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.

each other, numerous dwarves, elves, orcs, and humans alike gathered

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

like they are already

I caught a glimpse of Amanda,

like famous celebrities surrounded by a bunch of fans, all

understandable, however. After all, not only were they extremely good-looking, but their talents and achievements at their age made them individuals to look

were the

smile appeared on my lips as I witnessed this

things just never

scene was quite familiar as I had

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

are the

eyes away from them, I glanced around the crowd and

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

the stereotype of girls being slow

'I see them.'

me too long to spot the others. Standing at the far corner of the human section I caught a glimpse

from me, everyone was currently not wearing a

need 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

"You're finally here."

had a

my training session was a lot longer than I

We're not

the

turning around I proceeded to greet the others. Apart from Leopold, Smallsnake, and Ryan who weren't planning on participating, Ava and

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

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

included me

also aiming for the top

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

"…hm?"

raising my head, I suddenly noticed Melissa and the

is definitely

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

everyone's watch, the three of them stopped right in front of me. As they stopped, I suddenly

I

are you doing this

my voice

"…Doing what?"

to not have understood the implications behind

"Here."

of cards. Lifting her head,

will need it, I believe that your

obviously referring to

I'll take you up on

turning around, I

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 at Melissa with grateful looks on their

sideways, and staring behind Melissa and the others,

guys seen Kevin

wasn't really the

overthinking things? Could just

"They're over there."

was wondering about Kevin's whereabouts, Amanda

"Where?"

"There."

pointed, but my vision wasn't as

long for me to finally see

"Oh, I see them."

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

sick or

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

I was looking at Kevin in the distance, seemingly having

"…hm?"