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

side, gazing into the distance where another

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

"Aaron… so it's him."

rare of solemnity appeared on everyone's faces as

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

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

while since I've

on Amanda. His brows knit for a second

be Miss Stern. I think we maybe briefly met during your first year. It was unfortunate that you left after and we were unable to see each

replied with a short and indifferent acceptance of his

froze for a very short second before he regained

like Miss Stern isn't too keen on talking to

Aaron turned around and

his back from behind, Emma turned

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

"No."

shook her head as she

heir of the most powerful guild in

in terms of influence, it was very powerful.

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

"He is?"

flashed in Emma's

out for the other

"Because they are greedy."

replied, her voice taking a

the guilds in Ashton

by this, but she was

for coming all of the

a crisp and melodious voice that came

eyes paused on an elf standing far ahead

he seemed

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

along a pathway that led to

one, the other people present slowly started

"Let's go."

girls was Emma who quickly lined up and followed the

flashed across her

"Here, take this."

Emma, grabbing

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

speaking, Melissa

Amanda stared at

a couple of times, her lips tugged upwards ever so

***

Clank—!

a small room as a broadsword crossed against two sharp

point of contact between the blades as the two

the individual holding onto the broadsword

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

individuals were none

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

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

still quite familiar with each other's styles. Hence, they were

one thing that was different about the two, it was that Jin was

had been training harder than ever. The

dagger art, the time he spent

was because of this that he lagged behind Kevin, in

on his forehead, Kevin

should be enough for today, the others will be coming

"Okay."