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

the other 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

into the distance, I caught a

looked like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans,

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

they were

faint smile appeared on my lips as

things just never

I had seen

all grown up and were entirely different people from

are

glanced around the crowd and looked for Waylan and

training session I decided to just

being slow at changing was

'I see them.'

the human section I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. It

everyone was currently not

hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others not so much. I was quite thankful for this. It made the search a

clothes, I

"You're finally here."

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

was a lot longer

We're not in a

with the

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

not too long ago they were brimming with confidence. But

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 as

also aiming for the top

all costs. It was the item that only the winner could get and with it,

"…hm?"

suddenly noticed Melissa and the others

definitely Melissa's

much I hated attention, and she was definitely coming to me knowing that it would attract the attention of the

watch, the three of them stopped right in front of me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds of eyes directed in my direction and my

my eyes, I

you doing this

displeasure in my voice as I tried to make it

"…Doing what?"

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

"Here."

a set of cards. Lifting her head, she nudged her

it, I believe that your

was obviously referring to Hein and

you up on

the cards from her. Then, turning around, I handed them

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

head sideways, and staring behind Melissa

you guys

really the type to

was just overthinking things? Could just be that he was hanging out

"They're over there."

was wondering about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda

"Where?"

"There."

my eyes, I tried to look in the direction of where she pointed, but my vision wasn't as good as hers so

it didn't take long for me to finally see

"Oh, I see them."

looked like her usual self, but

sick

his hair was disheveled and his overall complexion

distance, seemingly having noticed my stare,

"…hm?"