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.

humans alike gathered in groups as they chatted with

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 more meaning to them than the

they are

a glimpse of Amanda, Melissa,

were without a doubt the center of attention. They looked like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans, all trying to

they extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements at their age made them individuals to

a doubt, they were the

my lips as I

things just

as I had seen

entirely different people from the past, their shine never disappeared. In fact, they

are the

eyes away from them, I glanced around the crowd and looked

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

the stereotype of girls being slow

'I see them.'

the far corner of the human section I caught a glimpse

everyone was currently not

and me. The others not so much. I

clothes, I headed

"You're finally here."

who had a

training session was a lot longer than I

We're not in

the same calm

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

long ago they were brimming with confidence. But

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

me

aiming

get at all costs. It was the item that only the winner could get and

"…hm?"

thought, raising my head, I suddenly noticed Melissa and the others heading in my direction. I deeply sighed

is definitely

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

everyone's watch, the three of them stopped right in front of me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds

my eyes, I asked in

doing this

in my voice as

"…Doing what?"

being Melissa feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood

"Here."

hand, Melissa handed me a set of cards. Lifting her head, she nudged her

think you will need it, I believe that

obviously referring to Hein and

I'll take you

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

didn't so I spent the next couple of minutes explaining to

behind Melissa and the others, I wondered out

you guys

wasn't really the

Or maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just be that he was hanging out with

"They're over there."

Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda suddenly spoke

"Where?"

"There."

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

take long for

"Oh, I see them."

looked like her usual self, but Kevin looked

sick or

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

at Kevin in the distance, seemingly having noticed my

"…hm?"