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

Melissa said from the side, gazing into the distance where

a young man with black hair and blue eyes. He may have been the youngest of the group, but his demeanour was unmatched as it contained this rare

"Aaron… so it's him."

of solemnity appeared on everyone's

when he had been a thorn on their side during their first year. Second and third year for Emma and

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

a while since I've

eyes soon stopped on Amanda. His brows

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

replied with a short and indifferent acceptance

reaction from Amanda, Aaron's smile froze for a very short second before he

seems like Miss Stern isn't too keen on talking to me,

Aaron turned around and

his back from behind, Emma turned to

that? His guild is pretty

"No."

shook her head as she stared at Aaron's

He was the heir of the

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

said, "The reason I'm doing this is because he is already working

"He is?"

in Emma's eyes at

would they reach out for the other

"Because they are greedy."

replied, her voice taking a chilly

in Ashton city, but even

was obviously enraged by this, but she was also helpless

of the way

was a crisp and melodious voice that

head, Amanda's eyes paused on an elf standing far ahead of the

them, he seemed to

for the long wait. Now that everyone has gathered, I will escort you to the main city.

along a pathway that

left, one by one, the other

"Let's go."

of the three girls was Emma who

across

"Here, take this."

follow Emma, grabbing her shoulder, Melissa handed her a couple of

well be useful and advertise this as well. The better the performance,

Melissa also lined

in confusion, lowering her head, Amanda stared at

couple of times, her lips tugged

***

Clank—!

a small room as a broadsword crossed

of contact between the blades as the two individuals distanced themselves

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

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

none

and meeting up together, they decided to

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

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

was one thing that was different about the two, it was that Jin

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

his dagger art,

because of this that he lagged behind Kevin,

accumulated on his

for today, the others will be coming here

"Okay."