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 in groups as

the other races who were fairly relaxed, every human wore an expression of nervousness and

like they are already

I caught a glimpse of Amanda,

looked like famous celebrities

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

a doubt, they were the future pillars of

on my lips

things just

had seen it

that they had all grown up and were entirely different people from the past, their shine never disappeared.

are the

glanced around the crowd and looked for Waylan and the

honest, 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 training with me, but it appeared that

slow at changing was just a

'I see them.'

corner of the human section

was currently not wearing a skin

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

I headed

"You're finally here."

immediately greeted by Douglas who had a

training session was a lot longer than I

not

with the same

from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan

too long ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they

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

included me

aiming

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

"…hm?"

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

is definitely

just how much I hated attention, and she was definitely coming to me knowing that

front of me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt

my eyes, I asked

doing this to

displeasure in my voice as I tried to make

"…Doing what?"

of course, Melissa being Melissa feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood the implications

"Here."

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

will need it, I believe that your friends

obviously referring to Hein and

I'll take you up on

turning around, I handed them to Hein

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

staring behind Melissa and the others, I wondered out

the way, have you guys seen

really the type

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

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

I tried to look in the direction of where she pointed, but 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

he sick or

and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The current Kevin looked to be in no state to participate

at Kevin in the distance, seemingly having noticed my stare, Kevin raised his head and our

"…hm?"