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

human wore an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was

like they are

caught a glimpse of Amanda, Melissa, and

center of attention. They looked like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans, all trying to curry favor

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

were the future

faint smile appeared on my lips as I

just never

scene was quite familiar 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 brilliantly than ever

now...where are

them, I glanced around the crowd and looked for

I was supposed to have come with them to the place, but since I didn't want to skip my training session I decided to just go by myself. Amanda was also training with me, but

girls being slow

'I see them.'

me too long to 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 were

everyone was currently not

only ones that had to hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others not so much. I was quite thankful for

I headed in their

"You're finally here."

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

my training session was a lot longer

not in a

reassured with the same calm

softly smiled in response. Then, turning around I proceeded to greet the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan

as not too long ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people

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

me

aiming for the top

get

"…hm?"

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

definitely

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

of me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds of eyes directed in my direction and my

eyes, I asked in an

doing this

hide the displeasure in my voice as I tried to make

"…Doing what?"

course, Melissa being Melissa feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood the implications behind my words. I sighed in exasperation once

"Here."

Lifting her head, she nudged her head

you will need it, I believe that your friends

was obviously referring to

you up

turning around, I

them against John not too long ago, but Ava didn't so I spent the next couple of minutes explaining to them

Melissa and the others,

you guys seen

the

Could just be that he was hanging

"They're over there."

I was wondering about Kevin's

"Where?"

"There."

in the direction of where she pointed, but my vision wasn't

didn't take long for me to finally see

"Oh, I see them."

like her usual self, but Kevin looked

sick or

and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The

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

"…hm?"