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.

and humans alike

who were fairly relaxed, every human wore an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was understandable however as the tournament held a lot more

like they are already

into the distance, I caught a glimpse of Amanda,

a doubt the center of attention. They looked like famous celebrities surrounded by a

behavior was understandable, however. After all, not only were they extremely good-looking, but their talents and

a doubt, they were the future pillars

appeared on my lips as I witnessed this scene

things just

was quite familiar as I had seen it multiple times back

the fact that they had all grown up and were entirely different people from

are

around the

supposed to have come with them to the place, but since 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

slow at changing was just

'I see them.'

at the far corner of the human section I

currently not

need to. The only ones that had to hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others not so

I

"You're finally here."

who had a calm smile on his face. I

a lot longer than

not

reassured with the

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

were brimming with confidence. But as

from. After all, there were a lot of talented people present today, and everyone here

me as

also aiming for the

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 half

"…hm?"

head, I suddenly noticed Melissa and the others heading in my direction. I

definitely

knew just how much I hated attention, and she was definitely coming to me knowing that it would attract

of me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds of

eyes, I

doing this

I didn't hide the displeasure in my voice as I tried to make it

"…Doing what?"

to not have understood the implications behind my words. I sighed

"Here."

a set of cards. Lifting her head, she nudged her head in the direction of

will need it, I

was obviously referring

I'll take you up

cards from her. Then, turning around, I handed them to Hein

ago, but Ava didn't so I spent the next couple of minutes explaining to them how the cards worked.

staring behind Melissa and the others, I wondered

you guys

the type to

kind of felt weird. Or maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just be that he was

"They're over there."

was wondering about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda

"Where?"

"There."

direction of where she pointed, but my vision wasn't

for me to

"Oh, I see them."

self, but Kevin looked a bit different than usual.

sick

only was his aura weird, but his hair was disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The current

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

"…hm?"