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

fairly relaxed, every human wore an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was understandable however as the tournament held

they are already

I caught a glimpse

celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans, all

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

were the future pillars of

my lips as

just

scene was quite familiar as I had seen

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

are

I glanced around the

skip my training session I decided to just go by myself. Amanda was also training with me, but it appeared that she was a lot faster than

slow at changing

'I see them.'

corner of the

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

clothes, I headed in

"You're finally here."

immediately greeted by Douglas who had a calm smile on his

training session was a

not in a

the

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

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

lot of talented people

included me as

was also aiming for the

that I absolutely had to get at all costs. It was the item that only the winner could get and with it, I would have no

"…hm?"

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

definitely Melissa's

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

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

rolling my eyes, I asked in

are you doing

in my voice as I tried to

"…Doing what?"

understood the implications behind my words. I sighed in exasperation once I saw

"Here."

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

think you will need it, I believe that

referring

I'll take you up on the

took the cards from her. Then, turning around, I handed them to Hein and

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

behind Melissa

guys

the type

Could just be that he was hanging out with Emma since she was also

"They're over there."

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

"Where?"

"There."

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

didn't take long for me to

"Oh, I see them."

hung low. Emma looked like her usual self, but Kevin looked

he sick

was disheveled and his overall complexion looked extremely pale. The current

distance, seemingly having noticed

"…hm?"