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 gathered in groups as

an expression of nervousness and excitement. This was understandable however as the tournament held a lot more meaning to them than the

like they are

I caught a glimpse of Amanda,

They looked like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans, all

only were they extremely good-looking, but their

they were the future pillars

smile appeared on my lips as I

things just never

was quite familiar as I had seen it multiple times

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 and the

to skip my training session I decided to just go by

slow

'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. It was Douglas. Behind him were the

everyone was currently not wearing a skin

me. The others not so much. I was quite thankful for this. It made the search a

I headed

"You're finally here."

who had a calm smile on his face.

session was a

not

with the same

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

as not too long ago they were brimming with confidence. But as they stared at the people around them, their previous confidence completely

a lot of talented people present today, and everyone

me

also aiming for

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

"…hm?"

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

is definitely

to me

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

my eyes, I asked in

doing

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

"…Doing what?"

and pretended to not have understood the implications

"Here."

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

it, I believe that your friends might need

was obviously referring to

you up

from her. Then, turning around, I

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 was done, the

head sideways, and staring behind Melissa

the way, have you guys seen Kevin by any

really the

weird. Or maybe I was just overthinking things? Could just be that he was hanging out with Emma since

"They're over there."

just as I was wondering about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda suddenly spoke as

"Where?"

"There."

my eyes, I tried to look in the direction of where she pointed, but my

it didn't take long for me to finally

"Oh, I see them."

head hung low. Emma looked like her usual self, but Kevin looked a bit different

sick

knit at the sight. Not only was his aura weird, but his hair was disheveled and his overall

at Kevin in the distance, seemingly having noticed my stare,

"…hm?"