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 gathered in

expression of nervousness and

they are

the distance, I caught a glimpse of Amanda, Melissa,

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

extremely good-looking, but their

doubt, they were the future pillars of

faint smile appeared on my lips as I witnessed

things just

I had seen it multiple times

that they had all grown up and were entirely different people from the past, their

are

from them, I glanced around the

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

of girls being slow at changing was

'I see them.'

too long to spot the others. Standing at the far corner of the human section I caught a

currently not wearing a skin

were Waylan and me. The others not so much. I was quite thankful

my clothes, I headed

"You're finally here."

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

a lot longer than I

We're not in a hurry.

the same calm

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

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 the top

included me

aiming for the top

was the item that only the winner could get and with it, I would have no trouble breaking through to

"…hm?"

and the others heading in my direction. I deeply sighed

definitely

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

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

rolling my eyes, I asked in an

you doing this to

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 in exasperation once I saw

"Here."

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

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

referring to Hein

I'll take you

Then, turning

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

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

the way, have you guys seen Kevin by

the type

I was just overthinking things? Could just be

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

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

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

sick or

brows knit at the sight. Not only was his aura weird, but his hair was disheveled and his

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

"…hm?"