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.

dwarves, elves, orcs, and humans alike gathered

and

they are

the distance, I caught a glimpse of Amanda,

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

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

they were

faint smile appeared on my lips as I witnessed this scene

just never

as I had seen

people from the past, their shine never disappeared. In fact, they shone more brilliantly

now...where are

from them, I glanced around the crowd and looked for

to skip my training session I decided to just go by myself. Amanda was also training with me, but it appeared that she was a lot faster than

slow at changing

'I see them.'

it didn't take 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.

everyone was currently not wearing a skin

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

clothes, I

"You're finally here."

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

my training session was a lot longer than I

fine. We're not in a hurry.

with the same calm

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

were brimming with

from. After all, there were a lot of talented people present today, and everyone here was pining for the

included me as

also aiming for the top

I absolutely had to get at all costs. It was the item that only the winner could get and with it, I would have no trouble

"…hm?"

and the others heading in my direction. I deeply sighed at the

definitely Melissa's

to me knowing that

of me. As they stopped,

I asked in

doing this

my voice as I tried to make it as evident as

"…Doing what?"

Melissa being Melissa feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood the

"Here."

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

you will need it, I believe that your friends

obviously referring

you up

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

me use them against John not too long ago, but Ava didn't so I spent the next couple of minutes explaining to them how the cards worked. Once I was done,

head sideways, and staring behind Melissa

guys seen Kevin by

the type to

felt weird. Or maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just be

"They're over there."

I was wondering about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda suddenly spoke as she pointed

"Where?"

"There."

I tried to look in the direction of where she pointed, but my vision wasn't

long for me to finally see

"Oh, I see them."

head hung low. Emma looked like her usual self, but Kevin looked a bit different than usual. There was this

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

at Kevin in the distance, seemingly having noticed my stare, Kevin

"…hm?"