The Author's POV

"Woahhh."

Taking a step out of the portal, Emma looked at the scene presented before her with amazement.

Wearing a white baseball hat along with a simple shirt and shorts, Emma's curiosity piqued as she looked around the place with an excited gaze.

"Curb your excitement."

Exiting the portal after her was Melissa. Squinting her eyes and taking out her glasses, she glared in the direction of the sun.

"If only that damned bastard didn't force me to come here…"

She muttered out loud, obviously not hiding the displeasure in her voice.

Overhearing Melissa's comments, Emma turned around and asked, "What's wrong about coming here?"

"I would've much rather spent my time finishing my project.

"And what's fun about that? You never go out. Just look at you, you remind me of a vampire."

Pausing, Emma pointed at the sun.

"The first thing you did as soon as you got out was glare at the sun!"

"Shut up."

Rolling her eyes, Melissa put her glasses back on.

As the two of them were bickering, not far from them, the other group members were slowly coming out of the portal.

It wasn't long before eight more people exited the portal. Once the last person came out, an elf came to greet them and led them to an area outside of the portal where there were others waiting.

As they were headed towards the larger group, Emma was instantly able to spot Amanda.

"Amanda, you're already here."

This part wasn't hard since she stood out quite a bit.

The fact that most of the males' gazes were directed at her also didn't help since it only made it easier for Emma to spot her.

Walking up to her, Emma tried to hug her, but Amanda swiftly dodged, prompting Emma to pout.

"Hey!"

"Save that stuff for Kevin."

"Hey!"

Emma shouted even louder as her cheeks turned rosy.

"How long have you been waiting here?" Emma asked, in hopes of trying to switch the topic.

Fortunately for her, Amanda had tact. Pretending to have not seen anything, she casually answered, "It's been about three hours since we arrived."

Lifting her head and staring into the distance, toward the direction of where Emma came from, Amanda continued.

"Besides you, we should be waiting for one more group before they will bring us to the city."

"Another group?"

Emma turned her head and stared in the same direction as Amanda.

"Any idea who it is?"

"They are from another city."

"Oh? Which one?"

not too sure

the distance where another group was slowly headed in their

the youngest of the group, but his demeanour was unmatched as it contained this rare elegance to it that made him the focal point of the

"Aaron… so it's him."

on everyone's faces

was. After all, it was hard for them to not have heard of him when he had been a

surprised look flashed across his face. It wasn't long before a smirk followed after as he walked up

been a while since I've seen you

on Amanda. His brows knit for a second

be Miss Stern. I think we maybe briefly met during your first year. It was unfortunate that you left after and

with a short and indifferent acceptance

Amanda, Aaron's smile froze for a very short second

Miss Stern isn't too keen on talking to

Aaron turned around and

Emma turned to look in Amanda's

sure you want to treat him like that? His guild is pretty powerful. You sure you won't regret this in the

"No."

as she stared at Aaron's

of background Aaron had. He was the heir of the most powerful guild

influence, it was very powerful. They were not someone that the

head and staring at Emma, Amanda softly said, "The reason I'm doing this is because

"He is?"

flashed in Emma's eyes

would they reach out for the other

"Because they are greedy."

her voice

guilds in Ashton city, but even the other guilds from

obviously enraged by this, but she was

all of

her thoughts was a crisp and melodious voice

eyes paused on an elf standing

he

that everyone has gathered, I will escort you to the main city. So, if you

to walked along a pathway that led

one, the other people present slowly

"Let's go."

move out of the three girls was Emma who quickly lined up and followed the others

flashed across her

"Here, take this."

about to follow Emma, grabbing her shoulder, Melissa handed her a

to everyone, you might as well be useful and advertise

speaking, Melissa

stared at her

times, her lips tugged upwards ever

***

Clank—!

a small room as a broadsword crossed against two sharp

between the blades as the

the distance, the individual holding onto the

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

individuals were none other than Kevin and

and meeting up together, they decided to spend most of their

been doing this for the past two years back at the Lock, both of them were quite familiar with the way the other fought, hence why they

ever since leaving the Lock, the both of them were still quite familiar with each other's styles. Hence, they were able

one thing that was different about the two, it was that Jin was now a rank lower

a lack of training, however. Jin had been training harder than ever. The reason for his current rank was that he

dagger art,

this that he lagged behind

that had accumulated on his forehead, Kevin put away

the others will be

"Okay."