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

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

they are already

into the distance, I caught a glimpse of

looked like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch

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

they were the

smile appeared on my lips

things just never

as I had

were entirely different people from the past, their shine never disappeared. In fact, they shone more

now...where are the

glanced around the crowd and looked

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

stereotype of girls being slow at changing was just

'I see them.'

the others. Standing at the far corner of the human section I caught a glimpse

everyone was currently not

only ones that had to hide his identity were Waylan and me. The others not so much. I was quite

my clothes, I headed in

"You're finally here."

Douglas who had a calm smile on

my training session was a

We're not

with the same

smiled in response. Then, turning around I proceeded to greet the others. Apart from Leopold,

not too long ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people

all, there were a lot of

included me

was also aiming

item that only the winner could get and with it, I would have no trouble breaking through to rank in

"…hm?"

suddenly noticed Melissa and the others heading in my direction.

definitely Melissa's

was definitely coming to me knowing that it would

me. As they stopped, I suddenly felt hundreds of eyes directed

rolling my eyes, I asked in

you doing this to

hide the displeasure in my voice as I tried to make

"…Doing what?"

to not have understood the implications behind my words. I sighed in exasperation once

"Here."

cards. Lifting her head, she nudged her head

will need it, I believe that

referring

you up on

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

idea of what 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

behind Melissa and the

guys seen Kevin by

the type to

Or maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just

"They're over there."

wondering about Kevin's

"Where?"

"There."

where she pointed, but my vision wasn't as good as hers so it took me a while to spot

for me to finally see

"Oh, I see them."

low. Emma looked like her usual self, but

he sick or

only was his aura weird, but his hair was disheveled and his overall

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

"…hm?"