The Author's POV

Ci Clank—!

Closing the door behind him, Kevin got out of his apartment. Taking a deep breath, he stared at the scenery before him with lethargic eyes.

Closing his eyes for a brief moment of time, he soon opened them again and proceeded to head down.

"There you are, Kevin."

Waiting for him below was Emma who waved her hand in his direction.

Kevin's feet came to a pause. Staring at Emma who was waiting for him from below, Kevin's unfocused eyes became a little bit more focused.

'Emma...she's alive.'

Faint fragments of the vision replayed in his mind as he stared at her. Each time recollection resulted in a stinging sensation inside of his heart.

Smiling weakly, he nodded his head and greeted her back.

"Yeah...I'm here."

His voice was rather weak, but it was loud enough for Emma to hear. Of course, Emma was able to notice that something was wrong as her brows knit together.

"What is up with you? Are you okay?"

"...I'm good."

Kevin gave a short reply. Then, placing his hand on the handrail, he walked down the stairs of the building.

Not convinced by Kevin's words, Emma leaned forward. A worried look flashed across her face.

"…You don't seem to be okay? Should we have you checked?"

"I'm really fine."

Kevin raised his head and met Emma's eyes. They stared off for a good minute before Emma eventually relented.

"Alright, if you say so."

Staring into the distance, she flipped her hat backward.

"Let's go then. The others are probably already waiting for us."

Rummaging through her pockets, Emma took out a pack of gums. Taking one of the gums she placed it in her mouth and started chewing.

"Munch…munch…want one?"

Extending her hand, she offered one to Kevin. Raising his hand, Kevin politely refused.

"No thank you."

"Munch…munch…suit yourself."

Putting the pack of gums away, Emma blew a bubble gum and proceeded to head towards the center of the Issanor.

Pop—

"Ukeh!"

But just as she took two steps, her bubble burst apart and the gum splattered all over her face.

***

Today was the day of the conference tournament.

As the sun slowly rose from the horizon the atmosphere in Issanor became extremely lively and filled with excitement.

This was the event that everyone was eagerly awaiting.

Not just for the prizes, but for its meaning as well. It was the event that decided the fate of the alliance between the three races.

When I arrived at the main tournament square, the place was already boiling with noise.

dwarves, elves, orcs, and humans alike

expression of nervousness and excitement. This was

they are already

caught a

looked like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans, all trying to curry favor

understandable, however. After all, not only were they extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements at their age made them individuals to

were the future pillars

on my lips as I witnessed this scene

things just never

I had seen it multiple

and were entirely different people from the past, their shine never

now...where are

them, I glanced around the crowd and looked

I didn't want to skip my training session I decided to just go by myself. Amanda was also training with me, but it appeared that she was a lot faster

stereotype of girls being slow at changing

'I see them.'

spot the others. Standing at the far corner of the human section I caught a glimpse of a familiar

from me, everyone was currently not

to hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others not so

my clothes, I headed in their

"You're finally here."

who had a calm smile on his

training session was a lot longer

We're not

reassured with the

I proceeded to greet the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan who weren't planning on participating, Ava and Hein had

was quite funny to me as not too long ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people around them, their

there were a lot of talented people present today, and everyone here was

included me as

also aiming for the top

an item that I absolutely had to get at all costs. It was the item that only the winner could get and with it, I would have no trouble breaking through to rank in

"…hm?"

the others heading in my direction. I

definitely Melissa's

I hated attention, and she was definitely coming to me knowing that it would attract the

in front of me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds of eyes directed

my eyes, I asked in an

you doing this

voice as I tried to make it as

"…Doing what?"

Melissa being Melissa feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood the implications behind my words.

"Here."

Lifting her head, she nudged her head in the

you will need it, I believe that your

was obviously referring to

take you up on the

turning around, I handed them to

saw me use them against John not too long ago, but Ava didn't so I spent the next couple of minutes explaining to them how the cards

my head sideways, and staring behind Melissa and the others, I wondered

you guys seen

really the type to be

Could just be that he was hanging out with Emma

"They're over there."

on cue, just as I was wondering about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda suddenly spoke as

"Where?"

"There."

the direction of where she pointed, but my vision wasn't as good as hers

take long for me

"Oh, I see them."

self, but Kevin looked a bit different than usual. There was this weird aura

he sick or

at the sight. Not only was his aura weird, but his hair was disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The current Kevin looked to

Kevin in the distance, seemingly having noticed my stare, Kevin raised his head and our

"…hm?"