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.

other, numerous dwarves, elves, orcs, and humans alike gathered in groups as they chatted

were fairly relaxed, every human wore an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was understandable however as the tournament held a lot more meaning to them

they

distance, I caught a glimpse of

without a doubt the center of attention. They looked like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans, all trying

extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements

doubt, they were the future pillars of

my lips

just

familiar as I had seen it multiple times back

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

now...where are the

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

didn't want to skip my training session I decided

the stereotype of girls being slow

'I see them.'

far corner of the human section

me, everyone was currently not wearing a skin

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

I headed in

"You're finally here."

arriving, I was immediately greeted by Douglas who had

my training session was a lot

We're not in

reassured with the same

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 had nervous looks on their

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

from. After all, there were a lot of talented people present today,

included me as

aiming for the top

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

"…hm?"

my head, I suddenly noticed Melissa and the others

definitely Melissa's

me knowing that it would attract

them stopped right in front of me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt

I asked in an

are you doing this

didn't hide the displeasure in my voice as I tried to make

"…Doing what?"

not have understood the implications behind

"Here."

handed me a set of cards. Lifting her head, she nudged her head in the direction of

will need it, I believe

referring

you up on the

I took the cards from her. Then, turning

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 of them looked at Melissa with grateful looks

and staring behind Melissa and the others,

guys seen

the type to be

I was just overthinking things? Could just be that he was hanging out with Emma since she was also

"They're over there."

I was wondering about Kevin's whereabouts,

"Where?"

"There."

but my

long for me to

"Oh, I see them."

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

he sick or

aura 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 the

having noticed my stare, Kevin raised his

"…hm?"