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

said from the side, gazing into the distance where another group was slowly headed in their

man with black hair and blue eyes. He may have been the youngest of the group, but his demeanour was unmatched

"Aaron… so it's him."

appeared on everyone's faces as their

have heard of him when he had been a thorn on their side during their first year. Second and third year for

flashed across his face. It

since I've seen you

Amanda. His

first year. It was unfortunate that you left after and we were unable to see each

with a short and

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

keen on talking to me, so I will

Aaron

Emma turned to look in Amanda's

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

"No."

head as she stared at Aaron's

He was the heir of the most powerful

terms of power, his 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 to attack

reason I'm doing this is because he is already working

"He is?"

in Emma's eyes at

reach out for

"Because they are greedy."

replied, her voice

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

she was

coming all of the way here

a crisp and melodious voice

Amanda's eyes paused on an elf

he addressed them, he seemed to be

long wait. Now that everyone has gathered, I will escort you to the

the elf started to walked along

the other

"Let's go."

Emma who quickly lined up and followed the

flashed across

"Here, take this."

grabbing her shoulder, Melissa

you might as well be

speaking, Melissa also lined

in confusion, lowering her head, Amanda stared at her

times, her lips

***

Clank—!

throughout 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

holding onto the broadsword

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

individuals were none

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

two years back at the Lock, both of them were quite familiar with the way the other fought, hence why they were able to fight against

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

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

wasn't 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

now more focused on improving his dagger art, the time he spent

of this that he

sweat that had accumulated on his forehead, Kevin put away his

enough for today, the others will be coming

"Okay."