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

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

blue 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 the

"Aaron… so it's him."

everyone's faces as their eyes paused

all naturally knew 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 for

their group, and a surprised look flashed across his

a while since I've

His brows knit for a second before

your first year. It was unfortunate that

short

reaction from Amanda, Aaron's smile froze

seems like Miss Stern isn't too keen on talking to me, so I will take

Aaron turned around

back from behind, Emma turned to look

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

"No."

shook her head as she

knew very well what type of background Aaron had. He was the heir of the most powerful guild in Lutwig city, one of the four great cities in the

as hers, but in terms of influence, it was very powerful. They were not someone that the

Amanda softly said, "The reason I'm doing this is because he is already working

"He is?"

flashed in Emma's eyes

they reach out

"Because they are greedy."

her voice taking a

her father's dissapearance had now spread wide, and not just the guilds in Ashton city, but even the other guilds from outside wanted to have a slice of her

obviously enraged by this, but she was also helpless at the same

all of the

crisp and melodious voice that

eyes paused on an elf standing far ahead of the

he seemed

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

the elf started to walked along a pathway that led

he left, one by one, the other

"Let's go."

three girls was Emma who quickly lined up and followed

across her

"Here, take this."

about to follow Emma, grabbing her shoulder, Melissa handed

your talent to everyone, you might as well be useful and advertise this as well.

Melissa also

head, Amanda stared at her hand where several different cards of various colours

couple of times, her lips tugged upwards ever so

***

Clank—!

small room as

wind sprang out from the point of contact between the blades as the two

from the distance, the individual holding onto the broadsword lowered it and

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

individuals were none other

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

years back at the Lock, both of them were quite familiar with the way the other fought, hence why they were

sparred together ever since leaving the Lock, the both of them were still quite familiar with each

about the two, it was

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

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

that he

had accumulated on his forehead, Kevin

be enough for today, the others will be coming here

"Okay."