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.

elves, orcs, and humans alike

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

they are

a glimpse of Amanda, Melissa,

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

all, not only were they extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements at their

a doubt, they were the future pillars of

smile appeared on my lips as I witnessed this

things just never

familiar as I had seen it multiple

and were entirely different people from the past, their shine never disappeared. In fact,

are

glanced around the crowd and

skip my training session I decided to just go by myself. Amanda was also training with me, but it appeared

of girls being slow

'I see them.'

to spot the others. Standing at the far corner of the human

from me, everyone was currently not wearing a skin

to hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others

clothes, I

"You're finally here."

I was immediately greeted by Douglas who had a calm smile on his

a lot

not

reassured with the same

Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and

ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people

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

included me

aiming for the

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?"

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

definitely Melissa's

she was definitely coming to me knowing that

the three of them stopped right in front of me. As they

rolling my eyes, I asked in an annoyed

are you doing

the displeasure in my voice as I tried to make

"…Doing what?"

course, Melissa being Melissa feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood

"Here."

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

need it, I believe that your friends might need

referring to

take you

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

didn't so I spent the next couple of minutes explaining to them how the cards worked. Once I was

behind Melissa

way, have you guys seen Kevin by

wasn't really the type to be

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

"They're over there."

wondering about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda suddenly spoke

"Where?"

"There."

my vision wasn't as good as hers so it took

long for

"Oh, I see them."

Emma next to him, Kevin's head hung low. Emma looked like her usual self, but Kevin looked a bit different than usual. There was this

sick

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

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

"…hm?"