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 groups as they

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 glimpse of Amanda, Melissa, and

celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans, all trying to curry favor from

not only were they extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements at their age made them individuals to look

were the future

on my lips as I

just

scene was quite familiar as I had

all grown up and were entirely different people from the past, their shine never disappeared. In fact,

are the

my eyes away from them, I glanced around the

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

of girls being slow at changing was just

'I see them.'

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

currently not wearing a

The others not so much. I was quite thankful for this. It made the search a

I headed in their

"You're finally here."

had a calm smile on his face. I nodded

session was a lot

not in

the same

smiled in response. Then, turning around I proceeded to greet the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan who weren't planning on participating, Ava

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

understood where their worries came from. After all, there were a lot of talented

me as

aiming for the top

the item that only the winner could get and

"…hm?"

noticed Melissa and the others heading in my

definitely

me knowing that it would attract the attention of the

me. As they

my eyes, I

doing this to

the displeasure in my voice as I tried to make it as evident

"…Doing what?"

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

"Here."

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

need it, I believe that

obviously referring to

you

turning around,

cards did as he saw me use them against John not too long ago, but Ava didn't so I spent the

behind Melissa and the others, I wondered

you guys seen Kevin by any

wasn't really the type

kind of felt weird. Or maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just be that he was

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

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

for me to finally

"Oh, I see them."

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

he sick

the sight. Not only was his aura weird, but his hair was disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The current Kevin looked to be in no state to

distance, seemingly having noticed my

"…hm?"