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.

each other, numerous dwarves, elves, orcs, and humans alike gathered in groups as they chatted with each

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

the distance, I caught a

They looked like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch of

understandable, however. After all, not only were they extremely good-looking, but

were the future pillars

lips as I witnessed

things just

as I had seen it

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

are the

them, I glanced around the crowd and looked for Waylan

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

the stereotype of girls being slow at changing was just

'I see them.'

didn't take me too long to spot the others. Standing at the far corner of the human section I caught

everyone was currently

had to hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others not so much. I was quite

I headed in their

"You're finally here."

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

session was a lot longer than I

We're not in

with the

response. Then, turning around I proceeded to greet the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan who weren't planning

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

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

me

was also aiming for

winner could get and with it, I would have no trouble

"…hm?"

I suddenly noticed Melissa and the others heading

is definitely

just how much I hated attention, and she was definitely coming to me knowing

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

rolling my eyes, I asked in an annoyed

you doing this to

voice as I tried to make it as evident

"…Doing what?"

feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood

"Here."

her head, she nudged her head in the direction

need it, I

obviously referring to Hein

you up on

her. Then, turning around, I handed them

spent the next couple of minutes

and staring behind Melissa and the others, I wondered out

have you guys seen Kevin by

really the type to be

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

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

of where she pointed, but my vision

for me to finally see

"Oh, I see them."

self, but Kevin looked a bit different

sick

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

looking at Kevin in the distance, seemingly having noticed my stare, Kevin raised his

"…hm?"