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?"

too sure

already here." Melissa said from the side, gazing into the distance where

have been the youngest of the group, but his demeanour was unmatched

"Aaron… so it's him."

appeared on everyone's faces as their eyes paused on

for them to not have heard of him when he had been a thorn on their side during their first year. Second and third year

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

been a while since

Amanda. His

first year. It

a short and

from Amanda, Aaron's smile froze

isn't too keen on talking

Amanda, Aaron turned

behind, Emma turned to look in

guild is pretty powerful. You sure you won't regret this in

"No."

shook her head as she

of background Aaron had. He was the heir of the most powerful guild in Lutwig city, one of the four great cities in

as great as hers, but in terms of influence, it was very powerful. They were not someone that the

Amanda softly said, "The reason I'm doing this is because

"He is?"

in Emma's eyes at this

would they reach out

"Because they are greedy."

replied, her voice taking a chilly

not just the guilds in Ashton city, but even the other

was obviously enraged by this, but she

you for coming all of the way

a crisp and melodious voice that

her head, Amanda's eyes paused on an

them, he

has gathered, I will escort you to the main

along

other people present slowly started

"Let's go."

move out of the three girls was Emma who quickly lined

across her

"Here, take this."

Emma, grabbing her

be useful and advertise this as well. The better the

speaking, Melissa also lined

at her hand where several different cards

couple of times, her lips tugged upwards ever

***

Clank—!

a small room as a broadsword crossed against two sharp

pressurized wind sprang out from the point of contact between the blades

each other from the distance, the individual holding onto the broadsword lowered it

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

individuals were none

arriving early to the elven domain and meeting up together, they decided to spend most of their time sparring

back at the Lock, both of them were

were still quite familiar with each other's styles. Hence, they were able to make the

different about the two, it was

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

now more focused on improving his dagger art, the time he spent on improving his rank lowered

this that he lagged behind Kevin, in terms

had accumulated on his forehead, Kevin

be enough for today, the others will

"Okay."