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

already here." Melissa said from the side, gazing into the distance where another group was

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

"Aaron… so it's him."

everyone's faces as their eyes paused

him when he had been a thorn on

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

been a while since

soon stopped on Amanda. His brows

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

Amanda replied with a short and indifferent acceptance

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

isn't too keen on talking to me, so I

at Amanda, Aaron

from behind, Emma turned to look in

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

"No."

as she stared

Aaron had. He was the heir of the most powerful guild in

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

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

"He is?"

in Emma's eyes at this

they reach out

"Because they are greedy."

replied, her voice taking a chilly

not just the guilds in Ashton city, but even the other guilds

by this, but she was also

you for coming all of the way

her thoughts was a crisp and melodious voice that came from the

paused on an elf

them, he seemed to be very

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

walked along a pathway that led to

other

"Let's go."

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

across her

"Here, take this."

grabbing her

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

Melissa also

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

of times, her

***

Clank—!

ring sounded throughout a small room as a broadsword crossed against two sharp

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

individual holding onto the broadsword lowered it

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

individuals were none other than Kevin and

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

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

the Lock, the both of them were still quite

it was that

of training, however. Jin had been training harder than ever. The reason for

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

it was because of this that he lagged behind Kevin, in terms

had accumulated on his forehead, Kevin put away

for today, the others will be coming here

"Okay."