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

forefront of the group was a young man with black hair and blue eyes. He may have been the youngest of the

"Aaron… so it's him."

solemnity appeared on everyone's faces

he was. After all, it was hard 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 for

small strides, Aaron's eyes soon paused on their group, and a surprised look flashed across his face. It wasn't long before a smirk

since I've

stopped on Amanda. His brows knit for

Stern. I think we maybe briefly met during your first year.

a short and indifferent acceptance of his

Amanda, Aaron's smile froze for a

keen on

Amanda, Aaron

from behind, Emma turned to look in

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

"No."

shook her head as she stared at

the heir of the most powerful guild in Lutwig city, one of the

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

staring at Emma, Amanda softly said, "The reason I'm doing this is because he is already working with another diamond-graded guild in

"He is?"

flashed in Emma's eyes at

they reach out for

"Because they are greedy."

replied, her voice taking a chilly

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

she was also helpless at the same

you for coming all of the

a crisp and melodious

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

addressed them, he seemed

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

to walked along a pathway that led

by one, the other people present slowly

"Let's go."

girls was Emma who quickly lined up and

across her

"Here, take this."

Emma, grabbing her shoulder, Melissa handed

as well be useful and advertise this as well.

speaking, Melissa also

confusion, lowering her head, Amanda stared at her hand where several different cards of

times, her lips tugged

***

Clank—!

ring sounded throughout a small room as a broadsword crossed against

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

individual holding onto the broadsword lowered it and complimented

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

two individuals were none other than Kevin

meeting up together, they decided to spend most of

doing this for the past two years back at the Lock, both of them were quite familiar with the

together 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

that was different about the two, it

than ever. The reason for his current rank was that he had acquired a five-star dagger technique not long

focused on improving his dagger art,

it was because of this that he lagged behind Kevin, in terms of

had accumulated on his forehead, Kevin

enough for today, the others

"Okay."