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

said from the side, gazing into the distance where

have been the youngest of the group, but his

"Aaron… so it's him."

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

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

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

a while since I've seen you

soon stopped on Amanda. His brows knit for a second before

must be Miss Stern. I think we maybe briefly met during your first year. It was unfortunate that you left after and we

short

expecting such a reaction from Amanda, Aaron's smile froze for a very short second before he regained his

seems like Miss Stern isn't too keen on

Aaron

Emma turned

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

"No."

head as

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

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

softly said, "The reason I'm doing this is because he is already working with another diamond-graded guild in Ashton

"He is?"

flashed in Emma's

out for the other

"Because they are greedy."

her voice taking a chilly

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

she was also helpless at the

all of the way here

crisp and melodious voice that came from

paused on an elf standing far ahead

he seemed

will escort you to the main city. So, if you would please

to walked along a pathway that led to

the other

"Let's go."

to move out of the three girls was Emma who quickly lined up and followed

across her

"Here, take this."

as Amanda was about to follow Emma, grabbing her shoulder, Melissa handed her a couple of

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

Melissa

lowering her head, Amanda stared at her hand where several different cards

times, her lips

***

Clank—!

sounded throughout a small room as a broadsword crossed against

from the point of contact between the blades as the two individuals

each other from the distance, the individual holding onto the broadsword lowered it

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

individuals were none

together, they

at the Lock, both of them were quite familiar with the

of them were still quite familiar with each

the two, it was that Jin was

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

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

it was because of this that he lagged behind Kevin,

sweat that had accumulated on his forehead,

enough for today, the others will be coming here

"Okay."