Beginnings of the Modern Mage

Love In a Hopeless Place

*Knock*

*Knock*

*Door Open*

Alyson: “Come in.”

I follow Alyson to her room and to the bed. Despite my hesitation, Alyson pulled me to sit with her. A few minutes passed with no words flowing. Only an awkward silence filled the air. Only Alyson would have the strength to break that silence.

Alyson: “Your less…animated than usual. Did you have a bad day too?”

Nao: “…You can say that.”

Alyson: “Do want to talk about it?”

Nao: “I came here for you so lets start there.”

Alyson: “…Fine, I’ll go first.”

Alyson: *Sigh*

Alyson: “My brother got into a fight today, a really bad one. It’s partly my fault but I wish he wouldn’t put himself in these situations.”

Nao: “You’re fault?”

Alyson: “I shouldn’t have put him on the black list at the time. I was mad and…scared of Nao’s aggressive sudden improvement.”

Nao: “That’s a…bad thing?”

Alyson: “Not entirely but doing that is only going to hurt in the long run. What he’s trying is just not possible.”

Why does she keep saying that!

Nao: “Why do you say that? How do you know he’s not capable? Maybe you’ve underestimated him.”

Alyson: “I…”

She cups her and closes her eyes tightly for a moment before answering. It was at this moment that I mentally slap myself. How could I forget to swap in mind reading? Whatever, this is going well anyway.

Alyson: “I just know. That’s how he’s always been and it doesn’t make sense for him to get so good all of sudden.”

Alyson: “It just can’t be possible…”

Nao: “Do you even like your brother? Sound like him succeeding makes you mad, not a good look.”

Alyson: “…I do.”

Yeah right.

Nao: “Doesn’t sound like it.”

Alyson: “It would come off like that huh? My feelings for Nao are… complicated.”

Nao: “We got all day, I’m willing to listen if you’re willing to talk.”

Alyson: “Thanks, I…always wanted to get my feelings off my chest, to sort them, but I had no one to turn to. I’m glad you’re here.”

Me too, so I can finally get some answers.

Alyson: “Before I was adopted by Nell, I was in an orphanage that taught me how to survive. One of the biggest lessons was there will always be losers and winners.”

Alyson: “The losers inspire winners to win and if they try to win themselves…then only disaster follows.”

Nao: “Who told that bul…idea?”

Alyson: “…Someone important and I say it happen first hand. Unaware losers would only make situations worse and disappoint everyone.”

So that’s how you see me…

Nao: “I assume Nao falls under losers for you?”

Alyson: “Yeah, I figured out his place a few years after Nell adopted me.”

Alyson: “On one hand I’m proud of him for trying. Finally, he’s not a lazy waste of space. But on the other hand, I know that he’ll face disappointment if he attempts the impossible. If only he can find a balance, then we’d be okay.”

Nao: “I get that but why don’t you trust me, I mean Nao more.”

Alyson: “Because I used to know someone like Nao. Someone who wasn’t talented but tried hard anyway.”

Nao: “W-What happened to them?”

Alyson: “…They…died. No matter what happens to Nao, it can’t be worse than that.”

Nao: “…”

Alyson: “So you can see why Nao’s actions make me both proud and irritated. Then there’s the possible murder charge and…other annoyances from the past. Today is just…a headache.”

Nao: “…I…don’t know what to say.”

Alyson: “You don’t have to say anything just…help me forget about it all. Just for one night.”

Nao: “Huh?”

Before I could react, Alyson grabs my face and kisses me. She passionately makes love to my mouth while placing herself on my lap. She cups my head and increases the intensity of the kiss. Eventually though, we have to come up for air.

Nao: “Alys-”

Alyson: “Shhh, let me have this. I’ll go back to being who I’m supposed to be but for tonight, I just want to let it all go for once.”

She sticks her tongue back in my mouth and pushes me down onto the bed. Is this really about to happen? Am I about to make love to my sister? No, it’s Alphon…not me.

Wait a minute, aren’t I suppose to break her heart? Is this not a great time? But does she deserve that? Yeah, how does this even help our cause? Is Alyson really the enemy after everything I know now?

What about me? Should I really do this with my own step-sister? Do I like her like that? And if so, I should tell her the truth. I should be the one to kiss her not Alphon. But what if she rejects me like mom…

These ideas violently clash in my mind and along with the building pleasure I’ve only dreamed of…I’m blanking.

Alyson guides my hands further down her smooth body. All the way down to the place I shouldn’t touch. I…I…can’t do it!

I regretfully break our kiss and gently push her away. Despite my lower body begging me to continue, I just can’t. There’s too much surrounding this moment, corrupting it, for me to continue.

Alyson: “W-What’s wrong?”

Nao: “I-I…don’t think I’m ready for this yet.”

Alyson: “After all that flirting, what do you mean you’re not ready?”

Nao: “It’s…complicated.”

Alyson: “If you’re going through even half of what my family is going through, it’s even more of a reason. Just sleep it all away with me, just for tonight.”

Alyson straddles me again and stares down at me with moist eyes. Her clothes are disheveled and her hair is wild. Her lips are begging to hold something and it whispers for me to give it to her. This is a look that I never thought she could ever have and it’s…driving me mad.

I grab her waist and the thought of abandoning reasoning flashes in my mind. But it’s only for a moment. I lift her up and move her aside on the bed.

She’s too shocked to try to stop me. I don’t blame her, I lead her on, and when it’s time to deliver…I choked. In the end…I guess it’s a mission success…

Nao: “…I’m sorry. I don’t think this…will work. Goodbye, Alyson.”

I leave the room before she could try to convince me again. I don’t know if I can resist a second time.

I go to the front door, open and close it before going to my room. I transform back to who I am before collapsing on the bed.

Nao: “You did Nao, you just broke your first girlfriend’s heart. Can today get any worse…”

Better go to sleep before the word answers my questions. As I drift, I promise one thing to myself.

I’ll prove to Alyson that losers can win and then maybe we can go back to how we used to be. Before queens, magic and the harshness of pre-adult life.

I look at my stats and points.

Points: 6

Strength: 17.5

Endurance: 11.5

Intelligence: 15.5

Charisma: 18

Agility: 12.5

Magic: 18

…I have to take that risk. This is the first step. Add 4 to endurance and 2 to agility.

Points: 0

Strength: 17.5

Endurance: 15.5

Intelligence: 15.5

Charisma: 18

Agility: 14.5

Magic: 18

I close my eyes and rest with that promise in mind. Hopefully, I have no nightmares like last time.