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

Melissa said from the side, gazing into the distance where another group

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

"Aaron… so it's him."

solemnity appeared on everyone's faces as their eyes paused on

who 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.

been a while since I've

on Amanda. His

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

with a short and indifferent acceptance

expecting such a reaction from Amanda, Aaron's smile froze

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

Aaron

at his back from behind, Emma turned to look in Amanda's

him like that? His guild

"No."

as she stared at Aaron's

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

of influence, it was very powerful. They were not someone that the current Amanda could deal with if they truly decided to attack

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

"He is?"

Emma's eyes at

they reach out for

"Because they are greedy."

replied, her voice taking

wide, and not just the guilds in Ashton city, but even

by this, but she was also helpless at

coming all of the

thoughts was a crisp and melodious

an elf standing far

addressed them, he seemed to be very

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

started to walked along a pathway that led

he left, one by one, the other people

"Let's go."

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

across

"Here, take this."

follow Emma, grabbing her shoulder, Melissa handed her

your talent to everyone, you might as well be useful and advertise this as well. The better

Melissa

in confusion, lowering her head, Amanda stared at her hand

of times, her lips tugged upwards

***

Clank—!

sounded throughout a small room as a broadsword

of contact between

distance, the individual holding onto the broadsword lowered it and complimented his sparring

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

were none

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

Lock, both of them were quite familiar with the way the other fought, hence why they were able to fight

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

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

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

dagger art, the

this that he lagged behind Kevin,

had accumulated on his forehead, Kevin put

for today, the others will be

"Okay."