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

from the side, gazing into the distance where another group was

have been the youngest of the group, but his demeanour

"Aaron… so it's him."

appeared on everyone's faces as their eyes paused

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

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

been a while since

eyes soon stopped on Amanda. His brows

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

short and

Amanda, Aaron's smile froze

too keen on

Aaron turned

back from behind, Emma turned to look in Amanda's

that? His guild is pretty powerful.

"No."

shook her head as she stared

what type of background Aaron had. He was the heir of the most powerful guild in Lutwig

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

softly said, "The reason I'm doing this is because

"He is?"

Emma's eyes at

would they reach out for the

"Because they are greedy."

coldly replied, her voice taking a chilly

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

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

coming all of the

thoughts was a crisp and melodious voice that came from the

her head, Amanda's eyes paused on an elf standing far ahead

addressed them, he seemed to be

that everyone has gathered, I will escort you to

along

by one, the other

"Let's go."

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

flashed across her

"Here, take this."

about to follow Emma, grabbing her shoulder, Melissa

as well be

speaking, Melissa also lined

at her hand where several different cards

couple of times, her lips tugged

***

Clank—!

small room as a broadsword

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

individual holding onto

"You've improved a lot."

"You too."

were none other than Kevin and

the elven domain and meeting up together, they decided

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

they had not sparred together ever since leaving the Lock, the both of them were still quite familiar with each other's styles. Hence, they were able to make the most

the two, it was

Jin had been training harder than ever. The reason for his

more focused on improving his dagger art,

he lagged behind Kevin,

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

for today, the others will be

"Okay."