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

into the distance where another

the youngest of the group, but his demeanour was unmatched as it contained this rare elegance to it that made him the focal

"Aaron… so it's him."

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

for them to not have heard of him when

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

while since I've seen you

Aaron's eyes soon stopped on Amanda. His brows knit for

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

short and indifferent acceptance

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

on talking to me, so I will take

Amanda, Aaron turned around

from behind, Emma turned

are you sure you want to treat him like that? His guild is pretty

"No."

head as she stared at

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

hers, but in terms of influence, it was very powerful.

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

"He is?"

flashed in Emma's eyes at

out

"Because they are greedy."

her voice

wide, and not just the guilds in Ashton city, but even the other guilds from outside wanted to have a slice

was obviously enraged by this, but she was

all of the way here to

Amanda out of her thoughts was a crisp and melodious voice that

an elf standing far ahead of

them, he

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

elf started to walked along a pathway that led

left, one by one, the other people present slowly started

"Let's go."

three girls was Emma who quickly lined up and

flashed across her

"Here, take this."

about to follow Emma, grabbing

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

Melissa

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

her lips tugged

***

Clank—!

small room as

point of contact between the blades

distance, the individual holding onto the

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

were none other

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

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

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

the two, it was

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

on improving his dagger art, the time he spent on improving his rank

he lagged behind Kevin, in terms

that had accumulated on his forehead, Kevin put away

the others will be

"Okay."