Beginnings of the Modern Mage

Planning in Progress

Shock and bewilderment all around. I knew this would-

Mat: “Cool!”

Tallow: “I can’t believe magic actually exists.”

Velo: “What kind of spells can you do?”

Anthony: “…”

Nao: “Slow down, I’ll explain how this happened.”

So I did and they listened with bated breath. They hung on my every word like I was really someone special. Ha, I guess I am. But I did leave out what happened with Anton and kept to the story I told Sever.

After I finished explaining there was a period of silence and contemplation. I starting to get nervous again, say something.

Anthony: “I get the gist. I’m glad to hear you got this only a few days ago. If you had this power for months didn’t do anything...”

Anthony: “Anyway, I understand why you hid it until you got stronger.”

Tallow: “But it’s a bit disappointed the loser hero we thought beat the bullies against all odds used OP magic.”

Velo: “Man, some people are just…lucky.”

Mat: “Yeah, this is cool and all but why even show us? I feel…even more pathetic.”

No, No, No! This is not what I….Arc!

Arc: “Calm down, repeat what I say.”

Anthony: “I should have known. People like us can’t stand up to bullies like how you did.”

Nao: “Don’t you want this power?”

Everyone: “!!?”

Nao: “I have the power to create magic items and give them to you. All I ask is that you help me when the time comes.”

Nao: “Those were Arc’s words, not mine.”

Anthony: “You mean we can use magic too?”

Nao: “It’s not fair that I’m the only one who gets to fight back and be important. It’s time for people like us to crawl out of the hole life through us in.”

Mat: “Yeah!”

Anthony: “I can’t believe this happening, this is beyond all my expectations.”

Velo: “So what kind of powers do we get?”

Nao: “Well, I’m sure that’s up to Ar-”

Nao: “No wait, it’s my choice. So in other words, what do you want?”

Everyone: “Awesome!”

Nao: “But I have to learn to actually make magic items so you’ll have to wait till tomorrow.”

Everyone: “Awwww.”

Anthony: “Well, at least we have something to look forward to.”

Mat: “This does give me time to think of the perfect ability I want. X-Ray, invisibility, or maybe I can even shave off this fat!”

Anthony: “Let’s slow down and refocus. We’ll have plenty of time to think about this over the weekend. For now, let’s plan out Alyson’s downfall.”

Mat: “Oh yeah, almost forgot about that.”

Anthony: “I actually thought of the perfect plan. Nao, do you remember when Mat asked Alyson if she has a boyfriend?”

Nao: “Yeah?”

Anthony: “Was it just me or did she seem sad about the fact she’s single?”

Nao: “You’re right, I did notice some disappointment.”

Anthony: “Few things bring down a man more than a broken heart.”

Nao: “So that’s your plan?”

Anthony: “Make her fall in love and break her heart. Don’t you have the perfect ability for it, a chad form to sweep her off her feet?”

Nao: “Let me get this straight, you want me to date my step-sister?”

Mat: “Pretty cool right? I’d do it in a heartbeat.”

Anthony: “You don’t have to bring real feelings into it, just get her to fall for you. That’s it, no need to get physical.”

Nao: “I…guess. But what about the King? He has a massive crush on her. If he can’t do it what chance do I have?”

Anthony: “I’m sure Nao, the great mage, can defend himself against a mere bully and surpass his ability to court the queen.”

Nao: “I don’t know, he scared even Anton and his super attractive. Is he just a mere bully?”

Anthony: “I’m sure you’ll think of something. I rather us get stronger and deal with the King instead of using the bullies against each other.”

Anthony: “It’s unnecessary now that we’ll have magic.”

Nao: “I guess, I’ll trust your judgment.”

Anthony: “Then we have a plan for tomorrow. You make us magic items and find time to flirt with Alyson.”

Mat: “Lucky bastard.”

Anthony: “We’ll tell you what kind of powers we want in the afternoon so tell your mom about us visiting again.”

Nao: “Got it, only thing left today is to spend these points.”

Tallow: “I suggest spending points on charisma to help on your date.”

Anthony: “Mind reading might come in handy.”

I spend 10 points on charisma and buy mind reading. I go into the magic book and swap out scan for mind reading.

Nao: “Still 8 left, I’ll spend the rest on my other stats. Just in case of…problems.”

Anthony: “Cool, better get some rest then. The more time your body has to absorb the stats the better.”

Mat: “Yeah, I don’t want to wake up to you screaming.”

Velo: “It’s hard enough to sleep in a new environment.”

Nao: “Speaking off what are you going to sleep on.”

Anthony: “Damn, I knew I forgot something. Why didn’t you remember for me Tallow?”

Tallow: “I’m not your mental backup.”

Nell: “Good thing I thought of it.”

Nell gently pushes open the door with some blankets.

Velo: “You’re a lifesaver.”

Anthony: “Thank you for this Nell.”

Nell: “No problem, but I’m sorry I don’t have anything big enough for Velo though.”

Velo: “It’s fine, I’m used to it. No need to worry about me.”

Nell: “Are you sure.”

Velo: “*Nod*”

Nell: “Alright, goodnight you guys.”

Everyone: “Goodnight.”

*Door Closes*

Anthony: “I’m glad your mom is so nice and thoughtful. We might’ve had to sleep in the cold.”

Nao: “Yeah, she’s great.”

Anthony: “Me and Tallow will try hard to not forget something so important. Right, Tallow?”

Tallow: “Yeah.”

Mat yawns and picks a corner to sleep in. We all do the same, there’s nothing more to say. We know what to do tomorrow, we’re ready.

I close my eyes with a slight smile on my face. We’re going to make it.

…

…

Darkness…

Pitch black, an all-consuming nothingness.

How am I floating in this void? My eyes are gone yet I can see it coming. My heart has been ripped out but I can still feel beating. My arms and legs…I can’t feel them.

Do I even have a body to move? I can do nothing but sit in the deafening silence and wait for the indescribable to come for me. The void starts to move, even though that shouldn’t be possible.

My mind shatters at the sight of its full vestige. The writhing mass of the unknown seizes the self. It consumes what’s left of my sanity and who I am. _______ is coming.

Who are you?

Nao’s Current Stats and Spells:

Strength: 16

Endurance: 10

Intelligence: 14

Charisma: 18

Agility: 10

Magic: 12

Spells:

Scan

Minor Illusion [Active]

Magic Missile

Control Water

Acid Blast

Shape Shift [Active]

Mind Reading [Active]