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

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

they are already

caught a glimpse of Amanda, Melissa,

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

only were they extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements

a doubt, they were the future pillars

faint smile appeared on my lips as

things just never

quite familiar as I had seen

people from the past,

are

around the crowd

was supposed to have come with them to the place, but since I didn't want to skip my training session I decided

girls being slow at changing was

'I see them.'

spot the others. Standing at the far corner of the human section I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. It was Douglas. Behind him

was currently not wearing a skin

need to. The only ones that had to hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others

my clothes, I headed in their

"You're finally here."

was immediately greeted by Douglas who had

was a lot

We're not

reassured with the same

greet the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan who weren't planning on

not too long ago they were brimming with confidence.

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

me

was also aiming for

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

"…hm?"

my head, I suddenly noticed Melissa and the

is definitely

was definitely coming to me knowing that it would attract the attention

As they stopped, I suddenly felt

eyes, I asked in

are you doing

hide the displeasure in my voice as I tried

"…Doing what?"

understood the implications behind my words. I sighed in exasperation once

"Here."

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

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

was obviously referring to Hein and

take you up on the

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

already had 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 next couple of minutes explaining to them how the cards worked. Once I was done, the both of them looked at Melissa with grateful

behind Melissa and

the way, have you guys

the type to be

I was just overthinking things? Could just be that

"They're over there."

on cue, just as I was wondering about Kevin's

"Where?"

"There."

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

for me to

"Oh, I see them."

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

he sick

hair was disheveled and his overall complexion looked

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

"…hm?"