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.

orcs, and humans alike gathered in groups as they chatted with

relaxed, every human wore an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was understandable however as the tournament held a lot more meaning to them than

like they are already

a glimpse of

famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans, all trying to

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

a doubt, they were

appeared on my lips as I witnessed this scene

just

as I had seen it multiple times back at the

the fact that they had all grown up and were entirely different people from the past, their shine never disappeared. In fact, they shone more

now...where are the

them, I glanced around the crowd and looked for Waylan

I didn't want to skip my training session I decided to just go by myself. Amanda was also training with

girls being slow at changing was just

'I see them.'

corner of the human section I caught

everyone was currently

me. The others not so much. I was quite thankful for this. It made the search a lot easier for

clothes, I headed in their

"You're finally here."

arriving, I was immediately greeted by Douglas who had

my training session was a lot

We're not in a

reassured with the

turning around I proceeded to greet the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan

quite funny to me as not too long ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they

understood where their worries came from. After all, there were a lot of talented people present today, and everyone

me as

also aiming for

item that only the winner could get and with it, I would

"…hm?"

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

is definitely

to me knowing that it would attract the attention of the others.

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

my eyes, I asked in an

doing this

in my voice as I tried

"…Doing what?"

Melissa feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood the implications behind my words. I sighed in

"Here."

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

don't think you will need it, I believe that your friends might need

obviously referring

take you up on

from her. Then, turning around,

an idea of what the cards did as he saw me use them against John not too long ago, but Ava didn't so I spent the

sideways, and staring behind Melissa and the others, I wondered out

you guys

wasn't really the type to be

I was just overthinking things? Could just be that he was hanging out with Emma since she was

"They're over there."

just as I was wondering about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda

"Where?"

"There."

but my vision wasn't as good as hers so it took me a while to spot

it didn't take long for me to

"Oh, I see them."

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

sick or

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

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

"…hm?"