everyone: “!”

Anthony: “If that’s the cause then why are you getting stronger?!”

Nao: “…Because I still have a score to settle with Trevor. He won’t leave me alone until I beat him. But after that, I’m done waging a war against all of the bullies. I’m…tired of fighting.”

Is that how it is? As soon as he gets the power to stand among the stars, he forgets about us!

Anthony: “I-I see. I guess asking you to do that after everything is too much.”

Nao: “Thanks for your understanding.”

…

…

Nao: “Don’t look worried guys, we won. There’s no need to wage a war against all bullies. Once Trevor goes down, you’ll see.”

Mat: “I guess.”

Tallow: “Trevor is hard enough, if we can get some peace then I’m fine with just going back to some sense of normal.”

Velo: “I just don’t want to be bullied anymore.”

Anthony: “And what about the Black List? We’re still on it.”

Nao: “I’ll talk to Alyson again.”

Like she’ll listen to you. But I guess…now that you like that…

Nao: “I’m sure she’ll listen if her position is threatened.”

Anthony: “Wait, so you’ll help her regain her composure? After all the work you did to break her heart?”

Nao: “…Yeah, I….regret having to do that.”

Did he seriously catch feelings for his own sister? I cup my head as everything starts to crumble.

Nao: “So we’re good? I want to relax with everyone with some games.”

What will he do with his power afterward? Just use it to live the good life instead of using it for something important?

Mat: “Sure man, I want to see how good you are at Road Fighter.”

Anthony: “Wait a minute.”

Everyone: “?”

Anthony: “Can I have another magic item?”

Mat: “Don’t you have enough?”

Anthony: “…”

Mat: “Sorry. One more can’t hurt right, Nao?”

Nao: “Of course, what do you want? Also, did you bring anything?”

Anthony: “Yes, infuse invisibility into this coin.”

Nao: “…That will take all my points for the day but that’s fine.”

Nao takes

I’m not in the mood to play but Nao might take a while to finish. But to my surprise, 15 minutes later and we notice the flash of light.

Mat: “You’re getting better man.”

Nao: “Yeah, the meditation really helps me better control mana and increases my focus. It’s even a bit less painful now. Here you go Anthony, one time use magic item.”

Anthony: “T-Thanks.”

I guess he mastered this skill too. And for what?

Mat: “Now that you’re done, come join us for the next game.”

Nao: “Yeah!”

*Sigh*

I join them too. Why not. We play for hours until it was time for us to go back home.

Mat: “Make sure to view the meteor shower tonight and take pictures guys. I want some different angles to wow at tomorrow.”

Nao: “Sure, I’m kind of excited to be sharing this with you guys.”

Velo: “Same, I don’t usually bother.”

Mat: “That’s why we need to do it this time.”

Tallow: “It is interesting that it’s happening now of all times.”

Mat: “Who cares. Maybe we’ll get lucky and get an early eclipse too.”

Tallow: “That would actually be terrifying.”

The rest of them laugh and talk all the way to the front door. I can’t help but follow the crowd and laugh along. I didn’t have to do that in a long time…

Nao: “Hey guys?”

We look back at Nao standing at the threshold of the door. He looks down seemingly worried about us leaving maybe.

Nao: “After I deal with Trevor there’s something I should tell you. It might shock you but I want to make sure we’ll still be friends afterward.”

Mat: “Of course, no matter what we’re there for you.”

Tallow: “I’m actually looking forward based on your last secret reveal.”

Velo: “Me too.”

Shouldn’t it depend on what the secret is…

Anthony: “…Sure.”

Nao: “Thanks, you’re the best. See you tomorrow.”

We say our goodbyes and head to our separate homes. Of course, I am the first to leave the group. I live far away from my friends, in a place of Hillview I would never take my friends to.

I look up to the darkening sky and sigh.

So this is it…our one hope is gone. Nao is a fool, a kind naive fool.

Nothing will change if we don’t beat those monsters into the ground! Maybe even killing one as an example. How else are we supposed to walk through school with our heads held up. It’s…not fair that Nao can do that…

But that’s how it usually is. I look to the reflective surface of the light pole and can’t help but feel sick.

Anthony: “Once again, I’m the dwarf of the group. With Nao gone and all grown up, I might become the official Napoleon tomorrow. Hahaha…”

I look away and stifle the fear threatening to escape up my throat. I refuse to be scared of those bastards. I’ll keep my dignity at least.

Anthony: “What the hell am I talking about…I lost that when those bullies made me….”

I put it out of my head and suck up the tears. I run home and hope I’m not too late to receive even a bit of comfort.

Anthony: “I’m home mom!”

…

…

Anthony: “Tch, whore. What was I expecting…”

I fix myself some food and take the poorly made mess back to my room. I force myself to eat my dinner as time marches ahead without me.

Eventually, the time comes for the meteor shower. I go to my window and watch them shoot across my vision. I quickly take a poor photo on my broken phone.

I look down at the cracked version of the shower in the sky.

Anthony: “Heh, stuff like this used to be magical before I met Nao.”

I collapse on my mat on the floor and stare at the dirty ceiling. Then a strange memory pops into my head. The first time I saw a meteor show with my parents…and the last time I didn’t want to wish for anything.

I get off my mat and go back to the window to see the falling stars. I cup my hands, close my eyes, and wish on one of the stars flying across the sky.

Anthony: “…I wish for vengeance and…the power to take it. Power that…Nao doesn’t deserve anymore. I don’t want to be like this anymore.”

I open my eyes to see the stars still falling, ignorant of my wish.

Anthony: “As per usual, I’m ignored. After all, I’m not one of you.”

I reach out to the sky swirling with white fire. After 5 breaths I close my hand wishing to crush those flames that scar my skin every day. When I pull my hand back though…

Anthony: “W-What?”

Within my hands, a light shines through the cracks of my fingers. I open it to find something I always wished for.

Anthony: “A-A star?”

As I feel the energy within my hands I realize what it actually is.

Anthony: “No…it’s change.”