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

here." Melissa said from the side, gazing into the distance where another group was slowly headed

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."

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

heard of him when he had been a thorn on their side during

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

while since I've

on Amanda. His brows knit for a second before

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

with a short and indifferent

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

keen on talking

Amanda, Aaron turned

back from behind, Emma turned to look in

treat him like that? His guild is pretty powerful. You

"No."

head as she stared at

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

guild 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 if they truly decided

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

"He is?"

in Emma's eyes

out

"Because they are greedy."

voice

father's dissapearance had now spread wide, and not just the guilds in Ashton city, but even the

but she was

all of

a crisp and melodious voice

an elf standing

he seemed

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

around, the elf started to walked along a pathway that led

other

"Let's go."

was Emma who quickly lined

flashed across her

"Here, take this."

as Amanda was about to follow Emma, grabbing her shoulder, Melissa handed her

might as well be useful and advertise this as well. The better the

Melissa

her head, Amanda stared at her

times, her lips tugged upwards ever

***

Clank—!

small room as a broadsword crossed

the point of contact between the blades as the

the distance, the individual holding onto the

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

were none

elven domain and meeting up together, they decided to spend most

were quite familiar with the way the other fought, hence why they were able to fight

had not sparred 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

was different about the two, it was that Jin was

than ever. The reason for his current rank was that he had acquired

improving his dagger art, the

because of this that he lagged behind Kevin, in terms

sweat that had accumulated on his forehead, Kevin

should be enough for today, the others will be coming here

"Okay."