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.

humans alike

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

they

into the distance, I caught a glimpse of Amanda,

the center of attention. They looked like famous celebrities surrounded

they extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements at their age

were the future pillars of

my lips as I

just never

was quite familiar as I had seen it multiple times back at

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

now...where are

them, I glanced around the crowd and looked for Waylan

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

being slow at changing was

'I see them.'

corner of the human section

currently not wearing

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

my clothes, I headed in their

"You're finally here."

arriving, I was immediately greeted by Douglas who had a calm smile on his face. I nodded

training session was a lot longer

fine. We're not

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

they were brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people around them, their previous

all, there were a lot of talented people present today, and everyone

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 half of the time that I

"…hm?"

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

is definitely

attention, and she was definitely coming to me knowing that it would attract the attention of the others. How petty of

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

eyes, I asked in

are you doing

displeasure in my voice as I tried

"…Doing what?"

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

"Here."

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

will need it, I believe

referring to Hein

I'll take you up on

the cards from her. Then, turning

didn't so I spent the next couple of minutes explaining to them how the cards worked. Once I was done, the both

Melissa

have you guys seen Kevin

wasn't really the type to

maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just be that

"They're over there."

wondering about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda suddenly

"Where?"

"There."

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

take long for me

"Oh, I see them."

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

sick

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

the distance, seemingly having noticed my stare, Kevin raised his

"…hm?"