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.

numerous dwarves, elves, orcs, and humans alike gathered in groups

wore an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was understandable however as the tournament held a lot more meaning to them than

they

distance, I caught a glimpse of Amanda, Melissa,

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

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

a doubt, they were the

my lips as I witnessed this scene

things just

had seen it

were entirely different people from the

are

away from 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

the stereotype of girls being slow at changing was just

'I see them.'

it didn't take me too long to spot the others. Standing at the far corner of the human section

was currently

they didn't need to. The only ones that had to hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others not so much. I was quite

my clothes, I headed in their

"You're finally here."

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

a lot longer than I

We're not in a

the same calm

in response. Then, turning around I proceeded 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 as they stared at the

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

included me as

also aiming

an item that 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 breaking through to rank in half

"…hm?"

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

definitely Melissa's

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

everyone's 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

I asked

are you doing this to

in my voice as

"…Doing what?"

not have understood the implications behind my words. I sighed

"Here."

cards. Lifting her head, she nudged her

don't think you will need it, I

was obviously referring to Hein

take you up

took the cards from her. Then, turning around,

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

head sideways, and staring behind Melissa and the others, I wondered out

have you guys seen Kevin

the type to

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

"They're over there."

Kevin's

"Where?"

"There."

where she pointed, but my vision wasn't

take long for me to finally

"Oh, I see them."

Emma next to him, Kevin's head hung low. Emma looked like her usual self, but Kevin looked a bit different than usual. There was this weird aura surrounding

sick

aura weird, but his hair was disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The current Kevin looked to be

distance, seemingly having noticed my stare, Kevin raised his

"…hm?"