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?"

not too sure

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

eyes. He may have been the youngest of the group, but his demeanour was unmatched as it contained this rare elegance to it that made him

"Aaron… so it's him."

on everyone's faces

have heard of him when he

eyes soon paused on their group, and a surprised look flashed across his face. It wasn't long before a smirk followed after as he

while since I've seen

soon stopped on Amanda. His brows knit

we maybe briefly met during your first year. It

Amanda replied with a short

from Amanda, Aaron's smile froze for a

too keen on talking to me, so I will take

Aaron

behind, Emma turned to look in Amanda's

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

"No."

shook her head as she stared at

well what type of background Aaron had. He was the heir of the most powerful guild in

influence, it was very powerful. They were not someone that the current Amanda could

and staring at Emma, Amanda softly said, "The reason I'm doing this is because he

"He is?"

Emma's eyes

out

"Because they are greedy."

coldly replied, her voice taking a

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

was obviously enraged by this, but she

coming all of the way

of her thoughts was a crisp and melodious voice that came

eyes paused on an elf standing far ahead of the

he seemed to

will escort you to the main city. So, if

along a pathway

the other

"Let's go."

out of the three girls was Emma

across

"Here, take this."

Amanda was about to follow Emma, grabbing her shoulder,

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

speaking, Melissa

stared at her hand where several

of times, her lips tugged upwards ever so

***

Clank—!

a small room as a broadsword crossed

circular pressurized wind sprang out from the point of contact between the blades as the two individuals distanced themselves from

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

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

were none other than

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

they had been doing this for the past two years back at the Lock, both of them were quite familiar with the way the other fought, hence why

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

about the two, it was that Jin

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

dagger art, the time he spent on

of this that he lagged behind Kevin, in terms of

the sweat that had accumulated on his forehead, Kevin

today, the others will be coming here

"Okay."