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.

and humans alike gathered in groups as

and excitement. This was understandable however as the tournament held a lot more

like they

the distance, I caught a glimpse of

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

only were they extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements

a doubt, they were the future pillars

my lips as I witnessed

just

scene was quite familiar as I had seen

up and were entirely different people from the

now...where are

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

I didn't want to skip my training session I decided to just go

girls being slow

'I see them.'

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

me, everyone was currently not

me. The

I headed in

"You're finally here."

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

a

not in

the same calm

the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan who weren't

brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people around them, their previous confidence

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

included me as

also aiming for the

only the winner could get and with it, I would have no

"…hm?"

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

definitely

coming to me knowing that it would attract the attention

me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds of eyes directed

rolling my eyes, I asked in an

doing this

my voice as I tried to make it

"…Doing what?"

to not have understood

"Here."

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

you will need it, I believe that your friends might need

obviously referring

you up on

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

not too long ago, but Ava didn't so I spent the next couple of minutes

and staring behind Melissa and the others, I wondered

way, have you guys seen

the type to be

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

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

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

it didn't take long for me to finally see

"Oh, I see them."

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

he sick or

weird, but his hair was disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The current Kevin looked to be in no state to participate in

I was looking at Kevin in the distance, seemingly having

"…hm?"