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 they chatted with each

the members of the other races who were fairly relaxed, every human wore an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was understandable however as

they

into the distance, I caught a glimpse of Amanda, Melissa,

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

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

doubt, they were the future pillars

faint smile appeared on my lips as

things just

familiar as I had seen it multiple times back at the

different people from the past, their

are the

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 training with me, but it appeared that she was

the stereotype of girls being slow at changing

'I see them.'

the far corner of the human section I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure. It

from me, everyone was currently

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 a lot easier for

my clothes, I headed in

"You're finally here."

immediately greeted by Douglas who had a calm smile

session was a lot

We're not in a

reassured with the same calm

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

funny to me as not too long ago they were brimming with confidence.

were a lot of

me as

aiming

all costs. It was the item that only the winner could get and with it, I would

"…hm?"

and the others

is definitely

how much I hated attention, and she was definitely coming to me knowing that it would attract the attention of the others. How

me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt

I asked

you doing this to

the displeasure in my voice as I tried to make it as evident

"…Doing what?"

of course, Melissa being Melissa feigned ignorance and pretended to not have understood the implications behind my words. I sighed in exasperation once I saw

"Here."

her head,

it, I believe that

obviously referring to Hein and

take you up on

took the cards from her. Then, turning around,

the cards did as he saw 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, the both

staring behind Melissa

have you guys seen Kevin by any

wasn't really the type to be

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

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

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

take long for me to finally

"Oh, I see them."

Emma looked like her usual self,

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

having noticed my stare, Kevin raised his head and our

"…hm?"