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.

orcs, and humans alike gathered in groups as they chatted with each

the other races who 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

like they are already

a glimpse

famous celebrities

not only were they extremely good-looking, but their

a doubt, they were the future

on my lips as I witnessed this scene

things just

quite familiar as I had seen it multiple times

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

are

glanced around the

session I decided to just go by myself. Amanda was also

of girls being slow at changing was just a

'I see them.'

it didn't take me too long to spot the others. Standing at the far corner of the human section I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure.

me, everyone was currently

his identity were Waylan and me. The others

I headed in

"You're finally here."

by Douglas who had a calm smile

session was a

fine. We're not in a

the

softly smiled in 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

brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people around

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

included me as

also aiming for the

was an item that I absolutely had to get at all costs. It was the item that only the winner could get and

"…hm?"

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

is definitely Melissa's

and she was definitely coming to me knowing that it

they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds of eyes directed in my direction

I asked in an

you doing this

my voice as I tried to

"…Doing what?"

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

"Here."

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

will need it, I believe that your friends

was obviously referring to Hein

you up on the

took the cards from her. Then, turning around, I

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

my head sideways, and staring behind Melissa and

way, have you guys seen

the type to

maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just be

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

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

long for me

"Oh, I see them."

Kevin's head hung low. Emma looked like her usual self, but Kevin looked a bit different than usual. There was this weird

sick or

but his hair was disheveled and his

having noticed my stare, Kevin raised his head and our

"…hm?"