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

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,

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

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

a doubt, they were the

on my lips as

just never

as I had seen it multiple times back at the

they had all grown up and were entirely different people from the past, their shine

are the

from them, I glanced around

since I didn't want 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

of girls being slow

'I see them.'

the far corner of the human section I

from me, everyone was currently not wearing

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 thankful for

I headed in

"You're finally here."

was immediately greeted by Douglas who had a calm

training session was a lot longer than I

not in a hurry.

the same

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

ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people

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

included me as

also aiming

winner could get and with

"…hm?"

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

is definitely

to me knowing that it would attract the attention of the others. How

front of me. As they stopped, I

rolling my eyes, I asked in an annoyed

you doing this

displeasure in my voice as I

"…Doing what?"

have understood the implications behind my words. I sighed in exasperation once

"Here."

cards. Lifting her head, she nudged her head in the direction

you will need it, I believe that your friends

referring to Hein

I'll take you up on the

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

I spent the next couple of minutes explaining to them how the

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

the way, have you guys seen Kevin

the type to

absence kind of felt weird. Or maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just be that he was hanging out with Emma since

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

my vision wasn't as good as hers

didn't take long for me to finally see

"Oh, I see them."

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

sick or

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

Kevin in the distance, seemingly having noticed my

"…hm?"